Advice wanted for putting together profit-share production

I'm after advice on how to put together a company to produce a profit-share production. I have a play that I want to produce and a role in that play that I want to play. I only have a few huindred dollars I can invest myself, though, so would need other people to be involved and invest in the project. How should I get these people together? Is it OK to say that I'm looking for a director, oh and by the way, you need to invest in the prduction? I've only ever been involved as an actor before, so really have no idea where to start - help me, please!

The MEAA website has a suggested model that works quite well. The website has the contract in full in a downloadable and printable PDF file or at least it used to. I can't find it now. Try www.alliance.org.au. It's a pretty straightforwrd agreement document. A lot of people are getting used to working in co ops today. Just don't rip anyone off. EDIT: I'm sorry I looked again for this model that I know was there last year. I downloaded it myself for a project here in Adelaide but I can't even find it on my computer now. The dreaded housekeeping obviously caught up with me. It's not rocket science, you need to make it clear from the start that investment is required and give people the opportunity to invest in shares. You must work out how much each investment buys (what percentage of final profit) or you can keep it simple work out how much total you need divide it by the people involved and distribute that way but you must preplan what to do if you make a loss. Co op is becoming far more common these days there has to be models out there you can use.

Yes, MEAA have removed the co-op agreement from their site, but if you email them and ask for it, they will send it to you. A couple of hundred dollars won't get you very far, so be sure to pick people you know and have worked with before when going co-op. A lot of people will find the putting in money thing a little hard to deal with, especially since you probably won't get any back. A big thing to remember is that if you owe money at the end of the show, then you are all liable for that payment - as in, if you (Andrea) can't pay what's owed, then you all have to pay it. Make sure whatever agreement you create (and make sure it is written in a contract) covers what happens when money is owed, and what happens when you make a profit, and what happens when there is a dispute. You will need to find out what kind of insurance you will need, how much and where to get it from - don't think you can do without it. The number of accidents that happen - you will, even if it's just to cover your ass. Many venues also won't hire to you unless you have insurance. Basically, you create a co-op show the same way you create any other show, but in this case, the performers may also do the technical stuff; organise publicity, the venue, etc. If you are really unsure, find a production manager or stage manager who is experienced in fringe performances, and ask them to help you. Much of it will be learned along the way. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask! Na The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com

Make sure you have a well crafted battle tested play or you can end up losing a tidy fortune.

You need to produce a total budget, with every cost itemized.This will give you a dollar amount which is your 'cash cost'.There are often percentage costs like royalties.You divide the 'cash cost' by 1-royalties[e.g..1] which will give you a 'break even' figure.You then express every cost,wages,publicity, etc as a percentage of the 'break even'.The costs such as wages can be taken up as a percentage by the participants and you invite investors to buy the percentage to cover the costs which have to be paid in cash.It is a good 'litmus test' of the show if it appeals to investors.I suggest that you limit investors to around $1000 each so that there is a limited liability.At the end of the show everyone gets a percentage of the gross.Using this method is fair to everyone involved.

Lyn Wallis has written an excellent book on setting up and producing Co-operative theatre "In Good Company: A manual for producing independent theatre", available from Currency Press.