1. Business Plans for a Film
How to give an Investor what he wants to see!

2. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary

3. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary
Company Information

4. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary
Company Information
Film Synopsis

5. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary
Company Information
Film Synopsis
Industry Information

6. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary
Company Information
Film Synopsis
Industry Information
Market Information

7. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary
Company Information
Film Synopsis
Industry Information
Market Information
Distribution Plans

8. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary
Company Information
Film Synopsis
Industry Information
Market Information
Distribution Plans
Risk Factors

9. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary
Company Information
Film Synopsis
Industry Information
Market Information
Distribution Plans
Risk Factors
Financing Plan

10. Business Plan Contents
Executive Summary
Company Information
Film Synopsis
Industry Information
Market Information
Distribution Plans
Risk Factors
Financing Plan
Accompanying Material

11. The Executive Summary
Contains a short summary of all of the main sections.
It’s the first section in your plan, it’s the last section you write.
Must be supported by the rest of your plan.
Contains a Section called “Strategic Opportunity” which works as an introduction to you plan.

12. Strategic Opportunity
This is the introduction to your business plan
It describes:
Who You are
What you are doing
Why you are doing it
Most information will be repeated later

13. Company Information
Who – What kind of entity is your company, who are the people involved?
What – What is your company going to do?
When – When are you planning to begin?
Where – What is the market for your product
How – How is your company managed and organized to function?

14. Film Synopsis A brief description of your film:
Target audience
Genre
Expected rating (G, PG, PG-13, etc.)
Short Treatment (2-3 pages max)
Pro Forma Budget (Budget Summary)

15. Industry Information Answers the following questions:
How does the industry work?
Studio vs Indie production
The Distribution process
What does the future look like?
Theatrical
Home video
Non-traditional distribution
How does your project fit into the industry?

16. The Markets What kind of film are you making?
Who wants to see your film?
Demographics
Psychographics
How have similar films performed?
What is your marketing strategy?

17. Distribution What is a “Distributor” Studio vs. Indie Distribution
Domestic Vs. Foreign Distribution
Distribution Deals:
Negative Pickup
Production Financing
Minimum Guarantees & Advances
Distribution & Marketing Expenses
Distributor Strategies

18. Risk Factors MUST be included!!!! Usually a separate section
Don’t minimize the risk – optimize the potential!

19. Financing Plan Must be grounded in reality.
Do NOT promise anything that you cannot personally deliver.
Watch out for Investors who promise more than they can deliver

20. Financing Plan (cont.)
List the projected budget for your film (including marketing and development costs)
List the amount of money you are trying to raise
Detail exactly how proceeds are going to be distributed to all parties
List any other sources of funding

21. Financing Plan (cont.) Comparative Data Cash Flow Statements
Box office of other comparable films
Theatrical
Domestic
Foreign
DVD TV
Internet
Ancillary
Costs of other comparable films
Cash Flow Statements

22. Appendix Full Script or Treatment
Complete Resumes for all Principle Parties
Complete budget
Detailed Industry Data