It's not common at all, but there is a few filmmakers I know that self financed their movie and got a Shudder or Tubi deal, so it's possible. Also if you have great resources for locations and you keep it small then there's a chance. I also stress, learn how to edit shoot sound design cause that cut cost, that's why I try to learn it all. I'm self financing.
I've been trying for decades. No one ever really explains HOW to develop relationships with wealthy people who are interested in film. Where to find them. "The financing will find you" . Baloney. Maybe in some rare success story cases. But in the real world... not so much.
I heard Joe Carnahan say that, obviously, the best situation it to have ONE financier on a film. But, sadly, most indie movies are a whole bunch of investors. which is why you see 7-8 title cards on a lot of indie movies.
I feel like this advice reflects what the industry was like a long time ago. 😰 For example, short films do not have the legs they used to have back in 2015. Financing the production & festival run for a short film in 2023 is gonna give you tiny, tiny ROI.
Especially after the strikes against the studios in 2023, being able to finance and distribute via the internet a lot more film makers are going to leave the studios behind.
People who invest in indie films really love films. If they like a director or a script then they can write off their investment against tax and get some vicarious thrills from being involved in a movie adventure.
They don’t. You don’t make anything from shorts. You don’t get tax breaks, you don’t get anything. There is no help from anyone and no chance to recoup.
My argument would be about using your own money, what if I’m not interested in making my investment back? I’m on the verge of making an experimental feature just to see what it does, and use that for my calling card for a proper narrative feature. That’s what I’m interested in. Sure, a short could launch your career, but at the same time many studios and people, prefer you to make a feature before even talking to you. It’s a damn if I do, and damn if I don’t type of situation.
Anthony is right. Do not put your own money into making a feature film. You will lose that money. You probably can't afford to lose that money, so don't do it.
Very rare proof of concept shorts turn into movies. Shorts are proof of ability only. Less than 1% of 1% of all shorts in the history of filmmaking became a feature. Real talk!
We think it depends on the filmmaker. Here's one filmmaker who made a proof of concept short film before making it into a feature film - th-cam.com/video/nGkMDIfLcqI/w-d-xo.html and here is another - th-cam.com/video/JeIqJQyPwSU/w-d-xo.html
@@filmcourage I'm not saying don't make a proof-of-concept film. My take is that proof-of-concept films are not the golden ticket to a feature. Yes, there are many great examples, Whiplash, etc., but my advice is to make something you're passionate about that shows producers, financiers, and, most importantly, talent that you have what it takes. I have been in film distribution since the Canon Films and Credit Lyonnaise days, and your guest is 100% accurate with his advice. My only addition is to focus your short on highlighting your talent to communicate material that resonates with an audience. It can be proof of concept or something else. If you want to package your film, star talent is attracted to talented filmmakers, and financiers are attracted to stars.
GUY SAYS MAKE GOOD SHORTS. There, fixed the title. Would be great to hear how the financing process works, he says it's different for different films so it would be illuminating to hear a ciuple of specifics...
@@filmcourage Thank you ! It's true, would be great to just get some small bite with substance (detailed examples of previous productions, esp. indies/docs)
Preselling and negative pickups are now dead. Nobody's buying, and the few that are want completed films. The Cannes film market this year was a mortuary, not even action was selling. This is the worst time ever to try and get a film greenlit.
Who knows? Most indie filmmakers that are looking for investors are demanding to see the books when someone offers to put money into their production. They're just happy that some rich person is willing to help them.
@@dudethisismyemail - I don't know that it's the responsibility of the filmmaker trying to raise money to vet everyone who's willing to give them money. If someone is making money illegally there are legal investigations for that, but it's not your fault if someone spends illegal money on your product.
It's not common at all, but there is a few filmmakers I know that self financed their movie and got a Shudder or Tubi deal, so it's possible. Also if you have great resources for locations and you keep it small then there's a chance. I also stress, learn how to edit shoot sound design cause that cut cost, that's why I try to learn it all. I'm self financing.
I've been trying for decades. No one ever really explains HOW to develop relationships with wealthy people who are interested in film. Where to find them. "The financing will find you" . Baloney. Maybe in some rare success story cases. But in the real world... not so much.
Here's how one producer has done it - th-cam.com/video/QLMkW1myTRg/w-d-xo.html
You get a like automatically for using the word "baloney."
@@Theomitefacts!
You know, he MEANT that!
@@Theomitemy home girl back in the Army spoiled me so now I say bologna 😅
I heard Joe Carnahan say that, obviously, the best situation it to have ONE financier on a film. But, sadly, most indie movies are a whole bunch of investors. which is why you see 7-8 title cards on a lot of indie movies.
So many logos
I feel like this advice reflects what the industry was like a long time ago. 😰 For example, short films do not have the legs they used to have back in 2015. Financing the production & festival run for a short film in 2023 is gonna give you tiny, tiny ROI.
Especially after the strikes against the studios in 2023, being able to finance and distribute via the internet a lot more film makers are going to leave the studios behind.
Interesting. I still wonder how investors get paid back with indie shorts. How do they?
People who invest in indie films really love films. If they like a director or a script then they can write off their investment against tax and get some vicarious thrills from being involved in a movie adventure.
They don’t. You don’t make anything from shorts. You don’t get tax breaks, you don’t get anything. There is no help from anyone and no chance to recoup.
@@mickmartin4681 If you invest in any business and it looses money you write off the loss when you pay taxes. It's simple profit & loss accounting.
Wouldn't crowdfunding work better for shorts
Good idea i think @@dudethisismyemail
My argument would be about using your own money, what if I’m not interested in making my investment back? I’m on the verge of making an experimental feature just to see what it does, and use that for my calling card for a proper narrative feature. That’s what I’m interested in.
Sure, a short could launch your career, but at the same time many studios and people, prefer you to make a feature before even talking to you. It’s a damn if I do, and damn if I don’t type of situation.
Anthony is right. Do not put your own money into making a feature film. You will lose that money. You probably can't afford to lose that money, so don't do it.
Sadly learned this the hard way. $20k out of pocket on a documentary that seems to be going nowhere.
Great video. Thanks
Very rare proof of concept shorts turn into movies. Shorts are proof of ability only. Less than 1% of 1% of all shorts in the history of filmmaking became a feature. Real talk!
We think it depends on the filmmaker. Here's one filmmaker who made a proof of concept short film before making it into a feature film - th-cam.com/video/nGkMDIfLcqI/w-d-xo.html and here is another - th-cam.com/video/JeIqJQyPwSU/w-d-xo.html
@@filmcourage I'm not saying don't make a proof-of-concept film. My take is that proof-of-concept films are not the golden ticket to a feature. Yes, there are many great examples, Whiplash, etc., but my advice is to make something you're passionate about that shows producers, financiers, and, most importantly, talent that you have what it takes. I have been in film distribution since the Canon Films and Credit Lyonnaise days, and your guest is 100% accurate with his advice. My only addition is to focus your short on highlighting your talent to communicate material that resonates with an audience. It can be proof of concept or something else. If you want to package your film, star talent is attracted to talented filmmakers, and financiers are attracted to stars.
These Rock!
I don’t feel like he gave any actionable steps that weren’t already pretty enough
I love it
Great info! Thank you @filmcourage !
GUY SAYS MAKE GOOD SHORTS.
There, fixed the title.
Would be great to hear how the financing process works, he says it's different for different films so it would be illuminating to hear a ciuple of specifics...
There's so much to cover on this topic. Here's a lot more - tinyurl.com/f9pfr5x4
@@filmcourage Thank you ! It's true, would be great to just get some small bite with substance (detailed examples of previous productions, esp. indies/docs)
Preselling and negative pickups are now dead. Nobody's buying, and the few that are want completed films. The Cannes film market this year was a mortuary, not even action was selling. This is the worst time ever to try and get a film greenlit.
Ok...the people who made velocipastor found funding....so can i....the question....what do the people who make evem crappy movies know that i dont
How many movies are funded with ill-gotten gains?
What's your guess?
Who knows? Most indie filmmakers that are looking for investors are demanding to see the books when someone offers to put money into their production. They're just happy that some rich person is willing to help them.
@@masterofallgoons I wonder how that is avoided
@@masterofallgoons I wonder how that's avoided
@@dudethisismyemail - I don't know that it's the responsibility of the filmmaker trying to raise money to vet everyone who's willing to give them money. If someone is making money illegally there are legal investigations for that, but it's not your fault if someone spends illegal money on your product.
Good info.....Happy New Year Karen 2024😂
Thank you, Mychal. Happy New Year to you as well!
💪🎬🌲✨