About the course
Once you’ve got the perfect script and have settled on a director to bring it to life, it’s time to prepare a business plan for getting the money you will need to make the film. You should expect that every potential investor will want to know how you plan on spending their money and most importantly, what their return on investment will be. This class will explore the essentials you will need to present your project to both industry and private investors.
This class is part of the Producer’s Foundation Certificate course.
Who should take this course?
This course is for beginner film producers who are interested in learning more about the pre-production side of filmmaking and who are ready to explore and refine the ways in which they will eventually present their project to both industry and private investors for funding.
What you’ll learn
By the end of this course, students will have a good understanding of how to put together a film business plan and will be better prepared on how to find and approach potential investors.
Topics covered:
- Choosing and approaching investors
- Structuring a business plan
- Utilising visual aids
- Preparing sales estimates and income streams
- Cash flow
- Profit participation
About Elliot Grove
Elliot Grove is the founder of Raindance Film Festival and the British Independent Film Awards. He has produced over 700 hundred short films and five feature films, including the multi-award-winning The Living and the Dead in 2006 an d the SXSW 2019 Grand Jury Prize Winner, Alice.
He teaches screenwriting and producing in the UK, Europe, Asia and America. Elliot has written three books which have become industry standards: Raindance Writers’ Lab: Write + Sell the Hot Screenplay, now in its second edition (Focal Press 2008), Raindance Producers’ Lab: Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking (Focal Press 2013) and 130 Projects to Get You Into Filmmaking (Barrons 2009).
In 2009 he was awarded a PhD for services to film education. Elliot also teaches the Screenwriters’ Foundation Certificate, Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking and Write and Sell the HOT Script classes at Raindance.
Did you know?
- Raindance members save 30% on this course?
You can join online >HERE< and start saving immediately - This course is FREE for our HND and postgraduate/MA/ students
- This is part of the Producers’ Foundation Certificate
- The Raindance Guarantee: If this course fails to meet your expectations, let us know at the break and we will make a full, 100% no-questions-asked refund
- Raindance makes filmmakers
Jay Finocchiaro –
Elliot provided some good insight into the business plan – through Raindance’s Producer’s Foundation Certificate. Highly recommend this course who wants to get great tips, info and ways to connect with the industry and make their film project. Valuable!
Aylla Assis –
An information packed night and a step by step guide on how to create a film business plan. Elliot was a great tutor giving us further advice on which mistakes to avoid.
Lisa –
Very helpful introduction by Elliot Grove with excellent follow up notes. I thought it was great that students were also able to view the session and participate via Skype. A very accessible class with a fun tone.
Humphrey Lau –
An information packed evening on how to create a business plan with lots of practical advice, industry insights and helpful resources presented by Elliot Grove. Highly recommended.
Marcus –
Going into the session, I was expecting to learn a lot about creating business plans. 15 minutes in and I started getting exactly what I expected, and by the break at 8pm, I was already 7-8 pages of notes jotted down with ideas on how to perfect a business plan for future films. The 45 minutes after the break left me ready to quit my job and begin my film-making career. If the 4 remaining weeks of the Producer Foundation course is like this, that is exactly what I will do.
Jennifer Sanchez –
The Creating a Business Plan course by Elliot Grove gave me an incredible insight into the film industry and the world of film finance. He is a very charismatic presence full of knowledge and experience he will kindly share.
Jack Lyons –
I was really keen to understand how business plans are made for films & Elliot’s course didn’t disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it. He’s very engaged with everyone & his knowledge is invaluable.
SteveWatson –
As always, the courses that Elliot presents are excellent value. If i had to knock one thing, the handout could have more info on. Looking back on the session, there was too much valuable information to be taking notes on. I was riveted and concentrating on what was being said, rather than taking down notes. We all have different learning styles which does not help. May be there is a way of obtaining the audio from the session, if it is recorded. Elliott is blessed to have a wealth of information and i want to make sure i do not miss any of it. Thank You once again for your wisdom
Elliot Grove –
Thanks for your kind words Steve. We will take your comments on board to see if the handbook can be upgraded as well as the tech surrounding audio recording
Miguel Garrido –
If you are serious about being a filmmaker this is one of the first steps you need when you are looking for investment. Elliot Grove will give you fantastic advice on what to include and NOT to into your business plan, combine with multiple anecdotes of people he knows and how they managed to get into the film industry from nothing but sheer commitment. So if you also have it, yes I will recommend this course a hundred percent!
Miguel Garrido
Scott –
Great session. Very informative and very well delivered. Better than i expected.
Mark Brome –
Fantastic first session on creating a business plan, covered everything you need. I joined via the live online option which suffered drop outs a couple of times, but the team fixed the issue quickly.
Nicolo Riboni –
It’s great to have courses and classes available at your home desk during these difficult times, but for their value is almost too good to be true. Elliot’s lecture is a great piece of storytelling: it is full of great wisdom to grow as a professional filmmaker, and fun but useful anecdotes to explain concepts applied to real-life situations. Totally recommended. If you are serious about making movies, this course it’s a necessity! The greatest part is that after the class is over, you can get the recording and other useful material to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Thank you, Raindance!
BEWARE: this class might make you leave your full-time job!
Tessa Markle (verified owner) –
This course was very helpful to break down and sort out how to get a business plan going for your film. The PDF examples were a great visual to go along with Elliot’s coaching. Some things I was already aware of, some were new, and some I had completely forgotten and really sparked a few A HA moments for me!
Daisy Edwards –
Brilliant first step in the Foundation Producers Course. All the information and advice was accessible and applicable for any stage you may be in in your film-making journey. Elliot offered a wealth of knowledge and captivating stories to accompany!
Rob Elser –
Elliot’s approach to lecturing is useful storytelling. Learning by example is always the best for me, and I would recommend the course to anyone serious about making movies.
Balbeer –
Really helpful, informative packed with useful examples
Dina Prior –
Excellent learning to be had by teachers who give varied insights.
Highly recommended.
Megan –
This has given me so much helpful direction to keep pushing forward with my project. Elliot’s kind and candid manner worked perfectly in creating a very collaborative and open zoom class.
Elliot Grove –
Thanks for your kind words, and best for your future projects!
Ed Kear (verified owner) –
A really insightful and relevant course. Really looking forward to getting going on my plan now!
Elliot Grove –
Thanks for your compliment, Ed! Now you need to just Do It! – Keep in touch!
Jason yates –
Exceptional. The knowledge is passed on succinctly, quickly and without all the padding and nonsense that so often wastes so much time on courses. This is strictly for people who want to get on with it and yet understand the why and nest practice. Hugely beneficial, even for someone like me who has worked in the industry for many years, this gave me new insight and new ways of working that I wouldn’t have considered. Thank you.
Elliot Grove –
Your very knid words are very much appreciated. Thank you. And we look forward to tracking your progress
Dina –
This was super informative. Everything was new to me but I digested it all and it’s really helped me in my day to day role. Highly recommend !
Richard Shaw –
Loads of really useful, relevant information for producers. Well presented – very informative and friendly.
Dvorah –
Great methodology taught in a direct and friendly manner. This class is great for anyone experienced or new. The knowledge about international distribution is eye opening and inspiring!
Elliot Grove –
Blush – and thanks for your feedback for the rest of the Producers foundation Certificate https://www.harveyp1.sg-host.com//courses/producers-foundation-certificate/
Audrey –
Great content and really resourceful speaker ! Gave me a really good insight into the business plan. Really grateful for all the content that was sent after the class too. Definitely recommend it !
Mark Playle –
Really enjoyed the whole lecture and would recommend it to anyone with or without any previous experience and the discussions and information I got from this was first class.
I am looking forward to the next class having signed up for the Producers foundation certificate 5 week course.
All the pieces are coming together nicely.
Dominic O’Neill –
This course was exactly what I was looking for, it was a practical walk-through of putting together a business plan that includes everything investors need. It also highlighted crucial pitfalls and mistakes. Even though I was online and it was an in-person session, I still felt comfortable to contribute and ask questions. Overall very encouraging and I started my own business plan immediately afterwards! Highly recommend.
Rohan Quine –
A thorough, pragmatic (and entertaining) introduction, which provides real help in starting to reduce the fog that inevitably surrounds a process as complex and variable as getting a funded film prodcution off the ground.
Elliot Grove –
Thanks for your kind words, and best for your projects!
Maurizio Caldera –
By learning how to put a business plan together and the many documents and considerations you need along the way, you are actually learning what it is to be a producer, how to create a film production company and indeed about filmmaking itself. Elliot Grove is a very natural and charismatic speaker, he throws is a lot of personal anecdotes, which make the class very entertaining, but actually it’s packed with very useful and practical content. I would advise anybody attending this class to rewatch the link as it’s easy to miss key points.
José Zavala –
It is an introductory course, which provides tools to understand the matter. Highly recommendable for those first-time. Elliot is a magnificent speaker, making very attractive explanations on a very boring matter.
Christopher Duff –
Fantastic course would highly recommend to any aspiring producer.
Doulla Panaretou –
An excellent course, essential information for filmmakers of every role, would highly
recommend this
Doulla Panaretou –
An excellent course, essential information for filmmakers of every role, Raindance in general offers brilliant opportunities for filmmakers in the independent field
Doulla Panaretou –
A great course, essential information for filmmakers of every role, Raindance in general offers valuable opportunities for filmmakers in the independent field
Doulla Panaretou –
A great course, expert information for filmmakers of every role, Raindance in general offers valuable opportunities for filmmakers in the independent field
Doulla Panaretou –
A great course, expert information for filmmakers of every role, Raindance offers valuable opportunities to develop experience in practical filmmaking in the independent field
janetrsmith –
Just dipping my toes back into the world of producing after years of ill health and this is just the course to get me going again! Loads of good advice and tips on how to get started and avoid the pitfalls. Elliot Grove gives us the benefit of his years of experience and I feel confident I can build a Business Plan to move forward with my next project.
Yasmine Alice –
An eye-opening class. As a producer I have really enjoyed this one.
Andrew Brewerton –
A fab opening night for the Producers Course – Creating A Film Business Plan.
Loads packed in, delivered seamlessly through real-life super practical experiences – with a mix of the good and the not-so-good stuff to avoid. Now it’s about doing and placing those projects into my new – well, soon to be Project Incubator on the website. P.S. I’ve already retold the Guy Richie/Madonna story!
Gary Hudson –
Really useful, direct, practical advice from someone that obviously knows what they’re talking about and wants to help. Definitely worthwhile.
Robert –
Day 1 of the Producers Foundation Certificate covered creating a business plan. Elliot Grove delivered a very informative and well structured class with information that as a Producer will be extremely important for me in the future.
Elliots knowledge and advice is exceptional! Highly recommend this certificate.
Mike Archer –
Excellent course. Throughly recommend. From Day 1 the information comes thick and fast. Hugely informative and all told with style, humour and insight from Elliot and the tutors. Highly recommend and great value for money.
Helen Rudden –
Superb course! Elliot really has a way of teaching, by sharing his amazing and unique examples of his or others’ experiences, it makes the sessions informative yet memorable! Having completed the Foundation Certificate for Producers, it really is an excellent course with expert tutors that are very adept in their field, providing you with an all-round condensed but thorough nutshell of what you need to know to get started. Highly recommended!
Igor Ismail –
amazing and knowledgeable course from Elliot! he is film coach from God! thank you so much ! 🙂
Jeff Turner –
As someone who has begun making films late in life and having never attended any media courses previously, I found Elliot’s first session to be highly rewarding. From his personal insights to the wealth of hints and tips, the session provided a huge amount of useful information in the two-hour period.
If the remainder of the course is as good as the first session, this will definitely provide me with the confidence to forge ahead with my filmmaking plans.