Filmmaking / Directing : Posting A Proof of Concept by Tony Cella

You can show it to investors first. If you does now work out, you can post it to YT

Always show it to your money people first. "Exclusivity" strokes ego. Gather your money people together, invite cast & crew, and host a fund raiser party.

Thank you for the advice. That makes a lot of sense. How do you recommend finding investors? Should I ask for time at Chamber of Commerce meetings and business associations?

An Investor is just a person with deep pockets. Hang out at places with $$$$ - charity events, church. My first movie - the 3 big Investors- a dentist, a real estate guy and ex-NBA basketball player. The best advice I can give you is to start a "LLC" (limited liability corp) when you are ready to commit and open a business checking acct. You don't want to be sued 1-2 years later when Investors want their $$$$ back because you can't finish or sell the movie. Good luck

I think you should show it to the investors first. Because, if they have interests in the film your scope for further production and promotion will be quiet big...

@Dan Are there any sample contract forms for such investor contracts in film business online? I mean a simple template? I could only find a bunch of confusing contracts. See here: https://www.google.de/search?q=film+investor+contract+template&biw=1208&... Further, shouldn't such a contract include all possibilities, including any production or selling problems and other reasons of failure? I mean investors usually know that their invest can fail.

@eliz my contracts were drafted by a lawyer & accountant. They had huge PIE CHARTS and GRAPHS (because people like picture stats) of potential profits. Yes, the fine print at bottom last paragraph in small font say something like "no guarantees"... And Investors are people. They will call, knock on your door asking for their money back. People change over Time in the making & selling a movie (1-3 years Indie features). Divorce, lose jobs, bad health, etc. I never sold at Sundance & Cannes so I don't have any experience with the big dogs. Just been to The American Film Market in Santa Monica, CA, like hundreds of filmmakers looking to "break even" on video & cable distribution deals.

Keep your film under wraps and cruse your towns “business breakfasts/luncheons” Chamber of Commerce meetings, professional expositions... Four-wall a local art house theater and throw an exclusive big flashy wine & cheese premier where investors can mix & mingle with the cast and crew. Hint: Dentists and ex-athletes have more money than they know what to do with.

Thank you for the advice. Living in Chicago, it shouldn't be hard to find ex-athletes and dentists associations. I'll approach a few medical groups. One article I read suggested approaching investors that deal in risky ventures, e.g. restaurants, record labels and other industries with high failure rates. Any thoughts on that?

Sure, hit up whoever has deep pockets. "How to" books are good reads but you gotta close deals face to face. I don't know how much you are asking $$$$ but have your legal paperwork done first. Register your LLC, pay taxes, partner with a Producer you trust. Good Luck.

Dan is absolutely correct – eyeball to eyeball is the way it works. Some people you can trust, others not so much - their eyes give them away.

Dentists and ex-athletes. I nodded and laughed at the same time.