Investor + distributor = ??

[TGFilmmaker]

Hello. I'm wondering if anyone has any creative producing suggestions...

I'm an award-winning writer with one produced theatrical feature and a new screenplay - a sci-fi/mystery/drama/suspense. It's been budgeted at $3M. I'm trying to attach myself to direct which is tricky.

So far, I have an interested distributor that would like to see more elements attached (I have none so far), as well as an investor who may be willing to put in $100-200K. Besides that, I know a couple of folks who are experienced in pre-sales who could possibly drum up some financing (also pending further attachments).

With no producers yet, I've gotten the script out to 2 stars, but have been playing the waiting game for a few months.

It's occurred to me that I could make an offer through the investor, possible securing one of the actors, and then seek financing through pre-sales, but I would like to do so with minimal risk to the investor. I'd like to reimburse him upon receiving the full budget, and not risk a pay-or-play thing.

The producing stuff is all new to me, but I'm wondering if anyone here has any savvy approaches that I may not have considered with these varying elements.

Love to hear your thoughts.

T

 

[directorik]

What you want to do is reasonable. Sound as if you are doing all
the right things.

The only thing I can say (based on my own experiences) is what
you already know. It's not going to be easy and it's not going to
happen fast. Getting actors to attach without money is nearly
impossible. If you fail to generate pre-sales based on their name
it hurts their name more than it hurts yours. If you can convince
an investor to put up enough money to secure an actor and then
the full investment with the understanding that they will get all
their money back right away that's an excellent method.

 

[TGFilmmaker]

Thanks. I'm fortunate to have an investor who would likely put up some $$ to get the ball rolling in some creative way. Between him, and an interested distributor, it's a pretty good start. I just imagine there's probably a very savvy strategy that is being overlooked by my producing inexperience. Maybe the initial investment could be used in another very creative way (besides trying to secure an actor)...

 

[directorik]

Thanks. I'm fortunate to have an investor who would likely put up some $$ to get the ball rolling in some creative way. Between him, and an interested distributor, it's a pretty good start. I just imagine there's probably a very savvy strategy that is being overlooked by my producing inexperience. Maybe the initial investment could be used in another very creative way (besides trying to secure an actor)...

Perhaps, use some of the first money to hire a producer with experience.

Pre-sales are based on past return and on actors. Most investors are are
interested in insuring their financial return so they, too, look at past records
of the filmmakers and the draw of actors. In my experience most investors
aren't looking at the creative. They are in it for the investment. You're fortunate
to have an investor who is willing to put up some money because of the belief
in you as a writer.

The savvy strategy is to get actors who can get the highest pre-sales. If you
can then convince them to only work on the movie if you direct then that, too,
is a savvy strategy for you.