3. Financing

Financing can be one of the most difficult steps in the entire independent filmmaking process. Raising money is no easy task, whether you’re trying to get donations to support a local school fundraiser or asking someone to believe in you and invest in the vision you have for your movie.

One way to structure a film investment is on a point, or “percentage” basis. Depending on how much money you are trying to raise will determine how many points each dollar is worth for an investor. An investor can purchase ownership in a film (usually up to 50%) and, depending on the level of their investment, become vested as an Executive Producer in the project.

Once the required amount of money is raised, a film is given the “green light” and the producers are free to move on to the next step in the process.