Want to make your budget go further?

The right production incentives, from tax credits to rebates, can put real money back into your project if you know how each one works.

In this episode of Inside Indies, John Cooke breaks down the two main types of production incentives, explains terms like refundable and transferable, and shares why early planning can make or break your funding.

Key insights from this episode

• What “refundable” and “transferable” really mean for your cash flow
• Why early planning is essential to secure funding
• How indie filmmakers can benefit from state-specific programs

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An LLC might seem like just another legal formality, but in independent filmmaking, it’s a smart tool that safeguards your vision, your team, and your wallet.

In this episode of Inside Indies, host John Cooke shares how and why to create an LLC for your next project. You’ll learn how it protects personal assets, what it means for investors, and the practical steps to getting it done, without the legal jargon.

Key insights from this episode:

• Why having one LLC per project matters
• The steps to legally set up your film company
• How to navigate risk, ownership, and credibility from day one

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Learn more on https://castandcrew.com/

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

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What happens when a film runs over budget or misses its deadline?

For many filmmakers, this could mean disaster. That’s where completion bonds come in.

In this episode, Fred Milstein, President and CEO of Media Guarantors, joins John Cooke to explore the world of completion bonds and how they play a crucial role in ensuring independent films are completed on time and within budget. Fred explains how his company supports filmmakers, financiers, and distributors by taking on the risk of completion and why completion bonds are a must-have in the indie film world.

Key insights from this episode:

• How completion bonds protect filmmakers and investors
• The key documents required to get started with a completion bond
• Why understanding production risks is essential to a successful film

Chapters:

(00:00) Meet Fred Milstein

(00:39) How completion bonds protect filmmakers

(02:08) Documents needed for a completion bond

(03:07) Evaluating risks for film completion bonds

(04:35) Monitoring progress and budget management

(06:58) Handling script changes during production

(08:04) Managing overages and adjusting bonds

(08:49) What happens if a film fails

Read more about completion bonds at https://www.mediaservices.com/blog/how-to-bond-a-film-a-definitive-guide-to-completion-bonds/
Learn more on https://www.mediaservices.com

Contact us at http://info.mediaservices.com/inside-indies

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/CastCrew

Instagram: https://instagram.com/castandcrewllc/

LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/company/castcrew/

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