Documentary and branded film company

Brands and agencies, larger companies, tourism and cultural bodies, and broadcasters or funders who commission or support documentaries.

Production fees and budgets for each project, with a margin on crew and equipment hire. Documentary work may also draw on grants, tax credits and licensing fees.

• Producing: budgeting, scheduling and managing crew
• Directing, shooting or editing at a professional level
• Pitching to clients, agencies and funders
• Contracts and rights management

• Production insurance (commercial general liability, equipment and sometimes errors and omissions), clients and funders often require it
• Union and guild agreements such as ACTRA or IATSE may apply on some productions, check before hiring
• Municipal film permits for shooting in public spaces, check with your city or local film office
• WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire, rules vary by province
• Uneven cash flow between projects, keep a reserve and set payment milestones
• Funding programs have eligibility rules and deadlines, verify them before relying on them

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on your equipment, premises, insurance and how large your core team is. Your own costs will vary with the kind of work you target.

Things to check include production insurance that clients and funders often require, union or guild agreements such as ACTRA or IATSE, municipal film permits for public spaces, and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire. Rules vary by province.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the projects you land. Cash flow can be uneven between projects, so check keeping a reserve and setting payment milestones.