How to Use Short-Term Lending Without Losing Long-Term Control
Helping borrowers understand how to use debt strategically, not desperately
Debt has a bad reputation in the indie film world—but it shouldn’t. When used strategically, short-term lending can empower producers to maintain creative control, deliver on time, and protect backend profits. The key is using the right kind of debt, at the right time, with the right partner.
At FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC, we’ve seen both sides: desperate producers making poor financial decisions—and smart producers using collateral-backed lending to stay in control of their careers. David Brown, our founder, built this platform to help filmmakers leverage debt wisely, not reactively.
Here’s how to use short-term lending to your advantage—without compromising your vision or long-term upside.
🔑 1. Use Debt to Bridge, Not to Build
Debt works best as a bridge between locked-in capital (like tax credits, MGs, or union refunds) and the moment you need to spend it. It should never be your only plan—it’s the tool that fills the gap between committed and collected funds.
Smart move: Use a bridge loan from FM Lending LLC to cover cash flow during production, then repay once rebate or sales proceeds land.
🧩 2. Know Your Exit Before You Borrow
The best borrowers have a clear repayment source before the loan closes. That could be:
A signed MG or pre-sale agreement
A verified tax credit or rebate
Union/guild deposit refunds
Delivery-linked payout from a buyer or platform
David Brown always tells producers: “If you can’t point to the check, don’t take the loan yet.”
⚖️ 3. Debt Is Temporary—Equity Is Forever
Equity may feel safe, but it often costs you more in the long run. Giving up a percentage of your film to raise $100K could mean losing hundreds of thousands in future profit.
With a short-term loan from FilmMoney, you retain full ownership and repay from committed revenue—not your backend.
🔒 4. Structure Protects You
At FM Lending LLC, we file:
Copyright mortgages
UCC-1 liens
Direction to Pay (DTP) agreements
These aren’t just for us—they create a clear, secure repayment process that protects you from investor chaos and waterfall disputes.
✅ Final Thoughts: Don’t Fear the Loan—Master It
Using debt strategically allows you to move faster, protect your project, and keep your long-term upside intact. The key is borrowing with purpose, planning your exit, and partnering with people who speak your language.
If you’re ready to borrow like a pro—not out of panic—contact David Brown and the team at FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC to structure your next move.