Producing : How does someone find a producer for a small indie film production? by Evie Marie Warner

Film School, film/video co-ops, finding a 'Producer' is never a problem. And because it's for a festal piece is even easier. Is there a film school or college that has film production courses where you are?. Even putting an ad in Craigslist will get you reply's from people who want to produce. You just have to be careful, like with anything, who you bring on board. It's easy to tell who is really interested and has the knowledge from those who are faking it. The ones who are sincere about it know what needs to be done and who the org. are to hit up for everything from gear, crew to funding, post and festivals. TO PUT IT SIMPLY: What a Producer does is make it happen. They are the ones who not only pull the financing together but own the copyright to the screenplay and have the connections with cast and crew. They are the business end, the corporation, the ones that look after the investors, sale, distribution. banks, co-production, hire the Director, Star talent. If there were no Producers then there would be no films made.

See, my experience is that it is not that easy. Most film makers I know try doing indiegogo or other sites with not much success. Wright State has film production courses but the classes are not easy to get into b/c you got to get accepted in the program. I am mass communications major. Not a film major. But you definitely need to be careful but not everyone is reliable.

Check out a site: www.indieproducersdirectory.com

Why not just go talk to some of the people who are taking the film course?

B/c I'm asking people with experience. And I don't know any film students. @Thomas, I will look into the website! Thanks!

Lets turn the question around - how does a small time producer like me find suitable scripts to produce?

I have heard of something called screen writers utopia. Writers can post log lines to attract potential director or I assuming producers. I think it might cost money (like 5 bucks) when I first joined I was getting everything. Now, I only get people looking for someone who wants credit and a copy of the film. I guess I can get everything (including paid listings) if I pay another five dollars.But they brought in new people and I do't get the same stuff that I use to. For someone who is a producer, I don't know if there is a cost to receive their listings. If you are looking to just give someone then, indiegogo.com or kickstarter.com is a good place to start. Maybe browsing those sites will get you in contact with someone who could use a producer.

There are a lot of groups on facebook that you can join and say hey, I am small time producer, if you are looking for a producer please send me information about your projection. Logline, synopsis, cover letter, resume and maybe you will get some really good responses!

OK you're asking people with experience. I've worked prof. in the industry for 27 years as a PM, Line Producer & Development Producer. I went to film school and made shorts for festivals that won awards so I have experience. The only way to meet film makers is to go out and do just that.. Let me ask you this and I'm not being belittling, just need to understand were you want to go with your project.: Are you looking for a seasoned, established, mover & shaker producer who for the most works with large budget pictures? or are you looking for a producer who is just getting their feet wet and seeking a project with merit they can make happen?.

Experience can be deceiving. I’ve worked with someone with 40+ years and I’ve worked with a few having 1 year’s experience at least 30 times over. I take it from the tone of her question that she’s relatively new to filmmaking, so I agree with you. She needs to hang out where filmmakers hang out and get involved with them to see if a working chemistry happens. Attend every film festival, seminar and class she can. Make herself visible.

I don't get the chance to hang out with other film makers very much b/c I am both going to school and working. I have completed one film so yes. I don't have a lot of experience. I would be looking for someone who is wanting to get their feet wet. I am doing what I can to make myself visible. I am member of two organizations in Ohio; FilmDayton and DATV. But all of the nights they meet I am either in class or working. But I agree that is the best way to meet people. Thought honestly, few of them are able to make many movies b/c they don't have the funds to do so. but I agree that that is typically a good thing to do.

Stage 32, Mandy, shooters.

Mandy? Shoots?

http://www.mandy.com, http://www.shootersfilm.com/production-services/ I would try Film schools too, or just maybe sign up for a Filmmaking summercamp course and make you film there if possible.

In general a producer does all organisational stuff which has less with the artistic work of a film to do. If he organized the Finances, then he might even replace the director when he sucks to protect the investment in the film. In Indieproductions the FiImmaker (writer, director & Producer) have to do more by himself, since it his own heart & interest in the film and he can't pay a producer for everything. When the Filmmaker finances everything himself there's often the danger he puts the money in the wrong place. Have seen Low Budget Films ending up having to have paid the Line Producer the highest fee since so much organisational work was in it that couldn't be done for No, or little money. In one case I know about, the director is today still annoyed that he had to pay the line producer so much, when others worked for free, but in the end the director never finished the film, since he spent more than they had. What a Producer in the End does on a production depends on the agreement with the filmmaker and how much time is involved.

As the saying goes, "what DOESN'T a producer do ?" Producers collect and coordinate the environment of resources that allow the creative team ( actors, director, DP) to execute the project...they keep the machine working and fed and happy.. and lean... and then they see it through post production and into a life of it's own as a movie. Producers are in it for the passion or the money... nothing else. A well organized and assertive young film student seeking a credit may be the one for your project as described, but much of producing is about experience ( knowing how and where to cut corners, or not to ) and connections ( the Golden Phone List)... almost all of it actually... which is why .most people without budgets must DIY... as you did before

I'm also interested in finding a producer for an international movie about using music to combat oppression. We already have a play and are looking for a staged reading. A script comes next.

You might want to edit the title of this thread. When I see the word "fine" I automatically think dispute. The term "producer" has a few meanings, depending on context, but in this situation, it usually means the person who puts up the money and/or coordinates everything. This means finding a director, actors, camera crew, editors, etc. and any other resources needed to complete the film. Because they have a financial stake in the project (no matter how big or small), people generally listen to producers otherwise the purse strings get closed. This applies even if you have a special arrangement with the producer - in theory you can both agree that as writer etc. you want total control, but in practice, if they don't feel good about spending their money on that costume or location etc, or they want to change some part of the story or casting, you're at their mercy. They usually also get first dibs on any earnings, so they can recover their costs and benefit from the risk they have taken. Don't hate a producer for this - they deserve every last bit of it. Only push back if you genuinely thing the film will otherwise be harmed. Small indie films are more often than not self-produced. If you are the motivation behind a film, chances are it would be you. That means you basically need to find cast and crew, or find a director willing to work with you who has access to those resources. Consider all the things I mentioned in the above paragraph to get an idea what you'd be in for. If there's no budget, then you can sometimes work on goodwill and offer deferred payment in the event the film makes any money (most don't recover costs). As discouraging as this sounds, there are a lot of actors and directors familiar with this territory who are just interested in getting their name out there and will do it. Same thing with editors and FX people. The trick is to be smart enough to find those who will follow through and aren't just excited at the start only. As long as you are decent with your cast and crew and have an interesting project you can usually find people willing to help. As for projects without a budget, you have to be willing to at least pay for incidental costs out of your own pocket - people don't mind working for free sometimes as long as it doesn't cost THEM money. I recently produced a short film with all volunteers except for some technical services and a big lunch for a group of actors. Beyond that it was essentially a zero budget product, but "zero budget" to me meant a few hundred dollars. (Trust me, nobody would dispute that a few hundred dollars qualifies as zero budget - they might even be impressed you did it that cheap) If you want to convince someone else to foot the bill for your film (even small costs), I'd suggest turning to family and friends, or hope that your reputation and/or story is that amazing that people are begging to help (which isn't so often the case). Get people you know in on it, ask them to throw in a few bucks. At a Fan Expo a few years ago, I met Roger Corman and asked him how I should go about getting money to produce a film (I was kind of hoping he might offer to take me under his wing as he had done with so many other directors in the past). He told me to get a group of friends together and pool some money, whatever we had. At first I was a bit disappointed that he didn't have some magical no-effort solution, but ultimately it made the most sense. Roll up your sleeves, throw some of your own money into it, and get some other people excited enough to join in and do the same. The next thing you know, you will be standing on set shooting with diva actors and pulling your hair while people struggle with random challenges. It's harrowing starting out, but tons of fun once you realize that's part of the joy of it (save the footage for the blooper reel, honestly!). Eventually you will be in the editing room with some computer person, arguing about where a cut should go, why you didn't get a certain shot that would have helped, complaining about missing sound and other issues, but it will get finished. At the end, you will have a film in your hands and take it to the festival. And then you will think you are finally done, when it's really only just started...

changed titled. Terrible typo. One of those things where the d and the e are very close to each other and the next thing you know. Find becomes fine. When I am proof reading, I always miss stupid little things like that! :P To those of you posting links to these different things. Thank you! Those are the most helpful b/c it is giving me new avenues to explore when family and friends are not in a position to help. I also appreciate the advice on being sure you know what you want the producer to do and a clearer idea on what their roles are. I am in post production with my first movie and it is going very well. I am excited to get it out there for my family and friends to see who helped make it possible.

Brian - so you been there, too. Experience is the best teacher.

I learned a lot while filming my first film, Awakening. I had many friends and family who gave a little bit here and there but most of it came out of my own pocket. Experience is a good teacher. I learned a lot on my first film shoot and continue to do so while in pre-production for But I'm An Actress. Thank you so much for all the helpful advice. I do appreciate it.

Another thought is to go to small local festivals where there are lots of upcoming filmmakers. MAKE SURE YOU WATCH THEIR FILMS. You will find people with a vast range of skill sets and some without much at all, but somewhere in there if you're smart you will find people whose needs match your own. It also helps you get used to rubbing elbows in the scene and networking further. Sometimes a person you only meet while doing one project will become a much more substantial player in a later project after becoming familiar with your work.

Join the club. LOL. Do they exist???

How about creating a Film Festival in Antelope Valley? The AVFF?

Dayton/Cleveland Film Makers Meet-Up group, DaytonCreate, Cleveland Film Co-Op, CreativeCleveland, the Ohio Film Commission, Dayton Film Office, Film Cleveland all of these places can assist you. There must be ' Meet -Up ' groups near you.

As mentioned, I am a member of two different organizations related to film. i am never able to go to these meetings b/c I work and go to school. And my schedule never lines up most to go. The groups that i am member of helped with equipment and location, but nobody was of any help when it came to funding. The links I have been provided on this site, are really the best helpful information I have been given so far. B/c the other things you all are mentioning have mentioned when it comes to finding a producer, were dead-ends when I was filming Awakening. I see no reason for my second project to repeat the same failed process for funding that I did the first time around. I don't live in Cleveland so anything in cleveland does me very little good. Thanks though.

If you want to find producers, it's easy. They are there in public in a directory. All you need do is to contact them. If your log line and query letter are strong enough to get their attention, a script or synopsis will be requested and it will develop from there. If you get some or no response from any of the companies/producers queried, it tells you something. It also gives you the opportunity to develop relationships with people making films. It is not a fast process but if you are persistent and professional, you will get your foot into any number of doors. But the log line is your first introduction to a company so forget about the script at this stage and concentrate on those two simple lines and your one sentence open and two sentence close which is about all of the ten seconds any producer will take to glance through material from someone he or she doesn't know. It must jump out and grab.

go on IMDB pro and look for similar projects to yours contact the producers associated with them. Even if they are not interested they are a good starting point and may lead you in the right direction.

it is pretty easy to find a producer, less so to find a good one. if you are looking for a pro, you need to pay them and/or provide a project that has a financial ROI opportunity... If you are looking for a freebe, you'll generally get what you "pay" for.

Jay, funny you mention the AV. I'm from Canada but did actually spend a few months in Antelope Valley. Palmdale, Lancaster area...

I haven't a clue. I have a 26-page script I want to transform into an animated film. Need $150,000.00 to bring that to fruition.

Paul... FYI, if you don't have $150K in your pocket that you can spend... then you need to learn to animate, find some friends who do animation and make it for far less. No one is going to hand you $150K to make a short. Start with a small 1 or 2 minute basic animation project you can do my yourself or with a friend. Learn the ropes, make another. Get better... then maybe make a low budget animation project that highlights your skill set. Do you want to go Pro or just make animation as a hobby? If you want to be in this for fun, do whatever... If you want to earn a living, then you have to build a path to doing it. What do you want to do? Direct ? Be a visual effects artist ? an editor? Producer? Pick a direction and focus on it. (it doesn't mean by the way you can't be good at a lot of things ) but you need to decide which direction to drive your career toward. Then work the right steps to get there. $150K for a short film animation project that will most likely earn zero revenue? not a smart first step in my opinion. A good first step is a a focused -achievable- step in a known direction. put the $150K project in the drawer for now until you can pay for it yourself or you are marketable/bankable enough to raise the money to turn it into a feature film that can make money. write and create and deliver something that will start you on the road right now that you can actually afford to make.

did you find one yet?

Peter, haven't spent much time on this site in the last year. I mainly am active in groups on facebook. But nope, did find one.