How to Finance Your Independent Film

How to Finance Your Independent Film

How to Finance Your Independent Film. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2014, from http://www.newenglandfilm.com/news/archives/98july/funding.htm

There are multiple ways to fund an independent film, it all depends on the results that you want to get. Studio developed films are not as ‘independent’ as a person may want, if you don’t mind getting most of the rights to your film taken away, then the funding provided could be worth it. It is important to realize that a studio is trying to make money, too, so they will be looking out for their best interest in the long run. If you want to stay true to the independent aspect of this filmmaking, there is always independent distributor financing. These distributors usually don’t work with big studios and don’t have the resources to actually develop a film. However, they are able to distribute films on a smaller ratio and there is a higher chance for personal profit. Another option is End user financing, this is based off theater or cable stations putting in money in exchange for equity percentage in the films revenue stream. The last option is a completion fund, these are funds created to provide partial production financing. This option may be a bit more difficult because you must qualify and meet certain requirements. Overall, there are multiple options for financing a film, it is simply up to the filmmaker to decide which is best.

“Therefore, you have to be careful with whom you share your ideas and to remember that scripts and treatments are copyrightable, but ideas are not copyrightable.”

“For your information, Florida recently adopted a P&A (prints and advertising) Fund. Essentially, it is an incentive for filmmakers, such as yourself, to produce films in Florida.”

This article is vital to independent filmmakers because it gives information on different ways to fund an independent production. It’s important for filmmakers to be fully aware of what they are getting themselves into and what they might be getting in return. I think this article describes different options in a clear way that is easily understood. Making an independent production is a project that relies heavily on money, financial situations can make or break a project. This article is able to outline the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

How do I get my film into distribution?

How do I get my film into distribution? (n.d.). Retrieved December 11, 2014, from http://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/resources/distribution

The overall goal for filmmakers is to eventually see their productions on the big screen. The path the big screen can differ greatly for different directors. A traditional route for many filmmakers is to enter renown film festivals like the Sundance or Toronto film festival, these festivals open up the door to global markets. Films that are selected in these festivals are viewed by various world distributors who will ideally bid to distribute your production.

Another distribution option is through international sales agents. These agents usually have excellent relationships with festivals and buy worldwide rights which they sell to distributors all around the world. Therefore, these agents can play a vital role in entering your film in a festival and helping expose it to distributors.

It is also possible to use self-distribution by creating and paying for your marketing materials.

“In any major film festival showing 200 or more feature films, at least 40% of these will never get distribution in the UK and will not be seen again on a cinema screen in that country.”

“Visibility comes from advertising, festival exposure, reviews, word of mouth on preview screenings and is one of the hardest things to secure and to convince others you will have.”

This article really stresses the importance of film distribution through film festivals. It clearly states various ways to put your independent film in a festival, whether it be by doing it yourself or having an international sales agent do it for you. The exposure that film festivals give independent films can’t be replaced by any other means of distribution. Though it is difficult to get a film noticed in a film festival where there are dozens of other films, it is the best way to expose your work. Film festivals can aid in gaining contacts that can potentially launch your filmmaking career.

How To Overcome Your Indie Filmmaking Challenges

How To Overcome Your Indie Filmmaking Challenges

BRUBAKER, J. (2014, April 4). How To Overcome Your Indie Filmmaking Challenges. Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://www.filmmakingstuff.com/biggest-filmmaking-challenge/

Independent productions face the very challenge that every task must be handled with no help from experienced corporations; no large company will be taking care of distribution or financing.  These are the two things that seem to be holding potential ‘indie’ films back. Working towards financing a film comes with multiple steps that need to be taken, including the creation of a very specific schedule and approaching investors to ask for money. Independent films are by no means quick. Figuring out the financial aspect could take well within a year. Independent productions require dedication and patience. It is important to pinpoint how investors will benefit from a production- this is what investors are truly focused on.

Film distribution today relies less on hard copies and much more on internet or app based distribution. Making sure an independent production somehow makes it on Amazon or iTunes is vital to its success. Earning a profit while distributing films is one of the primary challenges faced - this needs to remain a business, no one wants to lose money. Overall, even though independent films are produced on a much smaller scale, the professional aspect must always be present. Organization is key when presenting an idea created independently.

“You need to move enough units of your movie to show a profit. Otherwise, you will be operating at a loss.”

“But the basic thing to remember is that each prospective investor is looking for a different payoff.”

Independent film distribution is one of the largest issues that filmmakers face, aside from the creation of a budget.  I think this article is very clear in communicating the fact that making an independent film can sometimes be a tedious task. The entire process must be well organized in order to achieve some sort of success. This article also establishes the idea that not all independent films will become well-known. The distribution through sources that are commonly used is key, it is a matter of playing your cards just right. The overall tone of this article is very realistic, but with the realism comes great advice.

Independent versus Studio Films: Which is Right For Me?

Independent versus Studio Films: Which is Right for Me?

The Film Business. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2014, from http://masteringfilm.com/independent-versus-studio-films-which-is-right-for-me/

There is a significant difference between the making of independent films and studio films. The processes differ in ways that may seem positive and others negative. The making of independent films is much more, you guessed it, independent.  The crew is much smaller, as is the budget. A budget for independent films usually runs at a couple thousand dollars financed by private investors. Financial backers require a completion bond after reviewing a script and details of the production. Independent films are a great way to gain experience, completing internships is much easier for these productions.  A ‘negative’ aspect of an independent production includes not being able to afford certain locations for filming. Also, there is a stricter margin for error.

Independent films do allow greater freedom regarding the plot and means of storytelling.  The creativity present in independent films has attracted a larger audience. This has caused independent films to gradually become more successful.

Studio films have a larger crew and may work with big name celebrities, which could make these productions much more difficult to handle.

“It’s also easier to get an internship on an independent, as there is always a need for additional labor that won’t tax the budget.”

“At one time, being independent always meant low budget, and low budget almost always meant non-union, but now that the unions and guilds are offering low-budget (and low-low-budget) agreements, more indies are becoming signatory.”

Starting a career in film is becoming more difficult. Making the decision regarding what type of film you want to focus on could make or break your career. I think that the growing market for independent films has caused their relevance in society to surface. If you want to put your heart and soul into a film, it is important to make sure you are creating something you believe in. Big studio films come with baggage. There are regulations and more people you have to answer to. The creative freedom present in the production of independent films makes it a more attractive idea. Though there are struggles in raising funds and finding locations for independent productions, you have complete control over what occurs. If you a make an independent film, you have the opportunity to enter various film festivals. These festivals could publicize your film for what you wanted it to be, allowing you to gain recognition for work that you truly believe in. In the end, I believe that the hard work that is put into making an independent production will be much more rewarding than a big studio production.

16 Big Marketing Tips For Filmmakers On A Small Budget

16 Big Marketing Tips For Filmmakers On A Small Budget

16 Big Marketing Ideas For Filmmakers On A Small Budget. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2014, from http://www.raindance.org/16-big-marketing-ideas-for-filmmakers-on-a-small-budget/

Independent films are often associated with having less amount of marketing than big screen films. While that may be true, it doesn’t mean that less amount of marketing can’t be just as good. While big marketing companies are well known with plenty of ‘success stories,’ various marketing strategies have become bland and overused. The idea is to use what you are surrounded with to the best of your ability and target audiences through what is commonly used nowadays, like social media websites. Websites and apps like Twitter, Vine, and Youtube have become a norm; it is unusual for certain people to go a day without browsing them, so use it towards an independent film’s benefit. It is easy to hashtag and check what is trending on Twitter, so it is vital to make an independently run production attract viewers through the use of a simple hashtag or catchy phrases. The internet is your best friend and gaining credibility through it can be an intense breakthrough. It is easy to do so using websites like IMDB and Wikipedia. Lastly, it is important to expose an independent film as much as possible, taking advantage of film festivals and other similar competitions or contests can make a dramatic difference.

“One thing I have learned through producing independent films with Raw Talent is that throwing money at problems doesn’t necessarily make problems go away, and often the job is done with half the energy and passion need for success.”

“The big agencies working for the big films are so tired and burnt out that their approaches to marketing are so staid.”

Budget- this is the noticeable and known difference between independent films and big screen productions. While it may be much more difficult for independent films to gain popularity and credibility, there are easy resources that could be taken advantage of. The relevance of this article seems to lie in the fact that many larger production companies forget to focus on some of the smaller details that could help their films gain publicity. Social media is the most important one. While a lot of publicity has recently been centered around social media, it is not being fully taken advantage of. Forming more personal relationships between audience members through responses on Tumblr or Twitter accounts can give productions a huge boost. This is what independent filmmakers such as Zach Braff have been able to achieve, resulting in great success.