I need to raise $15,000 and set up pre-production for my third feature film.. advice?

Hello,

This is my first post of this forum, actually.

I went to film school (lol) and shot two feature films since. The second one I actually wrote four years ago, when I was 21, and have been shooting it no-budget on a single Canon 5DmII (with mostly natural light, some portable LED light or film-noir light kit set-up... crew included a boom op at the most, using a Rode and Zoom H4n) since then. I wrapped shooting just a month ago and have been finalizing the scenes... it came to 3 hours long! No wonder it took me so long. I spent maybe $50 total on props and paid some actors' transportation.

Anyway, I plan to use this film as a "demo" of sorts, to use a musical term. The progression is episodic, so some of the scenes can stand alone. I have a completed outline for my next film and will write the screenplay soon to shoot it in April. It will be a roadtrip film, to put it simply, and a third of it will take place in a car that will drive from New Jersey to Los Angeles. Thus, my budget would include renting a van ($2-3000), gas, hotels and food, giving the actors and a single crew member a small stipend as thanks, and buying some new equipment (a back-up DSLR, insurance for the new DSLR, a couple GoPros, another car adapter rig...). I imagine it would come to $15,000 total, which for me, an isolationist living in the suburbs, is A LOT.

Given the information I provided, what would be a good way to get support, financially or with a producer? My lead actor/friend is a great NYC theater actor who may know supporters, and he already shot for a supporting role in the upcoming Ryan Gosling directed film. I can maybe raise a few thousand through family, but I need to shoot this thing in April (at least the on-the-road parts), when both the weather is sunny and my actor is available.

Thanks very much in advance!!
 
Since this will be your forth film, you're at a point beyond most people on this site already. You have a track record. This assumes that by your third film you had some success.

What is in it for an investor(s)? That is the question you need to answer first. Then start looking for investors who suit the answer you have.

I'd start with how much your feature films made in profit (if any).

Alternatively, look for a producer to partner up with that can help you with this. Someone who matches the kind of film you're going to make.
 
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