Hi ,
Recently, someone posted this on our FB wall: "Is this a group we can show scripts to and have investors interested?"
Of course we told them no such group exists. This person thought there should be such a
group.
They think it's possible that someone else teaches them all about the movie business, does the work to turn their script (or idea for a script) into an investment vehicle and ALSO gives them the actual investment money so they can go make their indie film using someone else's time, money and risk?
Good luck with that. I seriously don't know how or why anyone thinks this is even the remotest possibility. Has there even been a story
or interview shared anywhere where a filmmaker got this type of hand holding and money outside of a grant or workshop? Of course not.
Here are some other signals a filmmaker is not ready to find investors, much less financing, and what you can do to prepare yourselves:
1) You’re googling film investors and expecting to find a list somewhere (hint: it does not exist). You gotta do the work...full
stop.
2) You are thinking about replying to this newsletter to ask for a film investment (hint: don't)
3) You’re at the idea phase – the furthest you’ve gone is write a script, if even that, and have no other thoughts on “paper” yet, like a budget, target audience, distribution strategy, comparable films, etc. That's like saying “I bought a box of mac and cheese for my dinner tonight and read the instructions. Will you give me
money to open a gourmet Italian restaurant?”
4) You’re thinking more about what you’re asking for than about what you’re offering. An investment is an OFFER. Have you ever had a stock email you and ask you to give it money?
5) You have no film experience to show. No trailer, highlight reel, short film, some finished piece of film work you've created. The work does not have to be specifically the film you want
investments for - but you do need proof that you are, indeed, a filmmaker.
If you're ready to create a comprehensive investment OFFER, are willing to learn about financing - and want to follow the law - check out some of our best articles:
- 10 Things You
MUST Do To Attract Film Investors
- Do you need a PPM?
- Film Funding Options
- Film Financing Stories from the Pros
