ok, i live in texas, north of dallas and i'm trying to get funding for a film that i'm in and producing, but since it's my first time, i have some questions about funding. first of all is it ethical to approach companies like (tigi a hair products company) and ask for their sponsorship in the form of either cash or product in return for saying something like hair products provided by TIGI? also i've heard that during development that sponsors can get a tax write off if the film never gets made, however could the companies write anything off saying that it was an advertising expense or something like that?

Hmm... hard to say really. We had both Coca-Cola and Budwieser interested in product placment in "Redemption" at one point but both eventually backed out sighting that our film wasnt "big enough". Heck we would have put it in there for a couple hundred bucks but oh well. Its worth a shot anyway. You might get local restraunts and such just for exposure.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

well i'm more or less trying to think of a selling point for the investors, i think our film will do well (but doesn't everyone?) and if it doesn't i want the investors to have another reason to give us money. so does can product placement be used as a write off or something? and how do i go about contacting the companies to do something like that?

Im not sure. Our producer set it up. Bear in mind we were shooting on HD, and had name actors like Al Sapienza on board (CSI, 24, Sapronaos) and they still didnt go for it. Local buisnesses are your best bet.

Research and form an investment package. You are required by law to tell them they probablly wont get their money back (as it is risky) but show them what your going to do to make sure everything in your power is put into turning a profit.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

Hey I sent you an email but it bounced back saying it did'n work with the words between the stars removed.

Basically it was saying few of us Dallas film students are meeting tonight at 6pm in the north dallas area if your interested. Should be shooting this weekend also.

email: auztin069@yahoo.com