The Production Company: Establishing A Legal Entity

The Production Company: Establishing a Legal Entity

These are the steps I have determined necessary to establish a film production LLC in San Francisco, CA.* 1

Decide to Make a Movie

2

File Articles of Organization (LLC) w/CA Secretary of State $70 filing fee Establishes official bus. name

3

4

Obtain Federal Employment Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS

Apply for Business Registration Certificate from the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector

Government Level: State Federal Local (City & County)

Fee based on payroll tax est.; register w/in 15 days of start of business 5

Open Business Banking Accounts

2b

Create Limited Liability Operating Agreement Documents allocation of profit; does not need to be filed w/state, but kept at bus. location

6

Purchase Insurance Policy

Standard film policy includes producer’s package and general liability. Filming on gov’t property, including roads, requires specific coverage levels; e.g. SF requires general liability, commercial auto liability and workers comp w/min. $1M coverage for each incident. Worker’s Comp may be purchased as part of general policy or through a payroll company

7

Obtain CA Employer Account Number from the Employment Development Department File w/in 15 days of paying a cumulative $100 in payroll

8

File Statement of Information Form w/CA Secretary of State $20 filing fee; must be filed w/in 90 days of submitting Articles of Organization

* I am not a lawyer, nor have I consulted an entertainment lawyer.