The Power of Partnerships: Why Use Them in Filmmaking

Filmmakers have many options when it comes to incorporating their company, but a general partnership can be a powerful tool for collaboration and creativity.

With so many choices available for incorporating a film company, it can be difficult for filmmakers to decide which is the best option for them.

As a filmmaker myself, I know how overwhelming it can be to make these important business decisions, and that's why I want to share my insights on why a general partnership might be the right choice for some filmmakers.

WHY IT MATTERS:

The structure of your film company can have a significant impact on your ability to work with others, secure funding, and protect your assets. It's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option before making a decision.

THE BIG PICTURE: 

A general partnership is a type of business structure where two or more people share ownership and responsibility for the company. This structure is popular among filmmakers because it allows for shared decision-making and creativity, as well as the ability to raise funds from multiple partners.

ZOOM OUT: 

One example of a film produced through a general partnership is the 2010 indie hit "Winter's Bone." The film was produced by a partnership between director Debra Granik, producer Anne Rosellini, and investors including Code Red Films and Anonymous Content. The partnership allowed for shared decision-making and collaboration throughout the production process.

ZOOM IN:

One key benefit of a general partnership is the ability to pool resources and share the workload. In a film production, this can mean sharing creative ideas, networking contacts, and financial contributions. It also means that all partners share the risks and rewards of the production, which can be a powerful motivator for success.

ACTION ITEMS:

• 👉 Identify potential partners who share your vision and values for the film.

• 👉 Create a clear partnership agreement that outlines each partner's roles, responsibilities, and ownership percentage.

• 👉 Regularly communicate and collaborate with your partners to ensure that everyone is aligned on the production's goals and progress.

SEE IT IN PRACTICE:

• "Clerks" (1994) - Directed by Kevin Smith, produced by Scott Mosier and Kevin Smith as a general partnership.

• "The Blair Witch Project" (1999) - Directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, produced by Haxan Films as a general partnership.

• "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) - Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, produced by Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa as a general partnership.

💡 How I Can Help

Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways for us to work together:

1. Grab time with me for a 1:1 session on pitching investors, producing filmmaking, executive producing, or anything else.

2. Grab my free notion courses and templates for filmmakers on Gumroad.

3. Follow my short-to-feature journey by joining my Patreon community. Every week, I’m sharing insights, documents, and Q&As — a complete behind-the-scenes look. See Scripts, Storyboards, Sales Forecasts, Casting Offers, Budgets, Table Reads, Crew Contracts, and so much more.