This document provides information on financing and distribution options for independent filmmakers in New Mexico. It discusses various types of financing like grants, loans, crowdfunding, and tax credits. It outlines the different stages of production and packaging requirements. Marketing should be incorporated throughout development, production and distribution. Checklists are provided to organize financing documents. Distribution opportunities include film festivals, theatrical releases, streaming services and self-distribution.

1. FINANCE & DISTRIBUTION
FOR NEW MEXICO
INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS
Increase your chances of having a successful career as a Indie Filmmaker by
knowing more about the business side of filmmaking.

2. FINANCE
WHAT TYPES OF FINANCING ARE OPEN TO FILMMAKERS
STAGES OF PRODUCTION AND STEPS TO SECURE FINANCING
WHAT IS NEEDED TO FINANCE A FILM (GUIDELINE ONLY)
WAYS OF MITIGATING RISK AND WHY SHOULD THE FILMMAKER CARE

3. TYPES OF FINANCE FOR FILM
• GRANTS (DO WHAT YOU AGREE TO DO)
• DEVELOPMENT FUNDS
• LOANS
• PRIVATE CAPITAL
• PERSONAL FUNDS (OPM)
• CROWDFUNDING (INDIEGOGO & KICKSTARTER)
• TAX CREDITS
• GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
• IATSE PROGRAMS
• OVER TWENTY OTHER TYPES OF FINANCING

4. STAGES OF PRODUCTION
• MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
• MARKETING & PRE-PRODUCTION
• MARKETING & PRODUCTION
• MARKETING & POST PRODUCTION
• MARKETING, DISTRIBUTION & EXHIBITION

5. DEVELOPMENT FINANCING
• AN IDEA
• A LOGLINE
• A SYNOPSIS
• A TREATMENT
• A SCREENPLAY
• A SERIES BIBLE
• SOME PIECE OF IP THAT IS WRITTEN OUT ON PAPER

6. DEVELOPMENT FINANCING
ONCE A PRODUCER BUYS THE IP OR OPTIONS IT TO MOVE FORWARD,
INDIE FILMMAKERS COULD FILE A DBA OR LLC
IP AND BUSINESS ARE ASSETS (WORTHLESS??)
THIS IS VERY SPECULATIVE AND RISKY AS AND
INVESTMENT/PARTNERSHIP (OPM)
LETTERS OF INTEREST NOT LEGALLY BINDING V. LETTER OF INTENT
LEGALLY BINDING
LETTERS OF INTENT ARE BANKABLE ASSETS, LETTERS OF INTEREST ARE
SPECULATIVE
DEFERRED COMPENSATION POINTS, UPON SALE OF FILM

7. OPTIONS V. PURCHASE
• OPTIONS
• TERMS=AMOUNT ($$ and POINTS) + TIME PERIOD
• PURCHASE
• TRANSFER OWNERSHIP MAYBE RE-WRITES
• POINTS ARE DEPENDENT ON THE BUDGET

8. PACKAGING BEGINS
• REGISTER THE IP
• LOI'S ARE SIGNED
• TOP SHEET BUDGET
• PRESS KITS, BUSINESS PLANS, TALENT BIOS
• PPM (PRIVATE $$) DPO DIRECT PUBLIC OFFERING
• PITCH DECKS, CREATE A TRAILER*
• MOVIE POSTER & LOBBY CARDS, CREATE A WEBSITE FOR THE FILM
• PRE-SALES, PRODUCT PLACEMENT, DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS

9. PACKAGING OF A FILM
• SYNOPSIS OR TREATMENT
• TOP SHEET BUDGET
• PROFIT PROJECTIONS (DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES AND ACCOUNTANTS)
• COMPARABLES
• SAME SIZE BUDGET
• SAME GENRE
• TALENT LEVEL (PRODUCER, DIRECTOR AND CAST)
• BIOS OF THE ABOVE THE LINE PEOPLE ATTACHED
• TARGET AUDIENCE
• SCRIPT COVERAGE

10. MARKETING IN ALL STAGES OF THE
FILMMAKING PROCESS
• CONCEPT TESTING, POSITIONING STUDIES, FOCUS GROUP TEST, TEST
SCREENINGS, TRACKING SURVEYS, ADVERTISING TESTING, EXIT SURVEYS,
FACEBOOK PAGE, TWITTER ACCOUNTS, LOBBY CARDS, MOVIE POSTERS, T-
SHIRTS, RELATIONSHIPS WITH BLOGGERS, NEW MEXICO FILM
FOUNDATION, KEY PLAYERS, SALES AGENTS, FILM AGGREGATORS &
DISTRIBUTORS, FILM FESTIVAL DIRECTORS, ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN AND
IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS,

11. FILM PRODUCTION FINANCE
CHECKLIST (GUIDELINE)
• NAME OF THE PROJECT, HOW IS IT INCORPORATED, NAME OF
THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY, E-MAIL ADDRESS, PHONE #, PHYSICAL
ADDRESS, LOAN AMOUNT, TYPE OF LOAN, DETAILED BUDGET
(BROKEN OUT BY DEVELOPMENT, PRE-PRODUCTION,
PRODUCTION, POST PRODUCTION, MARKETING &
DISTRIBUTION) NAME OF THE PRODUCTION COMPANY/STUDIO,
MOVIE TITLE, PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF THE SCREENPLAY,
GENRE, BUDGET TOTAL, BIOS OF PRODUCERS, DIRECTORS AND
PRINCIPAL CAST, COMPLETION BOND

12. CHECKLIST CONTINUED
• BUSINESS PLAN SHOWING ROI OR EXIT STRATEGY
• BANK LETTER OF COMMITMENT
• NAME OF LOAN OFFICER
PHONE # & ADDRESS
• PRODUCTION STATUS OF FUNDS
• NAMES OF EQUITY INVESTORS AND POINTS
• FILMING LOCATIONS (STATE)

13. CHECKLIST CONTINUED
• ROI
• TAX CREDITS
• PRODUCT PLACEMENT
• P & A, FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
• DOCUMENTED SALES ESTIMATE
• ATTORNEY/ACCOUNTANT W/CONTACT INFORMATION
• PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM V. DIRECT PUBLIC OFFERING
• HOLD INVESTMENT V. TRADABLE INVESTMENT
• ACCREDITED INVESTORS V. NON ACCREDITED INVESTORS

14. THEATRICAL DISTRIBUTORS
• UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES
• WARNER BROTHERS
• BUENA VISTA
• 20TH CENTURY FOX
• SONY
• PARAMOUNT PICTURES
• MANY OTHERS

15. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
• TUGG.COM
• AGGREGATORS (THE FILM COLLABORATIVE & DISTRIBBER)
• HULU, HBO GO, CBS ALL ACCESS, CRACKLE, I-TUNES,
• YOUTUBE, WATCH ABC, NETFLIX, REDBOX, FOX NOW
• YOUR OWN WEBSITE
• DVD'S

16. FILM FESTIVALS
• GET YOUR MOVIE SCENE
• MEET AND MAKE CONNECTIONS W/FILMMAKERS
• MEET FINANCE PEOPLE (WHAT'S NEXT)
• WIN AWARDS
• GROW YOUR AUDIENCE
• GET PICKED UP FOR DISTRIBUTION

17. SUBMIT TO FESTIVALS
WITHOUT A BOX (WAB)