production company credit on short films

Ralph D

Ralph D

Active member
This might sound a bit silly but it's something that's been bothering me for a long time.

Most short films I've seen begin with the credit of "_____ Productions" or "_____ Films." Does that mean that most people actually have some sort of official production company? or do they just slap that on to make themselves look more professional?

The films I've done so far just start off with the title and that's it. They've just been under my name. My dad told me, however, that I should come up with a name like "_____ Films" or something along those lines.

So, is it ok or common to just come up with a name and make my films under it without actually setting up some sort of official company?

Thanks.
 
Yep.

Some places and for some things, it simply a matter of registering with the local authorities that you're John Smith "doing business as" Smith Films.

Better to actually incorporate, but that can wait until you really need it. (All sorts of factors involved in detemining "need". Paying - or not paying - business style taxes is just one of them. )
 
Dvxmusic84. I would think most people are just placing the name to look more professional, but as mentioned above its not that hard to register your business name.
DBA - doing business as. is a fairly simple process. You file the form into the proper authorities, and then you post a newspaper add declaring that you are Doing business as. (or if you are lazy like me, you go to a site as www.legalzoom.com and let them to do the work for you and you just fill out form and pay a little more)

I'm just reading a book. "From Reel to Deal" which I find its awesome and I recommend to everyone. It talks about how to make a film. But there is a chapter about financing and why people incorporate. If I remember that chapter correctly, it comes down to funding. In order to get money, investors, banks, and anyone else who is going to give you money to make your film, will want you to work with one of the guilds or unions. SAG, WGA, etc... In order to claim that you are SAG accredited, you need to sign up with them and pay minimums determined by them to your employees. Once you sign up with them, you are signed up with them for life. (I believe) This would mean that you would always have have to pay their minimums and such. (maybe I'm wrong in this one) but what I understand is that people don't sign up with the guilds on a personal base when you are producing. You make a production company. And have the production company sign up with the guilds and unions. This gives you more flexibility, and if you LLC or INC. you also have some protection against investors sueing you.
I'm not a lawyer, and you should always consult with one prior to making legal decisions, but just thought I'd share what I've just learned.
 
Thanks for the responses.

Siniarch: Thanks for the link. It's funny you mention "From Reel to Deal" because I've just been reading it as well. The book seems to be geared more towards producing features though. Right now, I'm focused on no/low budget shorts and I'm not looking for investors, so I'm assuming that incorporating wouldn't be necessary.

Does anyone else have any thoughts about the DBA process or my original post?
 
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