Funder and filmmaker should discuss a budget that includes all phases of production, what the funder is covering, where there is flexibility and what additional costs may arise. Especially for the more engaged funder-filmmaker relationship, timelines are an important topic of discussion and should cover all phases of the film being considered for funding, as well as contingency plans.
Questions of copyright and licensing—who owns the film and who has the license to use it for what purpose—are often overlooked because each party assumes they know the answers. But these are essential topics of discussion. Reporting and evaluation can help both parties stay on task, identify other resources needed to successfully complete the film and assess what makes social-issue films effective.
Questions to consider on the business and legal end:
Also in this section of the complete Prenups guide:
Photo credit: Members of the Namati team, the Skoll Foundation, and the Sundance Institute at the Stories of Change Lab. © 2016 Sundance Institute | Photo by Brandon Cruz.