Donors like to see filmmakers who use creative funding techniques. Jun 08, 2009 sundance documentary film proposal checklist nb. How to make a film pitch deck part of your film financing plan duration. The film proposal template guides you through the development of your film process quickly and easy. It is rare for producers to have a big budget for sample tapes. Youve got an idea for a documentary, but you need funding. Top image via ad week alex weprin writing treatments is not the most glamorous part of the filmmaking process.
Dec 15, 2018 the fundamentals of grant writing film victoria how to win a film grant carole lee dean how to write your documentary film grant proposal with joanna rabiger joanna rabiger podcast the howtos of grant writing. A manifesto of sorts joy dietrich write a better artist grant application in 15 steps rachel macfarlane. How to write a powerful documentary film proposal lights. Sample grant proposal s a m p l e p r o p o s a l over the years the ohio office of criminal justice services ocjs has received requests from grant applicants for copies of successful grants, to tailor future proposals off these. Sparked by the destruction of a mosque, we witness how a community responds to hate through painful but ultimately positive discussions about the perception of islam in. In short, you need to have that distinct voice to separate you from the flock.
These are examples of people who have successfully gotten their films artistic projects funded via grants. The best film proposals guide for quick film financing. How to write your documentary film grant proposal with joanna. However, they demonstrate your grasp of the story and its production. Grant proposals are important tools that should be wellcrafted to get the attention of the potential source of money and get them to understand why it is they should contribute to your cause.
Documentary logline the logline is a sentence summary of your film that. Dear name, i have been advised to contact you regarding securing a business grant for a new company that i wish to set up. You will not be penalized for choosing not to submit materials marked as optional. Sample tapes can be confusing to program officers as these are often works in progress. Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart who looks outside, dreams. Staff pick kaboom sample grantproposal cover letter. A documentary proposal often is used to seek grant financing and should be a wellplanned, clear, and. Students are more likely to write a successful proposal when they meet with an our advisor. Write a documentary from the heart productions inc. As such, a quality treatment improves your fundraising efforts and streamlines. How to get donations and grants for your indie film.
And so sitting down to actually construct a wellcrafted documentary grant proposal can sometimes feel too overwhelming or intimidating a task. The introduction or synopsis is the most critical element of your film proposal. A documentary proposal often is used to seek grant financing and should be a wellplanned, clear, and professional essaystyle document. It tells me how compelling the project is and reveals how passionate the filmmaker is about it. Production grants program supports the production and distribution of radio, podcast, television, and longform documentary film. Regardless, it is the job of the person with the creative vision to put a good proposal together that will entice the potential producer to come onto the project. For example, are you going to interview your subjects.
Purpose of proposal present in conjunction with a pitch, to funders and anyone you wish to interest in the project is a way to plan your documentary in great detail and in writing. Jul 07, 2016 how to make a film pitch deck part of your film financing plan duration. The introduction or synopsis is the most critical element in the proposal. Although the main parts of your grant proposal will take up most of your time and energy, dont shortchange your cover letter. The best thing you can do is to write a documentary film proposal and use it to seek financial support. It outlines your film s story, background, and need. How to get donations and grants for your indie film lights. Cage is currently experiencing a high volume of registrations, and is processing them in the order in which they are received. It can easily be edited and customized to suit your needs and requirements perfectly. In addition to these conversations, we will introduce the region to the audience, highlighting not only the red wolf, but also its environment.
Grant applications are accepted and processed through. Most of the time, npos have to seek out funds from other organizations or businesses. They are also part of the growing, global sundance alumni community. Background living well with a disability is a program that promotes health and wellness among adults with physical disabilities. Proposals are carried out to achieve a certain objective or goal. When a project receives a grant from the sundance documentary film program, the team is offered a host of informal and formal support opportunities to nurture the projects development as well as the artists career. She was given genie awards for both a place called chiapas and fix, and won two awards at the berlin international film festival for a rustling of leaves. Most proposals include the main information about the documentary itselfincluding synopsis, background, description, style, audience and goals. It is the first thing i read when i pick up a new film proposal because it tells me how. Alternative financing concepts, 2nd edition by carole dean. If you are an aspiring filmmaker hoping to attract film grants, then an organized wellwritten 810 pages of the proposal templates is your best chance at scoring the funds, because lets get real. Film business plan template sample, film financial projections, find investors. The rogovy foundation is proud to announce an increase in its annual miller packan film funding.
How to write an effective grant proposal cover letter. Attention to the subtler points of putting the proposal package together can make or break a funding request. In addition to funds, grantees will receive additional resources and expertise tailored to the needs of the project. Sample proposal for sdf filmmaking grant sample grant proposal page 4 campaign in april 2015. Such templates help to fabricate proficient proposals so as to lure investors to be a part of the project. Request for proposals for a documentary film project on child wellbeing during the fifa world cups terre des hommes international federation tdhif is seeking proposals from an experienced documentary filmmaker to tell stories about the impact on children of the 2010 fifa world cup in south africa and the 2014 fifa world cup in brazil. For example, you do not want to say that the discovery channel has. How to succeed at grant proposals tribeca film institute. In 2004 wtm publishing and communications began distributing a proposal to make a documentary for mainstream television about the human condition. How to write a powerful documentary film proposal lights film.
Some organizations have their own proposal formats, but most grant proposals ask for the following type of information. Not all proposals are appealing especially if there are a lot of competitions on the table. With the documentary core application project, a small but growing group of documentary funders have made a commitment to a more filmmaker friendly way of grantmaking. Request for proposals for a documentary film project on child wellbeing during the fifa world cups terre des hommes international federation tdhif is seeking proposals from an experienced documentary filmmaker to tell stories about the impact on. It also outlines the approach, structure and style in four to eight pages of dynamite passion.
A proposal is used for grant applications, sponsorship applications, pitches to. Sample cover letter that introduces a grant proposal. You might think of a documentary proposal as a more formal, written statement of intent. Brief logline in a concise 23 sentences provide a description of your film that cites location, characters. Following the struggles of these 373 women, it will give. Logline required provide a brief, catchy summary of your story. Following the struggles of these 373 women, it will give audiences a window into the turbulent tides of the last 50 years. This checklist identifies ten frequently asked questions about media proposals. Word dancer how to write a screenplay 29,055 views. Just fill in the text and you will have a complete film proposal to move your project forward. What your grant must include and what to avoid chapter 5.
We realize that writing a grant proposal is a new experience, and we have many resources, including oneonone advising, to help teach you this skill. I have been working with a researcher on a proposal for a new documentary project. Download free documentary script template for word pdf, doc. If you are incorporating a political, social, or moral issue associated with the film, you should. Sample grant proposal use this sample grant proposal to help you in the process of preparing your own request for funding. For example, filmmakers often barter with other filmmakers to get their projects completed. Collectively, participants in the documentary core application project represent more than 5 million dollars in funding for independent documentaries annually. Development proposals must be far enough along in their research to include all of the criteria listed below. The ultimate guide to grant writing for filmmakers in 2019. Media proposal checklist the process of evaluating media proposals presents unique challenges. It outlines your films story, background, and need. For example, while macarthur tends to fund underreported socialissue.
Just remember that the practical effect of this arrangement will be that the producer owns the film and the creator collects a fee and potentially residual fees. For the inside address goes at the top of the letter use the foundation or corporate contact persons name and title, followed by the funding sources name, address, city, state, and zip code. Sdf filmmaking grant home southern documentary fund. The human condition documentary proposal by jeremy griffith. Include two short work samples and always include a link to your vimeo.
The following is a howto guide for writing grant proposals that ive culled from. Writing a treatment is an essential part of fundraising. We welcome applications from all ida members and nonmembers. Its a bit of a documentary spinoff, if you will, cause it has to do with. Bird on successful grant proposals mojito mastering. Pare lorentz documentary fund 2020 proposal checklist please note where each section is either required, optional or if applicable.
Film proposals movie business plan template, film financing. Sample proposal for sdf filmmaking grant sample grant proposal page 3 with the red wolf. Documentary film proposal theres a revolution transforming education. The goals and objectives of a grant proposal help you make the right goals and objectives that need to be made in the grant proposal. It is the first thing i read when i pick up a new film proposal.
A ready documentary proposal make your documentary film. Getting started may seem like the hard part, when really, it is the best part. The documentary core application project international. A film project proposal basically outlines the script of the concerned film and depicts the main theme of the film. Does writing a wellcrafted documentary grant proposal feel too. Sample project description for pastperfect software a little over a year ago, the historical society began scanning historical photos brought by current and. Learn how to create a professional documentary proposal that wows and pulls in the cash. This grant budget proposal template allows an organization to study the necessary costs needed to operate. Mike davis is the alexia tsairis chair of documentary photography at the newhouse school at syracuse university. Overall objective of the project the overall objective of the assignment is to produce a documentary film on assessing the social, economic, and other related impact the ebola crisis had on liberians especially women. Production grants program supports the production and distribution of radio, podcast, television, and longform documentary film projects that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Successful grant applications and the resulting research lead to ideas for further research and new grant proposals. Garritt hampton, director may 2, 2019 bronze oxen films. Documentary film proposal theres a revolution transforming education, and its not happening in the classroom.
I have been working on this project for 1 year now and am finally ready to put all the pieces together to get the venture started and to successfully move forward. The ida enterprise documentary fund provides production funds to featurelength documentary films taking on indepth explorations of original, contemporary stories and integrating journalistic practice into the filmmaking process. The southern documentary fund grant will ideally cover. Documentary synopsis example islamic scholarship fund. Here is an example of a good template that you can download, read, and pick a few concepts that you can use to write a compelling proposal. Terms of reference for production of a video documentary background 1. Nonprofit guides has a sample proposal cover letter, letter of inquiry, proposal, budget, and other items that may be of use to grantseekers. How to write a documentary film proposal from the heart. As there is controversy inherent to the story, we feel this approach will give more authenticity and transparency. Ida enterprise documentary fund production grant application. Using the same date makes all the documents in your proposal package consistent. Dean film grant and author of the art of film funding.
Jan 20, 2020 that is the date you will send the grant proposal to the grantor. It helps you keep your film always on track and makes for a visually compelling, believable proposal sample. The proposal is meant to describe all costs incurred and other factors such as positioning, landscape, different views, outdoor shoots and other factors that decide a films success such as the production, distribution, music launch, etc. Take for example a grant proposal created by an individual or an entity to convince an institution to fund a project to address issues in a community. You can combine any number of film and documentary grants, prizes, investors, contests, festivals, film financing companies and much more to get your film made. Part i beginners guide to independent film financing part ii 3 first steps to finance your indie film part iii how to get donations and grants for your indie film.
The documentary film proposal templates allow the director of the documentary films to gather voluntary contributions from sponsors and various foundations for the making of the documentary project. Documentary film funding starts with a wellwritten, organized proposal. Writing a proposal for a movie, documentary or feature film almost always holds the goal of attracting sponsorship from investors or various recognized organizations. A documentary film project about stocktons violence and crime prevention strategies luis alcazar for over a decade, stockton california has struggled with an inconsistent battle with crime, which included violent crimes such as murders and rapes fig. Let it take shape on its own and do the mathematics later. Wild was awarded the audience award for best documentary. An american mosque is a halfhour documentary about religious freedom and the struggle against intolerance set in a rural california town. The fundamentals of grant writing film victoria how to win a film grant carole lee dean how to write your documentary film grant proposal with joanna rabiger joanna rabiger podcast the howtos of grant writing. Just like all other proposals, the project centers on an answerable question, and the student must show the question and method associated with the research and generation of. Unsuccessful grant applicants must revise and resubmit their proposals during the next funding cycle. Whether youre just beginning to film a documentary or are in distribution, securing funding can seem like a monumental task. Commonly, grant proposals are done so as to get support. Im now sending out my completed business planfilm proposal document to potential.
Documentary logline the logline is a sentence summary of your film. If even one element is missing, your project is too early for consideration. Check with your state department of education to see if they require a certain format in their request for proposal rfp. For example, filmmakers often barter with other filmmakers to get their. There are so many ways to fund documentaries, short or feature length, that you might not even know.
Since few foundations have media programs, it is rare for a foundation to have internal guidelines for assessing media proposals. Part i beginners guide to independent film financing part ii 3 first steps to finance your indie film part iii how to get donations and grants for your indie film part iv how to find investors for your indie film. Applicants must write grant proposals, submit them, receive notice of acceptance or rejection, and then revise their proposals. Creating a documentary treatment and proposal that wows. For the documentary filmmaker, obtaining a grant to do ones film can sometimes feel akin to the quest for the holy grail. On average, it takes a filmmaker about three years to raise the funds for a documentary or film, about a year to produce the film, and about a year to get the. Annotated sample grant proposals office of undergraduate. You can raise documentary capital and it may not be as hard as you think.
For more details, explore the rest of our indepth series about how to finance your indie film. Sample grant proposals these sample proposals have all the required components for a successful grant application. Through the lens of this single class at an elite womens college, the documentary film, women of 69, unboxed, will examine, with affection and insight, what it meant for a generation to be unboxed. Request for proposal for video documentary production.