Starting a Film Production Company

Starting a film production company is easier than you think. There are two possible ways to get a movie production company off the ground.

First, producing films is hard work. Don't be fooled by the Hollywoodization of making movies. You will work hard to create a labor of love and maybe—-by some slim chance—-break even. Starting a film production company means knowing what a company actually does. The answer is: pretty much everything. From pre-production of the script and casting and budgeting to post-production activities like setting up interviews and marketing. You can't go it alone, so bring on people that you feel comfortable with.

The first way is more difficult. You are involved in almost every aspect of the company, which can be stressful. In this way, you are working from property (scripts, actors) to gaining capital. Most likely, you will have to come up with the majority of the money on your own at first. It's hard to raise money for movies if you don't have something concrete to show the potential contributors. The following procedures provide a good initial setup of your film production company:

• Acquisition of a Script. You either write a movie script or you option a script from an outside screenwriter. Either way, you need to be critical and know screenplay structure. Try to find a script whose screenwriter is open to changes. Keep a ballpark budget figure in your head as you read the script to determine if certain locations are possible or if you need to trim a character here or there.
• Casting. After the script, you need to find some actors or actresses to portray the characters. When you're just starting a film production company, try to at least offer food if you can't pay the actors. Some amateur actors are fine with that.
• Filming. After you have everyone casted, you need to secure a camera and start filming. Some film schools rent cameras, or you can purchase one. The consumer cameras on the market now produce high-quality video at low cost. Your first film doesn't have to be on a Kodak film recorded with a Panavision camera. You want to be creative. The camera is just there to take down your visions. Take multiple shots of one scene so you have options in the editing room.
• Editing. All you need here is a computer and editing software. Just something to cut scenes, join them together, and allow you to add titles.
• Marketing. Your baby is ready to go. So what now? Check with local theaters or even show the movie in your house. Other venues: YouTube and Triggerstreet.

The second way is possibly easier, depending on if you can sell yourself and your dream of a finished movie. Starting a film company should always start with a script, whether it's method two or not. That way, you have something to show potential investors. After your script:

• Business Plan. Create a business plan on what kind of budget you expect, how you will market the movie, and a schedule of how you'll finish shooting the movie. This is important because investors can't wait around while you take your sweet time. They want to see a finished product just like you.
• Finding Help. It's hard to do it all on your own. Finding a few people to help you will relieve a lot of the stress you will experience. Let each person deal with one aspect of the company. Have someone in charge of casting, the budget, and finalizing the script.
• Presenting. After finding potential investors, you'll want to pitch the idea. Be excited. If you aren't excited about your own project, how do you expect them to be? Movies is an alluring business; everyone likes to be a part of that. Ensure you don't overpromise anything, especially a return on the investment. Hype up the Producer credit, because your first few films will probably not make money.
• Using capital wisely. After you get some money, spend it effectively. Use it to make your movie. Keep accurate records so the next time you seek out money, you have some experience to use as leverage.

In all the business about getting capital, finding a script, and hiring talent, don't forget there's a movie to be made. Once you start to focus on the logistics, the creativity of the movie flies right out the window. Losing sight of the end product can create a lackluster film no one wants to see..

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