I would like to set up a film production company, any suggestions?

[MWarsame]

Hello everyone

First post here, I'm sure most, if not all people have gone through the stage where you are in a way lost and have thousands of questions to ask but I am fairly new to the world of business and I hope this is the right forum (sorry admins/mods if this is the wrong forum)

Basically I am a self employed animator and would like to shoot for a proper film production. I would like to set up a limited business but that is all I have cracked on so far. I am still researching but what i'd like to know is, what are the common mistakes or bumpy roads to avoid and what would you suggest to someone like myself?

Cheers in advance

[Rainbow Chasers']

First is to start a good business plan - once you have done that, destroy it! Try to think of every different scenario that could put it out of business, or effect it in any way - don't be biased either, try to imagine that you are destroying a competitor. Once you have run out of ways to destroy it, or those weak areas have an easily effected plan to deal with it - then your business plan is ready. The harder you are with it, the stronger your model will be. (Do not forget to research markets realsitically and indentify every competitor, do not underestimate them either!)

Once you have done that, have a word with people that may be interested in your services and let them know your intentions - even ask their opinion in what could be done to improve on current suppliers. Don't try to do it all though, a few better points will sell you - perfection will not be viable. Do not expect every single person who says 'yes i will use you' to do that - only a few will! When you have proved yourself, you will see others follow.

Keep it simple - keep it smart - keep it organised. Good luck!

[movietub]

I'm curious as to how/why you decided you need a ltd business? The business entity itself is just a shell. Anyone of age can setup a Ltd company for a handful of change - its not a first step so its an odd thing to mention in your first post. There are no bumpy roads to navigate in forming a business, its a rubber stamp excercise (except these days they don't use a rubber stamp anymore). ;)

Are you looking to form a business to secure projects that you would otherwise currently not be involved in? In the same way that most people would not give me the job I do now, however I tie down the contracts then give it to myself - mostly because I know I'm good at it.

[MWarsame]

I'm curious as to how/why you decided you need a ltd business? The business entity itself is just a shell. Anyone of age can setup a Ltd company for a handful of change - its not a first step so its an odd thing to mention in your first post. There are no bumpy roads to navigate in forming a business, its a rubber stamp excercise (except these days they don't use a rubber stamp anymore). ;)

Are you looking to form a business to secure projects that you would otherwise currently not be involved in? In the same way that most people would not give me the job I do now, however I tie down the contracts then give it to myself - mostly because I know I'm good at it.

I want to be a film maker but the only way I can get funders interested is if I am a production company. The skills I have now is pre and post production and I would like to form a company that'd employ firms that would execute the production side of the craft and with a combination of my company, we'd have an end product.

So in another words, the company I'd like to form would do the beginning and the end of the production. This would be fine tuning the storyline, the storyboards, then after the film is filmed, my company would do the finishing stage.

Later, if everything goes out as planned, I'd also take on the production side of the craft and eliminate any third party production company. In the end, everything would be done by the company I'd like to form.

[movietub]

I want to be a film maker but the only way I can get funders interested is if I am a production company. The skills I have now is pre and post production and I would like to form a company that'd employ firms that would execute the production side of the craft and with a combination of my company, we'd have an end product.

So in another words, the company I'd like to form would do the beginning and the end of the production. This would be fine tuning the storyline, the storyboards, then after the film is filmed, my company would do the finishing stage.

Later, if everything goes out as planned, I'd also take on the production side of the craft and eliminate any third party production company. In the end, everything would be done by the company I'd like to form.

In that case I don't believe there are any issues or pot holes in forming a production company. You could produce a film as s elf employed invidual and not even have a Ltd company. I am assuming that you don't need any staff and there are no real overheads or upfront costs so this is the kind of company that can be formed and will cost nothing until you find some work for it do. In other words no risk.

Thats not to say it will ever make any money until you find it work to do of course! All comes down to whether you believe your ltd company will have more chance of getting work than, for no other reason than it being listed as a ltd company.

[simonread]

I have two people on my team, one of whom is a specialist in Film and TV and the other is a specialist in Digital Media.

I'll be happy to have a chat with you to learn more about your requirements. We also have a money back guarantee offer.

I'll send you a PM with the website address and my contact details.

Kind regards,
Simon

[MWarsame]

In that case I don't believe there are any issues or pot holes in forming a production company. You could produce a film as s elf employed invidual and not even have a Ltd company. I am assuming that you don't need any staff and there are no real overheads or upfront costs so this is the kind of company that can be formed and will cost nothing until you find some work for it do. In other words no risk.

Thats not to say it will ever make any money until you find it work to do of course! All comes down to whether you believe your ltd company will have more chance of getting work than, for no other reason than it being listed as a ltd company.

thanks again.

I thought of taking the self employed route but what's confusing me is, if I am registered as a self employed, can I still have a registered company name? The funders are really pain in the arse about not funding individuals but companies (even though the company may have one individual running it)