When/How to Pitch?

G

Giganova

Well-known member
Hi all --

After shooting my documentary for about 6 months, the fillm is in the can (meaning the files are on the hard drives). So I rented a house on the beach next month and will spend 3 weeks making a first rough cut. Total production costs were $30k so far, financed entirely by myself (no investors, no company backing up).

When I look at upcoming post production costs (final cut by a pro, sound mix, music clearance, voice talent for narration, etc), it looks like I need about the same amount as during the production phase to get post production done. My finances are stretched to the limits, and I clearly need help financing post production.

How would you suggest I should proceed at this point?

  1. Should I make a rough cut & trailer and have an investor/fundraising party to collect enough $$ to finalize the movie and then go and look for broadcast/distribution after the movie is in it's final form, or
  2. Should I make a rough cut & trailer at this point and use that to pitch my movie at broadcast/distribution companies (hoping that they will finance post production)?

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,
Gig
 
So in ten minutes a group of qualified investors will show up. Just what you're looking for!

1. Show them the business plan for this production.
2. Make your financial presentation.
3. Get them to sign the offering memorandum you got from your lawyer which details what their slice of the production company set up for this production is and how much their agreeing to pay for those points.
4. Don't forget to get their cheque.


They're ready for you! Are you actually ready for them?
 
craigbowman said:
So in ten minutes a group of qualified investors will show up. Just what you're looking for!

1. Show them the business plan for this production.
2. Make your financial presentation.
3. Get them to sign the offering memorandum you got from your lawyer which details what their slice of the production company set up for this production is and how much their agreeing to pay for those points.
4. Don't forget to get their cheque.
Click to expand...
Thanks for great your advice! I got everything ready except an offering memorandum.

They're ready for you! Are you actually ready for them?
Click to expand...
Investors are not gonna walk into my office unless I have actively pursued them. The question is: When is the point I should decide that I am ready to approach investors?? How polished does the movie have to be, do I need to get legal clearance before I start showing the movie to people? Can I throw a fundraising party without clearance of music right, for example??
 
The example I gave was just to make you realize that the opportunities to raise capital don't necessarily fit into a nice neat schedule and when they present themselves, you should be fully ready to sell and close.

For example: In less than two weeks the Banff International Television Festival rolls around again. This is where a lot of programming is bought and sold. Usually contacts are made and meetings set up months in advance and then the deals are closed at the festival. But not always. Sometimes someone rolls in and goes into the pitch competition and walks away with a bucket of cash and broadcast license to do a pilot.

Good luck.
 
I'm in a similar situation. I am just finishing a documentary I have been working on for about two years. I have invested about $30,000 (most of that equipment). I handled all aspects of the production. I am currently in the manufacturing process. Some more hurdles have arisen, but things still going ok. So close to releasing. You might also look for an editor who would be willing to pro bono work or maybe if there are any local film schools perhaps talk to some of the staff. For funding I got a loan in the beginning. I would also look for grant money if there is any. What is the subject of your documentary?
 
Finish the piece then pitch it to all that will hear you. You are already commited to the project. It'd be a shame for all that to go to waist. If you could get folks to invest in an idea, I assume you would have done that before digging into your pocket. Offering a finished product is your biggest selling point at this point.
 
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