Image via Wikipedia
One of the biggest reasons I felt compelled to write this article was so I could specifically tell filmmakers how to build relationships with investors. When I first started, I asked everyone how to get money to make movies. And oddly the more I asked, the less people told me. I thought that was bizarre. It took my moving to New York and working with an indie producer to finally get the answers I was seeking.
Most books and “experts” tell you that a great way to raise movie money involves convincing dentists, doctors and lawyers to fork over cash. In this model, you are supposed to sell these folks on the excitement of filmmaking and promise that, even though the movie won’t make money, there will be a really cool wrap party and premiere. Let me get this straight… You plan to ask someone to throw (in some cases) hundreds of thousands of dollars of their hard earned money at movie so they can attend the party they paid for?
In order for this strategy to work, your potential investor has to be extremely wealthy, risky and a little crazy to participate. Now, I’m not saying these people don’t exist and that these methods don’t work – they do. Risky rich people exist. They can be found every day in Vegas, on the high rolling Blackjack table. But it’s my experience these folks are the minority.
Tomorrow, I’ll give you the scoop on what many investors look for in a project.
Posted under Film Financing
This post was written by Jason on October 27, 2008
