Why haven't you financed your film?

There’s a question I’ve been sitting with recently that I wanted to share with you.

The question is: You know how to finance a film, so why haven’t you?

This came about as I was reflecting on an aspect of my business.

I knew what needed to be done. A coach confirmed it. AI gave its two cents. And yet, I was still in a state of paralysis.

In my private community, I coach filmmakers who are no longer questioning how to finance a film. I’ve provided the knowledge, tools and resources to do it.

And information today is abundant. Between social media, YouTube and AI, you can learn almost anything at a surface level.

But knowing what to do, when to do it, and continuing to execute through uncertainty are very different things.

And yet, a lot of people stay stuck.

The reason I landed on is fear.

It’s very hard to operate from a place of fear.

Every decision feels bigger than it needs to. Every thought is analysed, then counter-analysed.

And AI accelerates this.

The ability to play out endless scenarios, not just in your head but with a machine, means you can now spend all day simulating action instead of taking it.

Through my experience financing films and running a business, I’ve found there’s really only one antidote to fear.

And it’s action.

Years ago, I had a mentor who helped me set up my first online program. He had a module about how your mind tries to sabotage you.

Your mind craves comfort and security, so when you embark on something risky, its default response is to shut you down with fear.

His solution?

When your mind pulls out a knife, pull out a gun.

The visual is funny to think about. You fighting your own mind, mano a mano.

But the point was simple and it works: when fear-based thoughts start spiralling, shut them down quickly before they turn into paralysis.

There’s a book whose core idea is perfectly expressed in the title:

Don’t Believe Everything You Think.

Or another phrase I love: Your mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.

You get the idea, now back to filmmaking.

By this point, most people can access enough information to begin.

And if you don’t, spend some time researching online or find a mentor. Watch my YouTube videos. Watch other filmmakers. Join communities, paid or free. Use AI, just don’t believe everything it says.

But once you have enough knowledge to move forward, there comes a point where more information stops helping.

If you’re not reaching out to people every day...

If you’re not sending cold emails to potential financiers...

If you’re not putting yourself in situations where rejection is possible...

It’s likely that fear has you in its grip.

I’m about to launch a private investment campaign to raise $500k.

Am I nervous? Yes.

Fearful? No.

Every time fear enters my mind, I shut it down and return to execution.

Because once the campaign launches, my job is not to think.

My job is to execute the steps I know work.

And ultimately, that’s what separates filmmakers who stay stuck from filmmakers who get films made.

It’s not that one group feels no fear.

It’s that they act before fear gets a vote.

– Alexi