Funding

Funding is a crucial step in any production and it is essential to have a plan and/or budget prior to filming. Luckily, there are many different ways to fund student productions whether it is independent fundraising or student scholarships.

Note: Be sure to stick to your initial budget and not stray from it as you earn money from funding. Your costs should not become more expensive due to an increase in funding.

Ways to Receive Funding:

Production Scholarships / Grants

• CSULB offers scholarships by donors in the film industry from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). These scholarships are open to FEA students ONLY in Narrative Production, Creative Nonfiction, and FEA 322 Diverse Media.
• Students pitch their film within their production classes and to a faculty panel. They must also submit their film’s budget to faculty, which MUST exceed the scholarship amount allocated by HFPA.  Senior level projects (and select junior level projects) are eligible for HFPA funding.
• The jury of faculty decides which students receive funding.

The CSU Entertainment Alliance offers film production students opportunities to apply for scholarships and grants

When making films for educational purposes, you can also apply for the following grants:

• FilmDaily TV
• Studio Binder
• Film Independent

Crowdsourcing:

Students often utilize various crowdfunding platforms to fundraise for their productions. CSULB facilities cannot be used a space to host a crowdsourcing or fundraising event. (Note: do NOT spend more time/effort making promotional content for fundraising than your short film preparation.)

• Gofundme
• Kickstarter
• IndieGoGo
• Seed&Spark

Fundraising Events

• Thematic Tie-ins
• Parties
• Car Washes
• Bake Sales
• Social Media Drives
• Phone Banking
• Online auctions
• Run/Walk/Swim-a-thon
• Other Screenings

In-kind Contributions

This is when people or venues rent out facilities to students for free. Take advantage of any resources offered to you because it will reduce the cost of your film.

Personal Funds

• Savings, loans, credit cards

This should be used as a last resort but if the production is small enough it is a viable option.

Could potentially be tax deductible.