Bankroll, 2nd edition: A New Approach to Financing Feature Films Paperback – May 1, 2012

I've read this book three times this Summer. Both the 2008 edition and the current release, which just came out. I was floored at how simple his suggestions were and yet how brilliant. The 2nd Edition is worth paying 100$ for easily.This is the best book hands down on where and how to get the money. Do yourself an enormous favor and buy this book and save yourself at least a year or several trying to learn this the hard way.His advice on lawyers is spot on. That was not news to me as I have many attorneys in my family. Just fyi.The sample business plan is so incredible I'm surprised more people don't adopt his method. His business plan chapter was eye opening for me. I ran it by a family member who is wildly successful and he said it was exactly the way it should be presented.A dynamite find. But what makes this version essential (& I use both) is that it specifically addresses what investors need to see to invest in this post 2008 market. The rules have changed. This puts the reader at an incredible advantage over would be producers who haven't considered it.Also the spirit of the book is very uplifting as Tom details how he overcame obstacles and how incredibly rewarding it is to achieve a successful film.Among the obstacles he addresses providing real solutions:What if my presentation is too successful?What if I'm afraid to approach investors?What if I don't know any rich people?What are my legal requirements to approach an investor?Who must I sell first on my movie?How can I Produce myself into an acting, writing or other creative job?How can I hire a famous actor?How do I find a foreign sales agent?Hands down the best book I read all year. I would put it up there with Sidney Lumet's "Making Movies."

Tom Malloy wrote a book "Bankroll" for a select few, those brave enough or crazy enough to make independent films. Fellow filmmakers, we have a lot in common and a lot of differences but the hardest thing to do and the thing most of us put off and find the most difficult is to ask for the MONEY. Tom tells you how to ask for the MONEY.Most of us read books about film-making and we learn something from all of them but you don't really know what it's all about until you actually make a movie. Tom makes movies, he doesn't have a "day job" like most of us, movie making is his life. The great thing about the way Tom writes is that you are there with him as he goes through the trials and tribulations of getting the MONEY to make his films. It is real and it is on point.Bankroll is the best book I have read on film financing and in the top 5 of the over 150 books I have read on all aspects of film-making. As you go on this journey with Tom you will learn much more then film financing.I have made a full length movie "Equal Strength" which I financed myself for under $15,000. We won 3 awards in film festivals, including the jury and audience awards for best feature film. We also made a short film that cost about the same that has won awards for best short film, best director, best actress, and best actor. Does that mean anything, not really, we know nothing, but we have been in the trenches and that is a far cry from talking about it.I just finished a full length script that has a budget of $1,400,000 and I am going to use what I learned in Bankroll to get the MONEY, thank you Tom.P.S. I don't know Tom, I call everyone by their first name, even the Presidents of the United States when I was a photojournalist, no one complained during my life, except for one person.

"Bankroll" is a very good addition to the indie filmmaker's arsenal. It's readable, clear, direct and honest. The ideas that Mr. Malloy brings forth are generally practical and applicable to filmmakers at any level who can't fully fund their own work. One word of caution: some of the techniques described in the book may not be legal or legally safe in all situations -- if you're reading this book, you should probably have your attorney read it, too, and advise you on which techniques are the best legal bet for you.-AzS

I've been making shorts for the last two years, learning my craft and the business of my craft. My goal has always been to make features. But I never felt like I understood how I could make a living at it so I searched tirelessly for answers. I have never found a book that covered so thoroughly the process of raising funds for a film. At the same time it is loaded with wisdom and offered so much experience that fleshed out the challenges and the victories to come for any filmmaker financing his own film. I am so excited to finish my killer script and get my funds. My goal (and I know I'm going to do it) is to be an example of success in the next edition!Thanks Tom! Your words have been priceless!

This is an absolute MUST BUY if you are or want to be a filmmaker. Bankroll is easy-to-read and gives you vital information in raising money for films (the hardest thing to do when making a film!) I can truthfully say that I would be nowhere NEAR as far in development of a film that I am producing if it wasn't for Bankroll. Tom Malloy gives you sound advice on marketing yourself, searching for investors, spotting scam artists (which you will run into constantly if you are making a film), financial strategies, and much more. Less and less studios films are being made, unless it's Spiderman 7, the 20th remake of Batman, or a NY Times Best Selling book. As a result, the majority of filmmakers are going to have to dwell in the independent world. So please, do yourself a favor and buy this book today!