MOVIE MAKING AS BUSINESS
Step 1
Identify
what type of movie projects you want to produce and how you want to structure
your business. Sarah Caldwell, author of "Jumpstart Your Awesome Film
Production Company," explains that you can go solo, form a partnership,
become a full-service company or work on a project-specific basis. If, for
example, your videographer focus is on weddings and special events, you could
probably get by with being a one-person operation. In contrast,
project-specific contracts such as documentaries or PR campaigns may require
you to recruit different talents for short-term assignments. Partnerships are
generally practical as a way to pool resources and expand the scope of services
you can provide your target demographic.
Step 2
Draft
a business plan that addresses your short- and long-term goals for the company,
projected expenses for a soundproof studio workspace, equipment, utilities,
software, telecommunications, transportation, insurance, payroll and marketing.
The more detailed and realistic your business plan, the greater likelihood of
receiving grant money, commercial loans and startup capital from investors to
put your dreams into action, says Gunnar Erickson, author of "The
Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide: A Business and Legal Sourcebook."
Discuss with your attorney the advantages of being a limited liability company
vs. a sole proprietorship to protect your personal assets.
Step 3
Choose
a name for your movie production company and register it with your state's
registrar agency. You'll also need to acquire a business license by paying the
applicable fees, posting a doing-business-as ad in the local paper and opening
a business bank account. Design a professional website that describes your
services, lists your rates and fees and provides sample clips of your work. In
addition to shooting live footage for your clients, you may also want to
include copying DVD's, creating digital photo albums and assisting in
scriptwriting. Use online print companies, such as VistaPrint, to create your
business cards, postcards and brochure mailers.
Step 4
Promote
your movie production business by writing articles and blogs, distributing your
cards and brochures to local companies, nonprofits, schools and print shops,
placing ads in local newspapers, and utilizing social networking channels. Join
your city's chamber of commerce and get on the speakers' roster for
neighborhood clubs to chat about what you do. Trade banners with vendors in
related industries.
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