Ways of Raising Money

[dwkerri]

Hi guys, I thought I'd mention 2 successful methods of raising funds for lo budget movies:

Kelley Baker (angryfilmmaker.com) in Portland has used this: send letters to 100 friends, family members, health professionals, & colleagues, asking $100 each (or more people, since some won't kick in. To reach $15K, you'll need more anyway, but with all the volunteer help and in-kind contributions, you may not need all that money). Define it as a gift, offer a credit on the film (listed under 100 People Who Really Should Know Better or something) and 2 tickets to the premier as premiums.
That, plus loads of volunteer help.
Chris Soth in Los Angeles has used this: participant-producers/ investors, a team of writers (under his expert guidance) each chip in $$ to get the movie made--or really they could be anything--the DP, Director, AD, whoever, all pool $$. This gets you a team of ultra-committed volunteers-investors. These folks share in the gross receipts.

 

[sonnyboo]

Hi guys, I thought I'd mention 2 successful methods of raising funds for lo budget movies:

Kelley Baker (angryfilmmaker.com) in Portland has used this: send letters to 100 friends, family members, health professionals, & colleagues, asking $100 each (or more people, since some won't kick in. To reach $15K, you'll need more anyway, but with all the volunteer help and in-kind contributions, you may not need all that money). Define it as a gift, offer a credit on the film (listed under 100 People Who Really Should Know Better or something) and 2 tickets to the premier as premiums.
That, plus loads of volunteer help.
Chris Soth in Los Angeles has used this: participant-producers/ investors, a team of writers (under his expert guidance) each chip in $$ to get the movie made--or really they could be anything--the DP, Director, AD, whoever, all pool $$. This gets you a team of ultra-committed volunteers-investors. These folks share in the gross receipts.

#1. This technique has been monetized and setup as kickstarter.com and the (apparently taboo to mention) Indie Go G o.com - YES it does work. It's a great way to raise money. The reason they use the term "gift" is because of legal reasons. If you call it a "donation" then you are legally using a term reserved for 501(C)3 Non Profit companies and imply a tax deductible donations (which it is NOT for an indie fo0rr-profit film). Always call it a gift.

#2. This one is iffy. Kind of offensive, unless the whole crew are your very good friends and you have already donated a lot of time and effort (and money) their way first.

Asking people to work 12 hour days for free on your movie is already asking a lot. Asking them to PAY for that privilege? YIKES. They had better really really really love that script and have some kind of blind faith that this movie will make a ton of money if they will work on it free AND invest.

I don't recommend even attempting #2 with professionals unless you have a longstanding relationship with these people. If it's someone you don't know well, you might not be friends for very long when you ask them to work on the movie and pay you for it.

 

[Gonzo_Entertainment]

Yeah, I think #1 is more realistic. I basically have a "target list" of local business people I know who (when the time comes) I'm going to hit up for a couple grand each, with several thousand of my own as seed money. No way I'd try to make a feature for 15K, my bottom line, wouldn't even attempt it for less budget for a feature (hopefully next on the agenda) is 40K.

 

[chilipie]

I'm sure there are loads of indie projects I'd love to work on, even as a lowly PA, and there are projects I'd happily offer both my time and equipment too… but there's no chance of me ever paying to work on something (though paying for transport and accommodation is fine). Even if it was a great script and I'd get to work with really talented people, I think I'd just find it insulting.

#1 is definitely a better idea.

 

[learnfilmonline]

Good stuff guys.