Many screenwriters are unaware of the fact the film financing is a complex operation where multiple financing sources come to play. In a way, understanding how the money comes together around a film is as fundamental as knowing what a plot point is - and a writer who knows the available financing tools available to filmmakers is certainly better protected. This workshop will give you a glimpse of all the types of funding that are available to films, TV shows and other AV content.

Paulo will cover:

• The ten classes of film financing and their sub-divisions.
• Art house versus genre: what money is best for you.
• A look at a few international financing plans.

Paulo Leite
At the age of 17, Paulo Leite started working as an assistant director for Portuguese TV. He transitioned to Film, where he worked through all kinds of production roles. He also started writing very early, having sold stories and scripts to multiple producers. Being a filmmaker in a small country means you are forced to wear many hats at the same time. Because of that, he earned the trust of producers, sales agents and filmmakers he helps during the creative development of horror projects. In fact, he will never shy away from discussing a project with its filmmakers. He teaches film financing, development, marketing and horror screenwriting at Lisbon's prestigious Theater and Film School and wrote a book about music licensing for films, TV, web and video games.

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Paulo’s Start in the industry
3:47 - film financing is complex
5:41 - classes of film financing
7:56 - national film funds
10:37 - transnational film funds
13:02 - regional film funds
16:00 - territorial support funds
19:00 - doing research (olffi.com)
21:02 - partnering with local production companies**
23:16 - Bad Behavior (Paulo’s production company)
25:13 - tax exemption and tax rebate/refund
28:36 - tax credit
30:02 - tax shelter
32:52 - working with accountants/financial specialists
35:10 - film financing scams 37:29 - international co-production
39:19 - official co-productions vs. non-official co-productions
44:24 - treaties between countries
46:50 - TV/Platform funding
56:49 - pre-sales
1:04:18 - sales companies
1:10:50 - advertising/sponsorship
1:14:31 - product placement
1:17:52 - barter
1:19:54 - equity financing
1:22:20 - the equity investment: business angels
1:23:59 - the equity investment: gap financing
1:27:55 - the equity investment: deferrals
1:29:06 - music services
1:30:29 - goods, services, and facilities support
1:31:50 - licensing (brief overview)
1:33:04 - crowdsourcing
1:34:35 - crowdfunding
1:36:59 - awards and grants
1:40:42 - networking
1:41:34 - qualify for funding abroad
1:45:42 - leveraging debt
1:46:51 - product placement earnings
1:48:44 - finding tax specialist attorneys per region
1:50:40 - organizations for filmmakers shooting in the USA
1:54:56 - treating your writing as a business
1:57:52 - conclusion