How to Raise Money for Motion Pictures

Making a movie is an exciting process, but one that can also require a good deal of money, with no real certainty of a return. Whether it's $500 or $50,000, that is money you need to bring your vision to life, and it has to come from somewhere. Create a plan to acquire the cash from several sources so you can make your dream a reality.

• 1

  Write a professional business plan with a full line-item budget and potential shooting schedule included. Seek investments from friends, associates and anyone else you know who might consider contributing funds to your film.

• 2

  Apply for grants. You can find grants listed online, through local government agencies and large foundations/corporations who fulfill philanthropic requirements through grant programs. If your film is about education, a documentary or aimed at children, you will have an even better chance at getting grants, because many companies seek projects in these areas.

• 3

  Offer sponsored roles for investors. If people want to appear in your film, they can pay to be an extra or spend a day on the set. This payment in turn funds the film while giving them a unique experience they might not otherwise ever have. Market this opportunity at local events, through fliers or at auctions.

• 4

  Solicit product placement contracts. If a company wants its product to appear in the film on camera, it pays a fee for that placement. Similarly, negotiate services such as free equipment rentals in exchange for mentioning the sponsoring company's name in your film's credits and promotional materials.

• 5

  Max out your credit cards if all else fails and empty out your savings account. Pour all of your resources into the project and then aggressively market your film.