How to Apply
after your consultation, proceed with the next steps. you can work ahead on creating your proposal — follow the guidelines (below). do not submit your proposal/application before your consultation, unless asked.
Request a Zoom Consultation
THIS FORM AND THESE ANSWERS ARE NOT PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
Knowing a bit about your project and goals will help us prepare for our consultation. Once we review your request, we will contact you within a few days to schedule a consultation if you are a good candidate for the program.
project Proposal Tips
- Read the FAQ’s page before beginning.
- Proposals should be in portrait mode, plain text, single spacing. Use Times/Times New Roman or Helvetica/Arial at 11pt or 12pt. Use the same font and font size throughout.
- A Title Page is the first page of your proposal, similar to a book cover. An image can be included but it is not necessary. The rest of the proposal should begin on page 2 and should flow from one section to the next with clearly marked headings.
- Use Bolded section headings, don't repeat/copy the questions
- Do not submit a deck or one-sheet in place of a proposal.
- Put your project title in the footer on the LEFT side
- Add page numbers to the footer on the RIGHT side
- Comply with suggested lengths in the guidelines (below).
- Avoid writing in the first person for sections that are not specifically asking about you.
- Say it clearly and concisely. Avoid exceeding recommended word count and repeating information.
- Each proposal element is required unless otherwise stated.
- Your proposal should be submitted as a single PDF.
Project Proposal Guidelines
Title Page
Include the project title, length, format and type of the project, and all contact information: name of primary contact and secondary contact (if applicable), company (if applicable), address, phone, email, website.
Project Description
Project Title
Logline — Provide a brief, catchy summary of your story (Approximately 1-2 sentences).
Story Summary / Synopsis – What is your story and story structure? Give an overview of your story, introducing the main characters and potential plot points. Describe the anticipated story structure and narrative trajectory, or potential character arcs for your project. Discuss your access to the story and characters (Approximately 1-2 pages).
Artistic Approach – How are you going to tell this story? Describe your creative vision for the finished project – its visual look and feel. Explain your intended use of cinematic language or any particular artistic approach that informs the storytelling. If applicable, mention any creative elements and assets, interactive elements, new technologies or non-traditional mediums that you intend to utilize. Explain how these elements will enhance the experience and interaction between viewers and the world of the story (Approximately 1/2 page).
Post Production and Timeline – Outline the timeline from post production to release date. Your timeline should cover both the creative and post production processes and should detail major release dates (Approximately 1 paragraph).
Audience and Distribution Strategies
Distribution and Marketing Strategy – Characterize the intended distribution life for your film. Specify plans for festival, theatrical, and/or community screenings, as well as plans for securing national broadcast and/or distribution (Approximately 1 paragraph)
Intended Audience – Describe the anticipated audience for your project, including any underserved audiences. How do you plan to reach your target audience? How have you addressed the needs and interests of this audience in your film? What is your relationship and access to this community? (Approximately 1 paragraph)
Audience Engagement and Social Impact – (if applicable) – Audience Engagement is a strategy designed to activate audiences and constituencies toward a specific goal. Not all films are suited for social engagement, but if yours is, what actions do you hope for viewers to take after seeing your film? Potential activities could include organizational partnerships, educational guides, targeted stakeholder/community screenings, social media strategies, multi-platform activity, or social change campaigns. Do you have partnerships with organizations in your issue area already, and if so, how are these relationships informing your project development? (Approximately 1 paragraph)
Key Creative Personnel
Provide brief biographies – (50-150 words) – for the director(s), and if attached, the producer(s), cinematographer, or editor. Include notable credits and/or major recognition or award information. For each key creative, include information about relevant expertise and the individual's role in the project. Do not send resumes, CVs or extensive filmographies. Bullet list any other advisors or consultants, if applicable (Approximately 1 paragraph/short bio).
Financial Info
Fundraising Strategy – Describe the strategy for raising the additional funds necessary to complete the project.
- Explain how you will utilize the fiscal sponsorship program to fundraise for this project. Provide names of prospective funders you will approach who require a fiscal sponsor. How much do you intend to raise through fiscal sponsorship? How much do you intend to raise other ways?
- OL:M cannot consider projects with fiscal sponsorship fundraising goals of less than $5,000. (Approximately 1 paragraph).
Funding to Date – Provide a list of all sources and amounts raised to date. Clearly distinguish between potential sources of funding and secured amounts. List the status of other sources of funding currently under consideration, whether to be applied for or pending.
- This grid is mandatory for all fiscal sponsorship applications.
- List the names of potential grant funders in the grid. Be as specific as you can.
- For private funders, personal information is not required. Indicate significant donations on separate lines. Give as much information as possible to communicate a real pledge as opposed to prospects that you have not yet approached.
- For every prospective funder, answer the FS Yes/No question in that column.
- Rule of thumb: When grant funders specify that a fiscal sponsor is required, they may employ any or all of the following terms: fiscal sponsor / nonprofit / 501c3 / tax-exempt. For grant application purposes, these all mean the same thing. Check with funders for clarification if their instruction is unclear. If they don't mention anything, it usually means they do not require a fiscal sponsor.
- We expect and hope that your prospect list grows. For the purposes of the application, the reviewers want to see what you have planned to hit the fundraising ground running.
Example:
Budget
Comprehensive Line Item Expense Budget – Please provide a breakdown of your project's projected expenses, from post production through release, in U.S. dollars, including a budget total. Provide budget notes for any areas that may be viewed as out of the ordinary or which requires further explanation. The budget should begin on a new page.
Work Sample
Current Sample/Rough Cut – (10-15 mins) – Describe the sample you are submitting for consideration. What should reviewers be looking for in your sample? Explain what is present or absent in the sample, and how it will differ as a finished film. How is it representative of the intended story, style, subject, or another aspect of the project? (Approximately 1 paragraph)
Supplemental Questions
Do you have another fiscal sponsor for this project? (current or previous)
Optional extra information – If you want to submit a deck or any other information not requested above you can add it here.
OL:M Fiscal Sponsorship PROGRAM Mission
To provide independent filmmakers with education in the area of music licensing and scoring while creating another means for filmmakers to raise money for their film projects.
OL:M Fiscal Sponsorship Program Vision
To see indie filmmakers turn to OL:M for fundraising support, and the Memphis Music Banq, for all of their film, soundtrack and scoring needs.
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