Hi, I have a script ready for an Indian American Romantic Comedy. The movie expresses the struggle between first generation Indians and their parents when it comes to the subject of marriage. I am looking for investors and have a budget of $500,000. Is there anyone on here that can help, or guide me in the right direction so I can obtain these funds? Thank you in advance for your help.
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LOOKING FOR AN INVESTOR
- Thread starter svandav
- Start date
1) What format is it being shot on?
2) What's the intended market and what is your distribution plan?
3) What ROI are you offering?
4) What funding do you have in place already?
5) What names are involved in the project?
6) Is there anyone involved in the project who has successfully taken a film to market and produced a profit for investors?
7) What existing feature credits does your primary team have -- ie writer/director/producer.
8) Where are you hoping to shoot the movie?
9) Have you registered with the SEC?
1) What format is it being shot on?
It's my first movie. What would you recommend for a good quality picture and sound? This question is most important to me because if I cannot get fuding, I do have some local people who have approached me and are willing to work for free. Equipment and all. They seem to be very knowledgeable but I want to make sure I know what equipment can be used at a min instead of just taking there word for it.
2) What's the intended market and what is your distribution plan?
Intended to be marketed toward the American cinema. No distibution plan in place.
3) What ROI are you offering?
What is ROI?
4) What funding do you have in place already?
I don't have any funding in place. I am so fed up with producers. Everytime I contact a production company, they tell me I need a literary agent to apply. Everytime I contact a literary agent, they tell me I need a referral from a production company. How the hell is anyone ever supposed to win?
5) What names are involved in the project?
I have not finalized anyone yet, but if need be, I can attach a semi famouos name. Although he will only come on board if I am able to raise the funds.
6) Is there anyone involved in the project who has successfully taken a film to market and produced a profit for investors?
Again, I do know someone who has done all this. Still in talks with him.
7) What existing feature credits does your primary team have -- ie writer/director/producer.
I am the writer, and will be the direction. Production team is up in the air.
8) Where are you hoping to shoot the movie?
Locally in Northern VA
9) Have you registered with the SEC?
What is SEC?
It's my first movie. What would you recommend for a good quality picture and sound? This question is most important to me because if I cannot get fuding, I do have some local people who have approached me and are willing to work for free. Equipment and all. They seem to be very knowledgeable but I want to make sure I know what equipment can be used at a min instead of just taking there word for it.
2) What's the intended market and what is your distribution plan?
Intended to be marketed toward the American cinema. No distibution plan in place.
3) What ROI are you offering?
What is ROI?
4) What funding do you have in place already?
I don't have any funding in place. I am so fed up with producers. Everytime I contact a production company, they tell me I need a literary agent to apply. Everytime I contact a literary agent, they tell me I need a referral from a production company. How the hell is anyone ever supposed to win?
5) What names are involved in the project?
I have not finalized anyone yet, but if need be, I can attach a semi famouos name. Although he will only come on board if I am able to raise the funds.
6) Is there anyone involved in the project who has successfully taken a film to market and produced a profit for investors?
Again, I do know someone who has done all this. Still in talks with him.
7) What existing feature credits does your primary team have -- ie writer/director/producer.
I am the writer, and will be the direction. Production team is up in the air.
8) Where are you hoping to shoot the movie?
Locally in Northern VA
9) Have you registered with the SEC?
What is SEC?
You are not ready to ask for $500,000.
Investors are, in the truest sense of that word, looking for a
project that has the possibility of making money. Since movies -
all movies - are a very risky investment, investors look for a
project that has certain elements.
And the passion of the first time writer/director isn’t what they
look for. When you can fully answer these questions, you will be
ready to ask for investors.
You may be fed up with producers, but producers are the people who
can help you. No one is “supposed to” win. You need to get that
thought out of your head. Those who “win” are the ones who work
the hardest and don’t give up. If a prodCo won’t look at your
script you need to contact more companies. If an agent won’t look
at your script you need to contact more agents.
You are going to get “fed up “ with investors, too. They are going
to want answers to each of the questions I asked.
So now is the time you start the long, difficult process. You can
poke around the boards here for suggestions on cameras and sound,
how to find investors and how to find an agent. You can also ask
specific questions right here on your own thread. You’ll find
some very helpful people here.
I have a few more questions:
How do you know the budget is $500,000?
Why are you asking people to work for free if you will be making a
film with a $500,000 budget?
Why would you trust me to tell you what format to shoot on and not
the very knowledgeable people you are working with now?
Investors are, in the truest sense of that word, looking for a
project that has the possibility of making money. Since movies -
all movies - are a very risky investment, investors look for a
project that has certain elements.
And the passion of the first time writer/director isn’t what they
look for. When you can fully answer these questions, you will be
ready to ask for investors.
You may be fed up with producers, but producers are the people who
can help you. No one is “supposed to” win. You need to get that
thought out of your head. Those who “win” are the ones who work
the hardest and don’t give up. If a prodCo won’t look at your
script you need to contact more companies. If an agent won’t look
at your script you need to contact more agents.
You are going to get “fed up “ with investors, too. They are going
to want answers to each of the questions I asked.
So now is the time you start the long, difficult process. You can
poke around the boards here for suggestions on cameras and sound,
how to find investors and how to find an agent. You can also ask
specific questions right here on your own thread. You’ll find
some very helpful people here.
I have a few more questions:
How do you know the budget is $500,000?
Why are you asking people to work for free if you will be making a
film with a $500,000 budget?
Why would you trust me to tell you what format to shoot on and not
the very knowledgeable people you are working with now?
I apologize. Won't bother you again.
svandav... ROI = Return On Investment
Investors want to know how you plan on recouping their investment plus how much they will get for investing. This is usually their money back plus 15%-20%.
I agree with directorik... you're not ready to ask for $500,000. Hell... you're not ready to make a movie. If you've given up on producers then do yourself a favor and either read up on everything you can when it comes to making a film. You should know what your camera options are and what is best suited for your project.
This is what I recommend: find a producer and assistant director first. These two will help you budget and schedule your film. Then write a compelling business plan that explains your project, why it needs to be made, and, most important, how you plan on making back the investors money.
If you want investors to take you seriously don't guess on anything. Make sure you know because the slightest hesitation will plant the seed of doubt in the investor and they won't invest.
Investors want to know how you plan on recouping their investment plus how much they will get for investing. This is usually their money back plus 15%-20%.
I agree with directorik... you're not ready to ask for $500,000. Hell... you're not ready to make a movie. If you've given up on producers then do yourself a favor and either read up on everything you can when it comes to making a film. You should know what your camera options are and what is best suited for your project.
This is what I recommend: find a producer and assistant director first. These two will help you budget and schedule your film. Then write a compelling business plan that explains your project, why it needs to be made, and, most important, how you plan on making back the investors money.
If you want investors to take you seriously don't guess on anything. Make sure you know because the slightest hesitation will plant the seed of doubt in the investor and they won't invest.
Yes, he has, and in the six figure budget range as well. You can learn from his posts, and others here.
OK.
First of all, I already have a budget ready which is why I know I need a $500,000. Judge me all you want, you don't know the type of experience I have had with a producer. Second of all, no need to comment on my ability to be able to make a film. I have two arms and two legs and am just as intelligent as anyone else. This is why I hate Forums. And FYI- most investors want more 20% of the royalties. It's so easy to sit here and tell me to GO AND FIND A PRODUCER. If it was that simple, I wouldn't have asked for help to begin with. Which is what I did. But, I obviously am getting more headache than help from this website. Whatever.
First of all, I already have a budget ready which is why I know I need a $500,000. Judge me all you want, you don't know the type of experience I have had with a producer. Second of all, no need to comment on my ability to be able to make a film. I have two arms and two legs and am just as intelligent as anyone else. This is why I hate Forums. And FYI- most investors want more 20% of the royalties. It's so easy to sit here and tell me to GO AND FIND A PRODUCER. If it was that simple, I wouldn't have asked for help to begin with. Which is what I did. But, I obviously am getting more headache than help from this website. Whatever.
I'd really like to see this budget since you don't even know what camera you will be shooting on. Camera packages vary greatly.
No one was judging you. And you're fed up with producers because of ONE experience?
You made a snide comment to directorik about whether or not he's made a film. Have you? Judging by your initial post my guess is no.
I said go find a producer because it doesn't appear as if you realize how complicated things when it comes to producing a film. Obviously you know more than you're letting on so why come here asking for advice when you're not going to accept it?
This forum is full of great advice if you give it a chance. Getting frustrated with a forum after one post is not giving it a chance. No one is against you here, I for one would like to take this chance to say 
since you didn't post an introduction. You may have great advice as well. I look forward to your posts.
since you didn't post an introduction. You may have great advice as well. I look forward to your posts.Admin, thank you. Forums are supposed to be about giving advise. Why did I get upset? Well for one, thunderclap here said I was not ready to make a film. That sounds to me like an opinion. Not advice. If I need an opinion of myself, I'll ask my husband- He does a pretty decent job at making me feel like shit. BUt the bottom line is, you don't know me, you don't know how knowledgeable or stupid I am, so why even try and pass a comment about it? I posted a simple damn question- does anyone know where I can find an investor? I don't need help with budget, I don't need help with a synopsis, and I sure as hell don't need help with getting them on board. I need help with getting in touch with them in the first place.
Directorik gave you some great advice and asked some great questions. What did you do? You made a snide comment. Yes... I made a comment that was an opinion, but I also gave you advice. You didn't like the advice. Fine. You came here looking for advice and you got it and and you got all defensive.
I wish you all the best in your pursuit of funding. Good luck.
I've never seen anyone be more forgiving and patient.
Bravo indietalk forum.
@svandav: If I were you I would apologize then reread everything everyone said with a more open mind. What they are offering is very useful. Finding this forum and conversing with people is one of the three things thats ever really helped me.
Bravo indietalk forum.
@svandav: If I were you I would apologize then reread everything everyone said with a more open mind. What they are offering is very useful. Finding this forum and conversing with people is one of the three things thats ever really helped me.
I never judged you at all and I made no comment on your ability to
be able to make a film. I only said you weren’t ready to ask for
investors yet. I said that based on your questions about ROI and
not knowing what the SEC is.
That’s not a slight on you as a person, your intelligence or how
many limbs you have. At one time I didn’t know what ROI meant or
what the SEC was.
I’m a producer who was very willing to help. That’s why I asked
you how you came to the budget of $500,000. I asked because you
asked for my recommendation for a good quality picture and sound.
That would be part of a complete, line item budget. Since you
don’t have that information I was curious as to how you came to
the $500,000 figure. Not a trick, not a put down, but a genuine,
real question asked with respect.
As a producer myself, I was interested in how far along you were
with the project. Which is why I asked you a few serious,
respectful questions. I thought if I could know more about you
and the status of the project I could offer you better advice.
Maybe even be the producer you are looking for.
I’m sorry you found my interest in you and your project something
to give you a headache.
Once again I apologize. I tried to the best of my ability.
be able to make a film. I only said you weren’t ready to ask for
investors yet. I said that based on your questions about ROI and
not knowing what the SEC is.
That’s not a slight on you as a person, your intelligence or how
many limbs you have. At one time I didn’t know what ROI meant or
what the SEC was.
I’m a producer who was very willing to help. That’s why I asked
you how you came to the budget of $500,000. I asked because you
asked for my recommendation for a good quality picture and sound.
That would be part of a complete, line item budget. Since you
don’t have that information I was curious as to how you came to
the $500,000 figure. Not a trick, not a put down, but a genuine,
real question asked with respect.
As a producer myself, I was interested in how far along you were
with the project. Which is why I asked you a few serious,
respectful questions. I thought if I could know more about you
and the status of the project I could offer you better advice.
Maybe even be the producer you are looking for.
I’m sorry you found my interest in you and your project something
to give you a headache.
Once again I apologize. I tried to the best of my ability.
Well i have missed a big debate.
First of all no doubt Indietalk is agreat forum and i (and many more) have learned alot from this place and yes people like directorik are an asset of this site.
Coming towards a question. As asked by directorik related to ROI.
I want to know being a filmmaker how can i figure out an expected ROI?? I mean ok i can have a plan that i will make 1000 dvds, contact my local Tv channel, etc but how will i make a ROI estimation? Because no one knows who will buy my film and at what rate. So kindly guide me how can we analyse and calculate the expected ROI.
Regards
First of all no doubt Indietalk is agreat forum and i (and many more) have learned alot from this place and yes people like directorik are an asset of this site.
Coming towards a question. As asked by directorik related to ROI.
I want to know being a filmmaker how can i figure out an expected ROI?? I mean ok i can have a plan that i will make 1000 dvds, contact my local Tv channel, etc but how will i make a ROI estimation? Because no one knows who will buy my film and at what rate. So kindly guide me how can we analyse and calculate the expected ROI.
Regards
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I have to admit I have a weakness in this area. Whenever anyone asks for money or investors, I get less than nice about how I help. I find this is the one area where "tough love" is necessary.
If you go to real production companies and real investors and not know what Return on Investment is, nonetheless having already registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - you have no prayer of getting your movie made or getting a dime.
Imagine the horrible first impression that would make on a potential investor. You can't undo that (CNTRL-Z). It's actually great advice (not an opinion) to say you are not ready to make a movie with a $500,000 budget, plus I too believe that this is some random number that is not based on a breakdown of the script. Being asked these questions here on the forum and NOT with people who might make you an offer DID help - you're learning something, albeit you took it harshly.
Now, please understand this is a learning process. No one is insulting you or putting you down. We're just assessing where you are at in your development as a filmmaker. You have the same respect as everyone else.
When asked what credits you had as a writer and director, you merely said you were the writer/director. What credits do you have? Have you ever written anything produced that people can see? Similarly what can people see from what you have directed? Has anything you've directed made a profit? If so, how much was the budget and what was the ROI?
The point is that $500,000 is half a million dollars. If nothing you've written or directed has made anyone any money, the risk on this investment will go up exponentially. Have you seen a lot of people's first movies? They are not that good, and generally don't make any money. There's no evidence that you (meaning any first time filmmaker) will create something great if they haven't made anything before.
Take yourself out of the situation and look at it from the investors' standpoint or the production company. The metaphor is asking for half a million dollars to hold a series of concerts for a guitar player who has never sold a ticket, nonetheless picked up a guitar before (if you haven't made any movies before).
If you go to real production companies and real investors and not know what Return on Investment is, nonetheless having already registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - you have no prayer of getting your movie made or getting a dime.
Imagine the horrible first impression that would make on a potential investor. You can't undo that (CNTRL-Z). It's actually great advice (not an opinion) to say you are not ready to make a movie with a $500,000 budget, plus I too believe that this is some random number that is not based on a breakdown of the script. Being asked these questions here on the forum and NOT with people who might make you an offer DID help - you're learning something, albeit you took it harshly.
Now, please understand this is a learning process. No one is insulting you or putting you down. We're just assessing where you are at in your development as a filmmaker. You have the same respect as everyone else.
When asked what credits you had as a writer and director, you merely said you were the writer/director. What credits do you have? Have you ever written anything produced that people can see? Similarly what can people see from what you have directed? Has anything you've directed made a profit? If so, how much was the budget and what was the ROI?
The point is that $500,000 is half a million dollars. If nothing you've written or directed has made anyone any money, the risk on this investment will go up exponentially. Have you seen a lot of people's first movies? They are not that good, and generally don't make any money. There's no evidence that you (meaning any first time filmmaker) will create something great if they haven't made anything before.
Take yourself out of the situation and look at it from the investors' standpoint or the production company. The metaphor is asking for half a million dollars to hold a series of concerts for a guitar player who has never sold a ticket, nonetheless picked up a guitar before (if you haven't made any movies before).
I would recommend you find an experienced producer or assistant director and have them take a look at your script to give you a break down on the cost. They should be able to give you a basic estimate of how long it will take and the give you a cost within 20%. The variables will be format and cast. If you shoot on HDV you can save a ton of money. 35mm will be costly. If you cast a B-level star for cameo you can get some name value for cheap. If you you go with a low level A star then the budget sky rockets.
Once you have a good idea of what the movie will cost, then find a producer to partner with that you feel you like and can work, put together a business plan/proposal. Then you can start networking with people in your area who have cash that they're will to part with and put in a movie. Right now with the economy, there won't be a lot of that kind of money.
It does sound like you have an angle on the Indian America genre so you could start approaching people in that community to see what kind of reception you get. I shot a movie called "Green Card Fever" about the problems people form India face trying to immigrate. We got lots of Indian food donated and by the end of then movie I couldn't look at anything with curry.
I highly recommend that you get some kind of name in your movie. Now-a-days, indie movies with no names have a hard time finding distribution.
Good luck,
Scott
Once you have a good idea of what the movie will cost, then find a producer to partner with that you feel you like and can work, put together a business plan/proposal. Then you can start networking with people in your area who have cash that they're will to part with and put in a movie. Right now with the economy, there won't be a lot of that kind of money.
It does sound like you have an angle on the Indian America genre so you could start approaching people in that community to see what kind of reception you get. I shot a movie called "Green Card Fever" about the problems people form India face trying to immigrate. We got lots of Indian food donated and by the end of then movie I couldn't look at anything with curry.
I highly recommend that you get some kind of name in your movie. Now-a-days, indie movies with no names have a hard time finding distribution.
Good luck,
Scott
ad2478,
If anybody can tell you an estimate of what any indie film going into release will make, please give me their number because they are either a genius or in touch with god. Seriously, there's no way anybody can tell you what your ROI will be because film is an art form and nobody knows what script will make an audience fork over their hard earned dollars. Hollywood tries this by getting known screenwriters and packing their cast with stars and they still produce bombs which disappear from theaters quickly.
I've shot over 30 indie features and on most of them I couldn't tell you what they'd make. I did have a few where after a few days I knew they'd make zero dollars because they'd either never get done or would be so bad they'd get released.
I will say this, you can try to go for a specific genre, get some bankable b-names in your indie movie and then research similar movies which might allow you to get an estimate of what you film might make. It's really hard to get numbers on what indie movies make in video release. Distributors don't like to let us indies know what they make on our movies, this way they can put more money in their pockets.
By the way, I know Sonnyboo fairly well and he may be an indie film guru, but he doesn't spend all his time on filmmaking sites answering people's questions. He has to spend time making his own movies.
Good luck,
Scott
If anybody can tell you an estimate of what any indie film going into release will make, please give me their number because they are either a genius or in touch with god. Seriously, there's no way anybody can tell you what your ROI will be because film is an art form and nobody knows what script will make an audience fork over their hard earned dollars. Hollywood tries this by getting known screenwriters and packing their cast with stars and they still produce bombs which disappear from theaters quickly.
I've shot over 30 indie features and on most of them I couldn't tell you what they'd make. I did have a few where after a few days I knew they'd make zero dollars because they'd either never get done or would be so bad they'd get released.
I will say this, you can try to go for a specific genre, get some bankable b-names in your indie movie and then research similar movies which might allow you to get an estimate of what you film might make. It's really hard to get numbers on what indie movies make in video release. Distributors don't like to let us indies know what they make on our movies, this way they can put more money in their pockets.
By the way, I know Sonnyboo fairly well and he may be an indie film guru, but he doesn't spend all his time on filmmaking sites answering people's questions. He has to spend time making his own movies.
Good luck,
Scott