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Financing / Crowdfunding

From all facets of a traditional raise to soft money to crowdfunding strategies, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice regarding raising funds for a project.

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Cee Whirx
Financiers needed for animated film

Hi Everybody, it's Cee W speaking. I've been busy working on a proposal for my upcoming animated action-adventure, "Martial Arts Pets". However, we are in need of investment to actually bring our movie idea to life. We haven't had much luck finding funds or financiers, so please don't hesitate to help us out.

Morne Patterson

Good luck Cee hope that you come right :)

Amanda Toney
‘I’m not going to make $1’: The director of ‘Sound of Freedom’ breaks his silence

fascinating article from the director of SOUND OF FREEDOM, which used crowdfunding: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-08-14/sound-of-freedom-movie-director-alejandro-monteverde-box-office-controversy...

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'I'm not going to make $1': 'Sound of Freedom' director breaks his silence
'I'm not going to make $1': 'Sound of Freedom' director breaks his silence
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-08-14/sound-of-freedom-movie-director-alejandro-monteverde-box-office-controversy
After weeks distancing himself from the controversy around his summer box-office sensation, Alejandro Monteverde finally tells 'the whole story.'
Curt Samlaska

What a fantastic interview. Would love to have Alejandro do one of my features...

Laurie Ashbourne

I'm glad the director is finally speaking out. It's a shame he gave away his points, and I know of a couple of filmmakers who have cut ties with Angel Studios because of their less than transparent bu...

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James Kicklighter

For most filmmakers, however, points won’t come — and it is better to get your money upfront. Certainly, this is an unusual case. But as for me, I generally prefer to deal in cash than hypotheticals — if given the choice.

Robin Gregory

James Kicklighter, I totally agree with you, especially with the networks finding clever ways to avoid paying writers. Interesting news, Amanda Toney . Thank you for sharing!...

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Jack Binder

Interesting.

Geoff Hall
A New Animation Fantasy Series

I’ve just posted something in the Animation Lounge about this project, so if you want to know more, please check out the link below.

I’m developing an animated fantasy series, the pilot’s first draft is out to people I trust and I’m awaiting feedback.

I am aiming to create a proof of concept trailer/...

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Laurie Ashbourne

Geoff Hall You may not need an animator yet, unless they also are character designers. If you are at a stage that you have no visuals, it would best to find a character designer, and/or visual develop...

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Geoff Hall

Laurie Ashbourne Hi Laurie, so how do the character designers and animators work together? Do the CDs precede the animators? Is it better for me to find a character designer/concept designer for the s...

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Niki H

Great questions, following along to learn as well.

Laurie Ashbourne

Geoff Hall There are a lot of elements at play before a project is "animated." What the character designers and visual development artists do is set the style which determines how a film or show is an...

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Geoff Hall

Laurie Ashbourne thanks for your advice, Laurie. It is much appreciated.

Dalene Stuteville
Tax Incentives and Mitigating Risk for Investors

A friend of mine posted an article in his LinkedIn newsletter about tax incentives and how they can help mitigate risk for investors. In it he uses some fairly easy to follow examples that might help you have a deeper conversation with anyone considering investing in your films.

https://www.linkedin....

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Using Tax Incentives to Mitigate Investment Risk in Film Projects
Using Tax Incentives to Mitigate Investment Risk in Film Projects
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/using-tax-incentives-mitigate-investment-risk-film-jason
The tax laws and legislation of the United States, and of individual states is constantly changing. The information presented here is a general guideline on the structuring of projects for informational purposes only.
Sam Sokolow

Thanks for sharing this, Dalene Stuteville! Tax incentives are a critical piece when making an independent film (or even a studio project). This is a great article. If anyone wants to take an even dee...

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Ray Ghasemi

Great article....

Jack Binder

Very helpful analysis of the tax impacts of film finance investing.

Sam Sokolow
Negotiating Strategy 101 - Last 24 Hours To Register

Whether it's negotiating with film crews, actors, investors, distributors, or other stakeholders, all creatives can benefit from learning effective negotiation strategies that can help you achieve your artistic and financial goals. It's rare that anyone ever gets more that what's been agreed to in w...

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Ray Ghasemi

Thanks for sharing

Sam Sokolow
How To Produce, Finance, And Distribute Your Under $5mm Feature Film In Today’s Marketplace

We are in the midst of an independent film renaissance as all studio productions are shut down and big stars want to support independent filmmaking. This is the time to make your independent film with a budget of under $5 million that can attract big name talent, get a SAG-AFTRA Interim Waiver and g...

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Jack Binder

Fantastic! Jeanette is a great producer to learn from!

Ray Ghasemi

Magnificent!

Joshua Mayer
Love me

My mentor in entertainment recently told me, "Joshua, you need to find mastercraftspersons who are believers..." He meant that from funders to writers, directors to actors, people involved must be like those on my team - 150% sold on the mission and method of the show.

Why do we need believers? Firs...

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Amman M. Said

There is a parsed approach to projects. Other though can "see" - envision and feel - everything about the project (including its completion) before they start. So when's the last time that's ever happened to anyone?

Whitney Moore

So true! It's impossible to do anything with people who don't believe in your project.

Jack Binder

Further to @amandatoney @stage32 comment, while it may seem obvious, I always suggest filmmakers dive into the community their (social issues) project features. Research and connect with those with li...

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Joshua Mayer

@Jackbinder, thanks for that! Great thoughts. Shall do.

Ray Ghasemi

Thanks for sharing

Ashley Renee Smith
How You Or Your Project Can Stand Out In The International Market!

Today's Stage32 blog brings Cannes 2023 straight to you, showcasing the full expert panel "How You Or Your Project Can Stand Out In The International Market!" You won't want to miss this!

https://www.stage32.com/blog/how-you-or-your-project-can-stand-out-in-the-international-market-3436

Maurice Vaughan

Incredible blog! It has a lot of phenomenal advice and insight!

Ray Ghasemi

Awesome!

Jack Binder
Ohio Raises Film Tax Credit Ceiling

Raising the funding cap attracts more productions. Good work Ohio.

https://www.kftv.com/news/2023/07/27/ohio-film-tax-credit-rise?utm_mediu......

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Ohio film tax credit increases to $50 million
Ohio film tax credit increases to $50 million
https://www.kftv.com/news/2023/07/27/ohio-film-tax-credit-rise
The previously approved legislation has come into effect
Sam Sokolow

Maurice Vaughan - it's a solid mid-size number for a state. As an example, Louisiana has $180M dedicated annually while Mississippi caps at $20M annually. Of course, each state offers different locale...

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Karen "Kay" Ross

They've got the right idea, "Ohio is ready to hit the ground running when the strikes end, citing a high demand for "content"". This is definitely the right time to prepare to move forward!

I wonder,...

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Emily J

This is awesome! Ohio has a lot of really cool stuff happening film-wise, lot of towns rebuilding and doing cool things to attract businesses like start ups and production companies in addition to phy...

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Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for answering, Sam Sokolow. Thanks for the articles, Karen "Kay" Ross. Great resources!...

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Ray Ghasemi

Thanks for sharing

Dalene Stuteville
Film Grants by Category

If you need a great resource for Film Grants. They're listed by category here. (The pic is of my daughters in our studio)

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-grants/

The Ultimate Film Grants List for Every Filmmaker
The Ultimate Film Grants List for Every Filmmaker
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-grants/
Finding film grants for your short film, documentary, or feature film can be an effective way of getting additional film funding.
Leonardo Ramirez

This is a great list Dalene Stuteville . Thanks for posting!

Maria Soriano

Thanks, Dalene. This is a great list.

Martin Hall

Good Resource! Thanks for sharing!

Rita Avellar

Thanks for sharing!!

Ray Ghasemi

Thanks Dalene

Ryan Haneman
Funding a national PSA

Hey Stage 32 siblings, I’ve hit a few walls trying to get funding for our PSA. It’s a PSA that several organizations have loved, but a lot of the organizations that we have created this message about impaired driving don’t have the advertising funds to create new content. We have been trying for ove...

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Morne Patterson

Good luck with the funding Ryan I hope that you come right

Emma Smith

Sorry I can’t help more with Canadian stuff. I would definitely add the good comments to your pitch deck though. It may be worth having a Google of previous similar campaigns and seeing who ran them o...

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Sam Sokolow

Hi Ryan Haneman - while there are differences between documentaries and PSA's, I recommend this Stage 32 webinar on how to partner with brands to make your documentary. I think there are valuable acti...

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Don Gagnon

OK. I'm in Canada also. If you have a partnership with a NPO (non-profit organization), you could look for government subsidies for NPO (gov, foundations, etc), even if it's the NPO's job. The securit...

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Ray Ghasemi

Good luck Ryan

Josiah Bhola Hillaire
Negotiations

When financing a film project, have you ever dealt with negotiations that went wrong and or never went anywhere? If so, what did that experience teach you?

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