Rik, good list, thanks. But there is a Catch 22 or chicken and egg scenario: need a distribution plan to get the movie funded, need a movie before you talk with the distributors.
I'm not comparing myself with stars, I'm just bringing this up for faster understanding: imagine if Kevin Smith asked Miramax if they'd distribute a film like "Clerks" instead of shooting it first and screening it for them. I know there are a bunch of other parameters to his eventual success, let's not go into that, I just want to make the point that for a first effort, it's better to make the film first. And because I tried the no money way and it didn't work, I see that even for a kind of sample project to display your abilities, you need some money. Hence the questions about finding investors.
You're right, pryce.
When you are looking for investors you need to present an
investment package. Investors are looking for ways to invest
- that means they will look for a filmmaker with a track record.
Which is what you asked, right? "OK, this is the strategy, but
what are the tactics?"
If you are looking for donations then the tactics are different.
Since in that case you are asking people to "invest" because they
believe in you and want to help - not for financial return - you
have to make this very personal. Don’t make promises about getting
into festivals - though do you research and tell them about the
festivals you plan to enter and how much that’s going to cost.
Don’t try to dazzle them with how much money your movie is going
to make unless you can back it up with facts. Sell yourself as as
an up and coming, dedicated movie maker.
This doesn't work too well with people who don't know you.