About this episode

Katherine Romans and Charlie Traisman discuss building an independent production company and the intricacies of fundraising for films.

Madhouse Films co-founders Katherine Romans and Charlie Traisman join GG Hawkins to explain how they built an independent production company from the ground up. They discuss using short films as their version of film school, raising project financing through relationship-building, approaching investors as creative partners, and transitioning from shorts to feature films. The conversation also explores cold outreach, fiscal sponsorship, balancing artistic ambition with financial realities, building durable producing partnerships, and why filmmakers must treat their projects like small businesses. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests Katherine Romans and Charlie Traisman discuss... How Romans and Traisman’s longtime friendship developed into a creative and business partnership Using short films to establish Madhouse Films’ voice, values, and community of collaborators Why emerging producers should make projects before waiting for the perfect opportunity Raising a flexible pool of financing while simultaneously developing and producing films Identifying different investor profiles and understanding what each person wants from participating Approaching investors as…

People in this episode

Host: GG Hawkins

Guests: Katherine Romans, Charlie Traisman

Topics covered

• independent film production
• fundraising for films
• creative partnerships
• short films
• investor relations
• fiscal sponsorship
• artistic ambition

Keywords

• indie films
• project financing
• relationship-building
• creative partners
• cold outreach
• producing partnerships
• small business

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Madhouse Films

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