2004/2005 RAW NERVE – THE KILLING ROOM
Producer Linda Arnold, Writer/Director Kuzelicki

 

You need money to make films. The bigger and more ambitious the films get, the more money you need.

BUT HOW DO YOU GET IT?
Getting it is going to be tough, really tough. Solving and commercialising nuclear fusion technology may be easier, but actually, amazingly, it can be done!

Criminal solutions are out, even if you are planning to make a behind-the-scenes doco of the making of your film but claiming it was all just a transmedia project that went horribly wrong. Okay that could sell well to one of the major broadcasters and at their rates that should pay for at least the first day of legal costs, and give you something to talk about in jail… for all those years as they crawl by, endlessly…

So, here are some of the best approaches.

QPIX
We are really your best first step. Talk to us. Sometimes your approach my just need tweaking, sometimes it may be way off target. Sometimes we may know another person or group trying for the same thing and teaming up might be a great option. Usually we know someone who has gone before you who you could talk to. Talk to us.

QPIX FUNDED PROGRAMS
We offer our Screen Agency slate annual production programs WHITE HEAT, RAW NERVE & KINO PRAVDA, with which the participants receive seed funding ranging from $4,000 up to around $15,000, plus gear, plus Public Liability Insurance, plus professional guidance and mentoring.

QPIX ATTACHMENTS
Doing great work in the above funded production programs could mean you get recommended to an established producer who may take you on as a QPIX Volunteer Attachment, and then as  Screen Queensland Development Attachment. Then, while you are inside that company you can get your idea onto the company slate, and using their credibility and clout in the industry, get the project funded.

QPIX MASTERCLASSES & PITCH SESSIONS
Participating in and making an impression in our masterclasses, and in our Pitch sessions in particular,  could mean you get noticed and then recommended by the teacher in the masterclass or the Pitch Panel members to QPIX as a possible talent. QPIX could then at its discretion recommend you on to established producers who may choose to take you on as a QPIX Volunteer Attachment, and then as paid Screen Queensland Development Attachment. Then once again as above, you could use that placement and your growing experience and higher-level networks to get investment and funding in place for your project.

QPIX TRAINING
You can elect to enrol in one of the QPIX SCREEN INDUSTRY ACADEMY accredited Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses. All of them are production-based. Again, this is an opportunity for you to not only increase skills, screen credits and networks, but also to come to the attention of the teacher and guest lecturers, which again can lead down the Attachment pathway, and ultimately, to the money!

CROWD FUNDING
This process is working quite well now for those projects with a great story to tell, an attractive deep design in terms of the play-out into other platforms, and a strong pitch. But also remember, it is still not that simple. You can only try.

QPIX has a Handshake Partnership with the Australian Crow Funding website www.pozible.com.au. Conditions apply, but QPIX clients on pozible only pay 5% commission on funds raised instead of their standard 7.5%. This is a great deal in anyone’s language. Talk to us about designs of deals and offers for your prospective investors in return for their investment.

There are other sites globally. The following are in the US. They are far less useful to you as you have to maintain a US bank account for them, but this could work if you have US contacts. Accessing the funds then would have to be explored in detail. Costs, in ascending order:

IndieGoGo • 4% fee if you make your goal, 9% otherwise, +3% credit card processing fee

Kickstarter • 5% fee, +3-5% credit card fee (only funded if you make your goal)

RocketHub • 4% fee if you make your goal, 8% otherwise, +3-5% credit card fee

SoKap • 5% fee, 10% fee on product sold via their marketplace, +3% credit card fee

United States Artists • 15% fee + 4% credit card fee

SCREEN AGENCIES
The Agencies will work very well for you once you reach a certain level or have developed strong enough partnerships with producers. This is the moment they become key partners for you, but even then, they will expect you to be seeking additional investment in your own budgets.

BROADCASTERS
For those looking to a broadcast outcome – documentaries, TV series and so on – you have to be very ready. You need to at least have developed a strong story for your project, a strong pitch and pitch documents, and some potential alliances and partnerships. Ideally, you have been able to interest an Executive Producer who has an established TV record who can get your project over the line. If that has happened, you will need to have signed over the option to that EP but will have been able to trade some ongoing position in the project for yourself.

DOCUMENTARY AUSTRALIA FOUNDATION (DAF) www.documentaryaustralia.com.au
This Foundation is a private philanthropic initiative designed to generate partnerships between philanthropic grantmakers, charities and documentary filmmakers. The Foundation provides all the information, guides and resources to help you do this. The Foundation does not make or commission films. It manages and receives grants from the public, and passes these grants onto documentary filmmakers.

PRIVATE INVESTORS
Tough call, especially right now. The DAF above for documentary makers is the best first step in getting to this point. Drama investment can be achieved, but those who have gone there before you are your only real guides. Distribution deals are critical. Talk to us and we can connect you to experienced Producers. Who know, if your project is strong enough, and your Pitch works, they may take you on, but there are ZERO guarantees.

QPIX is in the process of registering for DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status, which will assist you to seek out private investment if your are involved in a QPIX project.

The main rule of thumb early in your career – keep the project modest and at a low budget. Then there is also less money to raise.

A QPIX producer after a rather challenging investment pitch meeting

2002/2003 WHITE HEAT – THE MOMENT AFTER

 

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