Interviewed producers for "Jericho House" (R-rated animated Psychological Drama) for the last two days. Exhausting to say the least. But one complication was that everyone wanted to be paid in vastly different ways. We're looking for someone to work with funding and running online campaigns and activities -- backed by the cast and crew. But half the folks want a flat upfront rate and the other half want a percentage of gross earned. Is there a standard scale? We're looking to raise $14,000 through donations or investments. (For reference, more about the project can be found here http://igg.me/p/195070 or here http://jerichohouse.blueforgeproductions.com/)
Producing : Interviewing Producers by Jennifer DiMarco
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Both options are quite standard - flat rate or a percentage - and both are reasonable. A producer who will work for free upfront and a percentage of the gross is your best option. Bad for the producer, good for you. Raising money is very, very difficult - but you know that - so anyone who is willing to do this for no upfront money is a very good deal for you.
Thank you, Rik. Yes, raising the funds for the kids' series I work on was difficult -- but possible. Raising funds for a feature? Seemingly 100% harder -- which is why we decided to work with a producer. Trying to find the right fit and someone willing to put in the long hours. Good to know that flat rate and percentage are both reasonable. It was throwing me that folks wanted such different payment arrangements.
Understandable. Some people are willing to take the financial risk along with you, some don't want to take that risk so they want to be paid for their work. I imagine you're getting different percentage rates, too. People with different needs and experience will ask for different rates. People willing to put in long hours for no pay are difficult to find. Good luck!
Thanks again, Rik. Yes, you're absolutely right -- percentage rates were all over the place. Personally, I'd rather pay someone more (a higher percentage) but I am in a position where someone needs to be paid by the funding of the film/campaign. With that in mind, what would a decent/fair percentage be? We have a team of good folks who created the marketing materials so the producer wouldn't need to do that. And, of course, any costs incurred (postage, etc) would be paid by us upfront. Your thoughts?
Someone with many years of experience raising money would naturally feel a fair percentage is higher than someone with enthusiasm and dedication but no experience. A fair percentage will be all over the place. You find a producer who had raised financing for 10 to 20 projects then "fair" is going to be high. On the other hand if you find someone who has never done it before but is enthusiastic and dedicated to your project a fair percentage might be high, too. And on the other hand if they don't raise any money (or not enough) then you don't pay them anything no matter how hard they work. That's why working on a percentage is risky for the producer and not so risky for you. You lose time but no money. So fair might be the high end of the quotes.
Thanks once more, Rik. I think I've stolen enough of your time :) The project is certainly better for it. You make perfect sense... rare in this industry :)
Hello Jennifer. I am friends with a filmmaker who was able to fund--- in excess of the requirement--- his recent documentary in South America. He used http://kickstarter.com . I was there and watched as the numbers rolled in from donors... I believe they earned something near to your goal and did it in just days (maybe 14). Something to consider?
Marcinho, thank you for the suggestion! We've also used KickStarter to fund projects (the entire first season of a kids' show) and you're right, it did work well. There were a few elements that made it tricky for this new project and in the end we decided to launch a campaign at IndieGogo (a similar funding campaign site -- campaign is here www.indiegogo.com/jerichohouse/). The thing is, the adage, "If you build it, they will come" is unfortunately untrue :) We're actually looking for a producer to run the campaign :) Perhaps I should place a "help wanted" post?
You're very welcome, though i offered meaningless idea... you're RIGHT though, build it... and they WILL come... and they will STAY... until you electrify the fence (AND the gate)!!!!!! LOL! I'm familiar with Indie... and had an acquaintance whose campaign failed miserably... Bless him!!!! Isn't there a help-wanted page on this site!?!?!?!?!? LOL! Off to check out your trailer for "Jericho House". Thanks for the connect! :-)
Hope you like the trailer, Marcinho! We tried to give viewers a taste of the style and themes -- it's dark, there's nudity, sex, intense situations, bad relationships, the list goes on! But it'll be a huge first for LGBT film if we can pull off the funding! The other videos at www.indiegogo.com/jerichohouse/ are an introduction to the universe the film is set in and a campaign video that talks about the team. The trailer is the first video ;)