Expert: Peter Messaline - 10/18/2007

Question
I have been asked to do the legwork for getting financing for an independent film-- can you please tell me what this entails ?  Is it common for a big director/producer to ask someone who is not really in the biz to do this? The job is in Toronto and I live in the states. There are big names attached. How long does this process usually take? Are there any legal precautions I need to be aware of?

I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Thanks!!!!

Answer
I am suspicious.
This might be an absolutely legitimate operation, but you have to play the odds and there are some worrying questions:

Why would they go to the States rather than looking for Toronto, or at least Canadian, backers?
Why would they think that you in the States have a chance of raising money for a Canadian film?
And as you say, why not choose someone with a track record?

It sounds as if they were trying to attract you into the project by quoting the big names. One would expect that the financing would have to be well under way before any sort of name would be involved. Anyway a legitimate production would not, I think, be talking about their stars to outsiders until things were much further advanced.

It is my opinion that that scam might be,
"Oh, the financing you arranged is so good, but it's not enough yet for this stage of the work. As the project proceeds it will attract more money, but right now... Could you loan us $10,000 to make up your shortfall?"

Or even simpler, "Here's the deal: you get ten percent of anything you raise for us, you get the cheques made out to you and marked 'for The Film Name', and send us ninety percent. But we do need an assurance that we won't lose our money, because the film world is full of cheats, so our lawyers say we have to ask for a performance deposit of $10,000."

How was the connection made between you and the film? Were you recommended by someone you know well? Or did they come to you directly?

What financial qualifications do you have for the job? What people with cash do you know? Do they say why you were approached?

What contact have you been given for the big producer?
Try to locate another contact address and see if your guy actually is the producer he claims to be.

Be very careful before going any further.