Production loan structures come in many different forms and we’ll help you assess what is possible.

Film and Television production loan structures can be easy and straightforward, or they can be more complicated with many counterparties and moving parts. We understand that each production is different and can quickly assess what a loan for your production might look like. Many financing structures include refundable tax credits from acceptable jurisdictions, distribution, broadcast or streaming contracts as well as possible public agency support. We can review your financing structure, and terms of any agreements to determine if your production would work within our loan programs.

Backed by acceptable pre-sales including distribution, broadcast and streaming licenses.

Interim production financing with senior debt is the most significant form of lending that we provide. We finance your production by using your prearranged sales commitments and estimated tax credit values in order to cash flow during production. This is one of the most common methods of financing film and television production. Loans are based on pre-sold contracts and government backed incentives. Pre-sold contracts give the buyer (be it a streamer, broadcaster or distributor) the exploitation rights to a specific property for a defined geographical territory and specific amount of time. Based on the credit strength of that buyer, the producer can potentially use that license to borrow funds against it in order to finance their production. These counterparties generally consist of investment grade companies, such as the major streamers, broadcasters and larger distributors. We work both with the industry’s most experienced producers as well as assist newer producers that are gaining experience.

Collateralized by Canadian Federal, Provincial or US State tax incentives.

Tax credit financing is used very effectively throughout Canada and many US states. These incentives are used to attract film and television productions and continue to build out infrastructure and crew capacities. We finance such refundable tax credits as part of the production’s overall financing plan. The producer would obtain tax credit values that are properly estimated by trusted third party accountants prior to financing and these estimates are assigned a margin and then monetized as part of our interim production financing loans. Many jurisdictions also utilize other forms of incentives offered by government and agency providers. Based on the strength and details of these incentives, we can also often provide direct financing against the future payment of these incentives.

Funds provided against unsold territorial estimates.

Gap loans are sometimes included in our financing as a way to round out any necessary shortfalls if sufficient collateral value remains in the financing plan. This refers to loans secured against potential sales revenues from territories that are not presold at the time when financing is obtained. The gap repayment comes from future exploitation of such territories in the short term. This form of loan is more specialized and requires significant due diligence to determine the actual lending values of these future sales. As such it is used as little as possible and values are scrutinized given the higher risk.

Short term loans for immediate funding needs in advance of closing an interim production loan.

Bridge financing is a loan made to a production prior to advance of its primary production financing facility. This is intended to fund the costs of pre-production including holding payments for key elements, such as leading cast and other necessary expenses such as deposits. Sums are provided for periods ranging for a very short period of time, such as thirty days, in anticipation of full closing of the primary loan, at which time the bridge loan is repaid.  We look at potential bridge loans only on those productions that we have agreed to finance and there is a small period of time in between when absolutely necessary funds have to be disbursed and the financing closing of the loan. Bridge loans are often the most expensive form of loan so should be used only when all other avenues have been exhausted and sparingly. Note that we do not provide bridge loans on productions that have other financiers arranging to repay this form of loan.

Production of both original content and production services.

Through our affiliated company, Bar None Entertainment, we provide a comprehensive range of services associated with producing both original properties as well as service productions. This includes development, financing, arranging for sales as well as physical production and post. Our experience in both film and television production in both the US and Canadian markets is extensive, as is our ability to manage the use of all available incentives.  We have solid experience in working with all of today’s leading broadcasters, streamers and distributors. Bar None brings a unique perspective to the development, financing and production landscape. Through our deep-rooted experience, professional approach, access to locations, crews and the ability to finance, our sole focus is to produce and deliver high quality productions on time and within budget.