I'm not a businessman but it's a business, man.

As I've mentioned on this blog before, I'm in the process of (sloooowly) developing a multimedia project entitled "The Rodshire Archives" about a community of indeterminate location prone to odd occurrences and strange happenstance.  Unfortunately, as is the case with most endeavors, a major part of getting this project off the ground will be fund-raising. Being a first-time entrepreneur and a skilled googler, I immediately took to the internet in search of answers as to how to set up an entity through which I could raise money for my project.  I figured it would be much easier to get people to donate to a legitimate business entity rather than Julia's second checking account.  I googled various search strings such as "incorporating film production company" "starting a production company" and "production company operating agreement".  I found a lot of people looking for help, but not a lot of answers.  The information I found on NOLO and the Citizen Media Law Project was helpful, but again, it was too general and didn't answer my production company-specific questions, like whether I should form an S-Corp or an LLC, if I formed an LLC whether my company would qualify for the publishing exemption in New York, what other permits or licenses would be needed, how donations are taxed, etc.  I couldn't believe that with all the free advice, tutorials, how-to's and helpful hunts out there, there was no DIY guru out there sharing his experience forming an entity to raise capital and produce content! 

I'd love for any readers or DIY-ers out there who have experience forming an entity (whether in NY or elsewhere) for a single film or for multiple projects to leave some free advice here, or shoot me an email at julia@rodshire.com with some advice as to who to contact or where to look.  Any information I get I'd be happy to put into an online guide to help others who are deciding 1) whether they need to incorporate, and if so, 2)how to navigate the rough legal and bureaucratic waters.