Filmmaking Lifestyle

Film Production Company Business Plan: The Complete Guide

movie production business plan

The process of film production is a long and arduous one. It starts with the writing stage, where screenplays are written by a writer or multiple writers.

The screenplay typically has at least three acts that have to be edited for pacing and story development purposes. Once the script is finished, it’s time for pre-production!

There’s a lot of misconception about what film production really entails. This article will clear up some of the misconceptions and give you an idea of what it is like on set, as well as how to break into the industry.

FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY BUSINESS PLAN

What is a film production company business plan.

A film production company business plan is a document that can help you to get investors and loans from banks, but it’s also useful for you to see if your idea is viable. It helps you determine if it’s worth investing money, time, and effort.

Film production company business plans are documents that should be created before starting the business.

They will help you gain investors so you can start your film production company and make money out of your films.

A business plan should have all the necessary information about your film company , including the mission statement, executive summary, market analysis, funding request, financial projections, and management team.

Starting a film production company is an exciting venture that blends creative storytelling with the thrill of entrepreneurship.

Crafting a solid business plan is our roadmap to success, ensuring we navigate the complex landscape of the film industry with confidence.

We’ll jump into the essentials of a film production company business plan, from financial projections to marketing strategies.

Stick with us to learn how to lay the groundwork for a thriving production company that’s ready to take on Hollywood.

Executive Summary

When embarking on the exhilarating journey of starting a film production company, the executive summary stands as a pivotal introduction to the business plan.

It provides a snapshot of the company’s vision and objectives, ensuring that potential investors or partners grasp the core of what we’re building.

In our executive summary, we’ll outline the major points that distinguish our company, such as our unique storytelling capabilities and innovative distribution strategies.

We hone in on our competitive advantage – a blend of seasoned industry professionals and fresh talent that pushes the envelope of what’s possible in film.

We’ll also touch upon our foundational goals:

  • Captivate a diverse audience with groundbreaking narratives,
  • Create a slate of projects that showcase profitability and creative ingenuity,
  • Establish a brand synonymous with quality entertainment.

Financial plans are succinctly summarized to demonstrate the strategic allocation of resources and the anticipated financial trajectory.

Here, investors will find confidence in our capability to manage budgets effectively and produce high-return projects.

Marketing strategies are briefly yet powerfully presented, showcasing how we plan to penetrate the market and gain substantial traction.

We outline our approach to leveraging social media , partnerships, and film festivals to amplify our presence and stake our claim in a crowded industry.

Each element of our executive summary is designed to pique interest and invite deeper exploration into our full business plan.

Through it, we lay the foundation for a dialogue with stakeholders that could translate into lasting support for our creative endeavours.

Company Overview

In the heart of our business plan lies the comprehensive Company Overview section, a detailed portrait of who we are and what we stand for.

As seasoned filmmakers at Filmmaking Lifestyle, we take pride in our ability to tell gripping stories through the lens of our cameras.

We offer a range of filmmaking services, but here’s a snapshot of our core offerings:

  • Narrative Film Production – Our signature offering includes developing and producing feature films that resonate with audiences globally.
  • Commercial Video Production – We craft compelling marketing videos that help brands tell their stories and engage with their target demographic.
  • Innovative Content Creation – With the digital space evolving rapidly, we stay ahead of trends producing content that stands out in crowded platforms.

Our mission goes beyond the visual aesthetics; it’s about weaving narratives that leave a lasting impact.

Each project is an opportunity for us to push the envelope in creative storytelling.

At the core of our operation, we strive to achieve a convergence of artistic vision and commercial viability.

Anchored by a team of dedicated professionals, we bring diverse perspectives and skills to every production.

This synergy creates a fertile ground for innovative filmmaking.

Our work ethic revolves around a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to staying on top of the latest industry advancements.

Focused on scaling our film production capabilities, we’re actively exploring emerging technologies and distribution channels to enhance our impact in the industry.

We’re all about staying ahead of the curve, making sure our films are not just seen, but remembered and revered.

With a portfolio that spans various genres and styles, our flexibility allows us to tailor our approach to each unique project.

Collaboration is key – by joining forces with talented writers, directors, and producers, we amplify our ability to craft unforgettable cinematic experiences.

Investing in our growth, we’ve equipped ourselves with state-of-the-art equipment and editing suites, ensuring professionalism and efficiency in our production workflow.

Convergence of art and technology is critical in our approach and is reflected in every piece of content we produce.

eventually, our Company Overview is not just an introduction to who we are; it’s an open invitation to jump deeper into the possibilities and potent potential of partnering with Filmmaking Lifestyle.

We’re here to bring visions to life and curate a portfolio of work that speaks volumes of our passion for filmmaking.

Vision And Mission

movie production business plan

Matt Crawford

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Iam having a movie by the name from the streets to the world

movie production business plan

Best of luck, Kelvin!

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Matt .. would you have template of the Biz Plan .. and are you Fine with sharing the same? – AMAAN

Here’s an idea for a template: https://toskaproductions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TEA-Business-Plan.pdf

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The Minimalist Guide To Writing A Film Business Plan

Film business plan essentials, movie pitch deck vs. movie business plan, legal aspects of film business planning, private placement memorandum, movie business plan template, tl;dr (too long; didn’t read).

  • FAQs on Film Business Plans

Film Business Plan Glossary

A film business plan is important to raise money for a movie. This document outlines how you plan to produce and sell your film.

It’s a confidential information overview that you’ll “leave behind” with prospective investors after pitching. And it needs to be solid.

If you’re like many filmmakers, you’ve likely come across at least a dozen examples of what should go into a film business plan created by film finance “gurus” who teach business planning but have never raised money for a movie.

Many of these people make an entire living creating movie business plans full of nonsense and stuff that doesn’t work in the real world.

If this describes your plan, you are not alone.

As a result of all the terrible movie business plan information, many filmmakers get it wrong. So the first thing you need to do is stop listening to idiots. The second thing you need to do is cut your plan down to the essentials.

Take a few minutes and write out the following:

  • Executive Summary: A snapshot of your film and team.
  • Project Synopsis: The pitch.
  • Hypothetical Investment Return: How the investment could pay off.
  • Distribution Fees Example: A look at revenue sharing.
  • Timeline/Production Plan: Key milestones.
  • Bios/Resumes: Who’s on board?
  • Budget Top Sheet: The financial outline.
  • Supporting Article: Why this film, why now?
  • Risk Management Details: The risks and the plan to tackle them.
  • Contact Info: Get in touch.

You might ask: “What if I just want to make movies and sell my movie?”

My response: “1995 called, and they want their dumb distribution plan back.”

You might run into info about movie pitch decks when you’re looking up how to create a movie business plan. But remember, they are not the same thing.

A movie pitch deck is a quick, visual look at your film. It’s not for the money people or investors. It’s for creative people, like directors and actors. It’s about giving them a feel of the story and style. And hope that you can entice them to work with you.

On the other hand, a movie business plan is all about the details. It talks about money, timelines, and marketing.

This is stuff that investors care about.

It’s your way of showing them how your film can succeed and make money. And importantly, it’s about showing them that you’re a professional.

And although it’s detailed, a movie business plan is not a contract. It’s just a way to show potential investors what you’ve got planned and how you aim to pull it off .

Creating a film business plan is a crucial step, but getting the funding requires more than just a well-laid plan.

In the U.S., laws are in place to protect investors from fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversees this, ensuring people aren’t tricked into shady investments.

You’ll need to decide on the legal structure for your film’s business side. It could be a corporation, an LLC, or something else, each with its rules and benefits.

Get a good entertainment lawyer to help you through this.

Doing this will not only help you stay compliant, but doing things right also boosts your project’s credibility in the eyes of potential investors.

They’ll see a well-structured, professionally managed venture ready for investment. In this regard, the name of the game is compliance, transparency, and trust.

Your attorney will advise you on the steps you need to take before investors can fund your film . These steps usually include paperwork and other legal requirements.

Discover The FIVE Essential Film Funding Tactics  

...Without Begging For Money!

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Sometimes, your attorney may draft up a set of documents called a private placement memorandum. Like a film business plan, your PPM will outline the goals for your film.

It will explain the possible upside to your project. But unlike a business plan (a confidential information overview), it doesn’t sugar-coat things.

It lays out the risks. That way, anyone considering putting money into your film knows exactly what they’re getting into.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to raising money. If that describes you, check out this business plan template .

Why Choose Movie Plan Pro?

Movie Plan Pro is more than just a template. It’s a comprehensive guide based on Tom Malloy’s experience raising over $25 million to produce multiple feature films.

Unlike the majority of templates out there, this movie business plan template is simple. Using it will help you quickly finish your film business plan so that you can focus on the next steps of the process.

  • User-Friendly: Movie Plan Pro is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, ensuring that filmmakers can finish the plan fast.
  • Comprehensive: It covers every aspect of a professional film business plan.
  • Proven Success: Backed by Tom’s track record of securing film financing, users can access tried-and-tested tactics.

With Movie Plan Pro, filmmakers are not just filling in the blanks but are guided through creating a plan tailored to their specific film project.

Each section is complemented by tips and examples that breathe life into the plan, making it a dynamic tool for securing funding.

With Movie Plan Pro , ensure that your film business plan is comprehensive, compelling, and investor-friendly. Getting money to make your film begins with a plan, and there’s no better companion than Tom Malloy’s Movie Plan Pro.

Here’s a quick overview of what goes into a movie business plan:

A film business plan is vital for securing funding focusing on essential content like team, budget, marketing, and sales strategy. Legal compliance and consultation with an attorney are crucial for credibility. A clear, simple business plan template streamlines the process.

Film Business Plan Questions

Here are answers to common questions on crafting an effective film business plan. From the basics to legal compliance, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started.

A film business plan outlines the budget, goals, and strategy to produce and distribute a film, targeting potential investors with detailed financial and operational information.

Be clear and concise, focusing on the budget, timeline, marketing, expected returns, legal compliance, and risk assessment.

A movie pitch deck is a visual presentation, giving a snapshot of a film project, typically aimed at creative professionals to attract collaborations.

A film business plan focuses on financial and operational aspects for investors. A pitch deck is a visual, concise overview for creative collaborators.

They ensure legal compliance and help set up the business structure, protecting filmmakers and investors.

A PPM is a document detailing the investment terms, risks, and rights for prospective investors. It’s an investment document.

Online resources offer various templates. Choose one focusing on essential elements to attract investors effectively. We recommend Movie Plan Pro .

These key terms are essential for understanding the film business planning process and the steps involved in raising funds for a film project.

  • Film Business Plan : A document outlining how a filmmaker plans to produce and sell a film. It serves as a roadmap for the project and is presented to prospective investors after pitching.
  • Budget : A financial plan that outlines how much money is needed for various aspects of the film’s production, including pre-production, shooting, post-production, marketing, and distribution.
  • Target Audience : The specific group of people the film intends to reach and resonate with. Understanding the target audience is crucial for marketing and distribution strategies.
  • Marketing Strategy : A plan that details how the film will be promoted to the target audience, including advertising, public relations, social media, and other promotional activities.
  • Sales Strategy : The approach for selling the film to distributors, streaming platforms, or other outlets. It includes strategies for negotiating deals and securing distribution agreements.
  • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) : A regulatory body in the United States that oversees securities markets and works to protect investors from fraudulent activities and scams.
  • Legal Business Entity : A formal legal structure, such as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), established to separate a film project’s assets and liabilities from the personal assets of the filmmaker.
  • Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) : A set of documents prepared by an attorney that outlines a film project’s goals, potential returns, and inherent risks. It helps potential investors make informed decisions.
  • Compliance : Adherence to laws, regulations, and guidelines, particularly in the context of securities laws and regulations, to make sure that a film project is credible and transparent to investors.
  • Distribution Plan : A strategy for how the film will be released and distributed to audiences, including decisions about theatrical releases, streaming platforms, DVD sales, and international distribution.

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How to Start a Production Company A Complete 12-Step Guide - Featured

How to Start a Production Company: A Complete 12-Step Guide

S tarting a production company can be incredibly daunting. There are so many business aspects that appear mundane and confusing to the typical creative starting a production company. But the truth is that laying down a proper foundation is essential for any new production company to grow and prosper. In this article, we outline twelve steps on how to start a production company in the modern age. Let’s dive in. 

How to start a production company 

1. research the market.

Getting started right away and shooting anything and everything possible might sound like a great idea when starting a production company. But before you shoot a single shot, it is important to do your market research. This is important for companies producing either independent films or commercial advertisements. 

When producing an independent film, research doesn't mean you must write a film according to what is popular. But rather understand and determine how the film you want to make can be positioned in the world of indie films, streaming, and top film festivals .

On the topic of the latter, researching film festivals can be the deciding factor that gets your film into film festivals. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right film festival. 

Starting a Production Company Through Film Festivals

If you are aiming to produce commercial work, research is just as, if not more important. Research the market in your specific area and determine how to position your company to fulfill the market needs of your area. 

Research also may involve reaching out and learning from others. Here are the founders of a small production company Dose of Society. They reached out to Gary Vaynerchuk, a well-known and successful entrepreneur, to ask him how to scale a small media company. 

How to start a production company  •  Meeting With Dose of Society

While the advice Gary Vaynerchuk gives them is valuable in and of itself, it is important for you to conduct your own research in your area. It is also important to research competing companies and take note of the services they are offering. Understanding what you’re up against will help you determine how to position and market your company.

Starting a film production company

2. determine your niche.

When starting a production company, you may find that a specific niche excites you the most. For indie film companies, this may be a certain genre such as horror or science-fiction. In commercial production, companies this may be a focus on weddings, restaurants, start-ups, or even gyms. 

Starting a film production company with niches

As the video states, it is important to follow your instincts when determining your niche rather than what others tell you is a great niche to pursue. When first learning how to start a production company, take a look at existing companies and understand what markets are saturated in your area. 

How to start a film production company with no money

3. name your company.

Naming a company can be incredibly fun, but often difficult. When naming your production company, definitely include your personality and have fun with it, but keep in mind a few guidelines. 

It is important to come up with a name that is memorable and easily searchable. It’s easy for company names to get lost in the minutiae of the internet. Utilizing a city name in your company name is a great way to help potential clients find your company more easily. Here is a great Ted talk that discusses how to come up with a great brand name.

How to name your production company  •  Brand Names

It is also important to make sure that your name is original and legally avoids copyright problems. Enter your possible company names into the National Business Register to check if your name is taken. 

How do you start a production company?

4. create a business plan.

One of the most important steps when creating a production company is creating a production company business plan . Without a business plan, starting a company may be easy, but growing it in a sustainable way will be incredibly difficult. 

Putting your business plan on paper will help you and your team gain a clear direction on the company with actionable steps. Here is some first hand advice on how to think about growing a production company.

How to start a production company and grow it

Perhaps most importantly, a business plan can be presented to potential investors, advisors, team members or clients to prove to them that there is a plan for the future of the company. When people are going to invest their money or time into a company, they will want to know that there is a plan behind the idea. 

5. Assemble a team and equipment

While it is always an option to start a company alone as a sole proprietor (we’ll get to that in the next section), working with friends is not only more fun, but it can increase your production value immensely. 

Being a one man or woman show can spread you thin and decrease the level of production on your projects. There will inevitably be projects that come up where you will need to find and hire a great film crew . A proper set will entail a few key positions. What positions are absolutely necessary? Here’s a video to give you a better idea. 

How Many Crew Members Do You Need?  •  Starting a film production company

This team will either be composed of freelancers, employees, or business partners. To determine which you will employ, refer to your business plan and finances to see what best suits your company.

Once you have your crew, using StudioBinder’s film crew list management software will help you stay organized and efficient when managing your crew.

In addition to a team, you will need equipment. When starting a production company, it is common to be on a very tight budget. Production lighting kits , mirrorless cameras , and camera lenses can get pricey. Here is a video that breaks down some essential equipment needs that won't completely break the bank.

How to Start a Production Company With Under $10,000: What Should You Buy?

Keeping your team and production organized is the difference between amauteuer productions and professional productions. Production softwares like StudioBinder’s production management software will help take your company to the next level. 

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  • Plan your productions with scheduling software →

Register a film production company

6. determine your type of company.

Types of businesses to register a film production company

To recap, here are your options as stated here by the U.S. Small Business Association where you can find more information:

1. Sole Proprietorship:

A sole proprietorship is easy to form and gives you complete control of your business. 

Sole proprietorships do not produce a separate business entity. This means your business assets and liabilities are not separate from your personal assets and liabilities. You can be held personally liable for the debts and obligations of the business. Still wondering what a sole proprietorship is? Check out the video below for more information.

What Is A Sole Proprietorship?  •  QuickBooks US

Sole proprietorships can be a good choice for low-risk businesses and owners who want to test their business idea before forming a more formal business.

2. Partnership:

Partnerships are the simplest structure for two or more people to own a business together. There are two common kinds of partnerships: limited partnerships (LP) and limited liability partnerships (LLP).

Limited partnerships have only one general partner with unlimited liability, and all other partners have limited liability.

Limited liability partnerships are similar to limited partnerships, but give limited liability to every owner.

Partnerships can be a good choice for businesses with multiple owners, professional groups (like attorneys), and groups who want to test their business idea before forming a more formal business.

3. LLC (Limited Liability Company)

An LLC lets you take advantage of the benefits of both the corporation and partnership business structures.

LLCs protect you from personal liability in most instances, your personal assets — like your vehicle, house, and savings accounts — won't be at risk in case your LLC faces bankruptcy or lawsuits. LLCs can also have a limited life in many states. 

These can be a good choice for medium- or higher-risk businesses, owners with significant personal assets they want to be protected, and owners who want to pay a lower tax rate than they would with a corporation.

How To Start A Production Company - LLC vs S-Corp vs C-corp

LLC vs S-corp vs C-corp

4. c corp (corporation).

A corporation, sometimes called a C corp, is a legal entity that's separate from its owners. Corporations can make a profit, be taxed, and can be held legally liable.

Corporations offer the strongest protection to its owners from personal liability, but the cost to form a corporation is higher than other structures. Corporations also require more extensive record-keeping, operational processes, and reporting.

These can be a good choice for medium- or higher-risk businesses, businesses that need to raise money, and businesses that plan to "go public" or eventually be sold.

5. S Corp (Corporation)

An S corporation, sometimes called an S corp, is a special type of corporation that's designed to avoid the double taxation drawback of regular C corps. S corps allow profits, and some losses, to be passed through directly to owners' personal income without ever being subject to corporate tax rates.

S corps also have an independent life, just like C corps. If a shareholder leaves the company or sells his or her shares, the S corp can continue doing business relatively undisturbed.

These can be a good choice for a business that would otherwise be a C corp, but meet the criteria to file as an S corp.

How do I start a production company?

7. consult a lawyer or legal advisor.

Creating a production company legally can be complex. Consulting a legal advisor or lawyer will help ensure that you are taking the necessary steps in starting your company. Many people jump into starting a production company without laying the foundations. 

Here is a video with first hand experience explaining why this is such an important step for anyone starting a production company. 

5 Tips from Starting my own production company from scratch

There are many small business lawyers and entertainment lawyers who specialize in production services that can give great legal advice throughout the process. This step will help you avoid any costly problems in the future.

How to start your production company’s bookkeeping 

8. set up your bookkeeping.

Entertainment payroll, production insurance , and other expenses can get complicated and unorganized very fast. Consulting a CPA and setting up your bookkeeping right away will also help you avoid costly problems in the future as well as any legal ramifications for overlooked processes. This step will pay off when it's time to file your taxes, apply for a loan, or pay your employees.

How to start a production company website

9. establish an online presence.

Whether your production company produces independent films or commercial work, having an online presence is incredibly important. A website will enable you to showcase your work and allow clients or audiences to find you. 

In this day and age, it is a great idea to develop a social media presence as well. Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are all places where trailers, commercials, and other video work can live and be discovered by clients or potential Hollywood players. 

How to create a production company portfolio

10. produce proof of concept projects.

Once you create a website and online presence, you will need to produce work that lives there. This gallery of work will obviously grow as you take on more client work, but initially you may have to shoot some proof of concept ideas that will help clients get a better idea of what your production company is capable of creating. 

StudioBinder's web series,  Making It , followed the entire proof of concept process from the script to the first day of shooting. Here's the first episode on how it all began.

Making It Ep. 1  • Watch Entire Series

When shooting independent films, sometimes creating a short film as a proof of concept for a feature film is a great way to get eyes on your project and potentially funding. 

11. Build a client network

Once the foundations of your company have been established, the next most important step is getting new clients. This is where you will actually see a return on your investment. Here are some fundamental tips for finding new clients for your production company. 

How to start your production company client network

The keys to building a client network is networking and delivering consistent, high quality work. Your initial clients will be your best allies in getting new clients, so maintaining a good relationship is essential.  

How to start a production company plan

12. plan for the future.

Planning for the future of your production company can be difficult in an industry that shifts and changes so often. In this day and age, technology progresses and changes at the blink of an eye. Keeping your focus on how the market is changing, what’s trending in the industry, and what new tech is emerging will help you steer your company like a ship in the right direction. 

Starting a production company is no easy feat by any means, but if you are passionate, persistent, and willing to put in the work it is absolutely achievable. Hopefully these tips bring you one step closer to executing your plan of starting your own production company. Remember there are endless resources online that will help you get started. 

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A guide to creating your business plan

A key part of starting a production company is creating a business plan. And creating a business plan for your new production company can be daunting. Luckily, we’ve covered the fundamentals of how to create a production company business plan in our next article and even included a free template to lay out your business plan. 

Up Next: Creating a business plan →

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Film Business Plan Template

  • Written by Dave Lavinsky

Film Business Plan

Table of Contents

Film business plan.

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their film companies.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a film business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Film Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your film business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Film Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a film business or grow your existing film company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your film business to improve your chances of success. Your film business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Film Businesses

With regard to funding, the main sources of funding for a film business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for film companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a film business.

If you want to start a film business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your film business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of film business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a film business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of film businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

  • Give a brief overview of the film industry.
  • Discuss the type of film business you are operating.
  • Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
  • Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
  • Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of film business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of film businesses:

  • Independent Film Production Company:  Smaller, “indie” film companies are outside the mainstream movie-making industry and have a unique artistic or creative vision.
  • Documentary Film Production Company: Single-subject or category film companies are dedicated to creating non-fiction films that explore real-world topics, issues, or stories.
  • Short Film Production Company: Short film companies showcase the storytelling skills of their artists and experiment with concise narratives.

In addition to explaining the type of film business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

  • When and why did you start the business?
  • What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of awards won by the films, or reaching a certain amount of revenue generated, etc.
  • Your legal business structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the film industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the film industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your film business plan:

  • How big is the film industry (in dollars)?
  • Is the market declining or increasing?
  • Who are the key competitors in the market?
  • Who are the key suppliers in the market?
  • What trends are affecting the industry?
  • What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
  • What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your film business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your film business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, government entities, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of film business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regard to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other film businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes large-scale movie film productions, and movies made for digital audiences only. You need to mention such competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

  • What types of customers do they serve?
  • What type of film business are they?
  • What is their pricing for their audience (premium, low, etc.)?
  • What are they good at?
  • What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

  • Will you provide options for digital audiences?
  • Will you offer services that your competition doesn’t?
  • Will you provide better customer service?
  • Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a film business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of film company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide subject-specific film production, cameo digital film production, or foreign language films?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your film company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your film business located in a busy creative art district, a business district, or a standalone building? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your film production and the customers you serve.

Promotions : The final part of your film marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

  • Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
  • Reach out to websites
  • Distribute flyers in local art shops
  • Engage in email marketing
  • Advertise on social media platforms
  • Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections, as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your film business, including answering calls, planning and creating filming schedules, paying salaries, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to premiere your first film, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your film business to include major production films.

Management Team

To demonstrate your film business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing film businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But, also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a film business or successfully running a small indie film company.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you produce your first film in less than a year, or will you produce a large-scale film in 5 years? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your film business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a film business:

  • Cost of filming equipment
  • Payroll or salaries paid to actors and staff
  • Business insurance
  • Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your movie set location lease or a list of props your business owns.

  Summary Writing a business plan for your film business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the film industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful film business.

Film Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my film business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your film business plan.

How Do You Start a Film Business?

Starting a Film business is easy with these 14 steps:

  • Choose the Name for Your Film Business
  • Create Your Film Business Plan
  • Choose the Legal Structure for Your Film Business
  • Secure Startup Funding for Your Film Business (If Needed)
  • Secure a Location for Your Business
  • Register Your Film Business with the IRS
  • Open a Business Bank Account
  • Get a Business Credit Card
  • Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
  • Get Business Insurance for Your Film Business
  • Buy or Lease the Right Film Business Equipment
  • Develop Your Film Business Marketing Materials
  • Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Film Business
  • Open for Business

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it. The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

  OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to hire someone to write a business plan for you from Growthink’s team.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Production Company Business Plan Template

How to write a business plan for a film production company?

film production company business plan

Creating a business plan for a film production company is an essential process for any entrepreneur. It serves as a roadmap that outlines the necessary steps to be taken to start or grow the business, the resources required, and the anticipated financial outcomes. It should be crafted with method and confidence.

This guide is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary for creating a film production company business plan, covering why it is so important both when starting up and running an established business, what should be included in your plan, how it should be structured, what tools should be used to save time and avoid errors, and other helpful tips.

We have a lot to cover, so let's get to it!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a film production company?

  • What information is needed to create a business plan for a film production company?
  • What goes in the financial forecast for a film production company?
  • What goes in the written part of a film production company business plan?
  • What tool can I use to write my film production company business plan?

Understanding the document's scope and goals will help you easily grasp its structure and content. Before diving into the specifics of the plan, let's take a moment to explore the key reasons why having a film production company business plan is so crucial.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

It's rarely business as usual for small businesses. The economy follows cycles where years of growth are followed by recessions, and the business environment is always changing with new technologies, new regulations, new competitors, and new consumer behaviours appearing all the time...

In this context, running a business without a clear roadmap is like driving blindfolded: it's dangerous at best. That's why writing a business plan for a film production company is essential to create successful and sustainable businesses.

To write an effective business plan, you will need to take stock of where you are (if you are already in business) and where you want the business to go in the next three to five years.

Once you know where you want your film production company to be, you'll have to identify:

  • what resources (human, equipment, and capital) are needed to get there,
  • at what pace the business needs to progress to get there in time,
  • and what risks you'll face along the way.

Going through this process regularly is beneficial, both for startups and existing companies, as it helps make informed decisions about how best to allocate resources to ensure the long-term success of the business.

To get visibility on future cash flows

If your small film production company runs out of cash: it's game over. That's why we often say "cash is king", and it's crucial to have a clear view of your film production company's future cash flows.

So, how can you achieve this? It's simple - you need to have an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your film production company business plan already includes a financial forecast (which we'll discuss further in this guide). Your task is to ensure it stays current.

To accomplish this, it's essential to regularly compare your actual financial performance with what was planned in your financial forecast. Based on your business's current trajectory, you can make adjustments to the forecast.

By diligently monitoring your film production company's financial health, you'll be able to spot potential financial issues, like unexpected cash shortfalls, early on and take corrective actions. Moreover, this practice will enable you to recognize and capitalize on growth opportunities, such as excess cash flow enabling you to expand to new locations.

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your film production company, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your film production company has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your film production company, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Information needed to create a business plan for a film production company

Drafting a film production company business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast, and convince the reader that there is a viable commercial opportunity to be seized.

Below, we'll focus on three critical pieces of information you should gather before starting to write your plan.

Carrying out market research for a film production company

As you consider writing your business plan for a film production company, conducting market research becomes a vital step to ensure accurate and realistic financial projections.

Market research provides valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other key factors that can significantly impact the commercial success of your business.

Through this research, you may uncover trends that could influence your film production company.

You may find that people are more likely to watch films that have been released in the last year. Additionally, people may be more likely to choose films based on the actors that are featured in them.

Such market trends play a significant role in forecasting revenue, as they offer valuable data about potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By incorporating these findings into your financial projections, you can present investors with more accurate information, helping them make informed decisions about investing in your film production company.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a film production company

As you embark on creating your film production company business plan, it is crucial to budget sales and marketing expenses beforehand.

A well-defined sales and marketing plan should include precise projections of the actions required to acquire and retain customers. It will also outline the necessary workforce to execute these initiatives and the budget required for promotions, advertising, and other marketing efforts.

This approach ensures that the appropriate amount of resources is allocated to these activities, aligning with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of a film production company

As you embark on starting or expanding your film production company, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is essential for ensuring your business's success.

Both the recruitment and investment plans must align with the timing and level of growth projected in your forecast, and they require appropriate funding.

A film production company might incur staffing costs such as salaries for the director, assistant director, script supervisor, camera operators, sound technicians, production assistants, lighting technicians, art department staff, and other crew members. They may also need to rent equipment, such as lights, cameras, sound equipment, and props, as well as purchase consumables such as batteries, tape, and other items. Additionally, they might need to pay for transport and accommodation for cast and crew members if they are filming on location.

To create a realistic financial forecast, you also need to consider other operating expenses associated with the day-to-day running of your business, such as insurance and bookkeeping.

With all the necessary information at hand, you are ready to begin crafting your business plan and developing your financial forecast.

What goes into your film production company's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your film production company will enable you to assess the profitability potential of your business in the coming years and how much capital is required to fund the actions planned in the business plan.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a film production company are:

  • The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
  • The projected balance sheet ,
  • The cash flow forecast ,
  • And the sources and uses table .

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

The projected P&L statement

Your film production company forecasted P&L statement enables the reader of your business plan to get an idea of how much revenue and profits your business is expected to make in the near future.

forecasted profit and loss statement in a film production company business plan

Ideally, your reader will want to see:

  • Growth above the inflation level
  • Expanding profit margins
  • Positive net profit throughout the plan

Expectations for an established film production company will of course be different than for a startup. Existing businesses which have reached their cruising altitude might have slower growth and higher margins than ventures just being started.

The projected balance sheet of your film production company

The balance sheet for a film production company is a financial document that provides a snapshot of your business’s financial health at a given point in time.

It shows three main components: assets, liabilities and equity:

  • Assets: are resources owned by the business, such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
  • Liabilities: are debts owed to creditors and other entities, such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers) and loans.
  • Equity: includes the sums invested by the shareholders or business owners and the cumulative profits and losses of the business to date (called retained earnings). It is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

example of projected balance sheet in a film production company business plan

Examining the balance sheet is important for lenders, investors, or other stakeholders who are interested in assessing your film production company's liquidity and solvency:

  • Liquidity: assesses whether or not your business has sufficient cash and short-term assets to honour its liabilities due over the next 12 months. It is a short-term focus.
  • Solvency: assesses whether or not your business has the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term.

Looking at the balance sheet can also provide insights into your film production company's investment and financing policies.

In particular, stakeholders can compare the value of equity to the value of the outstanding financial debt to assess how the business is funded and what level of financial risk has been taken by the owners (financial debt is riskier because it has to be repaid, while equity doesn't need to be repaid).

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow forecast for a film production company shows how much cash the business is projected to generate or consume.

example of cash flow forecast in a film production company business plan

The cash flow statement is divided into 3 main areas:

  • The operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the operations (running the business)
  • The investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.)
  • The financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to investors and lenders

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to ensure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

It is also a best practice to include a monthly cash flow statement in the appendices of your film production company business plan so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan - also called a sources and uses table - is an important tool when starting a film production company.

It shows where the money needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

initial financing plan in a film production company business plan

Having this table helps understand what costs are involved in setting up the film production company, how the risks are distributed between the shareholders and the lenders, and what will be the starting cash position (which needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business breaks even).

Now that the financial forecast of a film production company business plan is understood, let's focus on what goes into the written part of the plan.

The written part of a film production company business plan

The written part of a film production company business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

  • The executive summary
  • The presentation of the company
  • The products and services
  • The market analysis
  • The strategy
  • The operations
  • The financial plan

Throughout these sections, you will seek to provide the reader with the details and context needed for them to form a view on whether or not your business plan is achievable and your forecast a realistic possibility.

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The executive summary, the first section of your film production company's business plan, serves as an inviting snapshot of your entire plan, leaving readers eager to know more about your business.

To compose an effective executive summary, start with a concise introduction of your business, covering its name, concept, location, history, and unique aspects. Share insights about the services or products you intend to offer and your target customer base.

Subsequently, provide an overview of your film production company's addressable market, highlighting current trends and potential growth opportunities.

Then, present a summary of critical financial figures, such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Lastly, address any funding needs in the "ask" section of your executive summary.

2. The presentation of the company

As you build your film production company business plan, the second section deserves attention as it delves into the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide valuable insights into the legal structure of the business, the identities of the owners, and their respective investments and ownership stakes. This level of transparency is vital, particularly if you're seeking financing, as it clarifies which legal entity will receive the funds and who holds the reins of the business.

Moving to the location part, you'll offer a comprehensive view of the company's premises and articulate why this specific location is strategic for the business, emphasizing factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your film production company to a third party financier, you could emphasize the access to resources that the area provides. You might mention its close proximity to major airports, which could provide convenient access to cast and crew from many different locations. You could also focus on the infrastructure of the area, such as it's well-connected highway system and its access to reliable power and communication services. Additionally, you may want to mention the potential for local tax breaks or incentives to film in the area. Finally, you could point out the potential for a diverse range of filming locations and the availability of experienced production teams.

Lastly, you should introduce your esteemed management team. Provide a thorough explanation of each member's role, background, and extensive experience.

It's equally important to highlight any past successes the management team has achieved and underscore the duration they've been working together. This information will instil trust in potential lenders or investors, showcasing the strength and expertise of your leadership team and their ability to deliver the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of the offerings that your company provides to its customers. 

For example, your film production company might offer pre-production services such as scriptwriting, storyboarding, and casting to help customers create the foundation of their project. Additionally, it might offer production services such as on-location shooting, set design, and equipment rental to help customers bring their vision to life. Finally, it might offer post-production services such as editing, color grading, and audio mixing to help customers polish their end product. In providing these services, your film production company can help customers bring their project from concept to completion.

When drafting this section, you should be precise about the categories of products or services you sell, the types of customers you are targeting and how customers can buy them.

4. The market analysis

When you present your market analysis in your film production company business plan, it's crucial to include detailed information about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any relevant regulations.

The main objective of this section is to help the reader understand the size and attractiveness of the market while demonstrating your solid understanding of the industry.

Begin with the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your film production company, the key trends in the marketplace, and introducing different customer segments along with their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, focus on your target market, zooming in on the specific customer segments your film production company aims to serve and explaining how your products and services fulfil their distinct needs.

For example, your target market might include people who attend film festivals. These individuals may be avid moviegoers who have a deep appreciation for quality films. They are likely to have disposable income to spend on movie tickets and merchandise.

Then proceed to the competition subsection, where you introduce your main competitors and highlight what sets you apart from them.

Finally, conclude your market analysis with an overview of the key regulations applicable to your film production company.

5. The strategy section

When crafting the strategy section of your business plan for your film production company, it's important to cover several key aspects, including your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, clearly explain what sets your company apart from competitors. This is particularly critical if you're a startup, as you'll be trying to establish your presence in the marketplace among entrenched players.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you aim to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to your customers.

For the sales & marketing plan, outline how you plan to reach and acquire new customers, as well as retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

In the milestones subsection, detail what your company has achieved thus far and outline your primary objectives for the coming years by including specific dates for expected progress. This ensures everyone involved has clear expectations.

Lastly, in the risks and mitigants subsection, list the main risks that could potentially impact the execution of your plan. Explain the measures you've taken to minimize these risks. This is vital for investors or lenders to feel confident in supporting your venture - try to proactively address any objection they might have.

You may face financial risks with your film production company. You may face difficulty in securing adequate funding for the production, and could encounter unexpected expenses that could affect the budget. You may also face legal risks with your film production company. For example, you could find yourself in a dispute with a copyright holder over the use of copyrighted material, or you might face a lawsuit from someone who was injured during filming.

6. The operations section

In your business plan, it's also essential to provide a detailed overview of the operations of your film production company.

Start by covering your team, highlighting key roles and your recruitment plan to support the expected growth. Outline the qualifications and experience required for each role and your intended recruitment methods, whether through job boards, referrals, or headhunters.

Next, clearly state your film production company's operating hours, allowing the reader to assess staffing levels adequately. Additionally, mention any plans for varying opening times during peak seasons and how you'll handle customer queries outside normal operating hours.

Then, shift your focus to the key assets and intellectual property (IP) necessary for your business. If you rely on licenses, trademarks, physical structures like equipment or property, or lease agreements, make sure to include them in this section.

You may have key assets such as production equipment and intellectual property (IP) like scripts and storylines. For example, the production equipment could include cameras, lighting, and sound recording equipment, while the intellectual property could include the stories and characters developed for a particular film. These assets and IP could be used to create a unique and engaging film experience for viewers.

Lastly, include a list of suppliers you plan to work with, detailing their services and main commercial terms, such as price, payment terms, and contract duration. Investors are interested in understanding why you've chosen specific suppliers, which may be due to higher-quality products or established relationships from previous ventures.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will present the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes in your film production company business plan, let's look at the solutions you can use to draft yours.

What tool should I use to write my film production company's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main solutions for creating a film production company business plan:

  • Using specialized online business plan software,
  • Outsourcing the plan to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your film production company's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write a film production company business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

  • You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
  • You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
  • You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
  • You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
  • You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
  • You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
  • You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
  • You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your film production company's business plan

Outsourcing your film production company business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

These writers possess valuable experience in crafting business plans and creating accurate financial forecasts. Additionally, enlisting their services can save you precious time, enabling you to concentrate on the day-to-day operations of your business.

It's important to be mindful, though, that hiring business plan writers comes with a cost. You'll be paying not just for their time but also for the software they use, and their profit margin.

Based on experience, a complete business plan usually requires a budget of at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax, and more if revisions are needed after initial meetings with lenders or investors - changes often arise following these discussions.

When seeking investment, be cautious about spending too much on consulting fees. Investors prefer their funds to contribute directly to business growth. Thus, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be negligible compared to the amount you raise.

Another aspect to consider is that while you'll receive the output of the business plan, you usually won't own the actual document. It will be saved in the consultant's business plan software, which will make updating the plan challenging without retaining the consultant on a retainer.

Given these factors, it's essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons of outsourcing your film production company business plan to a business plan writer and decide what best suits your business's unique needs.

Why not create your film production company's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write a film production company business plan is a terrible idea.

For starters, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is very technical and requires both a strong grasp of accounting principles and solid skills in financial modelling.

As a result, it is unlikely anyone will trust your numbers unless - like us at The Business Plan Shop - you hold a degree in finance and accounting and have significant financial modelling experience in your past.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the 1990s and early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Also, using software makes it easy to compare actuals vs. forecasts and maintain our forecasts up to date to maintain visibility on future cash flows - as we discussed earlier in this guide - whereas this is a pain to do with a spreadsheet.

That's for the forecast, but what about the written part of my film production company business plan?

This part is less error-prone, but here also software brings tremendous gains in productivity:

  • Word processors don't include instructions and examples for each part of your business plan
  • Word processors don't update your numbers automatically when they change in your forecast
  • Word processors don't handle the formatting for you

Overall, while Word or Excel may be viable options for creating a film production company business plan for some entrepreneurs, it is by far not the best or most efficient solution.

  • Using business plan software is a modern and cost-effective way of writing and maintaining business plans.
  • A business plan is not a one-shot exercise as maintaining it current is the only way to keep visibility on your future cash flows.
  • A business plan has 2 main parts: a financial forecast outlining the funding requirements of your film production company and the expected growth, profits and cash flows for the next 3 to 5 years; and a written part which gives the reader the information needed to decide if they believe the forecast is achievable.

We hope that this in-depth guide met your expectations and that you now have a clear understanding of how to write your film production company business plan. Do not hesitate to contact our friendly team if you have questions additional questions we haven't addressed here.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

  • How to write a business plan to secure a bank loan?
  • Key steps to write a business plan?
  • Top mistakes to avoid in your business plan

Do you know entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing a film production company? Share this article with them!

Guillaume Le Brouster

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Writing a Film Business Plan: What Should I Include?

Picture of calculator, glasses, and papers

Film business plans. Whether you’ve learned how to make one in film school or not, it’s likely that it’s an essential aspect of your production that you could be overlooking at your own risk.

Those involved in making movies tend to be creative folk and view spending hours pouring over figures on a spreadsheet as anathema to the craft. Even some of the pros dread this unavoidable task… and don’t think that you’re not “pro” enough to get away without doing one.

Even if you’re operating on a micro-budget , it’s still a good idea to get to grips with the best practices of compiling a solid film business plan. It’ll help keep you right on path, it’s good practice for your future career, and it might just help you see the bigger picture and drive you to finish the project.

Today, we’re going to take the sting out of the tail by offering some guidance on how to get started.

You’ll also be pleased to hear that it’s nowhere near as arduous a task as it may seem, which brings us onto our first business plan tip:

However You Start, Make Sure You Start

As is often experienced in screenwriting , putting pen to paper in the first place is usually the hard part. Once you get going, you find your brain kicking into high gear (sometimes to the extent that it’s hard to stop typing!)

The same is true of film business plans. Initially, you might feel like the proverbial rabbit in headlights with no idea how you can possibly account for what you might be spending in the future. However, by starting with the very basic and known figures you do have, you’ll slowly begin to break the back of the spreadsheet and the rest should follow naturally.

And remember, you can always go back and revise things, so don’t be afraid to start jotting down random numbers with the intent to refine them at a later date.

Consider Your Audience

Not the movie’s audience; we’re talking about the people who are most interested in your film business plan.

Screen Shot 2016-01-21 at 11.45.07 AM

Don’t make the classic mistake of assuming investors and potential production collaborators want to see every dime and nickel accounted for, because they really don’t.

What they want you to answer as concisely (and accurately) as possible is this: H ow are you going to sell the movie, and what will be the return on investment?

And that’s it. Everything else is secondary.

Of course, you’ll probably want to keep a more detailed plan for your own reference and that can be produced if requested, but strip out extraneous details that won’t be of interest to an investor (they don’t want to know the hourly rates of every show runner working on set; they just want to know how much it’ll all cost.)

There are a few more sub-sets of this question that you’ll probably tackle along the way, including:

  • How are you spending the cash?
  • Why is this film sellable right now?
  • What is your sales/marketing strategy?
  • What share of the proceeds will you receive?
  • What share of the proceeds will investors get?
  • Are there any perks to investing in this film?

Thinking about these questions will get you ready to pitch your movie efficiently at the drop of a hat, and will help shape your business plan as you put it together. There are a number of other questions over on the Raindance website which you can expect investors to ask, so do check those out.

Calculator and pen

And on the topic of how to go about answering a potential investor’s concerns…

What Should I Include?

The following is by no means exhaustive (and not all of it may be necessary for your particular business plan), but here’s the meat and potatoes that most filmmakers use to convey their pitch:

Outline: A very brief summary of the screenplay — ideally just your logline — and some key figures regarding financial requirements. Bullet points regarding your previous work (or any notable team members) may be of benefit but only if they really are selling points, otherwise, brevity is preferred.

Shooting Schedule: A detailed plan outlining every expected cost behind each scene of the screenplay, including any props needed, cost of travel to locations, and compensation to crew members. A highly important part of the business plan which you may want to work on with the rest of the team, this will be the foundation of an accurate budget projection.

Production Budget: The shooting schedule total, plus the overall production expenditure of the movie.

Marketing Plan: The movie’s target demographics, how you’re going to get it in front of them, and how much that advertizing will cost, as well as conversion rates between how many people you’re expecting to reach and how many of those will go see the movie/buy the DVD.

Distribution Plan: The costs, profits, and expected reach of physical media sales (and the same for online streaming.) If you have details regarding the profits you’re hoping to make from rights sales, this is the place to add them.

Revenue/Profit Projections: Based on extensive market research (rather than guesswork or comparing your film to something similar that was released back in 1992), here you’ll get the chance to really hook the investor by outlaying expected profits and how much of those they’ll receive.

Letters of Intent: A hugely valued part of the business plan which can really pull an investor. Don’t just stop at crew members; letters of intent from other investors really inspire confidence, and don’t forget to also hit up relevant insurance companies covering the production.

31-365 (Year 8) Accounts

You’ll want to close the package off with your executive summary— one or two pages delving more extensively into why the screenplay is a winner, the talent working on the movie and why the investor would be a fool to miss out (although not in those words, obviously!)

In Conclusion…

Rather than seeing your film business plan as an unavoidable headache, instead see it for what it is, i.e the tool you need to attract funding. Sounds a lot more alluring that way, doesn’t it?

Stay focused and get your film business plan nailed down as a matter of priority. The sooner you do, the sooner you can focus on the task at hand: getting to work on your big idea.

Best of luck!

[su_note]Learn more about the Film School at the New York Film Academy by clicking here .[/su_note]

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Crafting Your Film Business Plan: Essential Steps for Success

Film Business Plan Guide

Developing a film business plan is a filmmaker’s strategic tool for attracting investment and bringing a cinematic vision to life. Focused on the core of your concerns, this article directly addresses how to design a film business plan that persuades investors, balances the budget, and plots the path to profitability. Expect clear instructions, crucial financial details, and actionable marketing tactics. Begin your filmmaking endeavor confidently, knowing your business plan has a solid foundation investors can trust.

  • A well-crafted film business plan is vital for mapping your production and financial strategy, detailing every aspect, including your target audience and budget, and attracting investment.
  • Your executive summary should be impactful and convincing, showcasing your film’s narrative, USP, market potential, and a clear outline of your marketing and distribution plans.
  • A thoughtful marketing strategy leveraging social media, strategic partnerships, and film festivals can boost your film’s reach, appeal to your target audience, and significantly enhance revenue potential.

The Essence of a Film Business Plan

A film business plan unlocks your film project’s potential by outlining your vision, strategy, and financial projections, thus laying a foundation for success. Addressing your target audience , establishing a realistic budget, and attracting potential investors pave the way for a successful filmmaking journey. Think of it as your roadmap to achieving your filmmaking goals and bringing your vision to life.

In a film business plan, you’ll find:

  • An income statement which reveals profit or loss
  • A balance sheet that shows assets and liabilities
  • A cash flow statement that helps plan for financial needs.

These statements are vital for showcasing the film’s production and economic viability to potential investors and stakeholders. The success of your film project hinges on a well-crafted financial plan. Your film business plan’s secret weapon is the operations plan . It’s the blueprint for your film production's day-to-day operations and long-term vision. This plan ensures that every goal in your business plan is met and exceeded, from pre-production to post-production. Its primary purpose is to coordinate all aspects of film production and guarantee the systematic conquest of your strategic goals.

Crafting the Executive Summary

The executive summary allows you to highlight the exciting potential of the film project and captivate potential investors. It’s your time to shine and present the film’s production in the best light possible.

Crafting a compelling executive summary involves the following:

  • Providing a riveting description of your film’s story, genre, and target audience
  • Highlighting your film’s unique selling points and market potential
  • Outlining your innovative marketing and distribution strategy .

Additionally, provide a snapshot of your film’s budget, financial projections, and investment opportunities to make your executive summary impactful and irresistible to potential investors.

Defining Your Film Project

The Essence of a Film Business Plan

Defining your film project in the business plan involves presenting the film’s unique selling points, story, themes, genre, style, and notable talent to distinguish it from the competition. This will help you raise money and secure the funding for your film project.

The fantastic selling points of your film project include:

  • Exceptional features that set the film apart
  • Outstanding talent, such as well-known actors, directors, or crew members
  • Transferable tax credits or other financial incentives can make your film project more attractive to investors.

A captivating synopsis showcases the film’s narrative, characters, and plot, providing readers with a clear understanding of its essence and drawing them in. This will help you present a compelling case for investment strategies supporting your film project.

Analyzing the Market

Identifying the target market is paramount to creating a focused and cohesive business plan where all sections are interconnected and aimed at effectively reaching the audience. Filmmakers can unleash the power of their film by considering factors such as:

  • the film’s genre
  • subject matter
  • tapping into specific demographic characteristics like age, gender, and ethnicity

By understanding the dominant audience and potential interest or demographic groups relevant to the film’s content, they can genuinely connect with their audience.

By understanding the market dynamics, you can uncover the geographic appeal of a film and its potential success in different markets. Analyzing similar films’ performances can help you articulate the films' marketability in various regions, setting the stage for blockbuster success. Film comps (comparable films) are a powerful tool for estimating sales projections and gaining insights into how similar films have performed in the market. By carefully selecting the right comps based on the following:

  • budget range
  • potential audiences
  • distribution aspects

You can make informed predictions about the performance of your current project.

Developing a Marketing Strategy

A marketing plan is critical to building a solid audience base for the film and driving significant revenue. Here are some strategies to consider:

  • Leverage the power of social media
  • Use targeted advertising
  • Form strategic partnerships
  • Identify the target audience and preferences

By implementing these strategies, you can maximize the impact of your film’s marketing strategy .

Determine the proper marketing channels and promotional events to elevate your film to new heights.

Social Media Campaigns

TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram are the most effective social media platforms for promoting a film. Get ready to make an impact! Captivate your audience with compelling teasers and trailers, captivating visuals, intriguing captions, and compelling storytelling. Don’t forget to incorporate behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast and crew, and exclusive sneak peeks to generate excitement. Make your film campaign stand out by engaging with your audience through comment responses, contests, and calls to action that link to ticket sales or social media profiles.

Partnerships and Collaborations

In the film industry, production companies play a crucial role in forming strategic partnerships and collaborations, enabling the amalgamation of talented individuals to create exceptional content. By working together, they can amplify the visibility and impact of a film, leading to more tremendous success. You can build mutually beneficial relationships by approaching partnerships positively and cooperatively.

Securing partnerships requires the following steps:

  • Effective identification of potential partners
  • Pitching the film project to them
  • Negotiating terms that reflect the collaboration’s value
  • Executing the agreed-upon partnerships.

Film Festival Submissions

Submitting a film to a festival offers many benefits, including:

  • Gaining exposure
  • Networking with industry professionals
  • Reaching a global audience
  • Gaining recognition and credibility
  • Improving filmmaking skills
  • Winning awards
  • Potentially securing distribution deals

Don’t miss out on the valuable connections and discussions that could arise from this experience.

Create a captivating one-sheet and trailer, then complete the necessary forms with all the details.

  • Keep the screening status updated and seek advice from festival programmers.
  • Don’t forget to find a compelling story behind your film and consider submitting it to smaller festivals.
  • Success hinges on understanding the festival’s requirements.

Production Planning: From Pre-Production to Post-Production

Film Post-Production Meeting

To create a winning film business plan, include a detailed breakdown of the production timeline, milestones, key deliverables, and an overview of the resources and personnel needed at each process stage in the production plan section. Creating a preliminary schedule is a prerequisite to ensure efficient resource planning and timing. It provides a rough estimate of the shooting duration, whether a day or an entire week and sets the foundation for a successful film project.

Showcasing Your Management Team

Spotlighting the critical players on the team, such as the film’s producer(s), director, notable cast members, and other crucial personnel like the cinematographer and editor, is essential. Highlighting their relevant education, professional background, film festival selections, awards, distribution deals, achievements such as staying under budget, finishing ahead of schedule, increasing viewership, and industry-specific expertise and leadership can make the management team stand out and shine.

Financial Projections and Budgeting

The budget should accurately reflect the cost of the project, not your desired cost. This will help in the realistic planning and execution of the project. When creating revenue projections, you should consider:

  • Market analyses
  • The potential for international distribution deals
  • Ancillary markets like DVD and VOD
  • Comparables with similar films.

Avoid the common mistake of equating box office success with massive returns for investors and understand specific factors that affect distributor prices, such as star power and regional appeal.

Budget Breakdown

Creating a comprehensive film budget that covers all essential costs for a successful production is within your reach. Here are the key areas to consider:

  • Pre-production expenses
  • Production expenses
  • Post-production expenses
  • Marketing expenses
  • Distribution expenses

Let’s make it happen.

The average cost of pre-production for an independent film is typically less than $2 million, so with the proper planning and strategy, you can keep your costs under control and make your independent film a reality.

Revenue Projections

Calculating revenue projections for a film involves analyzing the performance of similar films and conducting comprehensive market research to gauge demand. The primary sources of income for a film that should be included in revenue projections are:

  • Television rights
  • Video-on-demand
  • Streaming services
  • Box office sales
  • Distribution deals
  • Merchandise
  • Product placements

Prepare to tap into your film’s revenue potential.

ROI Expectations

Calculating ROI in the film industry involves evaluating a film project's financial gains or losses in relation to the resources invested. A remarkable ROI for a film project usually falls within 20% to 125%. To project the ROI for your film, it’s essential to consider factors such as the film’s budget, target audience, and marketing and distribution strategies.

Carefully analyzing these factors allows for more accurate projections and paves the way for success.

Attracting Potential Investors

Attracting Potential Investors for a Movie

In crafting a compelling film business plan, it is necessary to include:

  • Different levels of investment
  • The minimum investment amount
  • Expected return on investment
  • Additional perks or benefits for investors

This will help attract potential investors and make your plan stand out.

A financing plan is crucial in a film business plan as it outlines the financing methods and investor risk-mitigating strategies, providing potential investors with a clear understanding of their funding options and risk management.

Navigating Film Distribution Options

A distribution plan is crucial, as most shwithms gain minimal visibility without propemoreing. Let’s make sure your film gets the attention it deserves. Self-distribution is your chance to take charge and explore non-traditional DIY distribution options.

This includes terrific avenues like Foreign, VOD, Home Video, Theatrical self-releasing, and Non-Theatrical platforms. You’ve got the power to make it happen.

In summary, crafting a comprehensive film business plan is a critical step in the filmmaking process. It serves as a roadmap, guiding you from the initial idea to the final product, helping you stay on track with your vision, and attracting potential investors. It forces you to be clear about your film’s unique selling points, target audience, and marketing strategy. It helps you make informed decisions about the production plan, budget, and distribution strategy. With a well-crafted film business plan, you’re setting the stage for a successful filmmaking journey. So, let’s get started and turn your filmmaking dreams into reality!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i start my own film company.

To start your own film company, you must incorporate or become an LLC, create a business plan, find a script you want to produce, and seek essential funding and mentorship. Find your company's niche and appoint a strong leadership team. Good luck with your exciting venture!

What is an LLC for film production?

An LLC for film production is an important step that can help protect the personal assets of investors and filmmakers by placing the liability of the output into a single legal entity. It's a valuable tool for mitigating risk and providing a sense of security.

How to write a film business plan?

To write a film business plan, include sections such as Executive Summary, Market Analysis, Financial Projections, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of the project and its potential. Good luck with your plan!

What is a film business plan, and why is it important?

A film business plan is essential because it serves as a roadmap for the filmmaking process, helps attract potential investors, and guides informed decisions about production, budget, and distribution. It outlines the film's vision, strategy, and financial projections.

What should be included in the executive summary of a film business plan?

Make sure to include a compelling description of your film's story, unique selling points, market potential, marketing strategy, distribution plan, and financial projections in the executive summary to captivate potential investors and stakeholders. This will help them grasp the essence of your film business plan quickly.

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Production Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Production Company Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Production Company business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their production companies.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Production Company business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

ABQ Reels Video Production is a startup production company located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company is founded by Mark Johnson, an entertainment industry veteran who has over 25 years of experience working in video production. Now that Mark has experienced managing a production business, he is ready to start his own company, ABQ Reels Video Production. Mark is confident that his video production skills, combined with his understanding of business management, will enable him to run a profitable production company of his own. Mark is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of video production – sales and marketing, client relationship management, budgeting, financial reporting, and project management.

ABQ Reels Video Production will provide a full suite of production services for small scale video projects in the Albuquerque area. ABQ Reels Video will be the go-to production studio in Albuquerque for its tailored approach and client-first focus. The company will be the ultimate choice for customer service while ensuring the highest quality standards for production in the area.

Product Offering

The following are the services that ABQ Reels Video Production will provide:

  • Content Development
  • Sourcing & Hiring Film Crew
  • Planning & Logistics
  • Post-Production Services

Customer Focus

ABQ Reels Video Production will target businesses and individuals in Albuquerque that are looking for video production services for small-scale projects, commercials, and social media. No matter the customer, ABQ Reels Video Production will deliver the best communication, service, and customized production tailored to fit each project’s needs.

Management Team

ABQ Reels Video Production will be owned and operated by Mark Johnson. Mark is a graduate of New Mexico University with a degree in Film Production. He has over 25 years of experience working in video production, and over ten years as a production manager. Mark will be the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Production Manager. He will oversee the production process, production equipment, and production staff’s activities.

Mark has recruited a business management expert, Emily Martinez, to be the company’s Chief Operating Officer and help oversee the production business operations. Emily will handle the day-to-day operations, including budgeting, client relationships, and logistics.

Mark and Emily have recruited an experienced marketing director, Steve Smith, to become a member of the ABQ Reels Video Production management team. Steve is a graduate of the University of California with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Mark and Emily rely on Steve’s expertise to execute the company’s marketing plan and advertising strategies.

Success Factors

ABQ Reels Video Production will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Skilled team of production experts and project management professionals who will oversee each project from start to finish and ensure the customers’ needs are met.
  • ABQ Reels Video Production is able to provide production services for a wide range of purposes using the latest production technology.
  • The company is able to leverage the expertise of its leadership team to provide customers with the best possible production services from knowledgeable industry veterans.

Financial Highlights

ABQ Reels Video Production is seeking $800,000 in debt financing to launch its production business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the production facility and purchasing production equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Facility build-out: $340,000
  • Production equipment, supplies, and materials: $280,000
  • Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $160,000
  • Marketing costs: $10,000
  • Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for ABQ Reels Video Production.

Company Overview

Who is abq reels video production.

ABQ Reels Video Production is a newly established production company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company will provide a full suite of production services for small scale video projects in the Albuquerque area. ABQ Reels will be the go-to production studio in Albuquerque for its tailored approach and client-first focus.

The company will be the ultimate choice for customer service while providing the highest quality standards for production in the area. ABQ Reels Video Production will be able to guarantee the highest quality standards for all of its productions thanks to the latest and most innovative production equipment and oversight from industry veterans. The company’s team of highly qualified professionals experienced in production and project management will oversee each project from start to finish.

ABQ Reels Video Production History

ABQ Reels Video Production is owned and operated by Mark Johnson, an entertainment industry veteran who has over 25 years of experience working in video production. Now that Mark has experienced managing a production business, he is ready to start his own company, ABQ Reels Video Production. Mark is confident that his video production skills, combined with his understanding of business management, will enable him to run a profitable production company of his own. Mark is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of video production – sales and marketing, client relationship management, budgeting, financial reporting, and project management.

Since incorporation, ABQ Reels Video Production has achieved the following milestones:

  • Registered ABQ Reels Video Production, LLC to transact business in the state of New Mexico
  • Has identified the ideal facility for lease to set up the business operations
  • Reached out to numerous contacts to include former colleagues, employees, and production assistants to start putting a skilled core team together
  • Began recruiting a staff of accountants, production assistants, and sales personnel to work at ABQ Reels Video Production

ABQ Reels Video Production Services

Industry analysis.

The production industry in the U.S. is a $26B market with approximately 6.3K businesses and over 46K employees nationwide. The outlook for the production market is positive with demand expected to remain steady over the next several years.

The production industry can be categorized by type of production. Some of the most common types of production companies are film production, TV production, commercial production, and post-production. Production companies perform a wide range of services including scripting, casting, hiring, planning, and logistics. Some production companies handle large-scale projects like major motion pictures, while others specialize in small-scale projects like commercials.

Some of the most significant demand drivers are the growing popularity of streaming content, consumer preferences for viewing on smartphones, and social media influence. All of these factors have contributed to increased demand for content, which leads to increased demand for production services.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

ABQ Reels Video Production will target businesses and individuals in Albuquerque that are looking for video production services for small-scale projects such as video for commercials and social media.

The precise demographics for Albuquerque, New Mexico are:

Customer Segmentation

ABQ Reels Video will primarily target the following customer profiles:

  • Small Businesses in Albuquerque in need of commercial production services
  • Mid-Sized Businesses in Albuquerque in need of commercial production services
  • Individuals and groups of people in Albuquerque who need video production services for small personal or professional projects

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

ABQ Reels Video Production will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

VIEWR 1st Video Production

VIEWR 1st Video Production is one of the largest commercial production companies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company provides a variety of production services including content development, logistics, and film crew recruitment. VIEWR 1st Video Production specializes in creating commercials for local businesses to use in their advertising campaigns. VIEWR 1st Video Production aims to deliver high quality production through the latest production equipment and experienced crew. VIEWR 1st Video Production’s team of production professionals are well-known in the area for their outstanding commercial work.

Albuquerque’s Best Productions

Albuquerque’s Best Productions is a small production company established in 2005 that caters to local businesses and residents in Albuquerque, New Mexico and surrounding areas. Albuquerque’s Best Productions provides pre-to-post-production services for projects of various sizes and purposes. The company also provides tours of the production facility to local residents, businesses, and schools for a nominal fee. The owners of Albuquerque’s Best Production are former production assistants of some of the biggest production companies in the nation so they understand the production process from start to finish.

SPESHAL EFFEX

SPESHAL EFFEX is a trusted Albuquerque, New Mexico-based production company that provides superior production services to clients in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas. Established in 2018, the company is able to provide a wide variety of production services using its state-of-the-art production equipment. SPESHAL EFFEX serves local business owners, students, and individuals on small-to-large scale video projects. The company prides itself on being the number one choice for innovative special effects used in all of its videos.

Competitive Advantage

ABQ Reels Video Production will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

ABQ Reels Video Production will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

  • The company is able to leverage the expertise of its leadership team to provide customers with the best possible production process from knowledgeable industry veterans and project management professionals.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for ABQ Reels Video Production is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

The company’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. He will ensure ABQ Reels Video Production maintains an active social media presence with regular updates and fun content to get customers excited about production.

Professional Associations and Networking

ABQ Reels Video Production will become a member of professional associations such as the American Production Company Association, Albuquerque Video Production Society, and the New Mexico Video Production Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the company’s vendor and client network.

Print Advertising

ABQ Reels Video Production will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The company will also send direct mailers to local businesses who are in the target market.

Website/SEO Marketing

ABQ Reels Video Production will utilize the in-house marketing director that designed the print ads to also design the company website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that ABQ Reels Video is able to provide. The website will also list information on the company’s events and client success stories.

The marketing director will also manage ABQ Reels Video’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “Albuquerque production company” or “video production near me”, ABQ Reels Video Production will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of ABQ Reels Video Production will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the company’s production services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for ABQ Reels Video Production.

Operation Functions:

  • Mark Johnson will be the CEO and Production Manager of the company. He will oversee the production staff, production process, and the production equipment. Mark has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
  • Emily Martinez – Chief Operating Officer who will manage the budgeting, vendor and customer relationships, and day-to-day logistics.
  • John Miller – Accountant/Bookkeeper will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
  • Steve Smith – Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and outreach.

Milestones:

ABQ Reels Video Production will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

12/1/2022 – Finalize lease on the facility

12/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the ABQ Reels Video Production management team

1/1/2023 – Begin build-out of the facility, purchase equipment, and set up for production

1/15/2023 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan

2/15/2032 – Finalize contracts for initial production assistants, sales personnel, and office staff

3/15/2023 – ABQ Reels Video Production officially opens for business and starts taking on projects

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for ABQ Reels Video Production are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the company’s production services. When it comes to pricing, the studio will monitor production costs, average prices charged by competitors, and market demand to ensure its prices will generate a healthy profit margin.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a production company. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

  • Average number of minutes produced per month: 12,000
  • Average fees per month: $36,000
  • Overhead costs per year: $840,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, production company business plan faqs, what is a production company business plan.

A production company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your production company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your production company business plan using our Production Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Production Companies?

There are a number of different kinds of music companies , some examples include: Feature Film Production, Commercial Production, Post Production, and Niche Production Company.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Production Company Business Plan?

Production companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding. This is true for a business plan for a film production company  or a film production company business plan.

What are the Steps To Start a Production Company?

Starting a production company  can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Video Production Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed video production company business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your production company . This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your production company  is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Production Company   - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your production company  with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your production company , so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Production Company Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your production company , you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your production company . This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

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#1 Film Business Plan Template

Film Business Plan Template

  • Movie Investor Package
  • Film Business Plan Template

Our Feature Film Business Plan template has been evolving since 2002 and successfully used by hundreds of filmmakers around the world to raise their film financing. We have consistently worked with filmmakers and investors and updated our template after every film investor interaction to add all the best practices we come across. After every meeting, we adjust our Film Business Plan Template based directly on film investor feedback. Our Film Plan allows you to present your film business case using only the VERY BEST of the best information accumulated by film investors and filmmakers after 20+ years in the film industry.

Film Business Plan Template

This Film Business Plan Template is professionally formatted and includes all the key business plan sections, with dozens of real-world examples in each. Our business plan was created by film investors and top industry producers, with the specific goal of helping filmmakers find film investors and secure funding. The business plan template is fully customizable to suit most any indie film project.

  • Professional Presentation - The template is key to finding and attracting financing, as it walks you through the nuts and bolts of your project so you present the investment opportunity in the best light possible, without compromising your creativity.
  • Business Plan Outline - Includes all key sections of a professional Business Plan, including Company, Project, Industry, Market, Investment and Financial Opportunity.
  • Real World Examples - Examples from other successful business plans are included in every key section of the film business plan template.
  • Return on Investment (ROI) - make your compelling case for why a potential investor should invest in your film
  • Latest Research - we constantly scour the industry's leading resources for release patterns, streaming deals, festival acquisitions and more.

This easy-to-use Film Business Plan Template is included all of our Film Financing Packages and Bundles , along with our Film Proposals and Financing Manual, Film Projections Templates, Indie Film Pitch Deck, Latest Industry Statistics and much more. All of our products are available for immediate download and come with a 60-day full 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!

NEW! Documentary Business Plan & Documentary Pitch Deck

FilmProposals is thrilled to offer help to documentary producers looking for investors, by enhancing our Film Fundraising toolkits to address the specific needs of documentarians. The highlight is a unique Documentary Business Plan Template included in all of our Film Financing Toolkits and Bundles . Much of the Documentary Business Plan is just like that of our narrative Film Business Plan Template, however, we've also done some major custom work to specifically highlight why documentaries are a great investment and how to best showcase your documentary to investors:

Documentary Business Plan Template

  • Documentary Business Plan Template - this new template is completely redone to focus only on documentary films. Recent successes, emerging documentary trends, streaming and studio deals, distribution patterns, audience statistics, revenue generated for sample films and much more. When did Docs become profitable and start selling for $5M or $10M at festivals? We lay it all out for you...
  • Documentary Pitch Deck - while our pitch deck template can be used for any type of film, you will use your business plan research to ensure the deck showcases your documentary as a worthy investment opportunity
  • Financial Projections/ Comparable Films - our custom database and custom financial projections flow seamlessly for both documentaries and narrative films

The new Documentary Business Plan Template is included in ALL of our Film Financing Toolkits and Bundles , so you can purchase any of them and be well on your way to funding any part of your documentary with private investments.

Film Business Plan Template Screenshots

The film plan template is consistently updated (including 2024). Screenshots may be dated, but our Film Business Plan template is not.

Film Business Plan Template Screenshots

Feature Film Business Plan Template

The film business plan template is a step-by-step guide so you understand your film as a business proposition to film investors. We walk you through the nuts and bolts of your project, and the business side of the film industry, so you present the investment opportunity in the best light possible, without compromising your creativity. We have done all the heavy lifting and all you need is to focus on your film, target audience and marketing/distribution plan.

Film Business Plan Sections

Examples from other successful business plans are included in every key section of the film business plan template.

Executive Summary

You write this section last. It is the one page overview of everything that follows. Just wait until you see your plan all put together and you get to read through how good your investment opportunity sounds out loud, with proven industry statistics, real world examples and well-crafted language. This is always the highlight for every filmmaker - when they get to say, "Wow! I would totally invest in this film and here's why..."

Company Section

This is where you discuss the type of company you've set up and why, highlight all the successes of your management team and producers, describe what you're all about and highlight the competitive advantages your team has over any others.

The Project

This is where you get to tell your story, describe your project, use your log-line, compare briefly to other films, development highlights to date, talent attached and more.

The Industry

This is where your business plan gets good! Filmproposals has fine-tuned this section with dozens of known film investors. We highlight all the latest industry trends and awards using references to elite sources, describe how the film industry works, use the latest box office and other film industry statistics and describe the overview of the movie industry simply and clearly. This section is updated multiple times per year so it always has the most current information available.

Marketing Plan

Here is where you want to discuss your specific target markets and audience: who are they, how many, their demographics, how you will target them, what are their past habits, etc. We provide a few examples, but leave you plenty of room to get creative with your marketing strategy. Read More: Film Marketing Plan & Distribution Plan Expert Advice

The Investment Opportunity

Ahhh...this is where we really shine! First, we put all the mandatory disclaimers (film investment is inherently risky....) and then we talk about all the ways you have mitigated these risks! You add on exactly how your investment opportunity is structured (Distribution Waterfall, Recoupment Schedule options are included in our Financing Manual) and how you plan to pay your investors back. You then use all the included full explanations and detailed notes and charts for every line item, to explain how you arrived at all your calculations.

Distribution Plan

Here we emphasize how crucial the distribution strategy is to any type of film. We walk through film festivals, theatrical release, digital release (streaming and VOD), TV, other ancillary markets and why independent films have more opportunities and advantages than ever before. You just pick and choose which sections are right for your project and customize them based on your distribution strategy

Confidentiality Notice

Basic legal info to protect you, your project and any potential investors.

You then add on any other relevant documentation, such as your budget (template included in our Film Financing Packages), official agreements, letters of intent and more. Not ready to buy the full template? Try our How to Write a Film Business Plan Free Course.

Film Business Plan

As it turned out, the business plan WAS the hardest thing I've ever done, but with the tools in the package, it made it much less stressful and the more I got into it, I thought to myself - YES!!! - thank god someone knows what they're doing...

Film Business Plan

Melissa, I was extremely hesitant in purchasing even your lowest priced package. It all sounded to good to be true. I spent 2 months last year writing a business plan from scratch for a different medium. So I just couldn't imagine getting anything worth while for the prices you were offering. But I have an investor that requested a detailed plan with financial projections within 2 weeks, so I pulled the trigger on your Gold + Financials Filmmaker Bundle .

It was the best money I've ever spent! Can't even begin to tell you what a difference it makes. So concise and on point. Makes putting the plan together so fluid and easy. Not having to worry about what to cover, only how to best state it for my film project. Amazing. Thank you so much. Worth every dollar! - Michael

How a Script Turns Into Film Financing

A Business Plan is a tool that helps you turn your film ideas or scripts into an investment opportunity. Saying “I have a script about XYZ and need $100 to make my film” is exactly like saying “I made this pasta dish and need $100 to open my restaurant”

Being a great chef and being a great restaurant manager are two entirely different skillsets. Can one person be both? Of course. Can you have a successful restaurant without both? No. Would you give someone money to open a restaurant because they made you a great dinner? (We hope not!)

A great chef alone is not enough to get investors. You must have a plan for how you are going build, run and maintain the restaurant. Physical build, marketing, branding, ordering, making menus, publicity, systems, hiring staff and on and on. These are the things that will cost money, and hence they are the investment.

A script is not an investment vehicle. A script may attach top level talent, but film investors don't look for scripts - they look for investment opportunities that will provide them a potential profit on the money they invest (ROI - return on investment). A completed script does not require any money. If you want to sell your script and be done, option it to a studio. If you are looking for film financing, because you want to make your own film, then you want to focus on your business, which is film production.

If any of these sound like you, now is the time to put together your Film Business Plan:

  • I have a great script and am looking for film investors
  • Where do I find film investors?
  • You are searching online for "film investor database" or "film investors seeking scripts" or "investors for filmmakers," or worse, posting on social media for the same

The FASTEST Way to Write Your Film Business Plan

We've been helping filmmakers raise their film financing for over 20 years. One way we do this is by providing a variety of ways for filmmakers to write their Film Business Plans. The different ways have a wide range in terms of budget, time and level of expertise backing. By working directly with filmmakers, we've learned some love the business and money side of the industry, and others, not so much. This is why we've crafted different approaches based on a time/value/skillset formula to suit every type of filmmaker.

Fastest Business Plan With The Most Industry Expertise

If you want to impress your investors in the most professional way, our Platinum Plus Financing Package is for you. You'll be bringing in the combined expertise of Nash Info Services (the movie data gurus behind the-numbers.com) and FilmProposals, as well as entertainment attorneys and prior successful filmmakers. You will also have your plan done in less than two weeks. NIS will be running your 20 Comparable Films (much more impressive than 10 films, since you get to choose from 20,000+ films), while FilmProposals has done all the heavy lifting in our Film Business Plan Template - the industry (including the latest streaming & festival deals, award winners and industry stats), the market, and the financial (how the film business works and how a movie earns money) section.

You simply write up your management bios, your target audience and your distribution plan. There is also the option outsource your Marketing Plan, with our Business Plan Sections - Done For You , but we have already given you the roadmap on exactly how to approach your Marketing and Distribution Plans using an analytical and proven approach. You'll have a Film Investor Agreement, a real PPM (private placement memorandum), most of the legal docs that prove you're ready to maintain your Chain of Title and a Pitch Deck template. This is our most impressive package, we have seen it work time and again, and is best for those with a high end, professional mindset targeting the same with their investors.

Fastest Business Plan With Some Industry Expertise

You can scale the Platinum Plus back to our Gold Toolkit + Financials Bundle - you get a lot of the above. Key differences are 10 Comparable Films, chosen from our scaled down database of 400+ indie films, no PPM and the Legal Pack (Chain of Title) is an optional add-on. You'll still have the Business Plan Template, Film Investor Agreement and Pitch Deck Template. This package has helped dozens of filmmakers secure investors over the years and is a solid option for those with a lighter budget. A higher time investment on your end, a bit less expertise behind you, but a lower financial investment.

DIY Business Plan With Some Industry Expertise

The Gold Toolkit is best for those who want to really dive in to the film business and do the heavy lifting themselves. You still get a ton of Filmproposals expertise and templates, but you'll get into the nitty gritty of financial projections, comparable films, marketing plan, distribution plan and finding film investors. Just like our other bundles and toolkits, filmmakers have raised millions of dollars of film funding with this package.

FREE Sample Business Plan Template

Our actual Business Plan Template in Microsoft Word is always up to date (this sample is older), fully editable and contains far more detail and text than this short excerpt. You can either share the template below or subscribe to our FREE Business Plan Course and have it delivered to your inbox .

Click to download the FREE Movie Business Plan Sample .

FREE Movie Business Plan Sample

These film business plan tips will help you to attract investors and present the offer that gets their attention. The research process inherent to preparing a business plan forces you to look at the financing of other films and refine your precise film investor offer. This process will lead you straight to finding and securing the right investors for your movie.

Whether you use a film business plan, private placement memorandum, film investor agreement or other fundraising vehicle, the thought process required to complete your film business plan is invaluable and will help you stand out from the crowd and pitch your project in a way that compels investors to want a piece of your investment opportunity!

FREE Course - How to Write a Film Business Plan

How to Write a Film Business Plan is the Number 1 goal of most of our filmmakers, so we wrote a FREE How to Write a Movie Business Plan online course. Writing a business plan can be overwhelming to some, and while our FilmProposals Business Plan Bundles & Toolkits will save you hundreds of hours with prewritten text and templates and speed up your learning curve by showing you how to complete complicated financial projections, there is still a lot of information to process. We designed this Film Business Plan Course to be sent once per week to break the process of writing your business plan into manageable pieces, and to keep you accountable and focused. In case you can't see the sign up form, try here .

How to Write a Film Business Plan

Top of Film Business Plan Template

Crafting a Film Distribution Plan

Your Film Distribution Plan just may be the way to unlock the secret pathway to the big screen for your indie film. Dive into our comprehensive guide on crafting a compelling distribution strategy to woo audiences and critics alike! Our definitive exploration of indie film distribution, where we unveil the strategies that will help independent filmmakers navigate the complex terrain of getting their work in front of eager audiences. Learn all about: Crafting the Ultimate Film Distribution Plan .

Film Distribution Plan

Top of Film Business Plan

  • Indie Film Return on Investment

Discover the secrets behind skyrocketing yours while unraveling the blend of creative storytelling and strategic financial planning. Dive in to learn how to balance artistic passion with profitable entrepreneurship in the world of indie film. Embarking on the journey of independent filmmaking is a challenge in and of itself, but the path to profitability requires an astute blend of creativity and business acumen. The quest for a substantial Return on Investment (ROI) is not merely a financial ambition; it's a necessary strategy to sustain your passion and continue producing impactful stories. More Info: Indie Film Return on Investment

Indie Film Return on Investment

Top of Film Business Plan Tips

How to use a Film Investor Agreement

What does the deal actually look like between you and your investors? Who is getting paid first, when and how much? What does profit participation look like? How do you ensure nothing is standing between you and an interested film investor?

One way is by using a Film Investor Agreement .

Film Investor Agreement

Tips on Film Marketing Plan & Distribution Plan

Your Film Marketing Plan & Distribution Plans are the hardest parts of your business plan to complete. FilmProposals has done all the heavy lifting for you for your financial projections, covering the industry, using top tier research and statistics and discussing all the latest release trends and acquisitions. However, Film Marketing and Distribution Plans are unique to every film and this is where a producer has to focus their efforts to be successful. When you have these mapped out, investors and distributors will know you have a solid deal on the table. Luckily, we've helped so many successful filmmakers over the years, and now offer our expert formula for reaching your audience, winning film festivals and getting distribution .

Film Marketing Plan & Distribution Plan

Why Start a Film Production Company

Filmmakers gain a huge advantage when they start a film production company . This process allows them to pursue equity-based crowdfunding for larger sums across a wider base of investors than just typical donation-based crowdfunding. It also helps to protect your film, management team, opens additional financing opportunities and makes your projects far more appealing to film investors. You will, of course, need to secure legal counsel to pursue this path, however, here is a high level overview of some of your options.

Why to Start a Film Production Company

Independent Film Companies and How They Got Started

For any indie filmmaker, independent film companies are greatly important. More often than not, these are the only movie companies indie filmmakers have the potential to work with. But the origin stories of your favorite indie movie company in the film industry may surprise you and will definitely enlighten you and provide inspiration as you embark on starting your own independent film company .

Independent Film Companies

Advanced Business Plan Tips

We are going to assume the finer details of your project are worked out, you already have a killer script and dive straight into the lesser-known secrets of business plan writing. Here we look at a few of the common pitfalls, some practical advice on how to avoid them and put you in the stakeholder’s shoes with some hypothetical pitches. Learn more: Advanced Business Plan Tips

Practical Tips for Writing Your Film Business Plan

  • Film Business Plan VOD Projections

The new world of VOD and being able to target your market directly is fantastic news for producers, especially those who could or did not follow the traditional distributor model. However, unlike the traditional theater/distributor model, these opportunities are much more difficult for projections and business plans. Use our outline of the different VOD business models, costs and calculations associated with each, as well as which statistics and case studies you want to use in your business plans. More Info: Film Business Plan VOD Projections

Film Business Plan VOD Projections

Where To Get Film Industry Statistics

One of the keys to any business plan is to look at historical and projected industry trends. Do you know how well filmed entertainment is doing now and how or if it is projected to grow? Which segments and countries have the most promise? Streaming and VOD trends? Which markets and audiences are succeeding and which are trending down? You can't possibly talk to investors unless YOU know your industry cold. Learn more: Film Industry Statistics

Film Industry Statistics

The business plan info really opened my eyes to how a lot of this business is so dependent on a sound business plan... and that creativity does not have to be compromised. -- More Testimonials

Film Business Plan

... I'm now sending out my completed business plan/film proposal document to potential investors and the one comment I'm getting back almost immediately is that it's so well laid out and professional. Believe me, first impressions really do count. --

More Film Business Plan Tips

  • Sundance: Why the Aggressive Indie-Film Market Reflects Real Promise for the Future
  • Independent Film Market Rebounds at Sundance Film Festival
  • Indie Film Lives, Thrives, Blossoms & Blooms !!

Attract Investors with Your Plan

  • Film Marketing Plan & Distribution Plan Expert Advice
  • Film Distribution Plan
  • Professional Film Financial Projections
  • Use a Film Investor Agreement
  • Advanced Film Business Plan Tips
  • About Independent Film Companies
  • Start a Film Production Company
  • Film Industry Statistics
  • FREE How to Write a Film Business Plan Course

Film Business Plan Tips

FilmProposals - 2024 Financing Toolkits & Bundles

DIY Toolkits, Legal & Finance Service Bundles See All Financing Toolkits , Financing Bundles & Film Legal Packs

Gold Toolkit

  • Financing Manual
  • Financial Projections Template
  • Business Plan Templates (Narrative & Documentary)
  • Investor Agreement Outline
  • Film Budget Template
  • Indie Film Pitch Deck
  • Custom Indie Film Database
  • BONUSES (MPA Market Stats, Dealmaking, Investor Tips, ++ )
  • Regular Price $303, Save $124

Gold Toolkit + Financials Bundle

  • Full Gold Toolkit
  • + Professional Sales Projections & Investor ROI (10 Films)
  • Regular Price $802, Save $203

Platinum Bundle

  • + Professional Sales Projections & Investor ROI -10 Films (Reg $499)
  • + Film PPM Investor Agreement (Reg $499)
  • + Filmmaker Legal Pack (Reg $129)
  • Regular Price $1430, Save $431

Coming Through the Rye

Just want to thank you for your materials and help over the past year. I could not have raised the $1.5 million or made this film without the materials you provided. The bargain of my career! - James Sadwith, Producer, Writer, Director, Coming Through the Rye

Inside Sportfishing

Finished my deck on Friday. Got it into a few potential investor’s hands over the weekend, and by Monday had 3 out of the 10 available memberships spoken for at $160K each. The revenue projections and film comparable services by NASH, along with the business plan and pitch deck templates were instrumental in presenting the project in such a way that financially minded potential investors could understand the movie business, the market and how my project could possibly give them a substantial ROI. Melissa was amazing throughout the entire process. Always there to answer any questions. Couldn’t have done it without you guys. Can’t thank you enough. Best money I’ve ever spent. - Michael F, Executive Producer, Inside Sportfishing ( Gold + Financials Bundle )

FilmProposals Tools and Templates

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FilmProposals Business Plan Templates

ProfitableVenture

Film and Video Production Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Media Sector

Are you about starting a film and video production company ? If YES, here is a complete sample film and video production business plan template & feasibility study you can use for FREE .

If you have ever come across a movie buff, chances are that you will notice the way at which they are able to analyze a movie for expertise or mediocrity. The truth is that these folks can tell when a movie has been well produced. This is one of the reasons why those who are at the helms of affair in the movie production business try their best to churn out quality stuff.

Starting a film and video production company is one of the best things that may happen to you. This is because of the promising nature of the trade. As a matter of fact millionaires are being made every time in the movie production world. Good news still remains that there are newbies every now and then.

A Sample Film and Video Production Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

We can hardly talk about the film and video production industry without mentioning big players in the industry such as 21 st Century Fox, Time Warner, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom Inc. et al. These are companies that truly define the trends in the industry.

Basically, film and video production industry is an industry that is responsible for producing and distributing motion pictures and videos. This industry does not include third-party providers such as distributors and disc manufacturers, as well as products, such as television shows and made-for-television movies, aimed specifically toward television et al.

Despite the fact that film and video production business can be expensive to run, the business is indeed a thriving business that has loads of players making huge profits from the industry. One thing is certain, if a film and video production company can successfully produce a major hit movie or musical video; it won’t be too long before video recording contracts come calling from all over the united states and beyond.

Players in the Film and Video Production industry struggled with mounting film production costs and of course the decline in theater/cinema attendance.

It is now common in recent times to find the average movie producers increasingly investing in high – end special effects hence they choose to shift their focus toward generating high ticket sales as against increasing the number of dramas and comedies, which usually generate comparatively lower revenue.

The industry is exploring now maximizing new distribution channels to continue to increase revenue generation so as to break even after spending huge sum of money to produce a movie.

Any entrepreneur who intends to start a film and video production company must be ready to pull enough cash to be able to acquire expensive film and video production gears, for location shooting equipment and professional movie editing software amongst many other expenses associated with movie production.

In other to cut cost especially when starting out, movie producers often rent shooting equipment for a fraction of its cost, which has helped limit the massive capital expenditures that would otherwise be necessary to produce major films.

For instance, in 2015 alone, for every dollar spent on labor, movie producers incur an estimated $0.22 in capital expenditures. In the last five years, capital intensity has remained fairly constant.

The Film and Video Production industry still depend on experts(highly skilled workers and artists) in all stages of the production process, and highly talented and hardworking employees are required for planning, shooting, editing and distributing films.

The Film and Video Production industry is indeed witnessing a steady growth over the years- especially in countries such as the United States, Nigeria, india and China et al. Though for some underdeveloped countries where piracy is still on rampage, the growth is a bit redundant.

Statistics has it that the Film and Video Production industry in the United States of America, is worth $34bn, with an estimated growth rate of 0.7 percent. There are about 6,527 registered and licensed film and video production companies in the United States and they are responsible for employing about 63,228 people.

One good thing about starting a film and video production business is that even if you decided to start it in the United States of America, your market would not be restricted to business opportunities in the U.S.; the world will be your target market.

Many thanks to the internet that has made the world a global village. All you need to do is to strategically position your film and video production brand on the internet and you will be amazed at the rate people will be calling you from all parts of the world.

2. Executive Summary

Film production is one art that requires a ton of skills. This is so that nothing short of the best is produced. Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is a one stop and standard film and video production company that is fully equipped with the latest technology in the film and video production industry.

Our film and video production studio will be located in the heart of Inglewood, Los Angeles – California, U.S and we are positioned to work for a wide range of client ranging from individual clients to corporate organizations, national clients to international clients and players in the Hollywood industry et al.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company will engage in all aspect of business services synonymous to standard organization operating in the film and video production industry.

Our business goal is to work towards becoming one of the leading film and video production brand in the whole of Los Angeles and in the nearest future compete with the leaders in the industry not only in the United States but also in the global stage.

We are not ignorant of the fact that building a standard and world class film and video production company from the scratch requires huge capital base- essentially for the purchase of world – class and latest film and video production equipment; which is why we have perfect plans for steady flow of cash from our business partners with interest in our line of business.

We can confidently say that we have a robust financial standing and we are ready to take on any challenge that we encounter in the industry.

We will ensure that all our employees are selected from a pool of talented and highly creative people with eyes for good movies in and around Los Angeles – California (with bias from Hollywood) and also from any part of the United States.

We will make sure that we take all the members of our workforce through the required trainings that will position them to meet the expectation of the company and to compete with other players in the United States and throughout the globe.

At Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company our client’s best interest will always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely and of course producing movies and videos that can compete with the best in the world. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is owned majorly by Macqueen Reeves and other partners. Macqueen Reeves is a certified and licensed film producer, he graduated from New York Film Academy and he has well over 15 years hand on experience in the film and video production industry working for leading film and video producing companies in Hollywood prior to starting his own film and video production company.

He will build the business alongside other experienced partners who have successfully carved a niche for themselves in the industry.

3. Our Products and Services

We do not want to leave any stone unturned when it comes to producing the best products and services. So, Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is going to offer a variety of services within the scope of the film and video production industry in the United States of America.

Our intention of starting our film and video production business in Inglewood – Los Angele is to make profits from the film and video industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and business goals. Our business offering are listed below;

  • Action and adventure films
  • Comedy films
  • Drama films
  • Thriller/suspense films
  • Musical Videos
  • Documentaries
  • Other films (Commercials and Advertisement et al)
  • Creating a timeline of production for film and video and ensuring that timelines are met
  • Seeking financing for film and video productions
  • Producing film and video programming
  • Publicizing film and video productions
  • Distributing film and video (if the company is also involved in all of the above)
  • Film and Video Production Merchandize (Sale of Film and Video Production Equipment)
  • Film and Video Production Consultancy and Advisory Services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

  • Our vision is to build a standard and world – class film and video production business that can favorably compete with leaders in the industry.
  • Our mission is to build a world class and well equipped film and video production company that will produce standard movies that can be generally accepted in all parts of the world; we want to build a film and video production brand that can work for clients not only in the United States of America and Canada, but in all parts of the world.

Our Business Structure

The success of any business is to a larger extent dependent on the business structure of the organization and the people who occupy the available role. Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company will build a solid business structure that can support the growth of our film and video production business.

We will ensure that we hire competent hands to help us build the business of our dream. The fact that we want to become one of the leading film and video production brand in the industry in the whole of the United States of America makes it highly necessary for our organization to deliberately build a well – structured business from the onset.

We will work hard to ensure that we only attract people with the right mindset to help us achieve our business goals and objectives in record time. Below is the business structure that we will build Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company;

  • Chief Executive Officer

Entertainment Lawyer/Legal Secretary

Studio Manager

Film Producer

Recording Engineer

Admin and HR Manager

Marketing and Sales Executive

Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Office:

  • Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
  • Responsible for providing direction for the business
  • Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
  • Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
  • Evaluates the success of the organization
  • Responsible for drawing up contracts and other legal documents for the company
  • Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
  • Produces information by transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, and transmitting text, data, and graphics; coordinating case preparation.
  • Provides historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems; recording meeting discussions; maintaining transcripts; documenting and maintaining evidence.
  • Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
  • Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
  • Responsible for managing every activities that goes on in the studio
  • Responsible for managing the company’s video editing department
  • Handle any other responsibility as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer
  • Responsible for developing concept and producing movies from start to finish
  • Responsible for choosing the right locations to shoot a movie
  • Works with the accountant and other stakeholders in the company to draw – up a budget for any movie project
  • Responsible for handle any picture and sound related job for the company; helps achieve certain specific sounds or feelings to portray through that matches with the movie (especially for soundtracks).
  • Responsible for handling all aspect of video shooting on locations
  • Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
  • Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
  • Ensures operation of film shooting and studio equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
  • Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
  • Carries out staff induction for new team members
  • Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
  • Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
  • Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
  • Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
  • Facilitates and coordinates strategic sessions.
  • Works directly with clients in a non-advising capacity, such as answering questions, scheduling appointments and making sure all training concerns are properly taken care off
  • Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.
  • Once the movie is ready, then the marketing team will go out to market and promote the album
  • Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
  • Identifies business opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of music projects.
  • Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients, cinema operators and movie distributors
  • Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
  • Documents all customer contact and information
  • Represents the company in strategic meetings
  • Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
  • Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
  • Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
  • Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
  • Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
  • Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
  • Responsible for administering payrolls
  • Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
  • Handles all financial transactions for the company
  • Serves as internal auditor for the company

Client Service Executive

  • Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In centre, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
  • Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
  • Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
  • Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries
  • Receives Visitors/clients on behalf of the organization
  • Receives parcels/documents for the company
  • Handles enquiries via e-mail and phone calls for the organization
  • Distribute mails in the organization
  • Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

6. SWOT Analysis

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company engaged the services of a core professional in the area of film and video production consulting and business structuring to assist the organization in building a standard and world – class film and video production company that can favorably compete with other leading film and video production brands in the United States of America.

Part of what the business consultant did was to work with the management of the company in conducting a comprehensive SWOT analysis for Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team and the latest film and video production equipment that we have. We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that can produce world class movies that can favorable compete with movies produced by leaders in the industry.

We are well positioned in the heart of Inglewood, Los Angeles and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our film and video production company for business.

As a new film and video production company based in Los Angeles – the headquarter of film production in the world, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and attract some well – established artist and bigger corporations and investors; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to pump into the promotion our business the way we would want to.

  • Opportunities:

The opportunities in the film and video production industry is massive especially in a place like Los Angeles – California where we have Hollywood, and we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

We like other brands in the industry, have our own fair share of threats. Hence, technology and the internet which of course is a major tool for the advancement and gains achieved in the film and video production industry can also poses a threat to the industry.

The truth is that with the advancement of technology, it is now easier for individuals to produce home videos and musical videos without the help of professional film and video production companies. So also, just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn.

It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new film and video production company in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

  • Market Trends

Online video is one major trend in the film and video production industry. Recent statistics from Comscore show that on an average day in 2011, over 100 million Americans viewed online video content. This represents growth of 43 percent over the previous year.

Well over 43.5 billion videos were streamed in December 2011 alone; a 44 percent increase over the previous year. This growth shows no signs of dwindling, as people increase the absolute number of videos they watch, in addition to viewing longer form content on leading video sites such as Netflix and Hulu.

Entrepreneurs that are venturing into the film and video production industry are coming in with creativity and good business skills. The fact that it is highly competitive in the industry does not in a way stop some film and video production companies from declaring profits year in year out.

Another known trend in the film and video production industry is that most film and video production companies are trying as much as possible to recreate themselves on a regular basis and also to be on top of their game.

8. Our Target Market

When it comes to film and video production business, there are no exemptions to who you can market your services products to especially finished movies. Your movies can be market to adults, children, teenagers, corporate organization, government and everyone who can afford to purchase a movie et al.

Over and above, our target market as a film and video production company cuts across people of different class and people from all walks of life and corporate organizations. In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various corporate organizations and individual who we know will need our products and services.

We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that our film and video production company attracts the kind of artists and clients we would love to work with. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically market our services to;

  • Advertising Agencies
  • Corporate Organizations (Branding and Advertising Agencies et al)
  • Teenagers, Adults and Children
  • TV stations

Our Competitive Advantage

We are mindful of the fact that there are stiffer competition in the film and video production industry in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developer to handle our sales and marketing.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company might be a new entrant into the film and video production industry in the United States of America, but our competitive advantage lies in the power of our team and the latest film and video production equipment that we have.

We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that can produce world class movies that can favorable compete with movies produced by leaders in the industry.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups film and video production companies) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

  • Sources of Income

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the film and video production industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract our target market.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company will generate income by offering the following services and products;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to movies and documentaries; they never dies and the demand for good movies and documentaries will continue to grow. This goes to show that any film and video production company that is known to always produce good movies will continue to attract talented artists, corporate organizations and clients and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Los Angeles California and beyond and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base beyond Los Angeles – California to other cities in the U.S. and even the global market.

We have been able to critically examine the film and video production market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Los Angeles – CA.

Below is the sales projection for Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company, it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to film and video production start – ups in the United States;

  • First Year-: $1M
  • Second Year-: $1.75M
  • Third Year-: $2.5M

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

  • Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the film and video production industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization.

We will also ensure that our excellent movies and videos speaks for us in the market place; we want to build a standard and well equipped film and video production company that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients/artists.

Our business goal is to build Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company business to become one of the leading choice in the whole of Los Angeles – California which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the U.S but in the world stage as well.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

  • Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to organizations and key stake holders in the film and video industry (movie distributors and cinema operators) in Los Angeles and other parts of the U.S.
  • Advertise our business in relevant entertainment magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
  • List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
  • Attend relevant international and local film festivals, expos, seminars, and concerts et al
  • Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still produce top notch videos or movies for them
  • Leverage on the internet to promote our business
  • Engage in direct marketing approach
  • Encourage word of mouth marketing from our loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We are aware that there isn’t any business that despises new clients. This the reason why we have been able to work with brand and publicity specialist to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to take the film and video production industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our recording studio company. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company;

  • Place adverts on both print and electronic media platforms
  • Sponsor relevant TV shows and radio programs
  • Maximize our official website to promote our business
  • Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Badoo, Google+ and other platforms (music online forums) to promote our business.
  • Offer Pro Bono services as part of our community social responsibility
  • Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Los Angeles – CA
  • Brand all our official cars/buses and ensure that our trademark label is boldly printed in all our movies and videos (DVDs) et al

12. Our Pricing Strategy

At Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company we will keep our fees and prices of videos a little below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to start – ups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises who engage our services to help to produce movies or short videos especially for advert purposes.

  • Payment Options

At Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

  • Payment by via bank transfer
  • Payment via online bank transfer
  • Payment via check
  • Payment via bank draft
  • Payment via mobile money
  • Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

The cost of setting up film and video production business can be quite expensive especially if you are all out to start a standard film and video production company. Aside from the money required to purchase the latest film recording and production equipment, you would also need a huge cash base to be able to attract and pay well established film actors to act in your movies.

Essentially, this is the area we are looking towards spending our start – up capital on;

  • The Total Fee for incorporating the Business in Los Angeles, California – $750.
  • The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license – $2,500
  • The Amount needed to acquire a suitable Office facility with enough space for standard movie production studio in a business district 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $200,000.
  • The Cost for equipping the office (computers, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $2,000
  • The cost for equipping the movie production studio with the required video gears – $150,000
  • The Cost of Launching our official Website – $600
  • Budget for paying at least 5 employees for 3 months and utility bills – $100,000
  • Budget for paying actors and taking care of logistics in movie locations – $500,000
  • Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
  • Miscellaneous – $20,000

Going by the report from the research and feasibility studies, we will need about $1 million to set up a medium scale but standard film and video production company in the United States of America. Here are some of the key film and video production equipment and gear that we would need to set up our film and video production company;

  • Standard Video Cameras
  • Camera lights/Three-Point Lighting Kit
  • Shotgun Mic with boom pole accessories
  • Audio (XLR) Cables
  • Wireless Microphone
  • Lenses: Wide Angle, Clear “Protective” Lens, Polarizer, Zoom Lens, Macros, etc.
  • Light Reflector
  • DSLR Shoulder Mount Rig
  • Video Editing Software and Video Editing Computer (MacBook Pro Laptop / Apple MacBook Pro Laptop)
  • External Hard Drive
  • Digital video workstation

Generating Funding/Startup Capital for Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is going to start as a partnership business that will be owned and managed by Macqueen Reeves and his business partners. They are the financial of the business, but may likely welcome other partners later, which is why they have decided to restrict the sourcing of his start – up capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

  • Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
  • Source for soft loans from family members and friends
  • Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $500,000 (Personal savings plus funds from business partners) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $500,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to ensure that every movie that we produce is a hit back to back and it appeals to the needs of the society we intend selling the movies

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

  • Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
  • Business Incorporation: Completed
  • Renting of Office Facility: Completed
  • Setting Up Of The Recording Studio: In Progress
  • Intellectual Property Protection and Trademark: Completed
  • Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
  • Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
  • Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
  • Application for business license and permit: Completed
  • Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
  • Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
  • Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
  • Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
  • Writing of Business Plan: Completed
  • Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
  • Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
  • Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
  • Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
  • Recruitment of employees: In Progress
  • Purchase of the Needed studio / musical gadgets, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
  • Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
  • Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
  • Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
  • Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry: In Progress

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Film Business Plan Sample

AUG.12, 2015

Film Business Plan Sample

The entrepreneur who owns a film production company has likely been through the film company business plan development process at least once. However, this particular type of business is a bit different than most other businesses because each film project is likely to need investors. That means a unique film business plan is required each time a new film is produced.

Designing a Successful Film Business Plan

Needless to say the production company owner has a lot riding on the quality of the film business plan. Investors interested in funding films do so only when a best bussiness plan contains the elements of a successful film production, like a well-written script, experienced crew members, and good starring talent

The film industry is very competitive, meaning potential investors expect the producer to have a detailed production, marketing, and distribution plan, among other success factors. Investors will look for:

• Product: Tested script – The script is a crucial component of the final product – the film. It should be read multiple times by a variety of people, including actors and producers, to test interest and quality, and to get an assessment as to whether the anticipated costs match the complexity of the script.

• Shooting schedule – The shooting schedule not only influences the film budget, it impacts the timeframe investors can expect to get a return on their investment.

• Distribution plan – This section describes the process used to distribute the film and how distribution rights are designed. There are many possible distribution channels today, including pay-per-view, big-screen theaters, cable companies, DVD, and others.

• Marketing plan – It takes careful and inspired marketing to target the population segment most likely to appreciate the film. In this case, marketing will address how the film compares to other films of the same genre, the advertising and marketing strategies developed, the cost of marketing, and so on.

film business plan sample

• Financial plan – The financial plan includes the cost of producing the film, but the entrepreneur must find a way to project revenues. One strategy is to determine the amount of sales made through distribution rights. Another business strategy services is to review what similar films generated in revenue. Resources like Box Office Mojo and Hollywood Reporter provide data concerning box office grosses.

Specific to the Industry

The film marketing plan includes the standard sections like the Executive Summary, Company Description, Management Summary, Operations Plan, Marketing Plan, and Financial Plan. However, it also needs to include the information specific to the film industry, like the film summary and film industry overview.

There are many investors willing to fund new creative entrepreneurs, if the film package is based on a film company business plan . Contact OGS Capital for assistance with development of the film business plan that can be used to apply for private investments, loans or grants, and crowdfunding. The business consultants at OGS Capital have the expertise needed to prepare a high-quality film package and a network of investor contacts. Fill in the short online contact form to get started.

Download Film Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGScapital staff also specialize in compiling such as pet photography business plan , record label business plan , photography company business plan , art gallery business plan , wedding photography business plan , video production business plan , etc.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Video Production Business Plan

Start your own video production business plan

Michael's Video Service

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Michael’s Video Service uses the latest technology to provide video production services. This means that the services provided achieve a level of quality previously reserved for only the most expensive video production companies. 

Michael’s Video Service is a new company and as such, we will need to meet market acceptance. To that end, the company is working to determine trends in the industry, the needs of the customer, and how best to address the needs of the customer.   

Our services are geared for several markets, including television stations, companies, high schools, and families. We will initially target high schools with whom we can establish strategic alliances that will enable us to establish long term relationships with them. In our first year of operation, we believe we can capture 15 to 25% of the market, which translates into $100,000 – $130,000 in sales.

We believe that we can earn $149,000 in our first year, rising to $175,000 and $191,000 in our second and third years, respectively. Our market strategy will be to advertise and capitalize on the services that our competitors do not offer.

There are several companies with whom we will be competing. We have a competitive advantage, however, because our equipment is more aligned with the video production industry trends requiring digital technology, as opposed to analog devices.  

The company is seeking a loan in the amount of $300,000 which will be used to purchase the equipment and start-up expenses. The company’s revenue projections for the first three years are $149,000, $175,000, and $191,000, respectively. Michael’s Video Service expects to achieve profitability early on. 

Video production business plan, executive summary chart image

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Company summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">.

Legal Business Description

Michael’s Video Service was founded in May 1996 by Mr. Michael Morrison. Michael’s Video Service is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with principal offices located in Denton, Ohio. 

2.1 Mission

Our mission is to become the leading freelance and video production company in state, utilizing the latest technology to shift market share from competitors to Michael’s Video Service. 

Video production business plan, company summary chart image

Michael’s Video Service is in business to cover events and special occasions on a freelance basis. What we will be providing is an alternative solution for video companies or out of town television stations. Instead of them sending a crew or taking time out of their busy schedules, they can hire us to do the filming for them. This gives them the opportunity to focus on their core competencies. 

We will attend any and every event that we will have to cover for our customer. Using our experience, we will find a strategic location from which we will film. Once the filming is complete, we will then deliver the tape to the customer.

Michael’s Video Service will contract video services to its target markets. Services are not only limited to the Denton, we are able to travel around the country. Our main goal is to contract our services to anyone who may need an event video taped.

3.1 Service Description

The operation begins with the customer contacting Michael’s Video Service with the intent of using our services. All the details of the event are gathered and all the relevant information pertaining the specific requirements, as well as the delivery of the tape. Thereafter, we attend the event and proceed to do the filming. Once the filming is completed, the next step is to deliver the tape to the customer.

3.2 Technology

Analog is the old technology and digital is the new. Analog communication systems involve the amplitude modulation of a radio signal. In other words, they transmit and receive information through a continuous flow of electromagnetic signals. An inherent weakness of the technology is that analog signals weaken over distances and require additional equipment to boost them as they travel.

Digital cameras are the future of television broadcasting as well as the future of consumer camcorders. The FCC has mandated that all television stations must transmit a digital signal to the homes of its viewers by 2002.

In keeping up with the trends in the industry, we plan to purchase the latest digital equipment on the market. We plan to use the following equipment:

  • DLC Qualcomm 500
  • Sanyo 2000 video equipment
  • Sanyo 2000 wireless equipment

Strategy and Implementation Summary

We plan to initially market our products and services as an alternative solution for television networks and video companies.  These markets were selected because of their size, trends in technology, our experience with video production, our industry contacts, and an overall belief that they are most appropriate to initially target.

We aim to rapidly develop alliances with the major high schools to enable us to gain credibility as the best video production company. Our market strategy will be to advertise and capitalize on the products and services that our competitors do not have. 

4.1 Market Analysis Summary

We expect to compete as a freelance video production company in the broadcasting industry. Companies in the industry are involved in the creation and delivery of various types of programming to consumers. Much of that programming is recorded on film, tape, or disk, so that it can be seen or heard repeatedly by both new audiences and those that are familiar with it. Many of the events that are broadcast live are likely to be recorded, with some or all of such events to be rebroadcast at future times.

Within this national market, Michael’s Video Service will initially focus on supplying its services to the high school market market. We intend to be the only freelance video company in the city and state to offer our services to companies of any size. Our goal is to be on the freelance list for all the major television networks for news and sports coverage in the southeast region of the United States.

4.1.1 Market Segmentation

Our customer is defined as any individual or organization that has need for one of the services we provide. Our target customers are as follows.

4.1.2 Competition and Buying Patterns

Customers are expected to use our services based on traditional factors:

  • Performance
  • Flexibility

Video production business plan, strategy and implementation chart image

4.1.3 Distribution Strategy

We plan to market our services through diverse channels including the radio, print advertising, and television. These channels are most appropriate initially because we are seeking to gain recognition in the industry. Another element of distribution is our plan to work with established video production companies. This will provide access to their distribution channels and reduce our marketing costs.

4.1.4 Service Business Analysis

The major companies that compete in the market are:

  • Synergy Productions
  • Local Television Stations
  • Video Production, Inc.
  • Gene’s Video Productions
  • Denton Video Service
  • VIP Productions

All of our competitors specialize in one aspect of video production. We are a diversified company and we believe that there will be no down period for us. We are not seasonal based, our services are offered throughout the year. With our diversity, we will be able to attract the larger organizations that like to entrust one company to handle all of their affairs.

4.1.4.1 Possible Barriers to Entry

Michael’s Video Service will benefit from several significant barriers to entry which include:

  • Strategic Alliances
  • Experience in the field

4.1.5 Strategic Alliances

The company plans to form strategic alliances with clients who require a freelancer to cover various events for them. Michael’s Video Service will also develop strategic alliances with video production companies and work with them as a sub-contractor. 

4.1.6 Value Proposition

By using Michael’s Video Service to cover various events for them, companies will be able to save time. They can then use this time saved to focus on their core competencies and the things that they do best. We are in business to provide a service that is second to none. As such, we guarantee that our customers will receive first class service and a final product that is well worth the money invested. To that end, we guarantee a full refund in the event that a customer is not satisfied. At Michael’s Video Service, we take pride in our work and it is our aim to be the best at what we do. We will conduct our business in a professional manner from our methods and character to our standards and ethics.

4.2 Sales Forecast

The following table and chart show our planned sales.

4.2.1 Channels

Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Channels

In marketing our products and services, we will rely on a combination of the following channels:

  • Direct approach
  • Yellow pages
  • Radio and television
  • Word of mouth
  • Trade shows

Alliances with video companies that have industry credibility, presence, and distribution are key to our strategy. In monitoring our services and market position, we will rely on feedback from customers with whom we have relationships. This will be done through direct sales. The message associated with our products and services is high quality for less money. Our promotional plan is diverse and will include a range of marketing communications.

4.2.2 Pricing Strategy

We plan to set our pricing based on market value. Our actual price will be based on whether our services are required on a daily or an hourly basis. It is anticipated that we will charge $300 per hour and $1,000 per day. For out of town travel, additional charges will be added for expenses.

Video production business plan, strategy and implementation chart image

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

The company’s management philosophy will be based on responsibility and mutual respect. Michael Video Services will maintain an environment and structure that will encourage productivity and respect for customers and fellow employees. Additionally, the environment will encourage employees to have fun by allowing creative independence and providing challenges that are realistic and rewarding.

Michael’s Video Service’s management team is highly experienced and qualified. The management team is lead by Mr. Michael Morisson.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

We are requesting a loan of $300,000. The funds will be used to purchase video equipment and to cover initial operating expenses. 

Payback Strategy

Our repayment for this loan will come from cash in excess of profits, paid monthly. The increase in profits generated by business from television stations will provide funds to repay the loan in 10 years.

6.1 Important Assumptions

The table below highlights some assumptions that are key to the success of the company.

6.2 Break-even Analysis

For our Break-even Analysis, we assume running costs of approximately $9,000 per month, which includes gas, phone, and an estimation of other running costs. Variable costs mostly include video tapes. The chart and table below show our break-even point.

Video production business plan, financial plan chart image

6.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The table below provides the projected income statements for Michael’s Video Service. The company is basing its revenue projections on anticipated sales of services, initially to the television networks and video companies, then to other markets such as high school events and weddings.

Video production business plan, financial plan chart image

6.4 Financial Risks and Contingencies

The company recognizes that it is subject to both market and industry risks. We believe our risks are as follows, and we are addressing each as indicated. We face all the risks associated with being a start-up company. We feel that we can overcome these with our experience in the industry and by quickly establishing desired relationships. The economy in south Ohio is based on the oil and gas industry, which is very unstable. Having seen the oil bust in the 1980’s and its effects on the economy, we have diversified our efforts and will be going after markets that will not be affected by fluctuations in the oil and gas industry.

6.5 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table present the cash flow assumptions for the company.

Video production business plan, financial plan chart image

6.6 Projected Balance Sheet

Projected balance sheets are provided below.

6.7 Business Ratios

The following table presents important business ratios from the motion picture production industry, as determined by the Standard Industry Classification (SIC) Index code 7812, Motion Picture and Video Production.

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Production Company Business Plan

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Videos capture or display emotions like no other medium is present. And if you are creative or want to take up projects related to film and video, then a production company business might be a good choice for you. Making videos is no longer restricted to films and TV.

Due to the increasing usage of OTT platforms and streaming platforms like YouTube video production is growing by leaps and bounds.

From learning something new to purely for entertainment purposes, people watch videos for everything. And if you want to get into this business, then all you need is a production company business plan and a good team of creatives.

Industry Overview

The video production industry stood at a whopping value of 2.09 billion dollars in 2021 in the USA and Canada. And is expected to grow at a rapid rate going forward as well.

The major reason for this rise is the increase in the consumption of video content. Video content is no longer just used for movies. It has a wide variety of usage from digital marketing, education, entertainment, and many more.

But as so much content is present on the web, it is essential to do something that helps you stand out. Hence, it is important to plan and strategize before getting started.

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movie production business plan

Things to Consider Before Writing a Production Company Business Plan

Choose a niche.

Video production is used in many aspects from making films, TV, and web series, to direct advertisements, music video advertisements, and so on. Video production is also either done entirely by your company including to’ve processed, or you might be hired by other businesses or agencies to produce videos, but you aren’t a part of the creative process.

It is essential to choose a niche before getting started because different strategies work for different niches. Also, picking one niche before getting started helps you focus on the area and develop a thorough understanding and expertise in it.

Develop a creative process

All of us know that there’ll be days when you have important deadlines, but you won’t be able to think of anything new or good. On such days, you’ll need a process that helps you get decent ideas in an autopilot sort of way. A creative process can help you actively look for ideas instead of waiting for ideas to come to you.

Build a good team

Having a team that understands and supports your vision is essential in any creative profession. Your team should be an amalgamation of individuals with different and complementary perspectives. It helps you develop new and unique ideas as well as move forward with them creatively.

Organize your finances

It is necessary to do your research and find out what would be the financial requirements of starting your production company, how much you can manage on your own, how much funds you’ll need, and what are the sources for acquiring the same.

Chalking out Your Business Plan

If you are planning to start a new production company business, the first thing you will need is a production company business plan. Use our sample production company business plan created using Upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new production company business, spend as much time as you can reading through some samples of entertainment & media business plans .

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for. It will also show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample production company business plan for you to get a good idea about how a perfect production company business plan should look like and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Production Company Business Plan Outline

This is the standard production company business plan outline, which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

  • Market Validation
  • Short-Term (1 -3 Years)
  • Long Term (3-5 years)
  • Mission statement
  • Unique Selling Proposition
  • Black Screen Productions – 3-Year Financial Highlights
  • Company Ownership/Legal Entity
  • Interior Operating Facilities
  • Hours of Operation
  • Startup summary
  • Media Production
  • Media Distribution
  • Market segmentation
  • Market Trends
  • Target market
  • Competitive Advantage
  • SWOT analysis
  • Target Market Strategy
  • Market Size
  • Positioning Statement
  • Online Marketing Channels
  • Offline Marketing Channels
  • Pricing strategy
  • Organization chart
  • Management Team
  • Hiring plan
  • BLACK SCREEN PRODUCTIONS
  • Important Assumptions
  • Break-even analysis
  • Profit Yearly
  • Gross Margin Yearly
  • Projected Cash Flow
  • Projected Balance Sheet
  • Business Ratios

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this Production Company business plan template into your business plan and modify the required information and download your production company business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

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Download a sample production company business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free production company business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your production company business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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Download Production Company Business Plan

Sample Film & Video Production Business Plan

Film / video production company business plan pdf sample.

A film company is basically in three types: development, production, and distribution. Generally, films cannot be produced without any sort of partnership between any two or more of these various types of film companies.

How far you will go in the film industry will largely be dependent upon your personal abilities, experience in the industry, networking relationships, and a host of other things.

In this article, I would love to share with you a number of steps you must have to take in starting your film company.

  • Research on the Industry

This is the very first step you will have to take in starting your film company. First and foremost, you must carry out a very detailed research on the film industry and decide upon which area you will want to put your talents into use to best see results.

Research on the local film companies in your area, and see what they are doing, and how they are doing it. Pay special attention to the things they are doing well and the things they not doing well. This will help you see areas in the industry where you can take real advantage of.

It will be very helpful if you have some sort of experience in the film industry. If you do not have some level of experience, ensure you get a few years experience in the area you would love to focus on. The bottom line is; you should do everything within your means to learn everything you can about the film industry. This will afford you lots of success in starting your film company.

  • Register your Business

Now, you must get set to go register your film company. Select a good business name and head to the local authorities responsible for business registration in your country, state or area. Make sure to be creative with your business name because this will be your brand name and what you will be identified with.

Most film companies operate as a Limited Liability Company (LLC); you may also want to adopt this business type.

Ensure you have an attorney to help you with all the legal startup processes and subsequent legal processes in the course of managing your film company.

  • Source for Financing

Managing a film company will require finance. You must be able to determine the source of securing finance for your film company. Most filmmakers secure funds for their film company through advances from credit card cash; others secure finance from family, friends, and associates.

If you will be thinking in the line of securing finance from prospective investors, and the bank; then you must be prepared to write a very good business plan for your film company, partnered with good experience in the industry.

  • Hire a Team and Contractors

In running your film company, you will need to set up a team, and hire contractors. Each film production is an entire business on its own, after which, the contractors move on to other works. You will spend your resources organising a team of staffs, producers and contractors to handle each film production.

Usually, film companies do not have permanent offices; office spaces are rented for the period of time the production will go on.

You will require setting up secretariat staffs and office assistants to facilitate the proper operation of your film company. Most film companies require the services of the following 4 key employees: head of development, head of production, head of post-production, and head of film sales and distribution.

  • Set up an Office and get Equipment

In operating your film company, you will not necessarily require a permanent office space for doing your production.

All you need is a temporary office for every single film production. Most of your time will be spent on networking; meeting with stars, producers, directors, investors; and seeking for new projects.

You will also have to secure good and functioning equipment for your film production. You may not necessarily need more than a phone, a computer, and some other equipment when it comes to running your film company.

  • Write a good Business Plan for your Film Company

Nothing will guarantee you more success in running your film making company other than a solidly written film business plan. There are several film company types: development, production, and distribution are all the various types you could focus on.

Once you have decided upon the business type, and the film company type you would want to operate in the film industry, make sure you put everything down in a good movie production business plan.

In your business plan, make sure you detail the source of financing your film company, and also make sure you have a distribution plan detailed in your movie making business plan.

  • Promote your brand

A big part of the success of your film company will result from networking and promoting your brand. There is never a thing as talking too much about your film company and your projects. Keep spreading the word out there. Get it out to as much people as you can.

Develop a website for your film company and encourage people to visit it. Go public on radio, television, newspapers, entertainment magazines, and social media. Have a handy business card and make sure to give it out always, whenever and wherever you meet people. Attend seminars and events and seize the opportunity to talk to producers, directors, and star actors about your film company.

FILM / VIDEO PRODUCTION BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

Here is a sample business plan for starting a video and movie production company.

BUSINESS NAME:  Sun Light Film and Video Production Company.

Executive Summary

Our Products and Services

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

Business Structure

  • Market Analysis

Sales and Marketing Strategy

  • Financial Plan

Sales Forecast

Sun Light Film and Video Production Company is a Film and Video Production company that has fully been registered and licensed to operate in New York, United States of America. We have made sure to provide the necessary equipment and facility so as to make our Film and Video Production Company a standard business that will be able to compete with the top businesses in the industry in the whole of the United States of America.

Launching this business would require huge capital from the owner and investors. So far, the owner, Ademola Williams, has been able to raise a major part of the startup capital. The other part will be generated from his business partners and investors, and also from the owner’s bank.

As regards our products and services offering, we will not leave any stone unturned. Sun Light Film and Video Production Company will be built to be very competitive in the industry.

We will nurture our business so as to be able to fully compete with the top Film and Video Production companies in the whole of the United States of America. The following are the products and services we will be offering to our customers:

  • Comedy films
  • Action Films
  • Adventure Films
  • Drama Films
  • Musical Videos
  • Suspense / Thrillers Films
  • Commercials and Advertisement
  • Documentaries
  • Production of Film and Video Programming
  • Sales of Films and Videos Production Equipment

Our vision is very simple, and we will do our best to achieve it. Our vision in the Film and Production industry is to become the number one Film and Video Production Company in all of New York, and to be rated as among the top 10 Film and Video Production Companies in the whole of the United States of America.

Our mission in the Film and Video Production industry is to build and nurture a brand that will not only be known for being standard, but will also be known for delivering very quality and standard movies which all consumers will be able to appreciate not only in the United States of America but also around various parts of the world.

To a great extent, how successful a business would be largely depends on the business structure of the business and also on the quality possessed by the individuals occupying the various roles in the organization.

Sun Light Film and Video Production Company will be a business that will be occupied by very qualified, honest, and competent individuals.

The following are the various roles which will be occupied by the individuals who fulfil our criteria:

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO and owner)
  • Studio Manager
  • Legal Secretary
  • Film Producer
  • Admin and HR Manager
  • Recording Engineer
  • Sales and Marketing Manager
  • Front Desk Officers
  • Cashier / Accountant

Market Analysis Market Trends

One interesting trend in the Film and Video industry is the viewing of online videos. Statistics has it that hundreds of millions of Americans view online video contents on average daily. This figure is increasing for each day annually, and going forward, this trend will only continue.

Target Market

Having done our research thoroughly, we have come up with the following as the groups making up our target market:

  • Households and families
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Corporate Organizations
  • TV Stations and Radio stations
  • Children, Adolescents and adults

We well know what we want in the industry, and we will do well to accomplish our goal in the industry. In the light of this, we will make sure to recruit our sales and marketing team based on qualification and experience.

Also, we have been able to consult sales and marketing experts, and with their help, we have been able to come up with the following sales and marketing strategies on how to go about promoting our business:

  • First, we will begin by making sure we give out our business introductory letters, as well as print and share our fliers so as to be able to create the awareness about Sun Light Film and Video Production Company.
  • Also, we will make sure to place adverts of our Film and Video Production business on relevant magazines, newspapers, radio and TV stations, et al.
  • We will endeavour to place adverts as well on social media sites such Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • We will treat our employees and customers nicely and encourage them to spread the word out about our business.
  • We will engage in direct marketing to promote our business.
  • We will make sure to devise employee and customer loyalty package.

Financial Plan Source of Startup Capital

It will cost us a total of $1,000,000 to fully launch our Film and Video Production Company in New York. This amount covers all of our initial expenses including cost of equipment and salary of employees for the first three months.

So far, Ademola Williams have been able to raise $600,000 from his investment and the sales of some of his assets. $200,000 will be contributed by his business partners and investors, while the other part will be sourced from the bank.

First Fiscal Year $1,000,000 Second Fiscal Year $1,750,000 Third Fiscal Year $2,000,000

Above is the sales projection for Sun Light Film and Video Production Company, which has been obtained from available statistical data in the industry. This sales forecast will help us with a concrete guide upon which our annual sales revenue will be checked against.

Above is a very simple and easy-to-use Film and Video Production business plan sample bearing the business name ‘Sun Light Film and Video Production Company’. The business will be owned and run by Ademola Williams, alongside his business partners and investors.

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Film Production Business Plan

A well-crafted film production company business plan should include comprehensive financial statements that provide a clear picture of the company’s financial health and future prospects. The profit and loss statement, in particular, is a crucial document that highlights the company’s revenues, expenses, and profits or losses. This statement helps investors, lenders, and other stakeholders understand the financial viability of the business and make informed decisions about their involvement.

To develop a robust profit and loss statement, the film production company should focus on accurately projecting its revenues and expenses over a specific period, such as a year or a quarter. This includes estimating the revenue generated by each film production, as well as the costs associated with production, marketing, and distribution. The profit and loss statement should also account for any financing costs, such as interest on loans or investments, and any taxes owed. By carefully crafting a profit and loss statement, the film production company can demonstrate its financial potential to stakeholders and position itself for success in the highly competitive film industry.

Starting a film production company can be capital intensive, requiring significant investments in equipment, talent, and infrastructure to ensure high-quality productions. One of the largest upfront costs is purchasing or renting the necessary equipment for filmmaking, including cameras, lighting, and sound systems. Additionally, hiring experienced professionals such as directors, producers, writers, and actors can also be a significant expense. However, investing in quality talent can pay off in the long run by ensuring that the company’s productions are of high quality and attract a large audience.

Another major cost for film production companies is securing locations, permits, and other necessary resources for shooting films. This can include renting or buying properties, obtaining permits from local authorities, and hiring location managers to oversee the logistics of shooting on site. Marketing and distribution expenses can also be substantial, as companies must invest in promoting their productions and reaching a wide audience.

For a successful marketing campaign for a film production company, non-online strategies are just as important as their online counterparts. One key strategy is to utilize event marketing, where the production company sets up screenings and premieres of their films at various locations, such as film festivals or local theaters. This allows the company to connect with potential audiences in person, build buzz around the film, and generate word-of-mouth advertising.

Another effective non-online marketing strategy for a film production company is to leverage partnerships with other businesses and organizations. For example, the company might partner with local movie theaters to offer special screenings or discounts to their customers. They might also collaborate with film critics and influencers to generate buzz around their films. By leveraging these partnerships, the production company can reach a wider audience and create a more immersive marketing experience for their target demographic.

Technology has had a profound impact on the film production company industry. The advent of digital technology has revolutionized every aspect of filmmaking, from pre-production to post-production. Computers and software have enabled filmmakers to create more complex and realistic visual effects, while digital cameras and sound equipment have improved the quality of footage and audio. Additionally, cloud-based platforms have facilitated collaboration and streamlined the production process, allowing filmmakers to work more efficiently and effectively.

Technology has also enabled the democratization of filmmaking, allowing aspiring filmmakers to produce high-quality films without the need for expensive equipment or studio backing. The rise of smartphones and social media has given birth to a new wave of independent filmmakers who can now reach a global audience with relative ease.

Film production companies play a significant role in boosting local economies and contributing to national GDP. When a film production company chooses to film in a particular location, it brings with it a range of economic benefits. First, it creates jobs for local residents, both in front of and behind the camera. This includes actors, crew members, and support staff such as caterers and electricians. These jobs not only provide a source of income for individuals but also contribute to the overall tax base of the local community. Additionally, film production companies often invest in local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and equipment rental services, which helps to stimulate economic activity and generate additional revenue.

Film production companies can also have a positive impact on the local infrastructure. For example, they may invest in upgrading local studios or building new ones, which can create long-term benefits for the community. Film production companies often leave behind a lasting legacy, such as improved roads and public transportation systems, which can benefit future generations.

Screen Rant

Disney movie club to shut down as sony reportedly takes over disney’s physical media business.

Disney's physical media subscription service, Disney Movie Club, will reportedly be shut down and be taken over by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

  • The Disney Movie Club is closing down as Sony takes over physical media production, signaling a shift in Disney's strategy.
  • Financial struggles and internal issues led Disney to slim down the Movie Club, making Sony a cheaper option for physical media.
  • The decline in the importance of physical media is evident as major companies like Disney and Netflix change their strategy for DVD services.

The Disney Movie Club is reportedly slated to shut down as Sony takes over Disney ’s physical media business. The Disney Movie Club is a subscription-based Disney service that offers members easy access to the films in the Disney library . Subscribers can sign up for this access for just $1, contingent upon the purchase of five DVD titles starting at $19.95.

Per The Digital Bits , the Disney Movie Club is reportedly coming to an end . In its stead, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is said to be slated to take over all of Disney’s physical media production. Sony’s responsibilities will include authoring and compression of discs, and working with distributors and retailers to ensure their dispersal.

Why The Closure of The Disney Movie Club Makes Sense

Snow White cleaning the house

The reported closure of the Disney Movie Club makes sense for several reasons. Disney Movie Club was slimmed down in 2019 and again in 2020 due to financial concerns and losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Going with Sony for physical media should be a far cheaper option for Disney, justifying their decision.

Disney will not be the only major media company changing their physical media strategy of late. Netflix, which began as a DVD subscription service, sent out their last DVDs on September 29, 2023. Despite the streaming option being far more popular, Netflix had kept their physical media subscription open for years longer than they needed to. While Disney is not phasing out the production of physical media with this decision, they are looking at changes to its physical media strategy.

Moana, Frozen, and The Lion King from Disney

Disney's Sequels & Remakes Will Be Its Legacy (Whether You Like It Or Not)

The recent Disney and Netflix changes both highlight the plummet in importance of physical media . While, as the maintenance of Disney ’s physical media access with Sony would indicate, DVDs are not yet completely obsolete , their relevance has been on the decline for years. Nostalgia and extra features may keep the medium alive for a while longer, but in the meantime, physical media will continue to get rarer.

Source: The Digital Bits

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COMMENTS

  1. How To Make A Film Business Plan: A Comprehensive Guide

    A film business plan is more than a document outlining your project's goals and objectives. It's a roadmap that will guide you through the entire filmmaking process, from the initial concept to the theatrical release. A well-crafted film business plan will help you: Clearly articulate your film project's vision and goals

  2. Film Production Company Business Plan: The Complete Guide

    A business plan should have all the necessary information about your film company, including the mission statement, executive summary, market analysis, funding request, financial projections, and management team. Starting a film production company is an exciting venture that blends creative storytelling with the thrill of entrepreneurship.

  3. How to Write a 4-Part Film Business Plan That Gets You Funding

    What Are The Pieces of a Film Production Business Plan? A Film Synopsis for Your Target Market The Roadmap and Compass of your Film Production Funding your Short Film Film Distribution The Short Film Business Plan 4-Part Film Business Plan That Gets You Funding There's No Such Thing as a "Short Film Business Plan"

  4. Film Business Plan: The Minimalist Guide

    A film business plan focuses on financial and production aspects for investors. A pitch deck is a visual overview for creative collaborators. Click to Tweet Take a few minutes and write out the following: Executive Summary: A snapshot of your film and team. Project Synopsis: The pitch.

  5. Free Video Production Company Business Plan [Template]

    What is a production company business plan? Essentially it's a tool for raising funds, creating a roadmap, or altering course and plotting out the next steps. One purpose of any business plan to so convey to investors, or a bank, why they should put money into this business. Think of creating a business plan you could bring to them

  6. How to Start a Production Company: A Complete 12-Step Guide

    Determine your niche When starting a production company, you may find that a specific niche excites you the most. For indie film companies, this may be a certain genre such as horror or science-fiction. In commercial production, companies this may be a focus on weddings, restaurants, start-ups, or even gyms.

  7. How to Start a Film Production Business

    17 Steps To Start a Film Production Company Find Your Niche Choose the Name for Your Film Production Business Develop Your Film Production Business Plan Hire an Entertainment Lawyer Choose the Legal Structure for Your Film Production Business Secure Startup Funding for Your Software Company (If Needed) Secure a Location for Your Business

  8. Production Company Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    Written by Dave Lavinsky Production Company Business Plan Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their production companies.

  9. Film Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    Marketing Plan. Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P's: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a film business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following: Product: In the product section, you should reiterate the type of film company that you documented in your company overview.

  10. How to write a business plan for a film production company?

    Why write a business plan for a film production company? What information is needed to create a business plan for a film production company? What goes in the financial forecast for a film production company? What goes in the written part of a film production company business plan?

  11. Writing a Film Business Plan: What Should I Include?

    NYFA Filmmaking How To's Writing a Film Business Plan: What Should I Include? February 10, 2016 Film business plans. Whether you've learned how to make one in film school or not, it's likely that it's an essential aspect of your production that you could be overlooking at your own risk.

  12. Film Business Plan Essentials: Steps to Success

    Paolo • Updated on 10/01/2024 Developing a film business plan is a filmmaker's strategic tool for attracting investment and bringing a cinematic vision to life. Focused on the core of your concerns, this article directly addresses how to design a film business plan that persuades investors, balances the budget, and plots the path to profitability.

  13. Production Company Business Plan Template (2024)

    Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below: Facility build-out: $340,000. Production equipment, supplies, and materials: $280,000. Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $160,000.

  14. How to Write Film Business Plan? Guide & Template

    A film production company business plan details your competitive strategy, 5-year financial projections, film slate schedule, distribution plan, operations costs, and capital requirements to ...

  15. #1 Film Business Plan Template

    This easy-to-use Film Business Plan Template is included all of our Film Financing Packages and Bundles, along with our Film Proposals and Financing Manual, Film Projections Templates, Indie Film Pitch Deck, Latest Industry Statistics and much more.

  16. What to Include in a Film Production Business Plan

    Your film production business plan should include a synopsis of your film. Who are your characters? What is your plot? The synopsis should include details about your film that will help those who read your business plan to understand exactly what your film will be about. Team Details

  17. Film and Video Production Business Plan [Sample Template]

    1. Industry Overview We can hardly talk about the film and video production industry without mentioning big players in the industry such as 21 st Century Fox, Time Warner, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom Inc. et al. These are companies that truly define the trends in the industry.

  18. Film Business Plan Sample [2024]

    The film marketing plan includes the standard sections like the Executive Summary, Company Description, Management Summary, Operations Plan, Marketing Plan, and Financial Plan. However, it also needs to include the information specific to the film industry, like the film summary and film industry overview.

  19. Video Production Business Plan Example

    2.1 Mission Our mission is to become the leading freelance and video production company in state, utilizing the latest technology to shift market share from competitors to Michael's Video Service. Need actual charts? We recommend using LivePlan as the easiest way to create graphs for your own business plan. Create your own business plan

  20. Production Company Business Plan: Guide & Template (2024)

    Plans starting from $7/month Things to Consider Before Writing a Production Company Business Plan Choose a niche Video production is used in many aspects from making films, TV, and web series, to direct advertisements, music video advertisements, and so on.

  21. Sample Film & Video Production Business Plan

    Conclusion. Above is a very simple and easy-to-use Film and Video Production business plan sample bearing the business name 'Sun Light Film and Video Production Company'. The business will be owned and run by Ademola Williams, alongside his business partners and investors. Download PDF. Required fields are marked.

  22. PDF Business Plan Template for a film project

    The Producer intends to ensure the critical and financial success of Tea with the following list of objectives: Adherence to widely marketable genres - Horror/Suspense and Comedy. Minimize costs to achieve high production value and maximum revenue. Hire talented and experienced cast and crew. Engage a publicist.

  23. Film Production Business Plan

    Film Production Business Plan. A well-crafted film production company business plan should include comprehensive financial statements that provide a clear picture of the company's financial health and future prospects. The profit and loss statement, in particular, is a crucial document that highlights the company's revenues, expenses, and ...

  24. Disney Movie Club To Shut Down As Sony Reportedly Takes Over Disney's

    The Disney Movie Club is reportedly slated to shut down as Sony takes over Disney's physical media business. The Disney Movie Club is a subscription-based Disney service that offers members easy access to the films in the Disney library.Subscribers can sign up for this access for just $1, contingent upon the purchase of five DVD titles starting at $19.95.