It is so important for filmmakers to understand the business that they are trying to break into.
Even if you’re a screenwriter or director who is approaching this from a purely artistic viewpoint, understanding the process that transforms your vision from words on a page to images on a screen will make you a much better filmmaker and give you a far greater chance of succeeding.
An Expensive Art Form
The most successful filmmakers understand how the industry works. They know how to speak to producers, investors, executives, and managers. They understand that their vision is just one important part of a much larger process.
Filmmaking is an art form, but it’s an expensive art form. Practically every kind of content requires financing of one sort or another.
You might be shooting a film, TV show, web series, short film, or any other kind of content. At some point in your career, you’ll probably have to go out and raise some money.
Whether you’re doing this alone or as part of a team, you and your career are dependent on investors writing the checks that you need to get your projects into production.
Thinking that you are somehow disconnected from the financing process - or that you can be “just” the artist and let someone else worry about the business stuff - is the wrong way to go about things. In fact, it’s what holds many filmmakers back.
If you don’t understand what a producer or investor is looking for, how can you possibly give them what they want?
Shooting In The Dark
Learning how to attract funding is an essential skill that many filmmakers don’t possess.
I’ve worked with thousands of filmmakers over the years, including screenwriters, directors, producers, investors, executives, managers, and more.
Many of them never make it. Why?
Usually, it is not due to a lack of talent! The number one reason that most filmmakers don’t become successful is because they don’t know how to apply their talent in the right way.
Too many filmmakers are simply shooting in the dark and hoping that something sticks.
They write scripts or create projects without giving enough thought to the process that will bring their vision to the screen, and then wonder why investors won’t take a chance on them. They become frustrated and discouraged, and their talent goes undiscovered.
Don’t let that be you!
What Kind Of Filmmaker Do You Want To Be?
There are many different kinds of filmmakers.
There are those who take the time and make the effort to learn about the industry they are trying to break into so that they can be proactive and go for it, and there are those who are still shooting in the dark and hoping that someone will take a chance on them.
Whether you like it or not, at the independent level - and especially for those who are still looking to break into the industry for the first time - you will have to get your hands dirty.
Maybe one day when you're successful and powerful, you can sit back and concentrate purely on your art, and then let everyone else worry about how it comes together.
But until that day comes, you need to decide what kind of filmmaker you want to be.
Do you want to be one of those filmmakers who sits around for years waiting for other people to do the work on their behalf? For other people to represent your vision and your passion, and hope that they are saying the right thing and making the best decisions for your project?
Or do you want to be a filmmaker who takes control of your own career and guides your own destiny?
Stop comparing yourself to the A-list writers and directors who don't have to worry about this stuff. Start aspiring to be like those who have taken the same journey as you are embarking on right now.
A Little Knowledge Goes A Long Way
Of course, you won’t be doing everything yourself. You’ll still need a team around you with whom to collaborate. Filmmaking is a team sport after all!
But a little bit of knowledge can go a long way here. You don’t have to be an expert at everything. Even knowing the basics can ensure that you are creating a project that gives you the best chance of success, and then allows you to make the best decisions for it while still protecting your vision.
Filmmakers rely upon investors, distributors, and audiences to make their dreams a reality. It makes sense to know what they are looking for before asking them to part with their money.
Once you understand how content gets financed, you can incorporate this knowledge into your creative process, and design scripts and packages that give investors what they really want.
It Ain't Easy...
Now, I'm not saying this is easy. If it were, every project would make it past script stage!
There's usually a reason why some projects get made and others don't. And then sometimes, there aren't, and films and TV shows get made with no likely explanation.
All you can do is stack the deck in your favor and give yourself the best possible chance of making it. That means learning about the production and financing process, and then using this knowledge to create your art. You will be a better filmmaker for it!
Not sure where to start? You can check out our book - “An Introduction To Film And TV Financing” - to kickstart your journey!
Ricky Margolis has over 15 years' experience in the entertainment industry, and has been involved in the finance, development, production, and/or distribution of over 30 titles. His new book - "How The Hell... Do I Get My Film Financed? An Introduction To Film And TV Financing" - is the perfect place for filmmakers to start learning about how content gets financed and how they can implement this into their own projects.
To check out all the books in our series "How The Hell... Do I Get My Film Financed?" on film & TV finance and production, please click here.
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