What are Union & Guild Deposit Loans? By David Brown
Film Union & Guild Deposit Loans: Unlocking Cash Flow When You Need It Most
When you’re prepping a union production, there’s a financial hurdle few outside the industry understand: the massive upfront deposits required by SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and the DGA. Before the cameras roll, producers are often required to place hundreds of thousands of dollars in escrow — tying up critical capital that could otherwise go to production.
At FilmMoney, we’ve been in those trenches. That’s why David Brown, a veteran PGA and DGA producer, created the Union & Guild Deposit Loan through FM Lending LLC — giving producers immediate liquidity to cover these unavoidable industry costs.
What Are Union & Guild Deposits?
Guilds and unions exist to protect their members. As part of that protection, they require producers to place deposits to guarantee payroll obligations.
Here’s what that can look like:
SAG-AFTRA: 40%–50% of total actor payroll (including taxes and benefits)
IATSE: Up to two full weeks of crew payroll held in escrow
DGA: Deposits for UPMs, 1st ADs, 2nd ADs, and directors
These deposits don’t replace payroll — they’re in addition to what you’ll actually pay talent and crew. For indie producers or mid-tier projects, this can freeze a huge chunk of cash at the worst possible time .
How the FilmMoney Deposit Loan Works
Rather than tying up your entire working capital, FilmMoney lets you leverage our Union & Guild Deposit Loan to meet those escrow demands — without draining your budget.
Key Features:
Loan Amount: Up to 75%–80% of total escrow deposits
Loan Term: 2–4 months
Premium: 15%–20% flat
The Process:
Verification – We verify your deposit amounts through underwriting.
Escrow Confirmation – Guilds confirm amounts and hold structure.
Funding – FilmMoney funds your production so you can operate freely.
Repayment – At project wrap, guilds return deposits directly to FM Lending LLC, repaying the loan in full .
Built for Compliance, Backed by Experience
To ensure compliance and protect all parties, we execute the following:
Direction-To-Pay Agreement (DTP): Directs guilds to repay us upon deposit release.
Interparty Agreement (IPA): Signed by the guild or union, acknowledging our repayment rights.
No Interference with Talent or Crew: This loan doesn’t delay or interrupt union relations — it empowers you to fulfill them confidently.
Why David Brown Created This Product
Having worked as a DGA UPM and Line Producer for over a decade, David Brown saw firsthand how productions got squeezed by guild deposits.
“The money’s just sitting there while the production struggles to make payroll or rent a location. I’ve lived that nightmare. So we fixed it.” — David Brown, Founder of FilmMoney
This product is built by someone who understands the producer’s balancing act — juggling union compliance, talent commitments, and cash flow — all before a single frame is shot.
Bonus: Rebates on Fees
In qualified states, loan fees and premiums paid to FilmMoney may count as eligible production expenses, allowing you to earn a 20%–40% rebate on the cost of the loan itself . That’s real ROI on money you needed to spend anyway.
Bottom Line
The Union & Guild Deposit Loan from FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC frees up your working capital while keeping your production compliant and on schedule. Whether you’re dealing with SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, or the DGA, we’ve got your back — so you can stay focused on making your movie, not plugging budget gaps.
Visit www.filmmoney.com to learn more.