New Website Lets the Public Own a Film Production Company

OwnAFilmCompany.com is a new website that intends to get 100,000 members of the public together to make fund a feature film. Initial registration is free, and open to anyone in the world. Once the site has 100,000 registered free members, they will be asked to pay a £30 (£35.25 with VAT) membership fee, which will be put towards the running of the website and the funding of a £2.5m feature film.

In return for paying their £30 membership fee, members get to vote for the script as well as the lead actors and main crew members. A Limited company will be set up, with all paid up members owning 1 share, this means that if the film fails or the company goes into debt, members will not be liable. All they will “lose” is their £30 membership fee.

Once all 100,000 members have paid, script writers will be invited to submit plot outlines, which will be posted on the website. All members will be allowed to vote and members will be able to submit their outlines before non-members.

The script writers of the 10 plots, with the most votes, will be invited to submit the entire script. The 10 scripts will be posted on the website and members will be able to download the scripts and vote for their favourite. The script with the most votes will be made into a film. Members will also be able to vote for production staff and lead actors.

There will be a limited number of unpaid positions, like extras and runners, for people to take for experience only. Only members will be allowed to apply for these positions. This is ideal for film or media students, recent film or media graduates, and those starting their media careers.

If the film is a success, 50% of the profit will be re-invested into the company for future film projects and the rest will be split equally between all 100,000 members.

The £30 is an annual fee, not a one off fee, so another film will be made the following year. Users can leave after the first year and new membership places will be offered to replace those that leave.

Initially only 100,000 will be able to join, but this or the membership fee may change in future years.

Membership Benefits:
• Own one share in a film production company. All members own just one share, so have equal voting rights.

• The chance to have your say in the making of a movie.

• The chance to say you helped/were involved with the making of a feature film.

• Optional profile/CV page which can either be public or only viewable by other members. This can be used to apply for the unpaid jobs in the film, or to show to other prospective employers, as part of your portfolio.

• Opportunity to apply for members only unpaid positions in the film.

• Opportunity to submit your script idea before non-members.

• Opportunity to attend members only acting auditions.

• Opportunity to submit your music to be used as the soundtrack.

For further information, visit www.ownafilmcompany.com.