I joined a film forum site the other day and found some interesting funding questions I had some answers for. A bit of stuff I learned from compiling the Film and Video Funding Directory. Also working on a bunch of different types of live and recorded productions.

Question

Start Up Cost/Budget for Audio Drama Production Company Anyone have realistic numbers or a sample budget for start-up cost relating to starting an audio drama production company. Math and numbers have never been a great skill of mine. I created one back in school but can't remember my password so I have to start from scratch again. Specifically, I'm looking for a realistic cost for sound engineers and actors but any other insight is appreciated.

Answer

Contact a few audio recording studios for advice. They can give you quotes and tips to get you started.

Question

Pitch Mentor I'm looking for counsel or mentoring in this area to help me stay focused. I want to prepare my pitch and presentation for my projects on my profile page. So when I present to executives, I'm prepared and address the needs learned in my class "What Producers want." Thank you in advance.

Answer

Get friends in the industry to read it first and pick it to pieces. I mean really shoot it down and tell you why. Then use that data for your fixes.

Question

Help!!! I currently have a Patreaon Account and I'm having trouble raising money… I currently have a number of ways on raising funds for my gaming entertainment company. My background is 3D post production for video games and television/film. I started this venture a while ago to provide gaming centric podcasts on YouTube but it has now expanding to e-sports, game streaming, and pop culture content expanding all on social media. I have a number of ways where the entity can make revenue but it appears to be slacking. Any help is appreciated!

Answer

I've tried Patreon, it sucks. A little research found others with the same experience. There is too much competition due to Patreon's over popularity. Like trying to get your youtube channel noticed. There are a lot of different kinds of funding sites, including different kinds of crowd funding and micro investing, as well as grants. For businesses, nonprofits and individuals. A new directory of them is just released at https://www.blurb.com/b/9925921-film-and-video-money-directory?ebook=715640

Question

Campaign Marketing How does Publicity/Marketing come into play with a fundraiser? It's often said to "market your campaign" to maximize reach. But how do you approach marketing a fundraiser? For context it's for a web series. Target goal is $30K.

Answer

What is your project about, who are the topic or genre fans? Identify their discussion groups and organizations and get friendly.

Question

Ranked Importance What are the top three things a crowdfunding campaign should address? Would love to hear feedback both from campaign creators and backers.

Answer

Look through the eyes of your market, what top three things do they want?

Question

Need to get in touch with financiers. Im a filmmaker from Sweden and Im about to shoot my first feature. its based on an award winning short called 2nd class which I made two years ago and now I have a feature script and im looking for financiers and co producers.

Answer

Sweden has great community services. Have you asked around grantmakers there?

Question

Money Other than crowdfunding, what are some alternative ways to raise money for a film?

Answer

Fiscal sponsorship. Find a nonprofit that is into your topic or genre and ask if you can use their nonprofit status for donations and crowd funding. You can also use it for other stuff.

Question

Getting Funding for a short film I wanted some advice about funding short film and hopefully in the future a feature-length and series (Web or TV) How would one go about getting the funds for their first professional shoot other than crowd-funding and how does one actually have a successful crowdfunding campaign?

Answer

There are actually hundreds of grants for all kinds of films and docs. As well as fiscal sponsorships. And more than one kind of crowd funding. Some grants give up to a $1,000,000 for a feature length. Yes that is the correct amount of zeros. Rather than the trickle feed web sites go straight to the grantmakers. A directory is here, just released https://www.blurb.com/b/9925921-film-and-video-money-directory?ebook=715640

Question

Crowdfunding managers - worth it? Since we're thinking of crowdfunding Season 1 of No Tomorrow, I've been researching companies/individuals who tout themselves as successful crowdfunding experts. Anyone here know of any that are truly legit - with a verifiable successful track record? And how much does it cost? Note - I'm not all that comfortable with people who charge all their fees up front for this kind of service (marketing, campaign mgmt, social media mgmt). I mean, where's their investment, if their fees aren't at least partially based on the success of the campaign? Or am I being paranoid? I know, the standard answer is to do it myself - but taking that aspect out of the equation (for various reasons), are these guys worth it?

Answer

No, for the simple reason their job is to say whatever to make themselves look good. They can never describe it like you can. Gather a team of like minds who want to do it for the art and the money. Their enthusiasm in sharing it will sell it.