How to get companies to sponsor a documentary project ?

T

thabo

Well-known member
I'm in the process of planning a documentary shoot of a large scientific project that will takes place over a 6 week period. I'm looking for a camera company or rental house to supply some kit (gear) in return for some type of on-air mention or listing in the credits. This is gonna be a lean, low budget, run and gun type project so it's gonna happen with or without sponsors. I'm running an HMC40 and 7D so far, but a little extra help would be nice. I realize that it's best to assemble footage first and show a finished project to prospective funders but the primary focus of the project will be a daily video blog that I'll be creating while the project is taking place. Online educational videos will follow after the shoot.

I am wondering what is the best method to approach prospective sponsors to request lolly or equipment support for the project? How does one find the right contacts in the various companies, I assume blindly emailing major camera companies will fall on deaf ears. Oh and the some actual email addresses wouldn't be too shabby either ;)

Comments / suggestions / 101 articles ...... I'm sure entire books have been written on the subject.

Thanks
R
 
Keep in mind they get these requests all the time. Some manufacturers have a formal program, some are done via the marketing or PR divisions. Good luck!
 
Shopping for dough or favors in the midst of a global economic meltdown is not likely the rosiest scenario. There was a time when corporations were flush with dollars, but now the great big "no" sign is pretty prevalent.

So if you want to have success, you should do some very targeted marketing to some very specifically-selected companies, and your presentation should be all about how it will benefit THEM. Just because you want support, why should they give it to you? If you can give them a compelling reason why, then you might get the "yes" you're looking for.

If you're looking for money or support because you need it, the scenario nowadays plays out like this:
You: I really need your money
Them: So do we. 'Bye.

So give them more than you expect to get from them. Make it an irresistible value proposition, or in some way tied to their core values or mission. If you can show them that your doc is going to air on PBS to twenty million homes, then it's an easy calculation for them to figure out if what you're asking from them, is worth the value they'd get by being seen in twenty million homes.

If you plan on approaching a camera company, what can you do for them in return? What new ground will your doc break? How can they get a press release out of it, that means something to them? Panasonic sponsored the Iditarod -- they got to have their cameras used in the harshest environment on earth and they used that for years in press releases and at trade shows, and the Iditarod organization was thrilled with the performance and bought all Panasonic gear. That's a win-win for both organizations. So we know how you'd win (by getting free gear and dough) but how does the company win?

Are you a known doc-maker who stands a very good chance of being nominated for or winning an Oscar? James Longley got two Oscar nominations for a doc and short film he did in Iraq. If he went to a camera manufacturer and said "I'm doing this new doc, here's the subject matter, I am highly confident it'd be nominated, how'd you like to issue a press release saying "oscar-nominated film shot on (canon, sony, panasonic) prosumer camera"? That's a pitch that might fly. Might not, but might.

If your doc is special-interest (i.e., maybe only appeals to Linux programmers or 50-year-old needlepoint instructors) then obviously it's going to be much more difficult to find a company who would find value being associated with a project that appeals to such a limited audience. However, there are companies who would probably love to be associated with that particular target audience -- you'd have to do your research to find out who, and you'd have to present the project to them in such a way as that they saw value in it.

Or, the other way to go, is to beg money off people who know and love you regardless of your particular project or subject matter. Apply to arts organizations that give grants, sometimes they will support a project and sometimes they will support the filmmaker him/herself. Start a Kickstarter campaign and spam everyone in your facebook contact list. Hold a fundraising houseparty -- find the richest person you know and talk them into believing in your project, and if they won't give up some dough, talk them into hosting a fundraising houseparty and inviting their well-heeled friends to attend. Make the pitch of your life, and watch the $100 to $500 checks roll in. Get enough doctors, dentists, and lawyers in a room and it's possible to walk out with a few grand. Of course, it's a lot easier if you're a nonprofit and contributions are tax-deductible, so consider applying for fiscal sponsorship through an organization like the IFP or Fractured Atlas or one of the many other arts organizations that do fiscal sponsorship.

Whoever you're asking, figure out a way to make it in their best self-interest to support the project. Because otherwise, you'll just be another in a line of ten thousand folks with their hands out, and you'll be told the same thing the other 9,999 of them will hear: "no."
 
thabo,

What's the subject of your doc? Some things are easier than others to get placement money, if it's about the enviroment and going green then it might not be to hard to get Home Depot to throw you a couple thousand for for doing a shopping spree in their store recomemding LED lights etc.

Doc's are still hard to get placement money, reality tv is a gravey train.
 
Not to get you down, but we receive these type of requests almost daily. Over the past 35 years, not once have we traded gear for an on-air mention or our name in the credits. Keep in mind although you might have a passion for filmmaking, a rental house is a business. A business needs to make money.
 
F/VESCO said:
Not to get you down, but we receive these type of requests almost daily. Over the past 35 years, not once have we traded gear for an on-air mention or our name in the credits. Keep in mind although you might have a passion for filmmaking, a rental house is a business. A business needs to make money.
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I'm surprised you haven't flmed a horror movie in your camera shop :)
 
Thanks for the insightful comments guys, really appreciated especially since this is my first pitch. As Barry says I gotta figure out what is in it for them. As far as what I'm covering, the project is sponsored by the NSF and the NSF gives money to non-profits, universities / scientists not to commercial entities. My coverage of an NSF project might be an angle, something to use in their marketing ???? Somewhat indirect though.

On a side note: My buddy just told me about an accomplished production company who just met with a well known camera manufacturer who offered them 10+ prosumer cameras ($5k in value each) to use - gratis, so I realize it's all about credibility :)
 
HI Mark,
do you know how Kickstarter works for someone trying to rise fund ? How much do they keep as a fee ? I cant find the info on their site. I admit I just started looking into it and maybe I missed it. :)
THX
 
thabo said:
Thanks for the insightful comments guys, really appreciated especially since this is my first pitch. As Barry says I gotta figure out what is in it for them. As far as what I'm covering, the project is sponsored by the NSF and the NSF gives money to non-profits, universities / scientists not to commercial entities. My coverage of an NSF project might be an angle, something to use in their marketing ???? Somewhat indirect though.

On a side note: My buddy just told me about an accomplished production company who just met with a well known camera manufacturer who offered them 10+ prosumer cameras ($5k in value each) to use - gratis, so I realize it's all about credibility :)
Click to expand...

You need to open a 501 c 3 to get gov / edu money.
 
F/VESCO said:
No, but there has been a few "adult" photo shoots. Now, that's an incentive.
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I have never had much of problem crewing up, gearing up or finding cheap post for risque projects.... but have worn holes in the knees of a lot a pants trying to find resources when I try and do something with substance.... sad, ain't it.
 
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