We have been getting many questions from visitors to this site regarding issues around producing and the business. We hope to answer some of the broadest questions here. But if you wish to contact us on specific issues surrounding your individual projects please feel free to do so. We have many sources in many different area of producing who can usually provide the answers.

Some Frequently Asked Questions:


Q "My project is great. Where do I find the money to do it?"

A Anywhere you can! But more importantly, first decide what is the end use of the project as that will help you determine the actual amount of money you will need to do the project with taste and quality. Once this has been determined there are many different ways to reduce the risk to an investor to help the funds fall into place.

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Q "How can I get a major star involved with my project?"

A This questioned is asked more than any other. Clearly it comes from someone’s imagination that a certain actor will be right for a role. Actually, screenplays are submitted through an appropriate agent or attorney and usually they come with some financial offer attached. However the financial side is primarily for the business people associated with the actor. The bottom line is the quality of the story and screenplay and how it plays on the ego of the actor. Actors often do roles because it provides them an opportunity to "eat up the scenery" so to speak, rather than for the money they normally earn. So get the project in as strong a posture as you can, with strong characters and exciting dialogue. You may have a chance. Check out www.sag.com

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Q "If I pitch a project somewhere am I protected so that the project won’t get stolen away from me.?"

A You are if it is copyrighted. And the copyright must be with the Library of Congress in Washington DC. copyright registration  http://www.copyright.gov/register You can easily do this by going on line to their web site and clicking on copyright for the proper application form. You should also document that you pitched the project on a specific date and a specific time to specific people. This will also help you should there be any problem. But more importantly, if the project is good and the people you pitch it to want to do it, how do you protect yourself so that you can be a producer on the project? Learn what production is all about. When you go into pitch, have a preliminary budget and production board as an example, A recent student of mine actually had a pitch of a project to a production compamy. After his meeting he sent me this comment: "The meeting went really well this morning. They were really impressed with my production board and budget. I will be part of the project after all."