- Film Business Plan Essentials
- Movie Pitch Deck VS. Movie Business Plan
- Legal Aspects of Film Business Planning
- Private Placement Memorandum
- Movie Business Plan Template
- TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)
- FAQs on Film Business Plans
- Film Business Plan Glossary
A film business plan is important to raise money for a movie. This document outlines how you plan to produce and sell your film.
It's a confidential information overview that you'll “leave behind” with prospective investors after pitching. And it needs to be solid.
If you're like many filmmakers, you've likely come across at least a dozen examples of what should go into a film business plan created by film finance “gurus” who teach business planning but have never raised money for a movie.
Many of these people make an entire living creating movie business plans full of nonsense and stuff that doesn't work in the real world.
If this describes your plan, you are not alone.
Film Business Plan Essentials
As a result of all the terrible movie business plan information, many filmmakers get it wrong. So the first thing you need to do is stop listening to idiots. The second thing you need to do is cut your plan down to the essentials.
A film business plan focuses on financial and production aspects for investors. A pitch deck is a visual overview for creative collaborators.Click to Tweet
Take a few minutes and write out the following:
- Executive Summary: A snapshot of your film and team.
- Project Synopsis: The pitch.
- Hypothetical Investment Return: How the investment could pay off.
- Distribution Fees Example: A look at revenue sharing.
- Timeline/Production Plan: Key milestones.
- Bios/Resumes: Who’s on board?
- Budget Top Sheet: The financial outline.
- Supporting Article: Why this film, why now?
- Risk Management Details: The risks and the plan to tackle them.
- Contact Info: Get in touch.
You might ask: “What if I just want to make movies and sell my movie?”
My response: “1995 called, and they want their dumb distribution plan back.”
Movie Pitch Deck VS. Movie Business Plan
You might run into info about movie pitch decks when you’re looking up how to create a movie business plan. But remember, they are not the same thing.
A movie pitch deck is a quick, visual look at your film. It’s not for the money people or investors. It’s for creative people, like directors and actors. It’s about giving them a feel of the story and style. And hope that you can entice them to work with you.
On the other hand, a movie business plan is all about the details. It talks about money, timelines, and marketing.
This is stuff that investors care about.
It’s your way of showing them how your film can succeed and make money. And importantly, it's about showing them that you're a professional.
And although it's detailed, a movie business plan is not a contract. It’s just a way to show potential investors what you’ve got planned and how you aim to pull it off.
Legal Aspects of Film Business Planning
Creating a film business plan is a crucial step, but getting the funding requires more than just a well-laid plan.
In the U.S., laws are in place to protect investors from fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversees this, ensuring people aren’t tricked into shady investments.
You’ll need to decide on the legal structure for your film’s business side. It could be a corporation, an LLC, or something else, each with its rules and benefits.
Get a good entertainment lawyer to help you through this.
Doing this will not only help you stay compliant, but doing things right also boosts your project’s credibility in the eyes of potential investors.
They’ll see a well-structured, professionally managed venture ready for investment. In this regard, the name of the game is compliance, transparency, and trust.
Your attorney will advise you on the steps you need to take before investors can fund your film. These steps usually include paperwork and other legal requirements.
Private Placement Memorandum
Sometimes, your attorney may draft up a set of documents called a private placement memorandum. Like a film business plan, your PPM will outline the goals for your film.
It will explain the possible upside to your project. But unlike a business plan (a confidential information overview), it doesn’t sugar-coat things.
It lays out the risks. That way, anyone considering putting money into your film knows exactly what they’re getting into.
Movie Business Plan Template
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to raising money. If that describes you, check out this business plan template.
Why Choose Movie Plan Pro?
Movie Plan Pro is more than just a template. It’s a comprehensive guide based on Tom Malloy's experience raising over $25 million to produce multiple feature films.
Unlike the majority of templates out there, this movie business plan template is simple. Using it will help you quickly finish your film business plan so that you can focus on the next steps of the process.
- User-Friendly: Movie Plan Pro is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, ensuring that filmmakers can finish the plan fast.
- Comprehensive: It covers every aspect of a professional film business plan.
- Proven Success: Backed by Tom’s track record of securing film financing, users can access tried-and-tested tactics.
With Movie Plan Pro, filmmakers are not just filling in the blanks but are guided through creating a plan tailored to their specific film project.
Each section is complemented by tips and examples that breathe life into the plan, making it a dynamic tool for securing funding.
With Movie Plan Pro, ensure that your film business plan is comprehensive, compelling, and investor-friendly. Getting money to make your film begins with a plan, and there’s no better companion than Tom Malloy’s Movie Plan Pro.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)
Here's a quick overview of what goes into a movie business plan:
A film business plan is vital for securing funding focusing on essential content like team, budget, marketing, and sales strategy. Legal compliance and consultation with an attorney are crucial for credibility. A clear, simple business plan template streamlines the process.
Film Business Plan Questions
Here are answers to common questions on crafting an effective film business plan. From the basics to legal compliance, we've got you covered. Let's get started.
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What is a Movie business plan?
A film business plan outlines the budget, goals, and strategy to produce and distribute a film, targeting potential investors with detailed financial and operational information.
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How To create an effective film business plan?
Be clear and concise, focusing on the budget, timeline, marketing, expected returns, legal compliance, and risk assessment.
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What is a movie pitch deck?
A movie pitch deck is a visual presentation, giving a snapshot of a film project, typically aimed at creative professionals to attract collaborations.
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How does a film business plan differ from a pitch deck?
A film business plan focuses on financial and operational aspects for investors. A pitch deck is a visual, concise overview for creative collaborators.
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Why need an entertainment lawyer in film planning?
They ensure legal compliance and help set up the business structure, protecting filmmakers and investors.
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What is a Private Placement Memorandum (PPM)?
A PPM is a document detailing the investment terms, risks, and rights for prospective investors. It's an investment document.
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Where to find a simple film business plan template?
Online resources offer various templates. Choose one focusing on essential elements to attract investors effectively. We recommend Movie Plan Pro.
Film Business Plan Glossary
These key terms are essential for understanding the film business planning process and the steps involved in raising funds for a film project.
- Film Business Plan: A document outlining how a filmmaker plans to produce and sell a film. It serves as a roadmap for the project and is presented to prospective investors after pitching.
- Budget: A financial plan that outlines how much money is needed for various aspects of the film's production, including pre-production, shooting, post-production, marketing, and distribution.
- Target Audience: The specific group of people the film intends to reach and resonate with. Understanding the target audience is crucial for marketing and distribution strategies.
- Marketing Strategy: A plan that details how the film will be promoted to the target audience, including advertising, public relations, social media, and other promotional activities.
- Sales Strategy: The approach for selling the film to distributors, streaming platforms, or other outlets. It includes strategies for negotiating deals and securing distribution agreements.
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): A regulatory body in the United States that oversees securities markets and works to protect investors from fraudulent activities and scams.
- Legal Business Entity: A formal legal structure, such as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), established to separate a film project's assets and liabilities from the personal assets of the filmmaker.
- Private Placement Memorandum (PPM): A set of documents prepared by an attorney that outlines a film project's goals, potential returns, and inherent risks. It helps potential investors make informed decisions.
- Compliance: Adherence to laws, regulations, and guidelines, particularly in the context of securities laws and regulations, to make sure that a film project is credible and transparent to investors.
- Distribution Plan: A strategy for how the film will be released and distributed to audiences, including decisions about theatrical releases, streaming platforms, DVD sales, and international distribution.
