How is FilmMoney different than their competitors? By David Brown
Why FilmMoney is Different: David Brown on What Sets Us Apart from Other Film Lenders
In a market dominated by rigid institutions, FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC are proving that experience, relationships, and hustle still matter. In 2024, David Brown and his business partner deployed over $13 million across 14 film loans, generating a 31% return on capital — all without billion-dollar backing or Wall Street pressure.
So what makes us different? Here’s how FilmMoney beats the big guys.
We Know Production — Because We Come From Production
While many competitors are run by Harvard, Wharton, or Yale finance alumni who’ve never stepped on a set, David Brown is a former DGA Unit Production Manager and PGA film producer. He worked his way up through nearly every on-set role over two decades.
“Our borrowers aren’t spreadsheets. They’re filmmakers just like I was — grinding 12- to 14-hour days, juggling payroll, and praying the bond closes in time.” — David Brown, Founder of FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC
This firsthand knowledge allows us to solve problems before they escalate, communicate in production language, and build deals that work in the real world — not just in a legal memo.
We’re Connected to the People Who Actually Make Films
FilmMoney’s borrowers aren’t just numbers — they’re your future collaborators. Through David Brown’s membership in the Producers Guild of America (PGA), he has direct access to 8,400+ filmmakers via the PGA Slack and industry networks. When funds are available, we don’t wait — we activate.
“When we have capital to deploy, I send out a ‘flair’ to PGA members, letting them know FilmMoney is ready to invest.”
That reach and credibility can’t be bought — it’s earned.
We Don’t Wait. We Show Up.
While institutional lenders sit back and make you jump through hoops, FilmMoney shows up on set — literally.
Need a night shoot coffee truck? We’ll send it.
Wrap party running late? We’ll cover the bar.
Stuck on how to structure a tax credit advance? Text David.
We stay involved from loan origination to final delivery — offering referrals, strategic advice, and moral support along the way.
Our Terms Are Simple. Our Support Is Real.
No hidden fees.
No over-lawyered term sheets.
No ghosting after the deal closes.
With FM Lending LLC, you get fast decisions, responsive service, and real conversations. We know what can delay a shoot, what can kill a budget, and how to prevent it — because we’ve lived it.
The Bottom Line?
This is a relationship-driven industry, and the little things matter. A coffee truck today might lead to a million-dollar deal tomorrow. At FilmMoney, we’re not just building a loan book — we’re building relationships with the next Tarantino or Spielberg.
Want to work with a lending partner who actually gets it?
Contact us at: dbrown@filmmoney.com to discuss your project.
Does does FilmMoney protect their capital against the collateral? By David Brown
Investor Confidence: How FilmMoney & FM Lending LLC Protect Capital in Every Loan
For our capital partners and investors, the number one question is always the same:
“What happens if something goes wrong?”
At FilmMoney, founded by David Brown, we treat that question as our starting point—not an afterthought. Whether you’re participating in a fund, offering a line of credit, or co-lending with us, you deserve to know your capital is protected with the same legal rigor as a bank.
Here’s exactly how FM Lending LLC secures every loan we issue.
1. Copyright Mortgage – Our Industry-Specific Lien
Every film has what’s known as a Chain of Title (CoT) — a documented history of ownership covering the script and all rights assignments. Once a producer registers a film with the U.S. Library of Congress, FilmMoney files a Copyright Mortgage, which is the entertainment equivalent of placing a lien on a deed.
Why It Matters:
No other lender can skip the line.
The distributor’s legal team must clear our lien before delivering payment to the producer.
Our claim is legally embedded in the intellectual property itself.
Think of it like a title report in real estate — we make sure our name is on it before any money changes hands .
2. Security Agreement & UCC-1 Filing
In addition to copyright, we secure our loan with a Security Agreement and file a UCC-1 lien at the state level. This gives FM Lending LLC a first-position interest in:
The film’s assets (current and future)
Tax credits and incentives
All sales, licensing, and studio payments
If the borrower attempts to obtain new financing, our UCC lien is visible in any lender’s due diligence — preventing dilution of our secured position .
3. Completion Bond = Added Security Layer
For most projects, we also require a Completion Bond, issued by a trusted partner like Film Finances Inc.. The bond company becomes contractually obligated to:
Oversee production and ensure it stays on track
Facilitate delivery of the completed film to the buyer
Repay our loan in full if delivery fails
This means we’re not just relying on borrower promises — we’re backed by a licensed, bonded third party trained to manage risk and assure completion.
Final Layer: No Funds, No Film
Our documentation ensures that producers cannot release their film, access tax credits, or collect studio payments without satisfying our lien position first. These protections are why capital providers trust David Brown and the FilmMoneyplatform with tens of millions in annual lending volume.
Bottom Line for Investors
When you partner with FM Lending LLC, you’re not gambling on a creative dream — you’re participating in a secured, asset-backed loan model designed to prioritize capital protection and enforceability.
“Every dollar we deploy is secured by intellectual property, bonded delivery, and enforceable legal documentation. Our job is to deliver strong returns without surprises.” — David Brown, Founder of FilmMoney
Interested in investing alongside us or exploring capital participation?
Visit www.filmmoney.com or email us at: dbrown@filmmoney.com
What about in events of default? By David Brown
What Happens If You Default? FilmMoney’s Approach to Risk, Recovery, and Respect
At FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC, we’re filmmakers first, lenders second. That’s why we do everything possible to avoid stressful litigation and maintain positive relationships with our borrowers — even in the rare event of default.
But let’s be real: film financing carries risk, and we’ve designed our system to protect both the capital we deploy and the producers we support. Here’s what happens if a default occurs and how David Brown and the FilmMoney team handle it with precision, professionalism, and protection.
First Things First: Legal Costs Are Covered
If a borrower defaults, our legal fees and collection costs are recoverable under the loan agreement. But that doesn’t mean we rush to court — quite the opposite. Our goal is project completion, not confrontation.
“We’ve been producers ourselves. The last thing we want to do is blow up a project — we want to finish it and help everyone get paid.” — David Brown, Founder of FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC
Power of Attorney & Power of Sale
As part of every loan package, FilmMoney requires a Power of Attorney / Power of Sale agreement. This powerful legal tool gives us the right to step in and manage the production if the borrower breaches the agreement.
What That Means in Practice:
We take temporary control of the borrowing entity and work with our clients to get them across the finish line.
We work with the completion bond rep to oversee daily operations and financials.
We ensure the film is completed and delivered to the contracted buyer.
Once we are repaid — including premium, principal, and default interest — we return control to the producer.
This allows us to protect our investor’s capital while keeping the production on track.
Default Interest & Incentives to Resolve
If a borrower defaults, an additional 2.5% weekly interest is added on top of the standard premium and fees. This isn’t punitive — it’s designed to encourage swift resolution and prioritize FilmMoney’s repayment during the recovery process .
Completion Is Always the Goal
Our financing model is built around the assumption that the film will get made and get delivered — because that’s how everyone wins:
The buyer gets the film.
The producer maintains credibility.
FilmMoney recovers the loan.
And no one ends up in court.
We work hand-in-hand with completion bond companies, legal teams, and producers to stabilize and deliver the project — not to dismantle it.
Bottom Line
At FilmMoney, we don’t just write checks — we understand the chaos and complexity of film production. If a deal goes sideways, we step in to steady the ship, not sink it. Thanks to strong legal safeguards like our Power of Attorney/Power of Sale and completion bond oversight, we have a clear path to recover capital without destroying careers.
Learn more at www.filmmoney.com or email us at hello@filmmoney.com to speak with David Brown and explore how we finance films the right way — with protection for everyone involved.
What is a bridge (short-term) loan? By David Brown
FilmMoney’s Short-Term Bridge Loan: Fast Capital When Time is Critical
In the independent film world, the clock kills more projects than the script. You’ve secured financing, but closing takes weeks. Meanwhile, attorney fees are piling up, talent escrow needs funding, and your dream cast has a narrow availability window.
That’s why David Brown, founder of FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC, created the Short-Term Bridge Loan — a fast, flexible solution to help producers cover critical expenses during the financing close.
Why Producers Need Bridge Loans
Even with firm financing commitments in place, finalizing paperwork and setting up escrow can take 6–8 weeks. In that time, producers often incur:
Legal fees
Actor and talent escrow
Script development and chain-of-title cleanup
Early-stage pre-production costs
These costs can’t wait — and if you do, you risk losing talent or pushing the project indefinitely. “Bridge loans aren’t a luxury — they’re a lifeline. We step in so the deal doesn’t fall apart while the paperwork catches up.”
— David Brown, Founder of FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC
How the Short-Term Bridge Loan Works
FilmMoney provides fast, secured funding to help you bridge the gap between commitment and close.
Key Terms:
Loan Amount: Based on verified budget needs
Loan Term: 4–10 weeks
Premium: 15%–20% flat
Origination Fee: 3.5%–10% of the loan
Secured Lending, Creative Flexibility
Fast Execution – Legal docs and funding within days.
Secured Position – FilmMoney files a UCC-1 lien and copyright mortgage for protection.
Transition Planning – We coordinate with your financiers’ legal team for a seamless exit.
Repayment – Once your long-term financing closes, the bridge loan is repaid and liens are released or assigned.
Examples of Use Cases:
Holding a cast member by funding escrow
Paying legal teams for closing docs
Securing a bond package ahead of time
Keeping the production office open during the finance gap
Smart Structuring = Bigger Incentives
When possible, FilmMoney allows producers to classify bridge loan costs as eligible production expenses, making them rebate-eligible in states that support it. That can mean 20%–40% of your fees come back through tax incentives .
Bottom Line
The Short-Term Bridge Loan from FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC is fast, secure, and designed specifically for producers navigating the chaos between deal and delivery. If you’re in a closing crunch, we’re your reliable first-in lender — not your bottleneck.
Learn more at www.filmmoney.com
What is a Minimum Guarantee (MG) loan? By David Brown
Unlock Cash Before Delivery: How FilmMoney’s MG Advance Loan Turns Paper into Power
In today’s film economy, landing a Minimum Guarantee (MG) from a reputable distributor is a major milestone. Whether it’s Netflix, Universal, or A24, an MG validates your project — and more importantly, it promises future cash. But that’s the problem: future.
Until delivery, that MG sits as an IOU. You still need to finish the movie, hit deadlines, and keep the crew paid. That’s where FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC come in, with our Minimum Guarantee Advance Loan — turning tomorrow’s payment into today’s production fuel.
What is a Minimum Guarantee (MG)?
A Minimum Guarantee is a distributor’s legally binding commitment to pay you a fixed amount once the film is delivered. It typically comes after you’ve attached key cast, locked your script, and generated enough buzz to secure a distribution deal.
However, the MG doesn’t hit your account until delivery — and delivery can take months, or even a year. That delay leaves many producers in a cash crunch. You’ve secured your buyer… but can’t afford to finish the movie.
FilmMoney’s MG Advance Loan — Get Paid Now
With the MG Advance Loan, FM Lending LLC advances up to 70%–80% of your MG value before delivery. It’s fast, structured, and production-friendly — designed by David Brown, a PGA and DGA producer who’s faced this exact challenge on the front lines.
Key Benefits:
Advance up to 80% of your signed MG amount
Loan Term: 8–12 months
Premium: 15%–20% flat
Origination Fee: 3.5%–10% of loan
How It Works
You Secure the MG – From a recognized distributor or sales agent.
We Underwrite the Deal – Review the MG contract, budget, and borrower.
Incremental Weekly Funding – After verifying qualified expenses through weekly audits, we fund you in stages.
Repayment – Once the film is delivered and the MG is paid, the loan is repaid from your distributor’s payment.
Why David Brown Designed This Product
After producing multiple films and navigating deals with major buyers, David Brown saw firsthand how MGs could bottleneck production. He built this solution to bridge that gap — because financing delays kill momentum.
“When a studio sends you an MG, it’s a greenlight. The last thing you should worry about is running out of cash before the finish line.” — David Brown, Founder of FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC
Use Your MG to Fund Post, Lock Talent, or Secure Your Bond
Whether you’re hiring a post house, chasing a high-demand editor, or getting your completion bond in place — this loan unlocks your leverage. You’re not guessing or gambling. You’re advancing a contractually secured payout.
Bonus: Loan Fees May Qualify for Rebate
In qualifying states, the fees and premiums paid on your MG Advance Loan may count as qualified production expenses — meaning you could recoup 20%–40% of the loan cost through your state’s tax incentive program .
Ready to Move from Greenlight to Go-Time?
FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC are here to help you finish strong — not just start strong. When you’ve secured your buyer, we’ll help you unlock your MG to finish the film and get paid.
Visit www.filmmoney.com or email us at hello@filmmoney.com to speak with David Brown directly and get prequalified.