Is show business something I might consider getting into?
The answer to this is another series of questions: How marketable are you? Do you have an original idea? Are you in it just for the profit or the arts itself? You should be able to answer the first two questions positively. Profit is a fair aspiration but you must believe in yourself and have a theatrical goal.
Is show business like any other business?
Yes and no. Show business is part art / part business. The profit you generate is directly related to the product you are selling.
Is it worth the risk and what risks are there?
It's worth the risk if you believe in what you have to say. Like any business there is some risk that you must be willing to assume. You can't produce a film if you're not willing to take a risk.
Is film producing for everyone?
No, film producing is not for everyone. When producing, you have to hunt down investors and sell them your idea. But, you must be willing to show that you are taking a risk with them. This means that you must have expendable capital of your own to get the ball rolling.
What are the elements for a film production?
This is a vast subject. The very basic components are a screenplay (writ or treatment), investors (the folks with the cash), cast (seasoned actors preferably), crew, directors and editors. The director and the editor are critical since they can make or break a film. You also need distributors. If you are dealing with the Screen Actors Guild, you must comply with all SAG requirements.
What is the most critical element to impress investors?
Usually a good track record, but if you are a newcomer, you must present a synopsis of your story (no longer than a paragraph), and your budget, demographics, and expected revenues on a worse case scenario. Make sure to contact actors that investors may recognize. If your pitch involves local talent who are not famous, bring to light the fact that they are very talented and affordable.
Where do I go for funding?
Centers for the Arts and foundations with theatrical interests are good candidates. When filming on location, you can ask for monies or services of the location. Your angle is that the business will have a commercial on a feature film.
Is attitude a factor for investors?
Yes. If you do not believe in yourself or your project, neither will anyone else. Above all do not lie or inflate expectations to investors. Investors are successful people that can smell deception and failure. You must let them know about your passion for the project and your belief of its success and fair profit. If you observe a high code of ethics in your personal life, it will permeate in everything you do and it will increase the odds of you being successful.
