Looking for filmmaking grants is as time-consuming as job hunting. I am attempting to replace my day job with something more creative than what I’m currently doing in exchange for income.
Since my idea is to make a short documentary, I want to know upfront what the funding parameters are. I already knew there were grants to support women, racial minorities and the combination of both, but I hadn’t thought about funding based on content such as science.
Besides, I’ve always started such a project by writing it, bringing it to a certain point, but then nothing ever happens beyond that due to lack of funding. I’m not typing a word until I’m clear about the funding. With the possible exception of the treatment. I vaguely recall one part of the application being the treatment. That’ll be the first time I’ll put words to “paper” about what I plan to do. Minus all the details. I’ve got to watch far more videos and read to narrow down my idea. That’ll come later.
Apparently, I hadn’t scratched the surface of NC-based funding even though I checked out a NC-based filmmaking website that seemed to have all types of information EXCEPT about grants. Of course, the very nature of research means looking at several sources. Plus, the pandemic has changed all landscapes, so things that existed prior to the plague may no longer be present, which would explain why that website has a glaring gap of funding information.
Upon further research, a general grant template revealed that I’m supposed to know who my crew and talent are BEFORE applying for the grant–a counterintuitive ask. I wouldn’t even be interested in joining someone’s film project if they didn’t already have funding.
What a Catch 22!
I emailed the director/screenwriter of the only film project that I interned for. She secured funding before assembling a crew and talent. She promptly returned my email and advised me of two approaches. The first approach was to ask my filmmaking friends if I can drop their names even though I have no commitment from them. The second approach was to look for my crew for real, with the stipulation that the project wouldn’t move forward if the funding doesn’t work out.
She admitted that she liked the latter idea, which also resonated with me. Essentially grantors want to see that there’s already interest in the film before they invest in it.
In the meantime, I’ll continue researching to see what other apparent stoppers I’ll encounter. At some point, I’ll find the money. I’m just learning what I’m up against. What I’m actually hoping is that once I create a budget, I can finance it myself with the help of credit card.