What is a film proposal?

A film proposal is the most detailed way to pitch a movie project to potential investors or producers. It is intended to both showcase all the aspects of the film and make a case for why the movie would be a success, including the definition of success.

What should a production proposal include?

A production proposal should include the working title of the movie, its tagline (a one-sentence summary), description of its plot, visual style, storytelling approach, information on the collaborators, the target audience, and an estimated budget. Depending on the studio you are pitching to, your proposal can be over 50 pages long.

How do you write a film proposal?

To write a film proposal, start by spelling out all the information mentioned in the answer to the previous question (tagline, budget, etc.). Then it is a matter of arranging it properly. See examples in our Templates section for inspiration and boilerplate text.

available

Film Proposal Template

Prepared by: [Sender.FirstName][Sender.LastName] [Sender.Company]

Prepared for: [Client.FirstName][Client.LastName] [Client.Company]

ABOUT THE CREATOR

Introduce yourself to your potential producer, explaining your background, your credentials and your experience. You may want to reference other films you have conceived in the past, especially if they made it to the final stages to show that you have the capacity to put a viable project together – something that would be very important for a potential producer considering a film proposal. Beyond those mechanical details, give your introduction a bit of flavor. People invest their money in people and in ideas. You can endear yourself to your reader quite a bit by talking about your personal life beyond your work.

TITLE OF FILM

This is your chance within your film proposal to convey your vision to your reader. What is your movie about? Beyond plot lines spill every single bit of your vision onto the page. Like any other creative project, you want its financial backer to feel the passion you do for your project.

BUDGET

Based on projections, we expect the total budget for TITLE OF FILM to amount to DOLLAR AMOUNT. The following is a breakdown of the budget’s various components:

Amount	Use of Funds

FILM CONTRACT TEMPLATE

This Film Contract (the “Contract”) states the terms and conditions that govern the contractual agreement between COMPANY having its principal place of business at ADDRESS (the “Creator”), and PRODUCER (the “Producer”) who agrees to be bound by this Contract.

WHEREAS, the Creator is engaged in the production of TITLE OF FILM, a DESCRIPTION film (the “Film”); and

WHEREAS, the Producer desires to produce the Film according to the terms and conditions herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises made by the parties hereto, the Creator and the Producer (individually, each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”) covenant and agree as follows:

1. ENGAGEMENT

The Creator hereby offers the Producer the position of “Executive Producer” of the Film and both Parties hereby agree to fulfill the duties as described on Schedule A attached hereto (the “Duties”).

2. THE FILM

The Film consists of and encompasses the following: DESCRIPTION OF WORK, all of for which the Creator holds motion picture and all ancillary right which the Creator acquired by way of DESCRIPTION OF HOW RIGHTS ACQUIRED.

3. OWNERSHIP

The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Producer will hold all intellectual property rights in the Film including, but not limited to, copyright and trademark rights. The Creator agrees not to claim any such ownership in the Film’s intellectual property at any time prior to or after the completion of the Film.

4. FEES

The total cost to be paid to the Creator by the Producer for the rights conveyed herein and the Creator’s performance of all Duties described shall be (WRITTEN DOLLAR AMOUNT) dollars ($(NUMERICAL DOLLAR AMOUNT). The dates on which payments are due are listed on the payment schedule attached hereto as Schedule B.

5. TIMELINE

The Creator represents that the production of the Film should proceed largely in accordance with the timeline attached hereto as Exhibit C. Time is not of the essence for this Contract.

6. NO MODIFICATION UNLESS IN WRITING

No modification of this Contract shall be valid unless in writing and agreed upon by both Parties.

7. APPLICABLE LAW

This Contract and the interpretation of its terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [Sender.State] and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in COUNTY, STATE.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has executed this Contract, both Parties by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year set forth below.

[Sender.Company]

Signature

MM / DD / YYYY

[Client.Company]

Signature

MM / DD / YYYY

SCHEDULE A

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

SCHEDULE B

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

DATE	PAYMENT

SCHEDULE C

PRODUCTION TIMELINE

Film Proposal Template

ABOUT THE CREATOR

TITLE OF FILM

BUDGET

FILM CONTRACT TEMPLATE

1. ENGAGEMENT

2. THE FILM

3. OWNERSHIP

4. FEES

5. TIMELINE

6. NO MODIFICATION UNLESS IN WRITING

7. APPLICABLE LAW

SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE B

SCHEDULE C

Film Proposal Template

Useful resources