Not only are more and more film festivals accepting short films, but festivals dedicated to nothing but short films have become more popular than ever. Additionally, more managers, agents, and producers are looking to short films to find untapped talent and new ideas. So many successful filmmakers today, from Christopher Nolan to Damien Chazelle, have used short films as a calling card to showcase their skills and show the world that they were ready for the big time. But shooting a quality short film means raising some financing.

And for many, this can be challenging.

One thing that many creatives avoid when putting together a short film is everything that goes into the business end. From determining and compiling a true and realistic budget, to being able to tell your creative and financial story within a pitch deck, to thinking about a distribution strategy and recoupment plan well before shooting, there is so much to think about toward getting investors in your corner beyond the creative.

Allow us to help you by showing you everything you need to know so that you can attract investors looking to get behind you, your unique vision and your work.

ABOUT YOUR STAGE 32 EDUCATOR

JT Molner knows a thing or two about raising funds for shorts and feature films. Although JT is a writer and director, he's been deep in the trenches in raising funds for his projects leaving no stoned unturned and nothing to chance. After raising financing for many successful shorts which caught the eyes of producers and talent, JT rolled up his sleeves and helped his producers raise financing for his first feature film, Outlaws and Angels, which was originally shot as a short film as proof of concept. The feature became an Official Selection at Sundance and was sold to Orion Films. He will teach you everything he's learned from his decade of raising financing for his short films and other projects. 

And, as an added Bonus you'll receive a pitch deck from JT's film OUTLAWS AND ANGELS which started as a short film proof of concept, and went on to be made as a feature, being selected as an Official Selection at Sundance and selling to Orion films!

PRAISE FOR JT'S TEACHINGS:

Holy clarity! I've made so many mistakes along the way. Every short film has seemed like a struggle not worth reliving and now I understand why. These wounds were self inflicted. Thank you, JT, for not only (kindly) setting things straight, but for opening my eyes. I can't wait to get started on my next project.

- Manford C.

• Determining Your Budget
  • What to expect if you are working within specific budget ranges.
    • Under $1,000
    • $1,000-$10,000
    • $10,000 +
• How To Put a Pitch Deck Together
  • What always needs to go into a pitch deck?
  • What should be kept out
  • CASE STUDY: JT’s pitch deck for his film OUTLAWS & ANGELS
    • This pitch deck will be available for you to download
• Private Investors
  • How to identify investors that will be interested in your project
  • What motivates investors?
  • How to tailor your pitch to make investors want to work with you
  • 3 Detailed examples of investors you can approach that are within your reach
• Crowdfunding
  • Indiegogo vs. Kickstarter
  • How to make your crowdfunding campaign work from pre-campaign to launch, during the campaign and after it’s complete
  • Incentives that will work for you and your investors
• Distribution and recoupment
  • Self distribution vs. traditional distribution
  • Responsibilities to keep in mind for both the investor model and crowdfunding model
• Q&A with JT

All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn everything you need to know so that you can attract investors looking to get behind you, your unique vision and your work.

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn everything you need to know so that you can attract investors looking to get behind you, your unique vision and your work.

Producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) who want to learn everything you need to know so that you can attract investors looking to get behind you, your unique vision and your work.

Actors who want to learn everything you need to know so that you can attract investors looking to get behind you, your unique vision and your work.