Producing : New production company by Anthony E Steele

Forming a company takes money - things like creating an LLC, copyrighting a company name. creating a website, and having a company logo designed can be costly. Then there's the question of material... are you intending to write your ideas yourself? If so, you don't need to create a production company, just start writing. If not, you'll need to find a screenwriter and, if you don't have an existing relationship, getting someone to write on spec (for free) is going to be very difficult. Bottom line is this: if you're at the start of a career, you don't need to form a company in order to start producing... and unless you intend to immediately jump into feature filmmaking, you definitely don't need a company to start out. After all, aside from some interns, I'm guessing your company would only be you - at least at the start. Just write or find some great material, get a crew together, prep well and go shoot. Those are the fundamental elements of producing.

Thanks for the advice. There are people I want to work with but I think the best course of action would be to sit down together and write. I realise I'm jumping the gun a bit, I'm more impatient than I realised.

Work for someone who does

Yea...don't. But Rona Edwards and Monika Skerbelis has a great webinar/class about starting your own production company. It's pretty basic, but it sounds like that might be good for you. I think you can find it on the Writers Store website.

Yup: 1. Look for a Screenwriter/-play, that you like. 2. Ask your dentist or whoever you know, has some cash to invest in your project. 3. Set up a team, that is willing to work for little to no money, since you don't really have much (director, actors, make-up artist, sound director, camera man, a.s.o. - find people who really can do multiple jobs passionately). 4. Get the cheapest equipment available that still suits your needs. 5. Find locations to shoot. 6. Make your own movie! If your work is good, people will notice, it's the way, you make a name in the industry - making a name is the way to generate requests. Good Luck!

More sound advice. Thank you.

You can start small and do a DBA through your bank and local offices. It could be free or very cheap because it's for tax purposes and if you aren't filtering millions through it, then it's easier. If you are intending to acquire more than a few thousand and asking Investors for money for a film/new media project or whatever, then you'll want to get an LLC. You can do that on your own through your states government offices or through LegalZoom (though they charge more). If all of that seems like too much to handle, there are a lot of Attorney's that will do it, for a small price.

Acquire the film rights to a terrific story and you're on your way.

Get a good script - it's all about the product. Pick something that you think WILL get you notice. Then snowball from there.

Um - I would ask why you are doing this and what resources you have? http://politicalfilm.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/how-to-start-your-own-prod...

I’ve tried developing a local film production company for a few years now. I have some funding, I have a couple of award winning scripts and I have a retired Hollywood casting director helping (we got actors.) Crew is another matter. I find a whole lot of young know-it-alls who know nothing and are allergic to work and learning. It’s depressing but I just press on – keeping my hopes and dreams alive. I can only suggest perseverance and stay away from caustic people. All the best on your project.

If you don't have money or experience, why don't you make that your first goal? I spent three years working on anyone's set that would have me doing whatever needed done. Now I have a small production company, but I put out a lot of hours to learn and build contacts.

Worked for me, too.

Thanks all for your comments. I'm coming to a turning point in my life and would like to open up some options going forward.

I suggest befriending people who have production companies. You should really only do this if you think you have enough resources---people who'll collaborate with you (without remuneration at first), some working resources (equipment, etc), connections to venues who'll be interested in supporting your work....The most important thing you need though, is a business plan. How are you going to make money? How long will it take you to make money? How will you protect your Intellectual Property? Who is your audience? Be ruthless in your construction of this...no one will want to help you if you haven't got a vision for execution. Best of Luck. Yasmine

I own a concert/festival production company, where I myself fund concerts & events. Early in 2015, I will be holding a seminar for beginning production company owners/staff. Believe me, there's a lot to learn. I was away for 10 years; and coming back, a lot had changed (for the worse I think). The seminar will be held in Medford, Oregon. If some want to be production company rep's, I might even use a couple (with pay) to learn better on tours I'm producing in 2015/2016.

You don't have any money. You don't have a script. You don't really have any experience. Please find a production company that is already in existence and start there. Learn from Professionals, and then look to starting it after you have some sense of it. And yes, Rona Edwards and Monika Skerbelis have an excellent course, and have been in the business for a long time (don't tell them I said that though).

Work on projects and with people that ignite your passion. Don't waste money on seminars, instead make your own short films or option a script. Go for it, give yourself permission to make mistakes (but remember to get insurance, be safe, be honest, get permission, golden rule and all that.)

Starting a production company can be cheap, on paper. Just do a search for ready-made-companies or something, and register online. But, then you'll have to do paperwork.

There are books out there on making a short film, or making a microbudget film. Rent one from the library, most will tell you all about release forms and what you need to do to stay safe and legal. Seriously, just go for it.