Like much in life, film financing is extremely dependent upon building relationships. As RB points out frequently, this business is about people and connections.
Investors invest in people as much as a project. In all industries, the team is as important as the product - if not more so. Making connections, building a team, are two immensely important aspects of getting a film production off the ground.
Yes, an incredible, polished screenplay is critical. Of course having a name talent is highly advantageous. However, getting it in front of the people whom can advance the project financially is a personal connection, influenced endeavor.
Film festivals, film markets, meet-ups, etc. are great ways to connect with such like-minded people with interests and connections to those whom may be helpful, either by investing themselves or introduction to people who might be interested in supporting your project and team.
What are your thoughts? How have you connected with financial supporters? What experiences can you share about how you have connected with film financing?
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This needs to be printed out and framed for anyone looking to raise funding for a project. A masterclass in 4 paragraphs. Thanks, Jack!
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Agree!
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Absolutely true. First step in budgeting a film should be to determine whether there is a realistic chance of raising the funds needed from family, friends, and business acquaintances. In other words, those like-minded people you have connected with who may invest or be helpful in introducing you to investors. Thanks Jack Binder!
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You're right, Jack Binder. It's like with crowdfunding campaigns. Randomly asking people to support your campaign might work, but what can really make a campaign succeed is building relationships with investors and other people.
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I keep thinking about this thread, Jack. So many approach raising financing (and crowdsourcing for that matter) as an "If you build it, they will come" proposition. Creatives (especially writers) sometimes forget that there are a multitude of business variables that come into play. Those with a proven track record have a distinct advantage. This is why I always recommend screenwriters who are trying to control their own content don't just look at actor/director attachments, but finding a producer (or producers) with a history of bringing winning projects across the finish line.
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Hi guys! Great advice. I'm currently in talks with a UK distributor for a feature project and it was 100% my network that got me to the table. I've also just launched an Indiegogo for a short, hoping to use our 7k subscribers and 1.6million views on Youtube as leverage to raise the budget for the short via social media. It's been A LOT of hard work, with constant socialising and responding to comments and now building posts to promote filmmaking tools (like Stage32) to give help and tips to new comers, and gain some extra support ourselves. For me, the whole process and industry is about how much you can support each other. Richard "RB" Botto I hope you don't mind me sharing some of your posts on our social pages? You can also check out our Indiegogo page here - https://igg.me/at/breakdown/
There must be a lot of BIG Cannabis dealers that would like a good front, such as--"Producer."
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I wouldn't mind that at all, Jack! You can share @rbwalksintoabar on Instagram and Twitter as well.
Good on you for crowdsourcing before crowdfunding. That makes all the difference. I'm so passionate about this subject, I wrote a damn book about it! Feel free to share that also. Think it would be a tremendous help for many who have not been able to build an audience for their brand or the brand of their projects.
https://www.amazon.com/Crowdsourcing-Filmmakers-American-Market-Presents...
Thanks!
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Awesome, thanks. Yeah, I'll post a link to your book this week.
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Thanks, Jack.
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Appreciate that Jack Stockley!
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Richard "RB" Botto - Done and done :) if you're feeling kind, would you share a link to our indiegogo to help us out? :P https://igg.me/at/breakdown
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@jackbinder I might have some work with the feature film to discuss with you. I'm currently in the sales valuation and budget balancing stage. If we can get the pitch, budget and sales projections right we stand a very good chance. Shall I drop you an email via your website?
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I posted earlier before I really had a chance to think about this and wanted to rephrase. I agree, relationships are incredibly important and they can literally come from anywhere. I had a conversation with a guy on a plane who eventually became an investor in a friend's film. Be open and transparent about where you are and what you need. If you're always playing the put-together filmmaker and only asking for what you need in a pitch deck at a scheduled meeting you'll miss some amazing opportunities.
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Great advice, Dalene.
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So true, Jack Binder -- I remember in the Star Wars documentary that George Lucas said Alan Ladd Jr. at 20th Century Fox invested in him more so than the project. One of my old acting teachers always said the most important thing in show biz is having someone in your corner.
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Hey Jack good advice, and RB. You are right an investor network takes time and effort to build and is first founded on a personal connection before the scripts, pitch decks, budget, sales estimates etc.
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Absolutely true, Jane. Lost on so many. This is why I preach treating relationship building and networking as a job and something to be worked on every day.
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Blow outs by an investor when you have spent time building a relationship can be a big blow, as I just experienced. No money lost but my time is important. Look on it as a learning curve. I was reminded on doing early due diligence, check that investor out early before even engaging. Red flags are little or no social media presence, got sm presence but just retweets, no photos with friends, colleagues, family, no website. Some older people are sm shy but genuine so ask for a business reference if nothing online is found. Look at places they’ve worked or businesses they have had on linked in. Get ready to call, yes personally call an old workplace to check on them before doing a final deal. If it’s a foreign place where you don’t understand the language get a friend or employ someone to check for you. The FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) in UK and I’m sure there’s equivalent in USA need you to verify that people are High Net Worth Individuals for investment and your deal doesn’t involve money laundering, so doing your homework is not rude it’s business.
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Thank you all for the great feedback. Very glad to hear this is helpful and affirmed by others as true in their experience as well as mine.
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That's a fantastic share, @Jane. A ton of wisdom in there.
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Thanks so much for sharing
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So true, Jane Sanger -- vetting potential investors is a necessary step, and even when you find they're qualified, they still might pull out at the 11th hour. That's why it takes a lot of courage to work in this business, especially on the creative side.
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Great insight