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.

Ashley Renee Smith
Navigating the Complex World of Film Production Accounting

Film production is a fascinating intersection of creativity and complexity, where every detail—from the script to the screen—requires meticulous management. Yet, amidst the excitement of making movies, managing production finances often feels like navigating a labyrinth. That's why here at Stage 32...

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Sam Sokolow

Production accounting is the financial backbone of every production and it's super important that producers and filmmakers understand this critical role before, during and after production. This blog...

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The Film Fund's UNKNOWN MOVIE looks to redefine crowdfunding

I found this approach to be fascinating. What are your thoughts of The FIlm Fund's UNKOWN MOVIE approach to film financing? https://www.accesswire.com/919387/redefining-film-financing-unknown-movi......

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Jack Binder
Snoop Dogg, Robert Rodriguez Form Equity Crowd Fund for Productions

Partnering with Republic, a platform which as raised $3bn, this is a good example of talent driven alternative financing for productions. Artists taking the reigns and leveraging their fame and track record to raise funding, a good lesson in DIY filmmaking!

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/202...

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Amanda Toney

I'm fascinated by this evolution. I don't know if I quite understand the long term profitability in this model, but interested to see it unfold. Jack Binder - take a look at the post I just put up in...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Ha! This is AWESOME! What a duo!

Sam Sokolow

Snoop has been publically irritated since a song he was a part of garnered a billion streams and he made under $50K. He's been looking to shake things up for creators and partnering with Robert Rodriguez, another indie renegade, is amazing. Can't wait to see where this goes.

Jack Binder
California Awards $18m to Features - $12m to New Series

California film tax credits allocations announced award 3 big budget movies and 15 independent films (including a Janis Joplin Biopic produced by and starring Shailene Woodley with a total of $18m in film tax incentives. New Series received $12m. 'Suits' has relocated to California from Vancouver.

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CA tax credit lures 'Suits' spin-off from Vancouver, funds Woodley's Joplin film
CA tax credit lures 'Suits' spin-off from Vancouver, funds Woodley's Joplin film
Shailene Woodley will produce and star in the Janis Joplin biopic, one of 15 independent features to receive funding from the California Film Commission
Sam Sokolow

The toothpaste is out of the tube on the global expansion of film & TV production but California needs to, and should, be competing like this.

Lee LaMarche
Going back to the well

Hey everyone. I was curious about something. You've raised money for your first short, it comes out the way you want, but it's not something that would ever have a ROI. How hard have you found it to go back to the people who funded it to ask them to help with your next project? I feel like it's goin...

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Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

If you said to them you need an "investment" it implies they will get their initial investment back with a return. If you asked for a "sponsor" and tell them the money will get a short made and no ret...

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Jack Binder

Mixed bag. You have their support, and a potential opportunity for them to recoup on your next project (assuming you have a viable path to recoupment). One suggestion is that they roll their investmen...

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Sam Sokolow

Very good ideas here. Another idea - although may not be what you're looking to do - but building off Jack's concept - if your next short can be a proof of concept for a feature film then you can go b...

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Jack Binder
The Pandora Short Film Grant

The Pandora Short Film Grant is open for submissions. $12,000 to three finalists, plus equipment, etc.

Closes December 31st, 2024

https://pandora.org/#about

Ashley Renee Smith

Thank you so much for sharing this with the community, Jack Binder!

Susan Kelejian

Jack Binder thank you, applied!

Sam Sokolow

Awesome opportunity - flagging this for my network (go get 'em filmmakers!)

Jack Binder
Content Spending for European Production Hit $22bn in 2023

Global streamers increasingly moving production to Europe as their share reaches $5.7bn.

FilmBudget.com International...

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Ashley Renee Smith
RSVP for September's In-Person Stage 32 Meetups in Austin, TX & Phoenix, AZ!

Hey, Financiers!

There are 2 FREE Stage 32 in-person networking meetups coming up on Thursday, September 19th! I'm including links to the meetup pages for you all below. If you live in any of these cities or are nearby, be sure to RSVP and seize this opportunity to meet with other creatives in person...

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Pressman is turning to crowdfunding

This will be very interesting to watch and learn from. I find it exciting for indie filmmakers when Pressman says "we need to galvanize audiences to be a part of the future." What are your thoughts on this big crowdfunding move? https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-09-05/pr...

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To fund new movies, 'American Psycho' producer turns to the crowd
To fund new movies, 'American Psycho' producer turns to the crowd
Pressman Film, the studio behind "Thank You for Smoking" and "American Psycho," is looking to raise funds for its upcoming development slate through crowd investing, a twist on a tactic used by other producers.
Willem Elzenga

I think audiences need to be entertaint and not be bothered with the financial problems filmmakers have. Far from everybody in the audience has an interest in investing.

Arthur Charpentier

Rich people don't want to invest in their films. they want the simpletons to pay for them.

Sydney S
Webinar coming soon! Unlock the Secrets to Financially Subsidizing Your Film through Co-Productions

Learn from a top producer & film financier of high-net-worth individuals from Monaco to Switzerland!

Producing a film can be a wildly expensive endeavor. One of the hardest parts is securing enough money to execute the full vision of the film. There are a number of paths to take, but one of the most...

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Sydney S

Likewise Prema!!

Geoff Hall

Sydney S this looks interesting. I was wondering where the IP lays in a co-production?

Sydney S

That's a fantastic question! I'm excited to hear Emma Louise's insights and to join the webinar in September.

Emma Louise Smith

Looking forward to this webinar coming up next week, digging into the components of a co-production and answering all of your questions!

Sydney S

Thank you Emma, likewise!!

Anna Kadykova
Shape of your Heart (new approach in the world of animated films)

Well, making animated films is a long, hard, exhausting and often not about money. So we thought: is there a way to avoid all of this? Is there a way to make something simple, quick, inexpensive, but still exciting like a Netflix or HBO show?

Do you think that's possible?

It's impossible to know if y...

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Ashley Renee Smith

You should check out Stage 32 CEO RB's book- Crowdsourcing For Filmmakers: Indie Film & the Power of the Crowd. There is a ton of advice in there from interviewing hundreds of filmmakers on crowdsourc...

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Anna Kadykova

Ashley, thank you, but the page is “not found”

Anna Kadykova

Antonio! 100% agree! we want to make this story with twists and many horizontal lines. and I had already two producers told me, they like the project, but it’s better to make it vertical. which contra...

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Vincent Turner

this was fire

Amanda Toney
Pressman Films (American Psycho producer) is going for a $1.5 million crowdfund for a slate of films

I was shocked to see this high of a crowdfund campaign going in for a slate of films. I am very curious to see how this plays out and if the team has done their due diligence and planning to prepare for this type of a raise: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-09-05/pre......

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To fund new movies, 'American Psycho' producer turns to the crowd
To fund new movies, 'American Psycho' producer turns to the crowd
Pressman Film, the studio behind "Thank You for Smoking" and "American Psycho," is looking to raise funds for its upcoming development slate through crowd investing, a twist on a tactic used by other producers.
Jack Binder

Thank you Amanda Toney! Interesting to see such established players likewise venturing to the crowd for film financing. Many have dabbled into these waters with mixed success, however it does seem to...

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