Film Proposals Independent Financing Blog

Oct 29, 2020

Film Investor Tip Sheet | Practical, Proven Fundraising Tips

Our Film Investor Tip Sheet includes practical tips, real world examples and proven fundraising language. Do you know one, specific thing you can do for almost no money that immediately creates the Executive Producer vision in the investor's mind..and makes them want it? Only those very serious about making their films have access to our film investor tips and tricks. Find out more about how to download our Film Investor Tip Sheet, compiled from leading industry film financiers.

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Oct 27, 2020

[Review] Substantive, Professional, Organized, Immensely Useful

Thank you for the Film Financing Package #3 (with the 7 bonus items). The content is substantive, professional, organized and immensely useful and practical. I've been promised this sort of material in the past from other resources and it's NEVER been this comprehensive. Kudos to you!

- Jon

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Oct 22, 2020

Free Film Templates, Worksheets, Downloads and Samples

Looking for the best list of free film templates? Do you know how many free film tools and samples exist across the internet? Tons, and here is a great starter list of free budgets, guides, books and more for the Independent Filmmaker. Grab your Film Making Action Guide, Film Festival Report, Sample Film Business Plan Template, Cash Flow Report, Movie Budgets, Film Investment Memorandum, Sample Contracts and more today!

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Oct 20, 2020

Horror Film Festivals | List of Scariest Horror Fests

Check out our list of over 30 Horror Film Festivals, designed to provide more opportunities and exposure for filmmakers, screenwriters and video game developers working within the horror, science fiction and suspense genres. Start planning now for the fall, when most of these festivals take place. More Info: List of Horror Film Festivals

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Oct 15, 2020

Film Financial Projections Movie Business Plan Template

Getting the overall picture of your film financial projections has never been easier. Our template walks you through analyzing your film, comparing it to other films, plugging in movie production costs and easily allows you to add financials directly into your Independent Film Business Plan. You have complete flexibility over the distribution and VOD revenue model(s) you choose and you complete your calculations any way that works for you.

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Oct 13, 2020

Why Start a Film Production Company | Steps, Business Plan, Investors

Filmmakers gain a huge advantage when they start a film production company. This process allows them to pursue equity-based crowdfunding for larger sums across a wider base of investors than just typical donation-based crowdfunding. It also helps to protect your film, management team, opens additional financing opportunities and makes your projects far more appealing to film investors.

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Oct 08, 2020

[Review] Film Proposals was the Best Investment!

When I presented my project to my investor, they were blown away how prepared I was and rarely see filmmakers have half the documents I supplied. It showed I was serious as a filmmaker and as a business person. I purchased the Gold package with the PPM. The PPM took all the heavy lifting off and saved me so much money that would of cost me thousands from an attorney. The package got me prepared from business plan to financials. I did my research on my film and similar films and just plugged in the info. I had everything prepared and professionally done. On top of that, they offered a review after I followed the steps they gave me.
- Angelo, September 2020

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Oct 06, 2020

My Autopsy Movie Financing Tips

We did a lot of fundraising - including dinners at restaurants, a "paint and wine" night, and also benefit rock shows. A lot of our sets were donated, and it was cheaper to film in West Virginia than anywhere else. Crowdfunding has been an uphill battle as well. It has been a long, hard road to complete My Autopsy, a feature length independent film about the progression of a woman's journey to escape the invisible chains of an abusive relationship.

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Oct 01, 2020

How to Do Film Revenue Projections in Your Business Plan

How do you estimate how much income your film will bring in over time? The answer, of course, is the only way you can show investors what and when their ROI might be. You can use the-numbers, IMDB and/or Box Office Mojo. It's been the way we've done things for years...but oh-so-many of you have let us know how much you hate the tedious work. You just want to get on with filming, right?

Announcing our NEW...Custom Indie Film Database.

Learn More: How to Do Film Revenue Projections in Your Business Plan

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Sep 29, 2020

How to Ask Film Investors For More Money

You pitched your investors, promising them your film project would cost $XXX. After you accept their film financing and begin begin production, you realize you need additional production funds. How do you go back to your film investors and ask them for more money? It's easier than it sounds.

Learn More: How to Ask Film Investors For More Money

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Sep 24, 2020

[Review] Great products | Good, Solid Advice

After much research on the subject, we chose the FilmProposals.com Package #3's business plan and financial templates, which we are already putting to good use for our new film production LLC, "Take Us There Films." Also included in this package were several documents filled with helpful hints and good, solid advice that's sure to bring in the investments that will make our company successful.

I highly recommend subscribing to your newsletter and checking out the blog. Your website itself is filled with invaluable information.

Thank you.

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Sep 22, 2020

Tribeca Film Institute Grants | Documentary, Narrative, Sports, Women, Latinx

The Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) offers over $1M annually in grants to a variety of projects and filmmakers, mostly with a focus on politically, culturally and socially relevant films from diverse storytellers. TFI partners with ESPN, AT&T, Gucci and other corporations to support filmmakers financially across several niches and specialties. They have dozens of different grants across many genres, both narrative and documentary, so check out what film financing you can raise today.

More Info: Tribeca Film Institute Grants

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Sep 17, 2020

Preparing for Film Investors | Steps to Find and Attract Investors

Preparing for film investors is the single most important step in finding them. Avoid THE # MISTAKE indie filmmakers make when trying to find movie investors and and stand out from your competition by changing the script from asking to offering!

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Sep 15, 2020

Invest in Movie Production | Why Invest in Movies, Film Investor Benefits

There are as many returns as risks when evaluating why to invest in movie production. While investing your hard-earned money in a film production is not for the faint of heart, the returns can be sweet, not to mention the adulation that comes along with being a "producer" of a successful film and getting to walk that red carpet. For those who are either new to making investments in film or have already tried being part of a crowdfunding campaign of a feature film, here are some of the reasons why you should take the leap and invest in a movie production.

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Sep 10, 2020

Film Producer Definition | What is a Producer's Role in Movie Production?

Finding a consistent film producer definition is a challenging task, as the role is wide and varied. The movie producer tends to be one of the most misunderstood jobs in the filmmaking industry. What exactly do they do? And why are their jobs so misunderstood in the first place? Finally, and possibly most importantly-what can a movie or film producer do for your own movie?

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Sep 08, 2020

[Review] I haven’t been this excited in years. There is a ton of great information!

I haven’t been this excited in years. As someone who is changing careers later in life, I can’t tell you how much the information you provided is going to help me jumpstart my new path. I was devouring the information as soon as I downloaded it. There is a ton of great information and I’m so happy your company exists! - BJ, August 2020

Continue reading "[Review] I haven’t been this excited in years. There is a ton of great information!"

Sep 03, 2020

Independent Film Logline Examples | Logline Formula, How to Create

Our independent film logline examples will help you understand what is a logline, how to create a logline, how to use a logline formula and how to study logline examples. Although it is just a sentence or two that describes the overall idea of your film, a logline is both extremely simple yet wildly complex.

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Sep 01, 2020

Film Investor Template - How to ASK for Money and WIN!

Devouring Venus Step by Step Successful Film Financing

HANDS DOWN, The Best Movie Trailer and Film Finance Tips EVER on FilmProposals!!! Want to be a successful Film Writer, Director and Producer? Then read these SOLID GOLD tips from Marty Hardin, who was kind enough to walk us STEP by STEP through how he successfully raised his film financing for Devouring Venus!

Marty - we cannot thank you enough for your generosity in sharing your exact email that helped you raise $25K in film financing. You are bright and witty, extremely talented, humorous and we all wish you the MOST AMAZING SUCCESS with Devouring Venus!!!!!!

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Aug 27, 2020

Film Budget Template | Details and Top Sheet, ATL, BTL

Our Film Budget Template will help indie producers estimate their movie production costs. The movie sample budget template is a great starting point to demonstrate film negative costs required for the financial projections and business plans used to secure movie investors.

The Film Budget Worksheet Template is in Excel, fully editable and contains 100s of line items and formulas that can be completely customized to your film production.

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Aug 25, 2020

How to Write a Film Business Plan | FREE Movie Business Plan Template E-Course

I have been enjoying the FREE Movie Business Plan Template E-Course. It has given me a good overview and has been in line with other things I read. I am writing and producing my first project. What I really like about your course is how it helped me explain it to other people. For example, I forwarded the first lesson to my Dad so that he would understand what I am trying to do. I wanted him to understand and hopefully share with his circle of friends who have the ability to be future investors. Sure enough he had a friend who wanted to meet me and learn more.  - Crystal

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Aug 20, 2020

[Review] How to Prepare a Professional Investment Package

This is perfect - I have potential investors but I had no idea how to prepare a professional investment package to present to them. (I'm an artiste', not a business person. :) )

The information is clear and easy to understand, and Melissa is very prompt in answering emails.

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Aug 18, 2020

Once A Clown Short Film Financing Tips | Crowdfunding Lessons Learned

Once A Clown Short Film was funded partially via crowdfunding, and partially through the use of my bank overdraft. Our crowdfuning campaign did not do well, so we then interviewed with a former film producer regarding crowdfunding and learned some VERY valuable crowdfunding lessons.

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Aug 13, 2020

Independent Film Companies and How They Got Started

For any indie filmmaker, independent film companies are greatly important. More often than not, these are the only movie companies indie filmmakers have the potential to work with. But the origin stories of your favorite indie movie company in the film industry may surprise you and will definitely enlighten you and provide inspiration as you embark on starting your own independent film company.

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Aug 11, 2020

Film Distribution Waterfall | Recoupment Schedule and Investor Payback

We often get asked if our Documents Include the Film Recoupment Revenue Distribution Waterfall? The answer is YES! We use a simple revenue recoupment model in our actual Business Plan Template. We also offer three other options for the Distribution Waterfall in our Film Financing Manual, along with a visual chart showing how a $30M film recoups its money down to the net profit producer's pool. We highlight hurdle rates, producer's net profit, deferred talent agreements, profit participation and more. One of the waterfalls is also included in our PPM template, with all the legal-eze you need. You can choose one of four scenarios, or combine them, for how you plan to payback your investors customized to your specific project.

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Aug 06, 2020

[Review] Film Investor Package is Well Organized and Professional Looking

I've just spent 20 minutes going through the materials I purchased with Package #3 and I already know it is going to be a huge help in getting me to the next stage in my producing career. I can't wait to dive in and start creating my first business plan.

**Update***

I’ve now worked with it for a few weeks and thought I’d let you know what I think.

I liked it a lot. The format is well organized and professional looking and much of the text is worthwhile.

I also chatted with your rep on line before hand and they answered my questions very well which allowed me to move forward with the purchase with confidence.

It is a pity the the MPAA reports are not available until April.

Thanks for putting together what appears to be a very useful package, and the website has a ton of great info too. - Tim

Continue reading "[Review] Film Investor Package is Well Organized and Professional Looking"

Aug 04, 2020

How to Invest in Movies | Opportunities, Tax Deductions, Production Deals

If you're looking to invest in movies, and not quite sure how to get started, our film investor primer is here to teach a lot of what you need to know, how to access filmmakers and productions and how to gauge a film's potential success. Our guide covers Tax Deductions, ROI, asset classes, deal tips, how to find the right movies, how to become an accredited investor and an overview of how the film industry generates revenue. Our primer also showcases some of our best filmmakers' projects looking for investments right now.

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Jul 30, 2020

10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes

The 10 things you MUST do to attract film investors have been cultivated over 16 years in the film industry and being able to work with 1000's of filmmakers. Our experience allowed us to analyze and learn from those who have achieved success and mase their indie film vs. those we never hear from again. We lay out all the crucial steps to set you up to be the former - the successful indie filmmaker.

Continue reading "10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes"

Jul 30, 2020

10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes

The 10 things you MUST do to attract film investors have been cultivated over 16 years in the film industry and being able to work with 1000's of filmmakers. Our experience allowed us to analyze and learn from those who have achieved success and mase their indie film vs. those we never hear from again. We lay out all the crucial steps to set you up to be the former - the successful indie filmmaker.

Continue reading "10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes"

Jul 30, 2020

10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes

The 10 things you MUST do to attract film investors have been cultivated over 16 years in the film industry and being able to work with 1000's of filmmakers. Our experience allowed us to analyze and learn from those who have achieved success and mase their indie film vs. those we never hear from again. We lay out all the crucial steps to set you up to be the former - the successful indie filmmaker.

Continue reading "10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes"

Jul 30, 2020

10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes

The 10 things you MUST do to attract film investors have been cultivated over 16 years in the film industry and being able to work with 1000's of filmmakers. Our experience allowed us to analyze and learn from those who have achieved success and mase their indie film vs. those we never hear from again. We lay out all the crucial steps to set you up to be the former - the successful indie filmmaker.

Continue reading "10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes"

Jul 30, 2020

10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes

The 10 things you MUST do to attract film investors have been cultivated over 16 years in the film industry and being able to work with 1000's of filmmakers. Our experience allowed us to analyze and learn from those who have achieved success and mase their indie film vs. those we never hear from again. We lay out all the crucial steps to set you up to be the former - the successful indie filmmaker.

Continue reading "10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes"

Jul 30, 2020

10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes

The 10 things you MUST do to attract film investors have been cultivated over 16 years in the film industry and being able to work with 1000's of filmmakers. Our experience allowed us to analyze and learn from those who have achieved success and mase their indie film vs. those we never hear from again. We lay out all the crucial steps to set you up to be the former - the successful indie filmmaker.

Continue reading "10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes"

Jul 30, 2020

10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes

The 10 things you MUST do to attract film investors have been cultivated over 16 years in the film industry and being able to work with 1000's of filmmakers. Our experience allowed us to analyze and learn from those who have achieved success and mase their indie film vs. those we never hear from again. We lay out all the crucial steps to set you up to be the former - the successful indie filmmaker.

Continue reading "10 Things You MUST Do To Attract Film Investors | Avoid These Mistakes"

Jul 28, 2020

How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others

Learning how other independent films were funded is a part of the process many filmmakers miss when reading stories of other successful films. Finding funding for your independent movie is time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and overall a challenging task to accomplish. However, we take a look at some of the Best Independent Films and discover how they were funded.

Continue reading "How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others"

Jul 28, 2020

How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others

Learning how other independent films were funded is a part of the process many filmmakers miss when reading stories of other successful films. Finding funding for your independent movie is time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and overall a challenging task to accomplish. However, we take a look at some of the Best Independent Films and discover how they were funded.

Continue reading "How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others"

Jul 28, 2020

How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others

Learning how other independent films were funded is a part of the process many filmmakers miss when reading stories of other successful films. Finding funding for your independent movie is time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and overall a challenging task to accomplish. However, we take a look at some of the Best Independent Films and discover how they were funded.

Continue reading "How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others"

Jul 28, 2020

How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others

Learning how other independent films were funded is a part of the process many filmmakers miss when reading stories of other successful films. Finding funding for your independent movie is time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and overall a challenging task to accomplish. However, we take a look at some of the Best Independent Films and discover how they were funded.

Continue reading "How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others"

Jul 28, 2020

How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others

Learning how other independent films were funded is a part of the process many filmmakers miss when reading stories of other successful films. Finding funding for your independent movie is time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and overall a challenging task to accomplish. However, we take a look at some of the Best Independent Films and discover how they were funded.

Continue reading "How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others"

Jul 28, 2020

How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others

Learning how other independent films were funded is a part of the process many filmmakers miss when reading stories of other successful films. Finding funding for your independent movie is time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and overall a challenging task to accomplish. However, we take a look at some of the Best Independent Films and discover how they were funded.

Continue reading "How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others"

Jul 28, 2020

How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others

Learning how other independent films were funded is a part of the process many filmmakers miss when reading stories of other successful films. Finding funding for your independent movie is time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and overall a challenging task to accomplish. However, we take a look at some of the Best Independent Films and discover how they were funded.

Continue reading "How the Best Independent Films Were Funded | Learn from Others"

Jul 23, 2020

What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line

What are ATL and BTL costs in filmmaking is a very common question to which all filmmakers need to know the answer, especially if they are involved at all with their film's financing. Learn more about about Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) costs and which line items fall into each category.

Continue reading "What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line"

Jul 23, 2020

What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line

What are ATL and BTL costs in filmmaking is a very common question to which all filmmakers need to know the answer, especially if they are involved at all with their film's financing. Learn more about about Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) costs and which line items fall into each category.

Continue reading "What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line"

Jul 23, 2020

What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line

What are ATL and BTL costs in filmmaking is a very common question to which all filmmakers need to know the answer, especially if they are involved at all with their film's financing. Learn more about about Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) costs and which line items fall into each category.

Continue reading "What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line"

Jul 23, 2020

What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line

What are ATL and BTL costs in filmmaking is a very common question to which all filmmakers need to know the answer, especially if they are involved at all with their film's financing. Learn more about about Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) costs and which line items fall into each category.

Continue reading "What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line"

Jul 23, 2020

What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line

What are ATL and BTL costs in filmmaking is a very common question to which all filmmakers need to know the answer, especially if they are involved at all with their film's financing. Learn more about about Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) costs and which line items fall into each category.

Continue reading "What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line"

Jul 23, 2020

What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line

What are ATL and BTL costs in filmmaking is a very common question to which all filmmakers need to know the answer, especially if they are involved at all with their film's financing. Learn more about about Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) costs and which line items fall into each category.

Continue reading "What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line"

Jul 23, 2020

What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line

What are ATL and BTL costs in filmmaking is a very common question to which all filmmakers need to know the answer, especially if they are involved at all with their film's financing. Learn more about about Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) costs and which line items fall into each category.

Continue reading "What are ATL and BTL costs in Filmmaking? | Above and Below the Line"

Jul 21, 2020

Women Make Movies Production Grant | Production, Documentary, Narrative

Women Make Movies (WMM) offers a production assistance program for female filmmakers actively fundraising or about to begin fundraising. Filmmakers can only apply if they are not currently fiscally sponsored by another organization. One of the most important criteria for the Women Make Movies Production Grant is that you must be able to clearly communicate your fundraising or distribution strategies for the film.

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Jul 16, 2020

How to Write a Film Business Plan | FREE Movie Business Plan Template E-Course

How to Write a Film Business Plan is the Number One goal of most of our filmmaking site visitors, so we wrote a FREE How to Write a Movie Business Plan E-Course (sign up FREE right here and start immediately). Our goal is that no matter where you in the process of making your film, we help you to succeed with really understanding the entire business side of the film industry. Each week you'll receive your homework assignments, and if you follow along and stick to the plan, it will be 10 short weeks until you have a complete film business plan and are totally ready to approach the film investors we teach you to find.

Continue reading "How to Write a Film Business Plan | FREE Movie Business Plan Template E-Course"