Publisher description

First published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Author Cones breaks financing options down into six main areas: gifts and grants, investor financing, domestic government subsidies and tax incentive programs, lender financing, international finance options, and studio or industry financing. Beginning with the forms of financing most likely to be accessible to independent feature film producers, Cones proceeds to other forms that become increasingly available as the producer's career matures. He provides specific, concise information regarding the many possible strategies and lists the distinct pros and cons of each strategy. Cones also counters much of the bad advice being provided by pseudoprofessional film finance consultants and points out scams that may separate unwary film producers from their money. Although the book focuses on financing feature films, much of its information is relevant to the financing of other kinds of projects, such as short films, documentaries, videos, and multimedia and theatrical endeavors.--From publisher description.

The Second Edition of Filmmakers and Financing: Business Plans for Independents contains completely revised and updated financial and industry data. The book will teach the reader how to create a business plan to present to a potential investor. With its easy-to-follow format and its step-by-step approach, this unique guide will bridge the gap between the filmmaker and business, whether you are looking to create a plan for one film or multiple films. Each chapter concentrates on a specific section of the business plan, such as the executive summary, industry, market, distribution financial planning, etc. There is also a sample business plan for reference as you write your own. Ms. Levision provides you with the information you need to approach potential investors, including: · defining your goals and objectives; · describing your proposed films; · researching your markets and distribution systems; · developing complete financial projections; · applying the plan to the management of your company. Even if you have no previous financial experience, the book will give you the tools necessary to write a direct, dynamic business plan that will attract investors to your projects. Louise Levison is president and founder of Business Strategies, a ten-year-old business consulting firm, which specializes in writing business plans for film, Internet, and other entertainment related companies, developing corporate strategies, and guiding entrepreneurs in looking for and working with equity financing. She has taught "Creating a Business Plan for the Start-up Film Company" and "Creating a Multimedia Business Plan" for the Entertainment Studies Department of the Extension Program at UCLA.

In this book, I provided a comprehensive guide to film investment, including the history of film investment in Europe and North America, the structure of the film industry, current trends, and the art of investing in film. I covered the various types of investments, such as equity investments, debt investments, gap financing, and tax incentives, and explained the risks and rewards of film investing along with case studies. I have also discussed building a film investment portfolio, due diligence, working with producers, agents, managers and talents, evaluating film projects, negotiating deals, legal considerations, distribution and marketing, and the international market. Additionally, I included case studies of successful and failed investments, as well as real estate and crowdfunding options for film investment. Finally, I concluded with a discussion of the future of the film industry and the role of investors in shaping up the movie industry. I wrote this book out of my deep passion for the film industry and a desire to share my knowledge and experience as a film investor and filmmaker with aspiring investors in this field. My ultimate goal is to inspire and motivate readers to pursue their passion and make a positive impact in the film industry. In addition, I aim to challenge prevalent myths and misconceptions that surround film investment and encourage critical thinking among my audience and readers. I also wrote this book with investors, filmmakers, and academics in mind, as there is currently a lack of practical literature on film investment for higher education. The existing books on the market are outdated and do not provide relevant information for today's industry.

Everything you ever wanted to know about making a movie but were afraid to ask... Lights, camera, action! We all have at least one movie in us, and the amazing and affordable advances in digital technology makes it increasingly easy to make your dream a reality and share it with the world. Filmmaking for Dummies is your definitive guide to bringing a project to life, from the comedy antics of loveable pets to the deepest, most meaningful independent film. Bryan Michael Stoller is your friend and guide, sharing his knowledge gained over 100 productions (directing and working with Dan Aykroyd, James Earl-Jones, Barbra Streisand and Drew Barrymore, among others) to show you how to take your movie from the planning and storyboarding stage, through shooting and editing, to making it available to your adoring audiences through television broadcast, streaming online or in movie theaters. For the do-it-your-selfer, the book includes tips on how to finance your project, a look at the latest software and apps, including advancements in digital technology, and for the passionate director, advice on how to hire and work with your cast and crew and find great scenic locations. Whether you want to become a professional filmmaker or just create great YouTube videos or nostalgic home movies, shooting with your smartphone or with consumer or pro-gear, this practical guide has it all. Learn how to compose your shots and when to move the camera Make the perfect pitch to sell your story Take advantage of helpful contacts and tons of new resources Get up-to-date on the latest and greatest digital technology Find the right distributor, or learn how you can be your own distributor! So, you really have no excuses to make your masterpiece. Get rolling with a copy of Filmmaking for Dummies today and start shooting for the stars!

This book explains how to comply with the federal and states securities regulations when seeking to raise money from private investors for the development, production and/or distribution of a feature or documentary film. Drawing from the experience and expertise of a securities and entertainment attorney who has worked with independent filmmakers for 30 plus years, this resource explores securities law compliance in order to help readers comply with the law and avoid criminal and civil liability, while successfully raising investor funds for their film projects. Readers will gain an understanding of why the securities laws apply to most investor financing transactions, what choices need to be made by the filmmaker, what information needs to be disclosed to prospective investors, how to comply with the SEC’s policy regarding financial projections, what is the appropriate investment vehicle for various forms of investor financing, what limitations are imposed on the use of finders and how to handle the required federal and state notice filings. It is an essential resource for any film student taking a film finance course (or a production course with a film finance component), as well as any independent film producers, entertainment/securities attorneys and film school instructors, who want to be informed about the legal and practical aspects of investor financing of independent films.

The practical and legal aspects of writing a business plan for a film venture can be daunting to navigate without a firm grasp of know-how. With this in mind, John W. Cones's Business Plans for Filmmakers arms independent movie-makers and students with everything they need to successfully tackle the confusing intersection of law, business, and art when creating a business plan for a movie. This pragmatic volume offers plenty of examples and strategies for success, sharing straightforward insight into some of the toughest challenges independent filmmakers face when encountering these documents. With simple yet thorough detail and clarity, Cones outlines the legal requirements affecting movie proposals, including ways to evaluate the necessity for a business plan or a securities disclosure document, as well as the legal definition of "an active investor." Also addressed are the numerous subjects filmmakers and students must consider before a film offering, including the efficacy of a business plan to fund the development, production, and distribution phases of a film; common elements of fraud of which fledgling filmmakers should beware; the intricacies of revenue sharing; and how to render financial projections. Cones also imparts useful distinctions between such industry terms as "company financing" versus "project financing," along with many others. This bookalso includes in-depth guidance through the murky paths of investor analysis and key strategies to find and attract parties interested in financing film. Drawing upon his many years as a securities and entertainment attorney, and his experiences advising independent film producers, Cones offers the tools necessary not only to understand investors' motivations but also to use that knowledge to the filmmaker's advantage. Also provided are perceptive studies of the investment vehicles commonly used in business plans seeking investors, with analysis of each method's pros and cons. Throughout the volume, Cones uses sample plans to offer a real-world grasp of the intricacies of the business. In the business of this art, knowledge is power. Business Plans for Filmmakers dispels the myths and misinformation circulating among filmmakers to provide accurate and useful advice.!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /--

Filmmakers need more than heart, talent and desire to realize their dreams: they need production capital. Finding willing investors can be the most difficult step in an aspiring filmmaker's pursuit of higher-budget, entertaining motion pictures. This practical guide provides detailed instructions on preparing the most important tool for recruiting investors, a persuasive business plan. Included in this new edition are suggested ways to approach potential investors; lists of various financial sources available to Hollywood productions, and tips on spotting unscrupulous financiers. Interviews with key Hollywood producers offer real-world insight.

Independent Female Filmmakers collects original and previously published essays, interviews, and manifestos from some of the most defining and groundbreaking independent female filmmakers of the last 40 years. Featuring material from the seminal magazine The Independent Film and Video Monthly—a leading publication for independent filmmakers for several decades—as well as new interviews conducted with the filmmakers, this book, edited by Michele Meek, presents a unique perspective into the ethnically and culturally diverse voices of women filmmakers whose films span narrative, documentary, and experimental genres and whose work remains integral to independent film history from the 1970s to the present. Independent Female Filmmakers also includes a biographical profile of each filmmaker, as well as an online resource with links to additonal interviews and a sample course syllabus. The filmmakers in this book include: • Lisa Cholodenko (High Art, The Kids Are All Right) • Martha Coolidge (Valley Girl, Real Genius, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge) • Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman, Stranger Inside) • Miranda July (The Future, Me And You And Everyone We Know) • Barbara Kopple (Harlan County USA, Wild Man Blues) • Maria Maggenti (The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love) • Deepa Mehta (Fire, Earth, Water) • Trinh T. Minh-ha (Surname Viet, Given Name Nam, Night Passage) . . . and more!