<P> Bridge finance has increased in prevalence in filmmaking in recent years . Bridge financing is an answer to the common "catch - 22" problem of needing funding to get the actors, but not being able to get the funding without actors . Bridge financing, for example, can be used in scenarios where a filmmaker has a promissory note from an investor to finance a film provided the filmmaker can attach an approved actor, however without money to escrow for the actor's payment, the filmmaker is unable to meet the investor's criteria . In this instance, a short - term lender can provide a bridge loan to secure the actor with the promissory note as collateral; once the actor's payment is escrowed, the equity investment would be triggered, and the bridge loan would be paid back with a small interest . </P> <P> Income from product placement can be used to supplement the budget of a film . </P> <P> The Bond franchise is notable for its lucrative product placements deals, bringing in millions of dollars . In the film Minority Report, Lexus, Bulgari and American Express reportedly paid a combined $20 million for product placement, a record - high amount . Product placement may also take the form of in - kind contributions to the film, such as free cars or computers (as props or for the production's use). While no money changes hands, the films budget will be lowered by the amount that would have otherwise been spent on such items . </P> <P> With a rising popularity of online crowdfunding more and more films are getting financed directly by their consumers this way . The crowdfunding platforms Kickstarter and IndieGoGo have their own categories dedicated to films . </P>

Where does the money for movies come from