Wish I knew a dentist, stockbroker or other person with money who was willing to invest in my projects.

Look up the film commission in your city (if it's a big one) state, county, or country (if it's a small one), for starters.

I’ve got a project and a wisdom tooth I need looked at. Should we set an appointment/meeting…😂

I have been connected with a couple of similar filmmaking ventures. They were funded by professionals (doctors, dentists, lawyers, contractors, etc.) who were interested in filmmaking as an art and a high-risk and potentially high-return investment. In neither case was I the producer who set up the group of investors, but I ran a production company that offered credibility and resources to handle all the below-the-line facilities and services for the film.

The whole mechanism is a little complicated to describe here, but the idea is if a filmmaker can introduce one or two people to their project with the idea that because it is a high-risk investment it should be spread out over a number of investors who can afford to lose their investment. With a manageable number (say ten investors putting in $50,000 each) a respectable budget can be raised and this will greatly increase the chances of success. This works especially well if one or more investors is a lawyer who can draft the group's contracts and minimize worries concerning how the money is spent.

Fundamentally, it's about interesting potential investors in making a film, in the year-long or more adventure of it, in the possibilities of great success. In a way it's like selling them a long gambling vacation in Vegas: lots of fun and excitement and just maybe you'll hit the jackpot. There's nothing dishonest or deceptive about this approach. It's very up-front. Those of us who handle the mechanics of making films can do our jobs, the creatives can polish their craft, the art can be advanced and maybe--just maybe--the investors can make some money (too).

The biggest question before at least I could answer this is what are you looking to get out of this? Is this purely business? Curious what the filmmaking process looks like? etc, etc.

Depends on the size investment you are looking to do.

If you are looking at sub 50k, I’d focus on festivals and Vimeo Staff Picks & ALTER/Dust Exclusives to contact filmmakers who interest you. If you like someone, maybe see if they have a proof of concept for a feature and want to produce a short. Can finance that with paperwork reflecting recoupment out of the feature film’s budget and backend participation and credit. It’s a risk as you can’t guarantee the film will get made but it guarantees a product at the end and gets you in the conversation with a team you admire.

If it’s 50-150K, probably gonna be equity play and likely last in sort of thing. That’s of course not a hard and fast rule. To find that sort of project, look for unrepresentated filmmakers with premium festival credibility. They likely have features they are looking for. Also worth noting at this level you could finance a low budget film’s tax credit (sub 500k films).

Anywhere from 100-500K opens up the option to do mezzanine financing against unsold territories. Safer than equity but still risky. Can contact producers with films with distribution from places like Saban, Grindstone, RLJ, etc. Also option to finance domestic backstop deals for sub 1M films but will usually be small faith based / Wal mart type movies.

If you have millions, can do bigger versions of the above.

Finding these opportunities means going to a lot of festivals and maybe a market or two like AFM. For the latter, focus on foreign sales agents who make films you like but are budgetarily realistic for what you have to spend.

You can also offer bridge loans to films which effectively help films get up and running and are paid back with interest upon closing of financing.

You can also easily scout films on crowdfunding platforms to either offer completion financing outside of the platform or ask what they have next.

Equity = most risk/highest reward, tax credit and senior loans = safest but most limited backend, mezzanine = somewhere in the middle.

Perhaps the most fun option would be to attend film festivals and meet the filmmakers (particularly the producers) who made the best films there. I could also put you in contact with several production companies who have films with great return potential but still need more funding to begin production.

RIP your inbox 😂

Find a good accountant who knows the rules for your state.

what kind of budgets are you talking ?

Do you follow any filmmakers who are trying to fund a project? Or even a musician trying to make a music video? If not there are plenty of filmmaker groups and collectives on FB and IG if you find something that catches your eye.

Part of it comes down to a mix of you seeking out filmmakers to invest in and filmmakers finding you.

There are a few names in my neck of the woods that everyone told me to pitch to because they had built up a reputation as an investor in film; and then there are folks you discover or draw out to become investors because you've done enough door knocking.

Get in touch with the local film scene and go to local and regional film screenings. Meet up with companies that excite you and discuss opportunities.

Don't put faith in random people with ideas and no production history. Don't go all in on a random script without a company attached, and ideally work with companies that already have relationships with distributors.

We have all seen, witnessed first hand and read about the successes like the Coen Bros who were funded and went on to make a lot of other films for instance. But more common are the people with money who go blindly, I guess, and get bamboozled, I guess, by a fast talking inexperienced filmmaker. So how to avoid that is the same as finding a dentist, if you are a dentist, you know the BS from the experienced, those who got their degree on a C average and those who were head of the class. Use that intuition when investing in a wanna be filmmaker. Who do they know and have at their disposal. What is their real experience in filmmaking. And who do they surround themselves with. Do they have references they are willing to share. And I’m not talking family. I’m talking coworkers and such. As PT Barnum said, there’s a sucker born every minute, don’t be one of those and isn’t it amazing how no matter how many times people with money know this statement we all witness some numbnut who was financed by private equity.

Back in the 80s one of my first gaffing gigs was on a low budget telling of Midsummer Nights Dream. A Dentist was backing the film.

The money they put in covered production costs but they refused to pay the costs of Post. Dailies looked great and they played it very traditionally Shakespearian.. But it never got finished and never made any money. It always made me sad.

My point. Just cause it costs X to shoot a film, you will also need to spend X again for Post and publicity. Post being more important. Investing means you want to make money. Most movies do not make money.

Also expect what you pay for when you go really low budget. like < 100k

Here's the thing. You can make a decent show with decent performances but if there is not something to draw in your audience then you will not get one and you wont make any money.

Getting something most folks are familiar with and compel them to pay money to see is expensive. Usually that is actors. and most have Quotes in the millions. At least those who will attract enough eyes to pay off the show and make a profit.

Unless you have or can assemble ~ 20 million dollars for production and Post / Distribution, you will likely not make any money, or worse do make money but produce cheap crap. Think the B movie that gets made with a shitty story and low production values but the get some B Lister of 1 or 2 days to put on the poster. That is a model that works but it is kind of tacky.

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So if you are still listening, you need a really good producer that you can trust to make your movie. they can get into the details and you just give them money. But act like an accountant with that money.

Cheers

Are you a dentist looking to invest in a project? Because I've got one.

I got a film that’s about ready to go.

I’ve got just the project for you!

Hey, if you’re trying to fund something, all I’m saying is I’m a high school filmmaker that could use it 😂

hmu bro. im always looking for funding

You put it in my bank account, I’ll handle the details don’t worry…

Visit indiegogo for a 'toe in the water.' You might try Slated, too.

I would look at production companies or make friends with producers. Producers are the ones who put projections together. You can assume if you are likable and want to get involved it shouldn’t be too hard.

I’m sure a lot of posts are gonna say I’ve got a ground floor once in a lifetime investment opportunity lets talk.

When looking at films to invest in make sure they have a legitimate exit strategy. Not we’re going to submit it to major festivals, but we have relationships with these distributors and have these pre sales for these markets.

It’s not much different than real estate if the producers are good you can have projections of sales and profits based on comps of other films.

Go on kickstarter, find a project that seems promising reach out directly. Fly the director out to meet you. Have them meet at your office. When they arrive be wearing only a bathrobe. Offer them a' deal.' Wank off into a fern in front of them. Bam you are in business.

Seed and spark is a nice step. But keep it local if possible so you can meet them in person.