Includes index.

Introduction : Controlling your destiny -- The executive summary: a short version of everything -- The company: who, what, when, and why -- The film: the investor needs to know the whole story -- The industry: the facts and nothing but -- The markets: the spin -- Distribution: theatrical and managing the changing landscape -- Distribution: nontheatrical and the wild west -- Risk factors: truth in advertising -- The financial plan: how it works -- The financials: forecasting without fear -- Sample business plan for a fictional company -- Breaking the rules: documentary, animation, and large format -- Other people's money: them that has the gold makes some of the rules -- Raising money: did someone say it would be easy?