Financing / Crowdfunding

I don't agree with Dan Maxx, no offense Dan. Working in festivals and concerts and theatre, folks deal with no funding all the time. And do it again and again, even if they loose big on a few. An old friend once said to me as a funding tip "...other peoples money", he is billionaire level successful. I work in events, theater and documentary films There is more than one or two ways to skin a cat, no offense to cats. Does you film connect/relates/themes with a local cause, community fav, or industry? Search for non-profits, businesses and publications that might sponsor it with some cash for product placement or credits. Never forget that your film and its marketing are advertising real estate. UK is Commonwealth, which has good community services. Some have startup programs for small businesses to encourage more local jobs. It never hurts to politely ask:)

Oh and always be open to inkind funding and sponsorships that allow you more cash. Office space, use of a warehouse for shoots, transport, onset roadies, sound techs, props, sets, costumes, locations, equipment etc. etc. etc. Adds up. A talented newbie editor or fashion designer looking for a reel.. think laterally. Remember all of these and the others I mentioned have their own mailing lists and will be more than happy to tell one and all about your film when it is released.

Ashley, the BEST THING you can do is to prequalify people by going to IMDb and doing your research. How many films have they produced? Have they grounded money in the past and produced films? If they have, and have a track record, I would take that advice. If they haven't, well let the buyer beware.

There are hundreds of organizations who want to give you money. Video about it here https://youtu.be/mGfxyXI6Ub0

I would come up with all your resources like location, cast and crew, unique elements and then write a short around it to make for little money first.

Fiscal sponsorship. Find a nonprofit that is into your topic or genre and ask if you can use their nonprofit status for donations and crowd funding. You can also use it for other stuff.

Thank you Deborah.

To add to the Fiscal Sponsorship, visit Grantspace.org .

Thank you Tasha.

A video that tells you how to do it https://youtu.be/mGfxyXI6Ub0

I do remember buying an HVX-200 camera years ago and getting a tax exempt form as a small business so that I was able to avoid paying taxes on the camera itself. But you need to be an actual business with a tax I.D. (again, I believe. Check to make sure)

It's a depreciating asset and your accountant will know how to schedule that as a write off over a period of time. It's not usually done all at once. Again, it depends on the purchase price. Check with your accountant to make sure. A camera that's under $1,000 may not fall into this category though. It might be seen as a consumer product. When I financed a Sony FS7 with all the accessories it was over $14k. That took a while to write off.

Welcome! Visit Stage 32 Resources and Crowdfunding and Finance Lounge.

thank you =)

Get friends in the industry to read it first and pick it to pieces. I mean really shoot it down. then use that for your fixes.

Thank you for the sound advice. When I published and edited a online newsletter that was collaborated globally by myself and clients, travel writers and columnist, each person edited it until it was perfected. Feel free to visit my project page and rate my current projects.

You are most welcome, I will:)

https://www.emg-mediamaker.com/article-crowd-funding-must-do.php

See Stage 32 resources. Libraries have crowdfunding books. You can also search "Crowdfunding Checkllist on the internet or Checklist.com..

Look through the eyes of your market, what top three things do they want?

Hey, Lauren McKean and Christopher Phillips, our IG is live! Would love to know what everybody thinks!

Stage 32 Resources https://blog.kitsplit.com/the-ultimate-film-grant-list%e2%80%8a-%e2%80%8... if you are looking for grants.

John Ellis how is that coming along for you so far? Has more been coming in that is going out?

Lorenzo L. Johnson, Jr Too soon to tell - still creating and approving post topics, timelines, etc. I'll know more in 7-10 days.

If it's the nut campaign. You guys have it set up good. But you always can use free publicity. So get other people involved with your crowdfunding campagin. My brother told Jamie Foxx to tell his friends to post about "Just Mercy". It works. People saw it.

The libraries have publications with fact checked organizations. I included a section in my book entitled "Funding for Internship and Scholarship Programs which added several of them.

No, for the simple reason their job is to say whatever to make them look good. They can never describe it like you can. Gather a team of like minds who want to do it for the art and the money. Their enthusiasm in sharing it will sell it.

Stage 32 resources, filmdaily.tv and pitchinvestorslive.com

I've tried Patreon, it sucks. A little research found others with the same experience. There is too much competition due to Patreon's over popularity. Like trying to get your youtube channel noticed. There are a lot of different kinds of funding sites, including different kinds of crowd funding and micro investing, as well as grants. For businesses, nonprofits and individuals. A new directory of them is just released at https://www.blurb.com/b/9925921-film-and-video-money-directory?ebook=715640

Stage 32 Resources.

Contact a few audio recording studios for advice. They can give you quotes and tips to get you started.

https://www.emg-mediamaker.com/article-crowd-funding-must-do.php

https://www.emg-mediamaker.com/article-why-filmmakers-need-to-know-marke...

Stage 32, Grantspace.org, and I use my ebook/book Funding for Internship and Scholarship Programs everyday.

What is your project about, who are the topic or genre fans? Identify their discussion groups and organizations and get friendly.

I think it's great when people go out and do what they love. Although I'm not part of this production I want to thank all who have supportive things to say. This is Stage 32 a community of filmmakers. Let's keep supporting each other!

Too bad it’s not to your taste Bo.

Charles, I totally agree! I’ve only recently joined Stage 32 but it seems like a great community :)

Hi Amanda, try Mandy.com ( UK ) and Bectu if you haven't already. you may get response from some producers. Just hang in there. I am sure you got this:-)

Ask a film school to do it. There are some good ones in the UK.

Hi Jimmy, is the project swedish? (Swedish actors, film there... and are you based in Sweden right now?) If so, I can put you in contact with a very nice lady, who is there (Karlstad, I think), she is an enterpreneur and knows a lot of people in the sector so it might be useful!

Did you already try pitching forums? I can help you making a presentation and a pitching deck. That's the way I get some option agreements for my projects. I can also help you with pre-production when u have your exec. and the stuff in place. :)

Hi there Catarina. Yes the project is swedish but its also a project that "easily" can be made to an american film as an adaptation but its swedish first hand. We are in the process of financing in sweden now but I want to keep all options open. I would love some help from you =) Thank you

Here are some resources. (Stage 32, Filmdaily.tv, pitchinvestorslive.com, documentary.org and itvs.org)

Sweden has great community services. Have you asked around grantmakers there?