“There is no statistical correlation between stars and success,” said S. Abraham Ravid, a professor of economics and finance at Rutgers University, who, in a 1999 study of almost 200 films released between 1991 and 1993, found that once one considered other factors influencing the success of a film, a star had no impact on its rate of return. Employing a star had virtually no discernible impact on the box office itself. Mr. Cruise would no doubt object to that assertion. And to be fair, there is some theoretical pedigree to the idea that he may be worth every penny. In fact, there is a whole branch of economics that aims to explain how talented people generate so much more money than competitors who are only slightly less good. It’s called “superstar economics.”

New York Times http://tinyurl.com/pwj4r

Check out the film financing books listed in the right-hand column on our home page (Film Funding Services –> Books on Film Funding)
You can also search Google for these suggestions from AIVF:

Recommended Reading

Achieving Excellence in Fund Raising: A Comprehensive Guide to Principles, Strategies, and Methods, Henry A. Rosso

The Art of Winning Corporate Grants, Howard Hillman

Film Finance & Distribution: A Dictionary of Terms, John Cones
Film & Video Financing, Michael Wiese

Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do It Right, Gregory Colvin

43 Ways to Finance Your Film, John Cones

The Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing, Jane C. Geever

The Fundraising House Party: How to Get Charitable Donations from Individuals in a Houseparty Setting, Morrie Warshawski.

The Grassroots Fundraising Book: How to Raise Money in Your
Community, Joan Flanagan

Shaking the Money Tree: How to Get Grants and Donations for Film and Video Projects, Morrie Warshawski. (Out of print; order online at www.warshawski.com. Site also has extensive bibliography for grantwriting.)

Michelle Coe has worked in various capacities for a number of
film/video festivals and media arts organizations.

The Michigan State University Library has compiled this helpful list of grant sources for independent filmmakers. Below is an excerpt:

Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Society Foundation
http://www.gottliebfoundation.org/
Provides funding for visual artists who incorporate video and film into their work.
(Last checked 07/27/06)

Arts Resource Network
Funding Opportunities for Individuals in Film, Video, and Media
http://www.artsresourcenetwork.org/opportunities/
competitions_funding/film_video_media.asp
Courtesy of the City of Seattle, Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.
(Last checked 07/27/06)

Dance Films Association Grants for Post-Production Expenses
http://www.dancefilmsassn.org/
(Last checked 07/27/06)

Funding Exchange/Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media
http://www.fex.org/grantmaking.shtml
The Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media named to honor this singer, actor and civil rights activist, supports independent film, video and radio projects made by organizations and independent media producers on critical social issues. The Robeson Fund supports pre-production and distribution of film and video, and all stages of radio productions that: combine intellectual clarity with creative use of the medium, will reach a broad audience with an organizing component, demonstrate how the production will be used for social change organizing.
(Last checked 07/27/06)

For the full list, visit http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3film.htm

“Everyone on the Web has an ulterior motive for having movies on their site,” said Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research Inc., which focuses on the entertainment industry. “Producers have got to be cautious about believing there’s going to be a lot of unit sales in the early years, because it’s going to be years before you can get anywhere near the potential number of customers you reach through DVD or theatrical distribution.”

Los Angeles Times, September 19, 2006 http://tinyurl.com/js27n

Unfortunately, the various internet download services available to independent filmmakers are not generating meaningful revenues. Most industry analysts predict that income approaching the level of DVD is at least 3 years out.

Media download titan, Apple iTunes, has recently started a new movie initiative. Although they have sold over $1,000,000 in film downloads, this distribution channnel is not open to indie filmmakers. In line with their policy for music, iTunes only acquires product from the major studios. (As of now, only Disney has agreed to distribute films via the iTunes platform.)