Union Deposit Loans: What They Are and How They Save Your Budget
How to free up working capital tied up in SAG, DGA, and IATSE deposits
One of the most overlooked cash flow traps in independent film production is the union deposit requirement. Producers who’ve been through it know the drill: before you can roll cameras, you have to deposit large sums with SAG-AFTRA, DGA, and IATSE as a guarantee for payroll and benefits.
These deposits can tie up hundreds of thousands of dollars—dollars that could otherwise be used to pay crew, secure vendors, or cover post-production expenses.
That’s exactly why FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC, founded by experienced producer David Brown, created the Union Deposit Loan—a purpose-built solution to keep your working capital where it belongs: working.
🎬 What Are Union & Guild Deposits?
Before production begins, major unions require upfront cash deposits as a form of insurance:
SAG-AFTRA often requires 40–50% of actor payroll, including fringes
DGA needs two weeks of payroll for UPMs, ADs, and directors
IATSE typically demands similar deposits for crew
All are held in escrow until production wraps and all reporting is complete
That money sits untouched—often for months.
💸 How Union Deposit Loans Work
Instead of letting that money collect dust, FM Lending LLC offers short-term loans after you’ve made the deposit. We advance up to 80% of the escrowed amount, so you can put it back into production immediately.
Repayment happens automatically once the union releases the deposit after wrap. We execute a Direction to Pay (DTP) with the union or escrow agent, ensuring the funds come directly to us—simple and clean.
🧠 Why This Loan Saves Productions
Increases liquidity during the most cash-hungry stages
Prevents funding gaps when deposits stretch your budget thin
Avoids delays that result from waiting on cash to free up post-wrap
This loan doesn’t replace your deposit—it simply unlocks the value of what you’ve already set aside.
🔧 Built by Producers, for Producers
David Brown, founder of FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC, spent years as a DGA Unit Production Manager and PGA producer. He’s been on set, dealt with tight margins, and seen what happens when deposits derail a timeline. This loan product is a direct response to a problem he’s lived through—and solved.
✅ Final Word
Don’t let union deposits drain your momentum. With a Union Deposit Loan from FM Lending LLC, you keep your budget agile, your production moving, and your crew paid—without cutting corners.
Reach out to David Brown and the FilmMoney team to learn how we can turn locked-up deposits into active capital.