The producer isn't visible on screen, yet they play an absolutely crucial role in the completion of a film. They take care of the project's financing from A to Z, gathering funds from banks, partners, or contributing their own capital. They have the right to oversee the project.
Day-to-day, the producer works with everyone involved during filming, and is involved from scriptwriting, through filming, to theatrical distribution. Their roles are varied and often misunderstood:
- Receive, read, and select from the scenario proposals
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Develop a film project with the production teams
- Calculate the total cost of project financing, and create a complete business plan
- Look for funding solutions from public and private stakeholders
- Organize the casting and the filming
- Organize promotional campaigns and ensure theatrical distribution
- Track cost trends and adjust your financial forecasts if needed.
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The answer is simple: no specific diploma is required to become a film producer. However, it is common to have training oriented towards audiovisual professions (for example, a BTS [Advanced Technician Certificate] in audiovisual with a Production Management option).
Beyond the second year of post-baccalaureate higher education, it is possible to join the École nationale supérieure des métiers de l'image et du son (ENSMIS) in Paris. Other private schools such as ESRA or ESEC also offer courses recognized in the profession.
The world of cinema often attracts enthusiasts. A love for the 7th art is essential for making the right decisions as an entrepreneur.
Most of the time, young producers need to show imagination, courage, and daring to build their reputation. It's also a patient process, as a film takes time to develop. Several years are usually needed from the initial idea to its release in theaters.
Also, building a network of contacts and a wide circle of connections is important. A producer needs to know how to bring a team together, inspire trust, and rally support around their idea. Finally, they need skills in economic and financial management to carefully monitor budgets.
Your business creation project must meet a demand expressed by the market. It is therefore essential to start your reflection with the construction of a market study.
This helps to understand the structure of supply and demand, and how they match up.
You will detail in particular your positioning, your target clientele, your areas of intervention, the price of your services, etc. The objectives are multiple:
- Understanding the offer you are proposing
- Understanding the match between your offer and the potential demand
- Understand the competition to stand out and ensure the success of your project
Your market research should then lead to the construction of a business plan. This is a real compass for every entrepreneur. It must be composed of the following elements:
- Presenting your project
- Presenting the market you're operating in
- Presenting your growth strategy
- The presentation of the management team
- Your financial forecasts
As this is a very specific sector of activity, it is essential to take the time to analyze your offer in detail to ensure the solidity of your project.
Several legal statuses are available for creating your own film production company:
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The EIRL(Individual Limited Liability Company). As the name suggests, the entrepreneur is only liable up to the amount of their capital contributions to the company. Their personal assets are protected in case of bad business, and cannot be used to recover any debt.
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The EURL (Single-member limited liability company). It has the same advantage as the EIRL, but its manager is considered a self-employed worker. They benefit from a specific social protection system, which is less comprehensive than that of employees.
- The SASU (Single-Shareholder Simplified Joint Stock Company) is super flexible. How it runs day-to-day is written in its articles of association. The President of the SASU is covered by the general social security system.
- The micro-entrepreneur status status is particularly easy to set up, manage and wind up. Your social security contributions are calculated on the basis of your gross sales. This is capped at €176,200 for sales activities and €72,500 for services.
French law allows companies to separate their registered office from their actual place of business. The domiciliation companies offer a wide range of valuable and prestigious addresses, often located in the most popular districts of the capital, or major French cities. You are free to register your company wherever you want, to really give your business card a boost!
Using a domiciliation company can also considerably lighten your day-to-day workload, thanks to a wide range of services: telephone secretarial services, day-to-day mail management, administrative, tax and legal assistance, meeting room rental, and so on. This frees you up to concentrate on your high value-added tasks.
As you can see, registering your company is a significant advantage for new film producers!
This simple, inexpensive alternative inspires confidence in your customers, and gives you every chance of success in your project!
With SeDomicilier, you can obtain your certificate of domiciliation in less than 5 minutes, in a 100% online process. What's more, all your services are then available in a personalized, secure virtual office!
Written by our expert Paul LASBARRERES-CANDAU
May 7, 2020
