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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Screenwriting
First-Time Documentary Fundraising Question
I'm going to produce my first film. It's a documentary about a local sports league. I'm inviting potential investors to an event where I'll be screening a three-minute sample of the documentary. I'll be using this screening to raise the money for the film. I'm looking for approximately $20,000. My lawyer has suggested I create a LLC and said he'll put together an "up front" money document to have investors sign.
However he suggests that on the invitations to the screening I not call
it a "fundraiser" as that implies a charity. What should I call my fundraiser?
Also, what should I have to give to investors besides a synopsis, estimated budget, "up front" document?
I'm sure there are other things. What am I'm overlooking?
Thanks in advance.
Ed
Reply by: Dr. Jai Maharaj Mar 25, 11:38 pm show options
My suggestion: get another lawyer (since you are
asking very basic questions).
Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti
Reply by: Alert Mar 26, 6:08 am show options
[nq:1]My suggestion: get another lawyer (since you are asking very basic questions).[/nq]
Do suggest this because you don't think I'm getting sound legal advice or because you feel my lawyer should've answered these questions for me?
Background: My lawyer isn't an entertainment lawyer and has had no involvement with my project up until now. I called him two nights ago and asked him to help me set up a LLC. He said "fine," and asked me what I needed it for. I told him that I'm trying to raise money for a film. He said that if I was going to approach investors I'd need legal paperwork. He asked how much I was trying to raise and said I should structure an offering and designate investors shares based upon "points." He said he'd draw up the documents. When I told him about the
"I don't think you should invite potential investors to a 'fundraiser.' That implies they're being asked to contribute to a charitable project."
As I said, he's not an entertainment lawyer and has not said to me "don't worry. You've covered all your bases."
I posted my question to this group after my only conversation with him.
So, as I asked originally: aside from a synopsis, budget, legal documents for investing into an LLC, a demo reel about my project and a
demo reel by the film crew is there anything that I need for my meeting with potential investors? As a first-timer I think that I must be overlooking something.
Thanks,
Ed
However he suggests that on the invitations to the screening I not call
it a "fundraiser" as that implies a charity. What should I call my fundraiser?
Also, what should I have to give to investors besides a synopsis, estimated budget, "up front" document?
I'm sure there are other things. What am I'm overlooking?
Thanks in advance.
Ed
Reply by: Dr. Jai Maharaj Mar 25, 11:38 pm show options
My suggestion: get another lawyer (since you are
asking very basic questions).
Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti
Reply by: Alert Mar 26, 6:08 am show options
[nq:1]My suggestion: get another lawyer (since you are asking very basic questions).[/nq]
Do suggest this because you don't think I'm getting sound legal advice or because you feel my lawyer should've answered these questions for me?
Background: My lawyer isn't an entertainment lawyer and has had no involvement with my project up until now. I called him two nights ago and asked him to help me set up a LLC. He said "fine," and asked me what I needed it for. I told him that I'm trying to raise money for a film. He said that if I was going to approach investors I'd need legal paperwork. He asked how much I was trying to raise and said I should structure an offering and designate investors shares based upon "points." He said he'd draw up the documents. When I told him about the
"I don't think you should invite potential investors to a 'fundraiser.' That implies they're being asked to contribute to a charitable project."
As I said, he's not an entertainment lawyer and has not said to me "don't worry. You've covered all your bases."
I posted my question to this group after my only conversation with him.
So, as I asked originally: aside from a synopsis, budget, legal documents for investing into an LLC, a demo reel about my project and a
demo reel by the film crew is there anything that I need for my meeting with potential investors? As a first-timer I think that I must be overlooking something.
Thanks,
Ed
Top answer
However he suggests that on the invitations to the screening I not call it a "fundraiser" as that implies a charity. What should I call my fundraiser? Why not call it a "screening"?
- However he suggests that on the invitations to the screening I not call it a "fundraiser" as that implies a charity.
- What should I call my fundraiser?
- Why not call it a "screening"?
- " C.
- "
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1 Answers
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However he suggests that on the invitations to the screening I not call
it a "fundraiser" as that implies a charity. What should I call my fundraiser?
Why not call it a "screening"?
If you want to be more direct, call it a "Screening for Potential Investors."
C.
"In the future, avoid using Martha Stewart's attorney."
it a "fundraiser" as that implies a charity. What should I call my fundraiser?
Why not call it a "screening"?
If you want to be more direct, call it a "Screening for Potential Investors."
C.
"In the future, avoid using Martha Stewart's attorney."
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