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.

Philip David Lee
Have Investors Invest In Your Confidence

When it comes to finding funding for your project, what it really boils down to is what can you live with? The standard Return On Investment deal is 120% of the initial investment and 50% of net profits. It really doesn’t get any easier than this and if creators could just deal with investors there...

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Rich Terdoslavich

Wishing you lots of luck on your project, Philip. All the best.

Philip David Lee

Rich Terdoslavich Thank you, Rich!It's always a rough road to travel on.

Daniel Hellman
Who to call at Nike about product placement

Hey everyone! Does anyone here have any experience in dealing with Nike for product placement? Our new feature, Running with Jack Scissors, would be a perfect vehicle for Nike to target the young adult runner. But finding the right person to speak to has proven difficult. If anyone knows who to call...

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Sam Sokolow

Nike can be tough to navigate - I developed a project with the Jordan brand a few years back and Nike was always the biggest hurdle. Heidi O'Neill is the President of Consumer, Product & Brand at Nike...

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Daniel Hellman

Thank you Sam! Much appreciated!

Philip David Lee

Daniel Hellman Product Placement has always been a strange animal is the film industry because the products we wish to place in our film are supposed to help out both entities. However, the product pr...

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Jack Binder
Co-Production Deals Key Points to Consider

Here are some key Co-Production deal points to consider when discussing with your attorney, from a top player in the industry. Great points to consider to avoid problems in the future.

https://www.pryorcashman.com/simon-pulman/publications/the-anatomy-of-a-......

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Philip David Lee

Thank you for the article. I know of Simon but have never met him. Any information as to the complexities of a deal are essential to make negotiations move forward at a smooth pace.

Sam Sokolow

This is a really useful piece. Pryor Cashman is a terrific firm. I'm book marking this to revew as needed and suggest everyone in my network do the same. Thanks, Jack Binder....

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Jack Binder
Up, Up, and Away

Good news: Global film and television production increased substantially in 2024 over 2023.

Bad news (for US): Productions are eyeing non-US locations for 2025.

Think globally when considering your production from a film finance perspective, now more so than recently, as production executives are. As...

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How Production Shifted Since the Strikes, and Where Execs Are Looking to Film in 2025
How Production Shifted Since the Strikes, and Where Execs Are Looking to Film in 2025
A new report from production tracking service ProdPro finds that film and television production rebounded after the 2023 work stoppages, but lags behind filming volumes in 2022.
Maurice Vaughan

Glad to hear global film and television production increased substantially, Jack Binder! I understand the appeal to film internationally, but I hope states are able to keep productions in the US, espe...

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Jack Binder

Maurice Vaughan Very good points. Likewise hoping this continued expansion to overseas production does not cause harm to US teams and is reduced. Many productions will continue to shoot here due to ca...

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Philip David Lee

As one's budgets grow, the need for international exposure is essential. While it never hurts to draw in revenue from international sales, smaller budget productions under $2M should just focus on US...

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Sam Sokolow

RB posted a great piece earlier on a new proposal in New York State to expand their tax credit and include $100M annually specifically for indie film, which is awesome. Production is expanding all aro...

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Austin Oneal Jones
Ronnie The War Bot - Proof Of concept

Completed Screenplay and Proof of Concept Video, seeking investors, any advice?

"Ronnie The War Bot" Screenplay by Austin Jones.

In a shattered, war-torn future, Ronnie—a rusted, obsolete war machine—unexpectedly malfunctions and activates an unusual "pacifism mode." Once designed to destroy, he now...

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Sam Sokolow

That's a great share, Maurice Vaughan. I also suggest checking out Michelle Alexandria's webinar on raising initial funds for a feature film - she's an amazing resource and wealth of knowledge - here'...

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Yuri Futanari

One can easily see how badly the AI generated images keep warping and morphing as it goes.

Also, there is no sense of accomplishment, goal, theme or purpose depicted in a whole long list of nearly stationary scenes.

Philip David Lee

This proof of concept captures the ambiance of the theme of the project and I can see a gritty dark beginning ending in an optimistic and brighter ending. Don't know if it's animated of live action an...

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Jack Binder
Know Your Audience

As audience demographics change, a good signal to track for film and tv financing is where the eyeballs are, and will be, in the present and future. To test the viability or strength of your project, looking at and highlighting audience metrics can be helpful in your pitch.

Good luck in filmmaking.

Sam Sokolow

This is great advice, Jack Binder, and the clear picture of current global demographics super helpful. Viewing habits continue to evolve making predictability a bit easier in the older demos and less...

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Jack Binder

Thanks Sam Sokolow - I would venture a non-educated guess that the cinema youth market is under-served viewing the above metrics. This might account for the migration to YouTube, away from theaters....

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Philip David Lee

Jack Binder While certain age brackets do have their own unique learning curve, this being a worldwide overview of population ages, this can't possibly be a constant meter as to how to judge a target...

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Sydney S
Learn how to find your ideal investor and successfully gain financing for your projects with key tips from a producer whose raised over $15 million using her proven methods!

Independent film has seen huge return on investment recently. Some examples include TALK TO ME which was made for under $5 Million and grossed over $90 Million worldwide, GET OUT, which was made for under $5 Million and grossed over $250 Million worldwide and GOD'S NOT DEAD which was made for $1.1 M...

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Sydney S

Your project sounds very cool

Vic Alexander

Tell me, Sydney, can I get a Producer to finance Malibu Sunrise? You can read my screenplay without committing yourself to produce it; I will attach it to your email address if you request it. I have...

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Sam Sokolow

Sara Elizabeth is the best - such a geneorus educator and experienced producer - I cannot recommend this lab enough for anyone looking to get their film financed. When you need to do work like this, l...

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Vic Alexander

Thank you, Sam.

Vic Alexander

All you have to do is request my screenplay and I'll attach it to my email back to you. If you like it, you can Produce it, and I'll direct it, shoot it, and edit as well.

London-based Technavio predicts the global Movie Production Market to grow by USD 90.4 Billion (2025-2029)

Obviously, these are Technavio's predictions but its interesting to see a forcast of $90B+ global market growth based on growing popularity of global box office is driving market growth, with a trend towards increased focus on digital movie screens. RB has been preaching that we have to think global...

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Movie Production Market to grow by USD 90.4 Billion (2025-2029), driven by global box office popularity, report highlights AI-powered market evolution - Technavio
Movie Production Market to grow by USD 90.4 Billion (2025-2029), driven by global box office popularity, report highlights AI-powered market evolution - Technavio
Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global movie production market size is estimated to grow by USD 90.4 billion from 2025-2029, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to…
Maurice Vaughan

Great article, Sam Sokolow! I'm glad to hear the global movie production market size is estimated to grow so much and the growing popularity of global box office is driving that growth! Filmmakers sho...

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Jack Binder

Interesting statistics and very good news for the worldwide production sector. I think "movie production market" requires a proper definition as it is not a term I am familiar with, which doesn't mean much, ;) (does that include all soundstages, for example?)

Jack Binder
Screen Ireland

Screen Ireland takes a look back at its investment in film and television, finance, development and production. In a new video Fis Eireann / Screen Ireland provides an overview of how they are supporting Irish artists and productions. Check out the video via the link below:

https://www.linkedin.com/f...

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Rich Terdoslavich
Concept Art For The Crowdfunding

When I did a job for Whiteshell Films, I did a series of black and white storyboards plus a few digital, concept art illustrations for their crowdfunding campaign. Here is the first of a series of concept illos I did. A mashup of pencils, inks and digital colors, mixing traditional and digital style...

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Rich Terdoslavich

Thanks, Maurice.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Rich Terdoslavich. I haven't done a crowdfunding campaign, but I've made a lot of pitch decks. Visuals are definitely a key element in a pitch deck. When I started making pitch decks,...

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Rich Terdoslavich

If you ever need visuals for pitch decks, you can message me on Stage 32, Maurice. Not a problem. Just keep going. It will work out. Visuals may give the project a visual hook. Did a job for Precariat Productions, concept art for a pitch deck.

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Rich Terdoslavich. I'll keep that in mind.

Rich Terdoslavich

Sounds great. Talk to you soon, Maurice!

Maurice Vaughan
The Best Crowdfunding Perks

Hi, everyone. What are the best perks to offer when running a crowdfunding campaign? And what perks should people avoid offering? Thanks.

Maurice Vaughan

Great perks, Mike Boas! Thanks for the examples. Signed script is one of the perks I've heard about, and fans on social media really like that perk.

Ashley Renee Smith

Great question, Maurice Vaughan! The best perks are the ones that are easy to fulfill, personal, and create a sense of connection with the backers. Some of the most effective perks I’ve seen include:

E...

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Jack Binder

Great point Mike Boas - we've all heard stories of filmmakers being inundated with providing perks, the cost and time, which hadn't been anticipated. Think digital assets, screenings, credits....

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Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Ashley Renee Smith. Digital downloads and behind-the-scenes videos are the main perks that get me to support crowdfunding campaigns. And sometimes it has nothing to do with perks. It's just ab...

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Sam Sokolow

This is all great advice. I can agree with Mike Boas that offering walk-ons or cameos can be a logistical issue when you already have so many just by making a film. Separate these types perks from any...

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Making money...?

Hello everyone, I'm here to ask for some advice.

It's been a few months since my partner and I decided to produce the first episode of our TV show. The problem is, we have no money at all.

Oh, and I should mention that we live in Italy.

Now, with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, we've managed to r...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Federico Franchi. I haven't launched a crowdfunding campaign before, but I suggest reading this blog about the different funding options: www.stage32.com/blog/influencers-vs-investors-the-future-o...

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Federico Franchi

Thanks Maurice, i'll take a look!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Federico Franchi.

Ashley Renee Smith

If you're looking for solid advice on crowdsourcing and crowdfunding for indie films, you should definitely check out Stage 32 CEO RB's book—Crowdsourcing For Filmmakers: Indie Film & the Power of the...

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