how can I gain funding and workers for an independent film?
I am currently finishing a screen play, yet I want to be on top of production etc, instead of leaving it up to mega studios to elect me out of a pool of millions to get my screen play done, risk having them tamper with it to the point it is nothing like my original intentions, and lose time and money in the process. I want to produce, direct, and oversee editing of it. However, I know that costs money, for actors, equipment, etc. How can I go about getting financing for it?
Public Comments
- try bothering some rich actors that might be impressed by what youre doing like how Tarentino got Keitel to help him on Reservoir Dogs
- is it your first screen play? Typically people get into specialities over the course of an entire career in film....like screenwriter vs. director, producer, grip, actor, catering, etc. Generally, someone doesn't do it all unless they have major backing, or can really do it all. If you really are talented enough to do all of these jobs on a professional level, and you don't have another job that takes up most of your time....because this will be 60 + hours a week for a year or two (feature length)...... If you have that kind of energy. Buy a great consumer model Digital Video Camera that is compatible with Mac systems and make your own movie. Go to the local college drama department and recruit actors that will get paid only when the movie makes money....which is likely to be never, since you have shunned the very machine that creates the movie business, but young actors will work for free just to be in a "movie". A resume builder. Make friends with people at your local cable access channel, and sign up for the free classes the offer in editing and shooting film /video. There are as you know, a lucky few people who succeed at this and become instant household names. Expect debt. Good Luck.
- usually i respond to questions in a way that doesn't help anyone... for u..... i'll tell u excatly what u can do, cause...I am an indie filmmaker myself..... here's what u do: first and foremost, if u're just starting out....don't send ur script to holly...it will NEVER get chosen out of the million they get daily...well....not millions...but u know what i mean... anyway...keep it n do it urself.... if u can write and visualize the story then u got a director...which is U! actors are willing to work for free in exchange for copy, credits, or meals. Locations is something u're gonna have to look 4 urself unless u hire someone to do that for u... If u do... that person is going to want money... so don't hire that individual... look for places to shoot on ur own. Equipment, if u don't have any... get ready to pay a whole lot of money... usually about 200-1200 a day. Cameras n lighting kits cover most of that expense. I would suggest u go online and look up independent productions in ur area who help out people like u. I am very lucky to have such a company to do my projects with. My only expense... food for the crew... YEAH..THAT'S ALL! n one last thing....achiving financing for ur project is very tricky n it may take u years before someone chooses to give u money... Everyone in the business and even outside the business knows the risk of investment on film and television productions. So as far as opening their wallets to you... well... Good Luck. But wait here's what u could really do. Film one scene from ur movie and use it as ur sample of what ur work is going to be like. If people like what they see, u might just be able to fork out a few dollars from them. U may also call up businesses and corporations of products that u may be able to use in ur film.. usually they'll give u some money in exchange for product placements. Well this answer is getting long, n i could tell u other things u can do, but no time or space. so good luck with all that. Let me know when ur ready to submit ur film to festivals, that's a whole new chapter... as one last thing.... u should get a book about filmmaking that tells u everything u need to know from pre-production to post..
