Filmmakers proffered this advice o...

Filmmakers proffered this advice on securing investors:

- Be trustworthy Acknowledge the risk involved. mention one by one the potential partner to not invest more than he can afford to fail to win because he'll likely lose it.

"Most investors know when they invest, it's a self-same risky endeavor, tantamount to any other high-risk investments, including race horses or dot-com companies," said independent filmmaker and consultant Stu Pollard. With films, granting there's the added variable of acceptance by way of the marketplace.

- Start with population you know best: family and friends. If you can't commit to memory your rich uncle to give you riches it's unlikely you'll convince others to part with their cash, Pollard said.

- Network. direct the eye for investors with whom you have something in used by all a fellow college alum, someone from your hometown. on a level if family or friends can't kick in circulating medium get them to introduce you to population who can.

- try to find out those who might be passionate about your topic. "Think, 'Who's going to watch this film? Who's going to care about this film?' " said Molly Hansen of the Independent Features scheme in Chicago. "If it's about women's issues or gay issues, there are communities and race in those communities interested in films."

- Have a business plan, including the stratagem budget and information about the management team.

- Always be prepared to pitch. "If you're at a bar and come up to face to face a group of guys, you have to know your film, script, when you plan upon shooting, how much money you ne to get" Hansen said.

- Charm helps. High net-worth individuals ask captivating, charismatic individuals to invest with, Pollard said. "It's a extremely personal, very emotional selling technique that is the best one"

- Deliver. "If I invest in a young filmmaker, and they walk out and do what they told me they were going to do, then made a film I have sexual delight with then I at least be stirred good about how I worn out my money," he said.

united more piece of advice: No single in kind gets paid until the investors master paid. Filmmakers should have a means of supporting themselves outside of their especially liked project.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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