WELCOME !

Thanks for dropping in for some hopefully great business info and on occasion some hopefully not too sarcastic comments on the state of Business Financing in Canada and what we are doing about it !

In 2004 I founded 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL. At that time I had spent all my working life, at that time - Over 30 years in Commercial credit and lending and Canadian business financing. I believe the commercial lending landscape has drastically changed in Canada. I believe a void exists for business owners and finance managers for companies, large and small who want service, creativity, and alternatives.

Every day we strive to consistently deliver business financing that you feel meets the needs of your business. If you believe as we do that financing solutions and alternatives exist for your firm we want to talk to you. Our purpose is simple: we want to deliver the best business finance solutions for your company.



Showing posts with label film finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film finance. Show all posts

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Dear Abby - Can I Really Use The Canadian Film Tax Credits (credit ) For 30 - 45% Of My Film Finance Projects ? Signed - 'Anxious













Use Canadian Film Tax Credits For Your Project Dollars!

Information on Canadian tax credits in the film finance industry and how the effective use of film tax credit utilization and financing can help ensure financial success for your project



Dear Anxious - Look northward - to Canada that is, and you'll find that with all the turbulence in U.S. film finance as it relates to tax credits that the Canadian tax credits as they relate to film televison and digital animation will provide you with a tremendous sense of relief. Often the Canadian tax credits can finance anywhere from 30 - 45% of your entire project (sometimes more) based on proper certification of your credit and a solid finance plan completed by yourself as producer.

Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec have historically been the dominant geographies for film, TV and animation production in Canada - but tax credits are available in all provinces. On many occasions the geography that is best suited to your project is often the most sensible with respect to that provinces tax credit program.

It comes as now surprise to anyone in the industry that film finance is a journey. The challenge is maximizing the true value of your project via a potential theatrical release, and of course the pre requisite DVD, downloads, and broadcast and international rights. All of those will create your future revenue streams, but unfortunately won’t get you the cash flow you need today.

We’re assuming you are the owner of a Canadian project in our aforementioned genres of movies, TV, and digital media. There are what we can call 4 pillars of financing your project. They are grants, debt, equity, and of course our favorite - the film finance tax credit sponsored by the combination of federal and provincial government.

We're going to have to let you take care of grants, debt, and equity - but, and its good news, the Canadian tax credits on your project can cover anywhere from 30-45% of your project. In many cases even a higher amount is available, which comes into play due to certain factors such as shooting or production being held farther away from major centers such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, etc .

The enhanced tax credits come back to you as a cheque - a true non repayable tax credit. The add on good news is that your film tax credit can be monetized or cash flowed, thereby securing automatically a very large percentage of your budget. The government in Canada supports the program strongly; having determined it’s a major overall economic benefit in employment, tax generation, and culture benefits. Bottom line - it’s a direct cash subsidy to your project.

In order to maximize your film finance utilizing the Canadian tax credits you simply need to ensure you have a proper production budget and finance plan. An experienced entertainment tax accountant will help you maximize the total amount of funds applied for in your credit. You will want to ensure you have valid title to your project, and that you have a properly legal entity set up to capture all the revenue and expenses of your project.

A special point system around any Canadian producers and key personnel will further enhance the total dollars you receive. There is data to suggest that 80% of the films that leave the U.S. for production in other geographies end up in Canada.

Your Canadian special purpose vehicle for your project must be Canadian owned, and pay special attention to the points system for creative positions such as director, screenwriter, etc.

So in summary dear ' Anxious ' you can definitely use Canadian tax credits as a key part of your finance plan. Applications can even be made online these days!


7 Park Avenue Financial :

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8


Direct Line
= 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653

Email
= sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

Click here for 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .


' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.





Monday, January 1, 2018

Canadian Film Tax Credit Financing














Film Tax credit financing for film, animation, and digital media productions continues to be a sought after financing by Canadian entrepreneurs.

Canadian entrepreneurs are fortunate in that a number of recent changes have been made to enhance the overall viability of Film and Television credits in Canada.

Using Ontario as an example in March 2010 the government enacted legislation that increased Ontario Computer Animation credits. Therefore financing of such projects simply brings in additional capital. As an example labour expenditures which are qualified and vetted increase to 100% for arms length employees who don't have incorporation status - for example 'freelancers'.

In the animation and visual effects area there was a government focus to remove the requirement that effects had to ' primarily ' be completed with digital technologies.

How can these film tax, TV, and digital media credits be financed. Financing these tax credits is a very boutique business in Canada. Entrepreneurs and their advisors are cautioned and advised to work with credible, experienced specialists in this niche financing area.

The film tax credit financing (as well as animation, TV, etc) is essentially a bridge loan when your production entity has a financing need.. The amount financed can be a combination of federal and provincial claims, and it generally recommended that the total value of our claim be in the 200, 00.00$ range, which would be a combination of both the federal and provincial portions of your credit.

We meet with many firms who also have needs for other types of financing, which would include separate SR ED (SR&ED) credits, equipment financing, etc. It would sometime make prudent sense to consider a financing that satisfied the complete needs of the company or production.

The hottest new sectors of financing in this area are the popular animation, virtual reality and of course gaming areas of consumer entertainment.

Naturally to be able to finance a claim it must be reviewed and processed by the appropriate tax credit office, for example the Ontario ' OMDC ' tax credits & Financing Programs Dept '.

In our work with clients we advise that it typically takes 2-3 weeks, sometimes longer to finance a tax credit. This process should not be daunting for the entrepreneur or your production company, as it mirrors any other financing business might undertake- for example an application form, due diligence, legal documentation of the financing, etc.

We would point out though that the main emphasis on the financeability of your claim is the actual tax credit itself, as in many cases the product has not 'gone to market 'so to speak.

Financing your film, multimedia, and TV tax credits is a great way to access bridge capital and allow our entity to immediately access funds, as opposed to waiting for funds until post production and commercialization.

Talk to a film tax credit financing expert and you are on the way to a unique method of financing your productions.

STAN PROKOP
PRESIDENT
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com




7 Park Avenue Financial :

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653
Email
= sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com




Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .



' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.





















Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4013999

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Film Tax Credit Financing










The Role Of Film Tax Credits In Canadian Film Financing



Information on the key role that film tax credits play in Canadian film financing projects



Film Tax Credit Financing in Canada is a niche alternative financing sector that is growing in popularity. Similar to SR & ED tax credits, film tax credits can be financed.

Various programs are available under different provincial and federal legislation. The Canadian film industry, as well as related Digital and Multimedia industries, seem to be on a healthy rebound which we can attribute to a recovering economy, and a faltering industry in the U.S., again, economically related.

There are a number or very specific programs that can be financed to generate, or recover, funding for your projects. Along with the aforementioned SR &ED program, there is the Ontario Film and Tax Credit, a similar B.C. program, etc. These are generous government credits that allow for a significant reduction in your projects labor costs , typically between 40-50%. The combo of digital media credits, as well as your ability to finance all these credits help cash flow your project!

In many instances our firm can originate financing on an interim basis, in order that your project does not have to wait for funding after completion and final claim finalization and adjudication. Much of the financing that is done in the SR ED, film tax, and Digital and Multimedia areas is a very boutique and specialize financing. However. If you clearly qualify for these programs your claim can be financed. Traditional institutions, such as the Canadian chartered banks do not really play a major role in these types of tax credit financings.

Naturally the benefit of financing such a claim is simply the recovery of funds, almost all of which are ‘ non- repayable ‘ ‘ grants’ that will assist Canadian firms in the completion of their projects and for general working capital purposes . If your firm has significant or major contracts with either the government or a corporate client you require financing to complete the project in a timely and proper manner.

Tax credit financings, in our experience typically take approximately 2-4 weeks to complete. We strong recommend that firms work with a trusted and experienced advisor in this area to ensure they maximize the benefits of such a financing with respect to a solid rate, term and structure based on the unique nature of their claim.

Financing of these programs encourages continued innovation, and more and more funds are available for the film, multimedia, and digital sectors of Canada. Again, we stress the importance of working with qualified parties who can maximize financing benefits and assist you with your working capital needs.

‘Cash flowing’ your project either during or after production has a significant appeal to players in this Canadian industry sector. Naturally there has to be a reasonable investment of time in key areas related to the financing. In order to finance a claim properly entities should be incorporated as a Canadian taxable corporation and should have made the appropriate corporate filings. Naturally your project has to be certified, which can be done through various entities such as Cavco. Financing and documentations is clearly strongly associated with proper and up to date filings and certifications.

Accounting systems and processes typically might not be the forte of firms in the digital, multimedia and SR &ED sector – however it is important that owners and financial managers in t these industries ensure all costs are properly accounted for and documented in their financial statements and tax filings. Filings should be up to date with all federal and provincial bodies with respect to tax returns, and of course your application will be reviewed and audited by the proper authorities.

In summary, Canadian digital, multimedia, film and SR &ED expenses can be financed to maximize your firm or projects working capital. Ensure you are certified and eligible, focus on good accounting and information systems re your claim, and work with a trusted and credible advisor with financing experience in this area. It’s all about the cash flow!


7 Park Avenue Financial :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .







7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line
= 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653



Email
= sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.









Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Film Finance Via Independent Film Funding and the Canadian Film Tax Credit





Does Financing Your Independent film or animation project in Canada sometimes feel like ' death by a thousand cuts' ? Accessing and cash flowing your film / media tax credits goes a long way to completing your projects. Here's why and how







Information on film finance in Canada. Independent film funding is a major financing challenge for producers of Canadian content as well as co ventures . The ability to access and finance your Canadian film tax credit is a key strategy for success




It seemed like a short project and challenge at the time! However most independent film finance becomes somewhat of a journey, and that's of course an understatement. But the Canadian film tax credit can help you play a huge role in pulling the financing for your project together.

Call it a challenge, call it, as some have, ' tricky' or call it skill, but the monetary part of your film, tv or digital animation project becomes a huge part of the producer and owners direct efforts for successful completion of any project.

We are often amazed at how little it takes, in funding, to complete a professional project in any of our 3 entertainment genres (film, television, and digital animation). Yet even smaller budgets have huge financing challenges when you don't have the financial backing of a major studio. Therefore your total costs of securing rights, paying actors, and actually producing the project often requires a long timeline.

Enter, at stage left, the Canadian tax credit. This is clearly the savior of many a production that is domiciled in Canada, often paying for 30- 40%, and more of a total production. We certainly not saying the rest of your financing becomes a 'cake walk ',



as the expression goes, but our clients routinely maintain that the additional equity, debt, and co production and distribution agreements are much easier to put in place when you utilize the Canadian tax credit.

Naturally the more film funding you can rise via the film tax credit in Canada, as well as debt you can arrange simply means that you are not diluting your ownership position and therefore positioning you well for any financial success on your project.

Its all about partners in business today, and film finance is no exception. By partnering financially, in the right manner, with either co production agreements or Canadian film tax incentives you are able to maintain proper ownership of your project, and that's of course what it is all about.

Let's circle back to the Canadian film tax credit. The credits have become increasingly more generous over the years, and apply to all Canadian provinces where you might choose to shoot, film or product your project - depending on your genre again. By properly budgeting your project in a realistic manner an experienced Canadian film financing consultant can assist you in determining the exact amount of dollar eligibility for your tax credit. The tax credit becomes a part of your financial statement filings for the specific legal entity you have created for your project.

You can then finance the credit, which is a non repayable grant/credit from the government. Naturally you can simply wait for the credit, the ' cheque is in the mail ' so the saying goes, but many of our clients choose to finance the credit as soon as they have it certified. Receiving this funding in advance often creates a huge and positive working capital injection that actually helps finance of course the cost of the film. The tax credit is in essence the collateral for the bridge loan you arrange for the film tax credit itself.

Financing and film funding utilizing your Canadian film tax credit can be accomplished in a manner of weeks, and its all about having a budget, a tax credit calculation, and a firm finance plan that identifies the other parts of your project as complete.


Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian film tax credit financing advisor as to how you can maximize your return on investment for your owners and lenders via the film tax credit in Canada. It's a cash flow 101 great strategy!


Stan Prokop
- founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.


7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8


Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '




ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.











Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5614052

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Dear Abby - Can I Really Use The Canadian Film Tax Credits (credit ) For 30 - 45% Of My Film Finance Projects ? Signed - 'Anxious '


Dear Anxious - Look northward - to Canada that is, and you'll find that with all the turbulence in U.S. film finance as it relates to tax credits that the Canadian tax credits as they relate to film televison and digital animation will provide you with a tremendous sense of relief. Often the Canadian tax credits can finance anywhere from 30 - 45% of your entire project (sometimes more) based on proper certification of your credit and a solid finance plan completed by yourself as producer.

Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec have historically been the dominant geographies for film, TV and animation production in Canada - but tax credits are available in all provinces. On many occasions the geography that is best suited to your project is often the most sensible with respect to that provinces tax credit program.

It comes as now surprise to anyone in the industry that film finance is a journey. The challenge is maximizing the true value of your project via a potential theatrical release, and of course the pre requisite DVD, downloads, and broadcast and international rights. All of those will create your future revenue streams, but unfortunately won’t get you the cash flow you need today.

We’re assuming you are the owner of a Canadian project in our aforementioned genres of movies, TV, and digital media. There are what we can call 4 pillars of financing your project. They are grants, debt, equity, and of course our favorite - the film finance tax credit sponsored by the combination of federal and provincial government.

We're going to have to let you take care of grants, debt, and equity - but, and its good news, the Canadian tax credits on your project can cover anywhere from 30-45% of your project. In many cases even a higher amount is available, which comes into play due to certain factors such as shooting or production being held farther away from major centers such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, etc .

The enhanced tax credits come back to you as a cheque - a true non repayable tax credit. The add on good news is that your film tax credit can be monetized or cash flowed, thereby securing automatically a very large percentage of your budget. The government in Canada supports the program strongly; having determined it’s a major overall economic benefit in employment, tax generation, and culture benefits. Bottom line - it’s a direct cash subsidy to your project.

In order to maximize your film finance utilizing the Canadian tax credits you simply need to ensure you have a proper production budget and finance plan. An experienced entertainment tax accountant will help you maximize the total amount of funds applied for in your credit. You will want to ensure you have valid title to your project, and that you have a properly legal entity set up to capture all the revenue and expenses of your project.

A special point system around any Canadian producers and key personnel will further enhance the total dollars you receive. There is data to suggest that 80% of the films that leave the U.S. for production in other geographies end up in Canada.

Your Canadian special purpose vehicle for your project must be Canadian owned, and pay special attention to the points system for creative positions such as director, screenwriter, etc.

So in summary dear ' Anxious ' you can definitely use Canadian tax credits as a key part of your finance plan. Applications can even be made online these days!

-


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/canadian_tax_credits_film_finance_film_tax_credit.html


Sunday, January 30, 2011

Looking for Film Finance ? Your Secret Weapon Is The Canadian Film Tax Credit !


We're going to make a quick assumption here, and that’s that you are not a movie mogul in an international film studio! But we do think we know who you are - a producer or project owner looking to complete your film finance plan.

We'll also make another educated guess - here goes: You have found out that the Canadian film tax credit system can finance anywhere from 30-45% of your project and that’s quite appealing!

Let’s examine the basics of the Canadian film tax credit and determine how it can assist you in financing your project. The Canadian government has made it very clear that it is committed to film (by the way we're including television and animation here!) due to the revenue and cultural aspects of the entertainment industry.

So these tax credits can play an integral part in the overall financing part of the plan. But in talking to clients we make it very clear that the onus is still on yourself, and we know its not easy, to complete the rest of your financial plan .That is of course the remaining financing you need that it achieved by arranged equity, debt, pre-sales , etc - in effect completing the finance puzzle .

More often than not the tax credits we look at tend to be in Ontario and B.C., those provinces have historically been viewed as Hollywood North in film finance - but the reality is that if you can shoot or produce your project in some of the other Canadian provinces those tax credits become even more liberal depending on the geography you have chosen.

So how do you successful navigate the Canadian film tax credit maze? We personally don’t think its a maze, in fact its quite straight forward, but the reality is that when anyone associates a government program with funding it has a perception of being bureaucratic, slow, etc . That’s not necessarily the case with the film tax credit.

Lets ensure you have the basics, and quite frankly you can move to GO and collect 200$ simply by utilizing a core expert team consisting of a Canadian tax credit advisor. Together with your entertainment accountant and lawyer that advisor can fast track you to Canadian film tax credit success.

The process simply involves applying for a Production certificate that ensure your project is eligible based on your spend budget. Non- Canadian producers may even be surprised to know that you can apply on-line through the government portal to get your certificate. This is where having the right ' finance talent ' comes into play, because you want to maximize your credit to achieve the best qualification for the combined federal and provincial credit.

Can the Canadian film tax credit be used to actually finance your film, i.e. real money? Absolutely, positively. Working with a Canadian business financing advisor in this area will allow you to cash flow or monetize your credit. The capital, again, anywhere from 35% ++ of your project can be used to actually complete your production in combination with your other aforementioned sources of financing.

In summary, we are the first to recognize that film finance isn’t easy - but when an accredited partner - i.e. the Canadian government! is willing to step in and help you with 30-45% , or more of your entire budget our recommendation is simple - Take the offer .! Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in maximizing your film finance plan.

--


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/canadian_fi
lm_tax_credit_film_finance.html

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Film Finance via independent film funding and the Canadian Film Tax Credit

Getting your film funding in place. It seemed like a short project and challenge at the time! However most independent film finance becomes somewhat of a journey, and that’s of course an understatement. But the Canadian film tax credit can help you play a huge role in pulling the financing for your project together.



Call it a challenge, call it , as some have, ' tricky' or call it skill, but the monetary part of your film , tv or digital animation project becomes a huge part of the producer and owners direct efforts for successful completion of any project .

We are often amazed at how little it takes, in funding, to complete a professional project in any of our 3 entertainment genres (film, television, and digital animation). Yet even smaller budgets have huge financing challenges when you don’t have the financial backing of a major studio. Therefore your total costs of securing rights, paying actors, and actually producing the project often requires a long timeline.

Enter, at stage left, the Canadian tax credit. This is clearly the savior of many a production that is domiciled in Canada, often paying for 30- 40%, and more of a total production. We certainly not saying the rest of your financing becomes a 'cake walk ' , as the expression goes, but our clients routinely maintain that the additional equity, debt, and co production and distribution agreements are much easier to put in place when you utilize the Canadian tax credit .

Naturally the more film funding you can rise via the film tax credit in Canada, as well as debt you can arrange simply means that you are not diluting your ownership position and therefore positioning you well for any financial success on your project.

Its all about partners in business today, and film finance is no exception. By partnering financially, in the right manner, with either co production agreements or Canadian film tax incentives you are able to maintain proper ownership of your project, and that’s of course what it is all about.

Let’s circle back to the Canadian film tax credit. The credits have become increasingly more generous over the years, and apply to all Canadian provinces where you might choose to shoot, film or product your project - depending on your genre again. By properly budgeting your project in a realistic manner an experienced Canadian film financing consultant can assist you in determining the exact amount of dollar eligibility for your tax credit. The tax credit becomes a part of your financial statement filings for the specific legal entity you have created for your project.

You can then finance the credit, which is a non repayable grant/credit from the government. Naturally you can simply wait for the credit, the ' cheque is in the mail ' so the saying goes, but many of our clients choose to finance the credit as soon as they have it certified. Receiving this funding in advance often creates a huge and positive working capital injection that actually helps finance of course the cost of the film. The tax credit is in essence the collateral for the bridge loan you arrange for the film tax credit itself.

Financing and film funding utilizing your Canadian film tax credit can be accomplished in a manner of weeks, and its all about having a budget, a tax credit calculation, and a firm finance plan that identifies the other parts of your project as complete .

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian film tax credit financing advisor as to how you can maximize your return on investment for your owners and lenders via the film tax credit in Canada. It's a cash flow 101 great strategy!

-

Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 6 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/film_funding_film_finance_film_tax.html

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Using Film Tax Incentives For Television, Animation and Film Finance in Canada

Most of the players here in Canada as well as in the U.S. seem to agree that the film, television and digital animation business has bounced back nicely in Canada. Film tax incentives in film finance (we’re of course talking about television and animation projects also) continue to play a strategic role in the challenge of cobbling together a full and successful finance package for projects.

The financing of your project seems the opposite of the glamour and dare we say it ' sexiness ' of the film and TV industry. The challenge clearly is to maximize financing while minimizing risk to investors and owners and Canadian tax credit incentives do just that. When these tax c credits are financed, or ' monetized ' they in fact supercharge the working capital and cash flow of your production.

Many parts of a project financing have what the financial analysts call ' unpredictable revenue streams ' via foreign sales, DVD sales, and of coruse the box office itself.

Why not therefore make some of those ' unpredictable' future cash flows very predictable with money from federal and provincial governments in Canada. As you are certified and approved for your projects your ability to finance the credits in the private sector simply enhances your productions chance of overall success.

Financing your tax credits in Canada essentially has you putting together a hybrid of equity, debt and tax credit financing which, done properly, allow your project to success from a financial perspective. (We won’t get into the entertainment or public acceptance merit of your projects!)

Whether you are a car manufacturer or a film producer, director, owner it’s all about ROI, return on investment. Leveraging your project from a tax credit incentive simply enhances ROI.

Canadian entertainment projects in film, TV and digital animation are very much ' blossoming ‘.
Even though the Canadian dollar has grown stronger the enhanced credits that have come into place in the last year or so simply are driving U.S. and foreign productions into Canada. Even Bollywood is looking at Canada!

Maybe Canada is a little boring and conservative when it comes to many other countries but being a stable country with a diverse filming geography and strong financial system offsets that Canadian ' boring ' personna quite well!

Single productions cannot apply for both the domestic film/tv credit and the production services tax credit - you are required to choose one or the other assuming you qualify. In many cases applications are being streamlined and even filed online in Canada.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experience film fax advisor to maximize the financing of your tax credits - they should no doubt enhance project success.

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Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/film_tax_incentives_film_finance_tax_credit.html