I've repeatedly said that the best way to attract investors is to improve your film project. These three words took me almost 20 years to fully understand: “Improve The Project.” Improving the project simply means that you will add value so much value to your film, that investors and Hollywood heavyweights cannot ignore you.
The more value you can add to your project, the more people want to be a part of it. Knowing you have a solid project will also give you the confidence to pitch it in a way that inspires prospective investors.
How To Attract Film Investors
One of the best ways to improve your film project is by bringing on board an experienced producer. Producers can often help a project in multiple ways, from providing valuable feedback on the script to helping secure funding. They also know lots of people and can make valuable introductions.
In addition to working with an experienced producer, there are several other ways to add value to your project. Here are a few:
- Hire Name Cast – I'll always put this first. Name cast (meaning they're recognizable by their name only) brings money to your project and helps you get distribution.
- Raise Development Funding – This is a secret trick that all the real producers use to find film funding. Here is a resource for filmmakers seeking development funding.
- Find Distribution Deal – Go to one of the film markets and meet sales agents and distributors, and try to get an LOI for them to sell or distribute your film.
- Acquire Soft Money – Soft money is anything that adds value to your project, outside of actual cash. This could be free locations, free equipment, or anything else that helps your production.
- Refine The Script – There are times when you need to refine your screenplay. Maybe the scene that takes place in a professional football stadium can actually take place at the local high school. This improvement could save time, and money and serve the story better.
Check out this video that discusses a bit more about getting your film ready:
If you are still working to improve your film project, the biggest mistake is getting in front of an investor too early. Pitching a pre-mature tells a prospective investor that you are an amateur and not worth the risk. If you make this mistake, you may never get in front of the investor again.
Focus on improving the project and adding value before you think about raising film funding. It has been my experience that the more you focus on improving your project, the more the money starts to flow to you. Don't believe me? Improve your film project, continually add value, and watch the magic happen!
