Pre-Financing starts the Movie Production process.

The Pre-Financing stage of any movie production starts by putting together your production package or your Presentation Book. This is where your screenplay starts to develop its production style. Where you present your particular filmmaking techniques.

Now although there are simliar steps, I am mainly talking about low budget independent filmmaking where one person starts talking with others in the industry or just friends who have a similar dream. They read the script. They love it. They want to join you.

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One of the great things about working with people you trust, know, and like is the shared energy. Each can help the other remain positive and focused, but beware of the negative nellies! You can spot them in a second. They only see problems, never solutions. Yes it is good to have that practical, realistic mind in the group, but who needs someone who is alway negative? They just wear you down.

One other thing; there will be disagreements on one or more aspects of the production, so there must be one final decision maker. I'm sure I don't have to tell you the production becomes much easier when everyone is pulling in the same direction. Everyone leaves their personal agenda and egos at the door.

Ok, now let's start making your Presentation Book. With a low budget independent production you probably won't have any marketable attachments, so you must develop the strong points. Remember, all this probably started with the script.

What other sections are you going to put into your Presentation Book that you can honestly defend? Each book is different based on who is putting it together. Please don't forget what I said earlier in the website: No matter what you decide, always TELL THE TRUTH!

Finally you have that special group of people who have banded together with the common goal of producing a good little movie. The Presentation Book is done and it truly describes your definition of good filmmaking. You put it out there for others to view. Some interest develops. A dream contact is made. Damn, the ground is shaking. Someone likes your Presentation Book. You are moving closer to Pre-Financing.

Don't forget it's a little film. One that got its legs from friends and like passionate people. Do your due diligence. Trust me from personal experience, it is better to not get your film produced than to have your found professional contact change everything for a fee. Yep, we are back to someone making money off you not from you and "Run Screaming from the Room."

There are a lot of Pre-Financing decisions that must be made if you decide to produce your own script. Please remember no decision is more important than trusting yourself! No matter who they are or what they say, it remains your dream. Your Script. Your production. If something feels wrong in any way...walk away!

From Pre-Financing to Movie Production