Filmmaking / Directing : Looking for Ideas on Finding investors by Brad Rego

Many times a project has distribution attached BEFORE production. In that case funding and other attachments become easier to acquire.

Hi John, thanks for the reply. So is your recommendation to contact distribution companies first and see if there is interest in either setting up a pipeline, or a some sort of agreement? As a quick background I have made three features so far, all independently financed, but this latest film is going to require a larger budget than can be raised on my own. I have seen getting distribution first when the production company is a larger company and it has either a distribution division or pre-established connection with an existing distribution company, but I haven't too much with smaller independent budgets of under a million. I have heard bringing a sales agent on board early helps as well.

Brad, to get the attention of distribution you can attach a known director or producer. I have also seen where recent film graduates got distribution deals and even a budget for production. Also, independent features under 500K have a much higher success rate of making a profit no matter who the producer, writer, or director happens to be. For examples (I know a number of the people involved in these productions including the sound mixer and a producer) take a look at http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=facingthegiants.htm (second film they made) , http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fireproof.htm (third film they made), http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=courageous.htm (4th film they made). http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=illbelieveyou.htm (although no budget is shown for I'll Believe You, they budgeted 400K then spent significantly more on this film to finish it and it had some name stars - I know the producers and was involved in production). Also, try crowdfunding. However, even if you get major distribution and funding over 500K you still have a very high risk of no ROI (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=veronicamars.htm). At 500K and under your chance for ROI goes way up. At 100K - 500K and with a decent story there is a very good chance for ROI. A film I worked on last April with a 100K budget I can't BUY a copy of it because they keep running out of stock! The distributor just did another 3000 unit run to help catch up on demand (at $19.98/DVD) and they are still working on theatrical release and Wal-Mart. 6000 x 19.98 = 119,880.

Brad, Along with my business partner, we're in the process of raising capital, so I know what you're going through! That said, from our experiences, I can tell you that a lot of distributors you'll contact - unless you've Brad Pitt attached - will decide whether or not they like your concept and ignore you or suggest that you send them over a screener once it's complete, based on that decision. I have contacts on LinkedIn who work at the biggest international distributors right down to small, single-territory outfits, and none of them want to commit to something by a first-time director and first-time producers! Yes, there's a hell of a lot of interest in the project, but getting that money to greenlight it is the do all and end all, so all I can really advise is that you and your associates keep on at it until you eventually find a few people who are ready to back your project, or you give up the ghost. Networking, though, is a must, so be sure to use all the tools at your disposal! Best of luck, Carl www.thebeyonderproject.com

John - I totally agree with everything you just said, and we have positioned ourselves in a good place. Although I'm not a known director, this is not my first film and I have gotten distribution for two past films, my producer has produced two movies with a million dollar budget. The budget we are looking to secure is $350k and the ROI, according to our sales agent, is up to $1.8M. So we have the high level pieces in place, the problem I'm having is literally the next step, its finding the people who are actually writing the checks. I think this speaks to your point Carl. I can certainly try distribution companies, but from my experience with dealing with them for past films I don't get the impression they will want to speak with me as I don't have what they want, which is either a very high level talent or director attached, or a finished product for them to sell. I would be interested to know if the film you worked on last April for $100k had gotten distribution before or after production? Carl - with your experiences on your projects do you find its easier to try and attach actors to the projects before financing is secured? Or is it better to list a series of potentials to investors and then pursue them when the money is on board? Also do you attend networking events or is that a waste of time? I have been to a few networking events for film, and it seems like its everyone in a room looking for money, but no one that actually has it. Brad

Ha! So true: everyone's chasing that same elusive - almost fabled - cheque! I think that the main difference between Britain (well, Europe, actually) and America is that the stories themselves can be the star. Saying that though, everybody wants a selfie with his arm around the star's shoulder; we had one bloke - totally not interested in anything we had to say - turn around after and tell us, "Get Sienna Miller in it and I'll fund the whole thing." Try chasing down Sienna Miller's agent though. I think it's best to pick a strategy and live or die by it (but be ready to adapt, should opportunity arise).

Brad - Funding for last Aprils feature primarily came from 5 executive producers who had also provided some funding on the producers previous films. These executive producers were not movie moguls they were elderly friends with money who believed in the writer/director/producer. The executive producer/writer/director had previously done several shorts and a micro budget feature which he arranged for distribution with the current distributor. This distributor is focused on the niche faith-based market and has a certain trust level with the producer. This time the distributor did all the post work at their expense (a major budget reduction), and of course the DVD reproduction. The distributor also sells licenses for group showing by churches. So you just need a distributor to endorse the project if possible. If their is endorsement their is trust. If their is trust by the distributor then it can be easier to find investors. The key is for people in charge having an existing relationship with people who believe in them. So the greater the trust the greater the opportunity. It is more about WHY you're doing it than what you are doing that will motivate people to invest. Sometimes it is not about finding a handful of investors but finding a lot of investors. A classic case are the executive producers of the "Blair Witch Project" (all from UCF here in Orlando) who collected about $2K from 50 different investors (they spoke at a meeting I attended). To date the project has grossed $248M. Here is a recent story that provides some insight into where they have progressed http://today.ucf.edu/gregg-hale-project/ . You have indicated that you have relationships with previous investors via the producer. If those investors got a previous return, trust and believe in him that can be a good starting point to see if they are interested or know someone. Find trusting wealthy retirees who believe in why you want to create the film. Start multiple levels of crowd source funding campaigns. Find trusting friends who have real estate investments. Often they have an interest in the arts. Find financial advisors who believe in your WHY. Possibly offer cameo appearances or executive producer credits. Many other things are possible as well. Personally, I am not a horror fan and have found that the genre is highly saturated. I have found great success, some really nice A and B list actors, and revenue in the faith-based genre.

Steven- I have heard of the book, but I haven't read it. Perhaps I will finally get off my ass and take the plunge. Thanks for the advice. Where in NY are you based out of? (I'm in Brooklyn)

Thanks for for the Connection