PhoenixF2B
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Jan 24, 2005, 1:39 AM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: [eeha] choosing a catchy nam
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Eeha,
I commend you on your decision and ambition for starting your own company. Since I don't know what experience you have the type of work your current employer does, I'm going to assume you know your craft, however, the first thing you're going to learn is how much more there really is to know.
A friend and I did the same thing about 6 years ago, during college we formed our own company. It's a LOT of work, and there's no way I can express verbally how hard and difficult it's going to be. We started out doing weddings and bar mitzvahs, and worked our way up to commercial work, and right now we're developing 2 television shows that are going to broadcast nationwide this summer. So if you want it, go for it.
As far as what you need to do, yes, come up with a name that you like. It can be your own name as previously suggested, or a production term, or location, or even a silly name, whatever catches your fancy.
The main things legal wise you'll need are (we are based in South Florida, so this is what we had to get, I imagine it wouldn't be too far off for you):
1: Occupation License
2: Sales Tax collection license
3: Fictitious name registration
Decide what kind of business you want to be (ie. Sole Proprietorship, corporation, LLC) They each have pros and cons, I would do some research on each and then probably consult a lawyer or an agency that can register everything for you. http://www.amerilawyer.com/ this is the company we used, they are quick and effective. They have different options with varying prices, so again, I recommend that you research your options and then contact them.
Further steps to look into, register and trademark any logos or ficitious names you come up with. Get a good business insurance plan. Especially in production, equipment gets banged around and damaged easily. Make sure it's covered.
The most important piece of advice I can give you this....and PLEEEEASE take it to heart....
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!!! I cannot express to you how important this is. Before purchasing any equipment...research ALL of your options...it is SOOO easy to buy the wrong thing and the bills on that can rack up so incredibly fast. We have three associates who came to us for advice on starting the production company, and we researched for them, talked to them, made them research, and put together editing systems and camera packages for them. On a whim, they went out and bought something else. All three came back after having severe problems and switching to the recommended systems.
Point being, RESEARCH the hell out of whatver your considering. I hope this has been of some help, even though I did ramble a bit, but hopefully this will get you started.
Best regards,
Daniel Sanz
Fade 2 Black Productions, Inc.
~If you dream it, do it.
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