It’s
important when starting a production company to look at it like a business and
not a “creative endeavor.” Here are a
few steps you can follow to help start a production company.
Step 1
The
first step to starting a production company is to write a detailed business plan. This business plan should consist of
the experience of the management team, the type of films you want to make, and
the demographics you are shooting for.
You then should find movies that relate to the films you want to make
and compare them to movies recently made and considered cost.
Step 2
Step
two might not be easy but it is important.
Attain start up funding to pay for business individual filings, office
equipment and if at all possible funds for you first screenplays. It’s common that start up production companies
function out of home offices until a project goes into “per-production.” This helps reduce start up expense.
Step 3
You
then in step three find screenplays to “develop and produce.” It is important to remember that not all
screenplays optioned will come to a realization. You spend some “time and money developing”
the film by making a budget and spending time looking for a director and
actors.
Step 4
Like
in any business networking is a great way to find “industry
professionals.” You want to at this
point find accomplished individuals to move the project forward and get it
“green lighted.” This happens when
talent is committed to the project. Get
backing into place by signing a contract.
Step 5
You
would then want to ask a lawyer that focuses on “entertainment law.” He or she would review the contracts you have
in the development stage. Entertainment
lawyers, unlike attorneys, work for a “producer’s fee” making it so they paid
upon completion and distribution of the movie.
Step 6
You
would then want to make a demo reel of past projects you created. This is a great way to show people what you
are made of and what you are capable of making.
Step 7
In
like any business marketing is the key to make your company sizzles. Get a website and highlights members of your
production company and posters of the films you’ve done.
Hello Hannah!
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to say that your steps were very detailed - as opposed to lumping a few of these steps into one large one, you took the time to explain that every individual step is as important as the next.
One addition I may add is the following: Since I am a first time reader of your Blog, I was not completely aware that your writing is geared towards the movie industry, and not the general media industry. Since this is the case, I might suggest that including how your steps can be incorporated when starting any kind of production company as opposed to just filmmaking, then that could broaden your range of readers and people that find your writing relevant to their careers and goals?
For example, I have my own production company that I started two years ago. Even though we are working in very similar fields we are doing very different work. Therefore if someone was reading your blog in the future and like me, has a production company start-up, they could find your advice a lot more relevant.
I think this is a great entry into your blog and I encourage you to keep writing what you know.
Thanks for the great read!
-Bradley Danyluk
Thanks for your comment Bradly. I will take you comments into consideration when writing more blogs. I look forward to more of your comments. Please continue to read my blog and comment on what your thoughts are. I would be interested in know more about your production company. I am looking to start my own company, I am at the beginning stages, and would be open to any suggestions. Thanks again Bradly.
ReplyDelete~Hannah M.