Financing / Crowdfunding

From all facets of a traditional raise to soft money to crowdfunding strategies, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice regarding raising funds for a project.

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Jack Binder
Weekend Box Office Leaders

Interesting indicators of the market: Superheroes, Children's Animation, Horror/Romantic/Comedy

Liked by Maurice Vaughan and one other

Mae Cooper
Project Aura

Hello stage 32 community!

The music industry is craving the next dominant girl group, one that doesn’t just follow trends but sets them. While the market has seen success with female groups in pop and R&B, there’s a noticeable gap—a powerhouse, American-born girl group with global appeal, genre-flui...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Mae Cooper. Welcome to the community. Here's a blog that'll help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros: www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-...

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Yixin Zhang
I’ve almost given up on funding

I’ve almost given up on funding for my feature documentary. It seems easier to use the money from commercial shoots to support the documentary instead. Plus, with China’s economy slowing down these past few years, there’s less and less space for film especially doc.How’s everyone else with  funding these days?

Taxes on Crowdfunding

I'm prepping for my upcoming Kickstarter and wondering if anyone has experience tax strategizing for crowdfunding.

For the past year and a half I've probably spent about $10K towards building our audience through marketing, crew and building a Kickstarter audience. Is this deductible, even though it...

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Ben Rood

Perfect. Thanks, Mike Boas. It sounds like the difference is less taxes for sole proprietorship (self employment tax) but less protection in legal action....

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Jack Binder

Production funds should always go into a separate account, set-up as a SPV (special purpose vehicle) company (an LLC is standard) so as not to co-mingle a project's funding with other monies. This protects you from potential legal problems. As always, consult a tax / entertainment attorney.

Mike Boas

Yes, if you have partners who all have shares in the film, LLC is the way to go.

It sounded to me like Ben was doing things on his own, with all his own money.

Jack Binder

Indeed, however things change and a strong foundation avoids future nightmares.

Ben Rood

Thank you, gentlemen.I think an S Corp would be more financially lucrative than an LLC, to dodge self employment tax. I always hear companies establishing themselves as LLCs, but it has never made sense to me when it comes time for tax season.

Torin Ives
How do filmmakers to find investors?

After making my multi-award winning film public, we took a bunch of meetings from production companies who knew we were interested in making a series based on our short. A lot fizzled out, some stuck. We are ready to move forward, equipment and crew and everything secured. We just need money. Which...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Torin Ives. Congratulations to you and your team on winning the awards, the meetings, and getting interest in your film!

Here's a blog about different funding options: www.stage32.com/blog/influenc...

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Jack Binder

Torin Ives Check out the multiple webinars, labs, and blog posts here on Stage 32. There are many. I would suggest this one will be very good from Producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins - https://www.stage32...

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Sandra Isabel Correia
Huge News – Stage 32 Partners with Bloomberg Original Studios!

Have you read the news?

Stage 32 has officially partnered with Bloomberg Original Studios to provide world-class training and certification to their global production teams!

This collaboration represents a major milestone for Stage 32 and reinforces our position as the global leader in entertainment i...

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Jack Binder

This is outstanding news indeed! Bravo @stage32!

Sandra Isabel Correia

It is Jack Binder :))

Jack Binder
Film Financing for Documentaries

Very good post from our friends at Media Services on film finance for documentaries. If you are making a doc be sure to check out these good tips on structuring your company, types of film finance, equity vs. debt, sales, and distribution.

Good luck in filmmaking!

Jack

https://www.mediaservices.com/blo...

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Financing a Documentary: Strategies for Success - Media Services
Financing a Documentary: Strategies for Success - Media Services
Financing a documentary requires navigating grants, presales, and sponsorships while managing extended timelines and costs.
Patrick McIntire
Tip for the Day #8: Investor vs Donor. Know the Difference

Many people seem not to understand the difference between a "film investor" and a "Donor". When it comes to crowd funding, you are not investing nor will you be allowed to see any back end participation (despite the ploys of what the "producer" says). You are donating, nothing more.

When you "invest...

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Maurice Vaughan

These Tip for the Day posts are helpful, Patrick McIntire. Thanks for sharing them. Have a wonderful day too!

Justine Renee
Crowdfunding Advice Seed & Spark/ Kickstarter/Indiegogo. Which is best for film?

I'm currently doing the pre-launch research for crowdfunding for my feature film . I'm torn on which platform to go with. Anyone have any actual success relatively recently doing crowdfunding or have a preference in platform for filmmakers specifically? Any and all advice welcome and appreciated.

Simon Gooden
Kickstarters

H. I have a short film script that I need to raise £4k to make it. The majority of that cost is the location fee. I am thinking about fundraising on Kickstarter or similar to pull it together. Is it actually possible to raise cash for short films on these platforms?

Sway Stagall

ive seen people get money on kickstarter. but maybe they knew lots of people before. Why would you pay for locations those are free.

Simon Gooden

Yes perhaps. I think it varies greatly which locations are free or not. The location I need involves a fee unfortunately.

Steven R Mitchell

I have raised 28K CDN on Kickstarter for a teaser. It can be done, but takes a lot of work on the front end.

Willem Elzenga

Why waste your time on financing as you can re-write? I did shortfilms without any budget, its merely a creative exercition.

Simon Gooden

ok thanks

Rich Terdoslavich
Crowdfunding Part 2

Did a few concept art illustrations and storyboards for a film client’s crowdfunding campaign. Just got another illustration job for a client’s proposal/presentation, something similar. It all comes down to the visuals, something necessary/imperative to have as a part of your campaign or your pitch...

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on getting another illustration job, Rich Terdoslavich!

"With a script and visuals at hand, you have a good shot of financing/crowdfunding your film." You're right. I'm more likely to d...

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Rich Terdoslavich

Thanks, Maurice. It seems to be happening a lot to me. Just got a client for an illustration job, similar to presentations and pitch decks. I enjoy working with filmmakers and clients, the creative pr...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Rich Terdoslavich. Thanks. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Enjoy your day too. Talk soon.

Jed Power

WGA REGISTATION--$25 each., Unlikely anyone is going to steal your work and you can always go for formal copyright registration if you get a nibble for option or a buy. Again, unlikely. You already ho...

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Maurice Vaughan

I agree about doing due diligence and research, Jed Power, and you're right that a person already holds copyright at the moment of creation (when a person turns their idea into a tangible form). Regis...

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Jack Binder
Streaming to Outpace Broadcast Content Spending - Global Content Spend to Hit $285bn

With global content spend predicted to hit $285bn streaming will eclipse commercial broadcast for the first time in spending for content.

Streamers are projected to spend $95bn at 39% of total vs. 37% for commercial broadcast.

Read the Variety article: https://variety.com/2025/tv/global/streamers-to-o...

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