For Independent Filmmakers
Welcome
Our Independent Filmmaker pages are loosely organized in the chronological order of legal and business matters you might face throughout your project -- from treatment to final cut. Please help us improve our site. If you notice an error or have a suggestion for a link or additional information, please contact us.
THIS WEB SITE HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE OR A LEGAL OPINION. ONLY YOUR ATTORNEY CAN ADVISE YOU ABOUT WHICH LAWS ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION.
Business Matters
Independent filmmakers are by nature risk takers. They also are entrepreneurs.The next few sections address several topics beginning with business entities.
Your budget will inform your creative decisions and can help you avoid "unexpected" financial problems.
Low-budget films can be financed in a variety of ways, and more than one of these options might be used on the same project:
- Paying cast, crew and expenses with your savings or by earmarking a portion of your day job paycheck, or, if you’re really lucky, with money from your trust fund;
- Receiving gifts from family and friends;
- Incurring debt, usually by using your credit cards or taking out a loan;
- Bringing in investors, which can easily violate securities laws and absolutely requires consultation with an attorney;.
- Obtaining corporate sponsorship or grant support, which is a highly competitive process, though you may be able to work under the umbrella of a fiscal sponsor; and/or
- Qualifying for state tax credits.
Finally, we include a section on insurance. Insurance needs will vary from film project to film project but we encourage you to seriously consider obtaining workers' compensation coverage.
Next: Should you incorporate?
