Other than writing, I have zero experience in getting a film made. I have private funding for a small film but need suggestions on the right person for taking it the rest of the way. What skillset/role should I be looking for to take the cash/the script - and handle all production elements to get it made?
Producing : Money, a script - now what? by Richard Wilkinson
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3 people like this
1st suggestion don't tell anyone you have money. 2nd suggestion don't tell anyone you have the money. You need to research the heck out of this and find some honest people. Act like you have nothing and you'll soon sort out who is genuine and who is not.
7 people like this
Hire lawyer and set-up an LLC, and then hire a line producer. Everyone is your employee & signs contracts and fire ppl who dont deliver.
4 people like this
What Dan said (above)!
5 people like this
You need to bring on a producer that you can trust who has experience making films in your budget range, whatever that may be. If they've done a film at your price point before, they know how to deliver (not just start) and will have relationships with other crew members to bring on board. You'll want to vet them carefully and call their references yourself or research folks who have worked with them before and reach out to them cold asking how their experience working with the producer was. That feedback is important. And you do want every relationship you bring on to be a work-for-hire that you can replace if things aren't going as expected and who must get your approval on other key hires and expenditures over a certain amount, etc. This will, in effect, make you a producer, as well, but the "buck stops here" producer more than the functional producer who oversees and manages the production. That way, you're being responsible to the financier(s), you'll learn a ton, and in success you can build on the relationship with the financier(s) to perhaps make more movies together. You can email me anytime at edu@stage32.com if you'd like suggestions of Stage 32 courses on producing that will help you understand the job and responsibilities.
4 people like this
I agree with what Rebecca James says - don't tell anyone you have the funding. You need to be careful on who you align yourself with and people will take advantage of that. Sam Sokolow who is on this thread is a great neutral person you can bounce questions off of. He's an Emmy-nominated producer and has produced for 2 decades. I'd also recommend this class as a great starter for you, it goes over a lot of the nuts and bolts of what you are about to embark on: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-4-part-producing-cla.... Keep us posted on how it goes, it's very exciting!