How Movie Reviews Affect Independent Film Financing

Hollywood and the financial environment of independent cinema are changing because there are many new technologies that have altered the filmmaking and movie reviews process. It used to be private placement memorandums, and 900+ film financing distribution and production partners investing in Indie Films. Today it could be any willing investor.

This influences several areas: 1) There are now online schools where aspiring filmmakers can train and work with a mentor. 2) New funding opportunities for independent filmmakers are emerging, while the traditional methods of securing film distribution are now becoming outdated.

Big productions are favored by international financiers. In the past, many of the large studios have used German tax shelters, New Zealand subsidies, and pre-sales to fund big blockbuster film projects. But what about the small independent filmmaker? Where can he get funding for his projects?

Right now, the digital revolution is not only changing the way films are made, but how films are distributed. Faster broadband allows people to watch movies from their computer screens, so independent filmmakers don’t need a large distributor. Anyone can purchase some films from their websites. One recent example is a film called “The Fall of America and the Western World.”

In the future these changes will expand all of the opportunities for independent filmmakers who are hoping to receive funds for their film projects.

Current trends include companies online that are helping filmmakers finance their films by matching them with investors and/or distributors. Filmmakers from small towns can make use of these kinds of services.

It also helps when an independent filmmaker has good movie reviews from film critics for past film projects. When these filmmakers seek investors, their credibility is enhanced, thanks to these movie reviews.

The filmmaker would submit a description of their film for consideration to these online websites. Investors can then review those projects in need of funding at their own pace. Because they can contact the filmmaker directly, the middlemen of old are no more.

Independent filmmakers are also assisted by some non-profit organizations to locate financing and distribution for their projects. They offer fiscal sponsorship to filmmakers, but don’t fund them. Sponsorship allows filmmakers to receive funding from sources that limit their funding to nonprofits.

Independent producers can also post website ads and information abour their projects on other websites that link them to investors.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Leave a Reply