Total Estimated Production Expenses

We estimate this film will cost $114,305 with distribution (up to $125,735, with contingency). The full budget breakdown is below.

Investment Options

An executive producer would be the only producer of the film. They would fund the film in its entirety (up to an estimated $125,735 with contingency), retain full credits as the only producer, and earn back 70% of gross profits in perpetuity. The writer would earn 30%. Executive producers may visit the set during filming and the studio during post-production. They are also able to get unlimited comps (up to the maximum number of seats available) to bring invited guests to the premiere and would be able to watch (but not share) a special press screener prior to the premiere. They also may be asked to take part in interviews with the press if they would like to do so.

An associate producer would absorb 25% of the costs or Aaron Alon Productions, LLC would absorb $24,000 of the costs in gratis work. A co-executive producer would fund the remainder (up to $99,275 with contingency). A co-executive producer would be credited as an executive producer; the associate producer (or Aaron Alon Productions, LLC) would be credited as a producer or associate producer. A co-executive producer would earn 50% of gross profits in perpetuity. Co-executive producers may visit the set during filming and can get comps to bring invited guests to the premiere. They are also able to get unlimited comps (up to the maximum number of seats available) to bring invited guests to the premiere and would be able to watch (but not share) a special press screener prior to the premiere. They also may be asked to take part in interviews with the press if they would like to do so.

Each Co-Producer would contribute 50% of the total cost and earn back 25% on net profits (after any loans taken to make the film are repaid and donor rewards from crowdfunding campaigns are produced and distributed) in perpetuity. They would fund up to $55,828 ($61,411 with contingency). Co-producers may schedule one visit to the set during filming and may request up to 6 comps to the premiere and would be able to watch (but not share) a special press screener prior to the premiere.

Each Associate Producer would contribute 25% of the total cost and earn back 10% on net profits (after any loans taken to make the film are repaid and donor rewards from crowdfunding campaigns are produced and distributed) in perpetuity. They would fund up to $27,914 ($30,705 with contingency). Associate producers may request up to 6 comps to the premiere and would be able to watch (but not share) a special press screener prior to the premiere.

Budget

*Expenses marked with an asterisk would be absorbed as gratis work if Aaron Alon Productions, LLC is a coproducer (see options above).

• Audition Expenses: $1,000
• Graphic Design: $1,000
• Web Design: $1,500*
• Legal: $1,000

• Actors & Extras: $9,500
• Director: $10,000*
• Locations: $13,800
• Camera: $17,000
• On-Set Sound: $2,500
• Electrical & Grip: $4,500
• Production Coordinator: $2,500*
• Hair & Makeup: $2,000
• Insurance: $700
• Craft Services: $1,800
• Chef/Food Stylist: $2,000
• Sets & Props: $2,000

• Editing: $5,000
• Sound Editing: $3,000*
• Titles & Credit Design: $1,000
• Music: $5,000*
• ADR: $2,000*
• Stock Footage & Sound Effects: $800
• Copyright: $55*
• Closed Captioning (English & Spanish): $500
• Surround Sound Remix: $7,650 (quote from Que Sound)

• Premiere Screening: $2,500
• Film Festival Submissions: $5,000
• Advertising: $6,000
• Print Budget: $1,000
• Screener (DCP) Production, Authoring: $2,000

• Standard Contingency (10%)
• Covers additional and unexpected costs where needed

Distribution Strategy

Stage 1: Film Festivals

The film is entered into numerous film festivals to build its profile with official selections, awards, and press. The film will have English and Spanish subtitles available for a wider market. The budget allotted for these entries will allow us to apply to elite (Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, etc.) and midrange film festivals in the US and abroad.

Aaron Alon’s last feature film, BULLY (2017), was an official selection at over 30 film festivals and won over 20 festivals prizes (including Best Picture, Best Director, and more).

Stage 2a: Subscription Streaming Service

If the film generates significant buzz in the film festival market, we can retain representation and market the film to Netflix or other streaming platforms.

Stage 2b: Vimeo & Colleges/Universities

We can alternatively capitalize on our film festival successes and directly market the film for rental on Vimeo for a rental fee of $3.99 or purchase for $19.99. A social media targeted advertising campaign will advertise this. We will earn 90% of the amount charged on Vimeo. We also market to colleges and universities with $500 per screening or $750 per week of screenings.

Stage 3b: Amazon

Once we have exhausted the Vimeo market at 90% profits, we’ll move the film to Amazon Video. Amazon profits will be lower (50%), but they command a broader market share. We will continue to market to colleges and universities. If there is sufficient demand for DVD/BluRays, we can produce a short run of these for minimal costs.

Sample Recoupment

These sample scenarios show what it would look like to recoup $111,655 in expenses:

Scenario 1: Netflix

If a streaming service licensed the film, it might be possible to recoup all costs at once. Netflix does not disclose how much they pay, but industry estimates put minimums at around $40,000-60,000. Since this is a feature film, we could reasonable recoup all expenses through licensing to Netflix.

Scenario 2: Distribution

Here is a sample of the distribution that would be required to turn a profit without licensing to a streaming service, like Netflix:

• Licensing to 80 colleges and universities
• Vimeo: 15,000 rentals  |  200 purchases
• Amazon: 25,000 rentals  |  250 purchases

This would yield a total of $159,837. The 70% share for the executive producer would be $111,886.