How to Make a Movie
You could spend months reading all the information about How to Make a Movie. We recommend you learn as much as time allows, but in the interest of condensing the nuts and bolts for you, we've reviewed what we think is some of the best material on how to make your first film.
The following videos, hosted by Scott Dupont and Expert Village, from their Film Producing 101 series, are short and easy to follow. They are not numbered in any order, so we organized them and wrote out some of the key points on how to make a movie from each video.
How to Find Investors & Raise Money for a Film:
How to Get Into the Film Business
- If new to the movie business, first get some experience.
- Volunteer to be an extra on a movie, even if acting is not your ultimate goal.
- Sign up with a local student film, at a local college or go online to find films in production near you.
- Observe, learn and absorb anything you can, and this is a great experience to have on your film career resume.
How to Find Investors & Raise Money for a Film:
How to Be a First Time Film Producer
- Once you have a great script, make sure you own the rights to the script
- Register it with WGA (Writer's Guild of America) and ensure it is copyrighted.
- Meet with a local attorney and figure out how to offer them something in return for legal advice. You can offer them partial ownership of your movie.
- Work with an accountant or money manager.
How to Find Investors & Raise Money for a Film: Importance of Knowing the Market for First Film
- Quentin Tarantino worked at a Video Store and this was a large part of how he knew which movies were sold and successful.
- A genre that translates well globally is horror and suspense. Your first film is not always the one you are most passionate about.
- The most famous directors and producers saved their best film ideas until they were already famous and successful, after they learned how to make a movie.
- Learn more about famous filmmakers and how they made their first movies in our FilmProposals and Financing Manual.
Continue on to Part 2 of How to Make a Movie.
Back to Film Proposals and Financing home
Find Film Investors
Film Investors do exist! Find out where they are and exactly what they want to hear from you.
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Free Film Downloads and Samples
Many free film tools and samples exist across the internet and here is a great starter list for the Independent Filmmaker.
Indie Film Distributors
Indie film distributors look for one thing only when they evaluate Indie Films - "Will this film be profitable for us?"
Independent Film Discussion Forum
Welcome to the Independent Film Discussion Forum for your Film Making questions, Movie Making Tips, Film Investors, Film Grants, Equipment Discussions, Financing Questions and Film Services.
Online Film School
Online Film School is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to learn the basics of film making. As a film maker, you have numerous education options. Make sure to get the Online Film School facts.
Independent Film Proposal and Financing Manual
Learn how to write a business plan, the definition of a business plan and creative ways to finance your film. Pair this Manual with our Financial Template and Business Plan Template for the ultimate Movie Making package.
Film Financial Projections Template
Show film investors why they should fund your movie with our Financial Template. Analyze your film, movie production costs and add financials directly into your Business Plan for Independent Film.
Business Plan Template for Independent Film
Our Business Plan Template is fully formatted with eight chapters and twenty three pages of sample text. Easily use this business plan example and customize it to your project.
Film Grants
The huge advantage to film grants is you do not have to reimburse the funds, unlike investors, who require their money back, plus a return on their investment.
Showcase Your Free Movie Trailer
Join our Independent Film Showcase and develop an online presence for your film in a few minutes - for FREE!!! Show the world your Independent Film and impress potential investors with more than just your logline.
Recommended Film Financing and Business Plan Guides
See FilmProposals top picks for Business Plan Books for Film. Film Funding and Financing, Low Budget, Business Plans and Budgets. See the best books on the market today, written by leading experts.
Best Independent Film Websites
FilmProposals top picks for the best Film Websites and Resources to help you find Investors for your Independent Movie, Film Financing Companies and Independent Film Funding.
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