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By Rob Millis
Two changes in tech and finance are about to have a huge impact on independent film: crowdfunding and the JOBS Act.
We all know about Kickstarter and IndieGoGo, the crowdfunding platforms that have been helping independent creators launch projects. These platforms and others have already been hugely successful with DIY projects and direct-to-fan networking, yet even after years of growing popularity they haven’t come anywhere close to their full potential.
Last year the Slated networking and fundraising platform joined the market as well. Slated offers a system geared toward film professionals seeking (or supplying) investment dollars. Unlike previous crowdfunding platforms, Slated’s approach is less about DIY and more about professional partnerships. In short, they are taking crowdfunding to the next level. [...]
Written by Michael R. Barnard
The Internet enlarged the playing field for securities offerings, whether valid or not, and for potential investors, whether knowledgeable or not.
How do you legally and ethically access that hoarded cash and encourage its investment in your well-developed movie project so you can hire people and make your movie? [...]
Written by Michael R. Barnard
FILMMAKERS, IT’S 2013. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR JOBS ACT IS?
Part 2 of 3 parts.
For the definition of “Accredited Investors,” see http://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus/secg/accredited-investor-net-worth-standard-secg.htm
In simple terms – explanations that are more complex require attorneys – the process to raise money for your movie by legally offering securities is referred to generally as a “Private Placement Memorandum,” which usually costs about $15,000 or more in time and fees.
When you have your expensive PPM, what can you do with it? [...]
Last year I wrote out 15 really good things about the indie film biz (2011). My first instincts at looking at the list, are that the 15 from last year are still in process this year. Maybe I was a bit ahead of the curve. Maybe I should hold this post until 2013. But I don’t think so — we have much to celebrate this year too.
So what are the new developments that are now taking hold? Unfortunately, my mind hasn’t found the answers as quickly as others have (and here too) even if I do consider myself quite the optimist. Okay, make that a pessmistic optimist, but an optimist nonetheless. I have struggled to hit the same number as last year, but I did it, and even exceeded it — and hopefully you’ll continue to fill in the list with what I forgot.
- Direct distribution is really working. [...]
By Laura Hammer
As PMD on Leah Meyerhoff’s I Believe In Unicorns, part of my job was to send newsletter updates to our base of supporters. Newsletters are not just for announcing screenings! They are an integral part of audience engagement and get people involved in your project as early as development stages. Your subscribers email boxes are flooded with newsletter campaigns from companies and projects and they will barely have time for yours. Do not bother them with something hideous (lacking design effort) and difficult to read (text too small or the length of an encyclopedia).
Newsletter layouts have four essential components: Header, Body, *Sidebar, and Footer. *Depending on the layout you pick you may have no sidebar, one, or multiple sidebars! If choosing multiple sidebars, I would advise picking a layout where these columns are below the main body text and above the footer. Choose wisely and investigate your own email box for designs that stand out. [...]
By Chris Dorr
In a recent post entitled Networks And The Enterprise, Fred Wilson explains how his firm Union Square Ventures invests in networks. He included this line.
My uber goal of writing this post is to explain that the wired and mobile internet is a global network and it powers all sorts of smaller networks to get built on top of it.
These networks connect people with each other. Each network gains value as more users join and as each user contributes value to the network which in turn becomes available to every other user. As he points out [...]
This site could not have been built without the help and insight of Michael Morgenstern. My thanks go out to him.
Help save indie film and give this guy a job in web design or film!
