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.
How our Film Incentive loan works? by David Brown
What Are Film Tax Credits & Rebates — And How FilmMoney Helps You Access Them Faster
If you’re a filmmaker navigating the financing landscape, you’ve likely heard of film tax credits and cash rebates. These incentives, offered by more than 38 U.S. states, are powerful tools designed to keep productions shooting locally by rewarding in-state spending and job creation.
But there’s a catch: most of these funds aren’t paid out until after production wraps, often months later. That delay can create a serious cash flow crunch. That’s where FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC come in — with a smart solution built by producers, for producers.
Understanding the Incentives: Tax Credits vs. Cash Rebates
Tax Credits are financial offsets against taxes owed to the state. In film, these are often transferable, meaning producers can sell them to in-state businesses that owe taxes — turning credits into real, spendable cash.
Cash Rebates, on the other hand, are direct payments from the state government. After a third-party audit confirms qualified expenditures, the state writes a check — often 30–90 days after completion.
Example: A $5 million film shooting in a state with a 30% incentive can expect $1.5 million back in tax credits or rebates
How FilmMoney Bridges the Gap
While these incentives are generous, they’re not immediate — and producers still need to pay cast, crew, vendors, and locations now. That’s why David Brown, founder of FM Lending LLC and FilmMoney, created the Film Incentive Loan.
With this product, FilmMoney advances 70% to 80% of your anticipated incentive as it accrues during production. Instead of waiting months, you get liquidity when you need it most — in pre-production and production.
How It Works
Spend First – Producers front the initial capital and begin incurring eligible in-state expenses.
Weekly Audits – FilmMoney conducts ongoing audits to verify qualified spending.
Incremental Funding – As expenses are verified, FilmMoney releases loan funds weekly.
Repayment – For cash rebates, the loan is repaid within ~30 days of project completion. For tax credits, FilmMoney facilitates the credit sale to in-state buyers, with repayment typically occurring within 30–90 days.
Built by a Filmmaker, Not a Bank
David Brown, a former DGA Unit Production Manager and PGA producer, created FilmMoney after years of experiencing financing headaches firsthand. He knows the urgency of cash flow when you’re racing to lock a location, pay your crew, or secure talent.
This isn’t just a loan—it’s a financial partnership built on speed, transparency, and production-savvy support. “We don’t sit back and wait. We engage. Our borrowers aren’t loan numbers — they’re our colleagues.” — David Brown
Your Loan May Be Eligible for Its Own Tax Rebate
In some states, fees and premiums paid to FilmMoney may qualify as a rebatable production expense, letting you earn back 20%–40% of the loan cost itself. That means FilmMoney not only fuels your cash flow — it can enhance your rebate return too.
If you'd like to learn more, I'm more than happy to schedule a zoom or in-person meeting. Additionally, our deck is available upon request: dbrown@filmmoney.com