How to start a production company?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by jen murphy on June 12, 2009 at 11:33am

Let me know if you need a Producer!

Permalink Reply by Jimen Ching on June 12, 2009 at 11:47am

Not right now. Probably later.

Just curious, how does one learn to be a producer?

--jc

Permalink Reply by GB Hajim on June 12, 2009 at 2:02pm

You can just get a General Excise Tax number and start doing production, but I'd advise filing articles of incorporation with the DCCA for a LLC.

Permalink Reply by Francis L. Camacho on July 30, 2009 at 6:59pm

Hi Jimen!

Well, if you mean old school way? Many people start out in the Production Assistant world, then by working more gigs, move up, make lots of connections and then work yourself into more production-side postiions like coordinators, full-time assistants. But that route means you have to be somewhere that has constant work so you can make your climb.

I have friends who started out being part of small films, even shorts and becoming producer by default since no one else either wanted to do it or could.

Both ways involve learning budgets, scheduling, logistics, and of course, raising money all in the interest of making the film.

Just my 2 cents, hope it helped.

F.
Jimen Ching said:

Not right now. Probably later.

Just curious, how does one learn to be a producer?

--jc

Permalink Reply by Jimen Ching on July 30, 2009 at 7:15pm

Thanks for the insight Francis. Budgets, scheduling and logistics I have experience from my career as a software engineer. So I have no problems there. Raising money, though. That was usually the program managers job. Though, I'd imagine it's some what similar and yet very different. ^_^ Do you have more insight into raising money for film?

--jc

Permalink Reply by Francis L. Camacho on July 30, 2009 at 10:01pm

All I know is from what my friend who did produce a short film that made a few festivals on the mainland.

He had to make contacts through others with potential backers...then meet with them to discuss the project. Thing is with no previous films under one's belt, it becomes a schmooze game and you have to assure them that you got it all together. They want to know your numbers including returns...like any other business. They want to know how much crew you have, how much is it costing to rent stuff, locations, etc.

Sometimes you have more than just one round of meetings...to get further financing so they will want to see how you spent the money they already gave you.

Funny thing is, that my friend discovered he is really good at it but hates it...he rather direct LOL.

Good luck!

F.




Jimen Ching said:

Thanks for the insight Francis. Budgets, scheduling and logistics I have experience from my career as a software engineer. So I have no problems there. Raising money, though. That was usually the program managers job. Though, I'd imagine it's some what similar and yet very different. ^_^ Do you have more insight into raising money for film?

--jc

Permalink Reply by Jimen Ching on July 30, 2009 at 10:39pm

Francis L. Camacho said:

Funny thing is, that my friend discovered he is really good at it but hates it...he rather direct LOL.

Yeah, I'm sure most filmmakers prefer directing to begging for money. ^_^

Thanks for passing along this info...

--jc