Creative Strategies for Raising Film and TV Finance in the UK

On Tuesday 30th June, at Warner Bros. De Lane Lea, Sargent-Disc, business partner of The Production Guild of Great Britain, supported the PGGB's live web seminar on 'Creative Strategies for Raising Film and TV Finance in the UK', sponsored by Microsoft and produced in association with Sargent-Disc.

Panellists:

Sargent-Disc Director, Laurence Sargent, led the discussion which covered effective methods of raising funds and emerging trends in financing. The panel of industry experts included:

• Pauline Burt, CEO, Ffilm Cymru Wales
• Nick Hirschkorn, Executive Producer and MD of Feel Film (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell, Skellig and 5 Children and It)
• Ali Moshref, Film Finances
• Cassandra Sigsgaard, Producer, Jeva Films (Nina Forever)
• Chris Smith, Managing Partner, Romelle Swire

The panellists generously shared their experiences; providing advice on the advantages of public funding. This included tax credits, SEIS, EIS, crowd funding, product placement, brand integration, and broadcast commissions. They also discussed the differences between TV drama and feature film finance. 

(Left-Right: Laurence Sargent, Ali Moshref, Cassandra Sigsgaard, Pauline Burt, Nick Hirschkorn, and Chris Smith)

Financing Top Tips:

Pauline Burt - 'Market materials can make all the difference when pitching for finance'

Nick Hirschkorn - 'Try to get 3 names at every meeting you have - spider your contacts!'

Ali Moshref - 'Don't underestimate how long it can take to close your financing'

Cassandra Sigsgaard - 'Stay flexible and be prepared for unlikely sources of finance'

Chris Smith - 'Make sure you have a clear concept for the brand'

To watch the full seminar via The Production Guild's YouTube page, click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr3UOb62kdU