Your Production is Cleared for Immediate Takeoff
A typical film production is like preparing a massive aircraft for its maiden voyage. You have to assemble a crew from scratch, source and load every piece of equipment, stock all the supplies, file a flight plan, and go through countless ground checks. You get on the tarmac with a daunting pre-flight checklist. It's an enormous amount of logistical work before your project can even begin to taxi down the runway.
The Team is Already in the Cockpit
With our "Autopilot" service, your production doesn't start on the ground. It begins in the air, with the entire pre-flight checklist already completed for you. We've already handled the complex preparations, allowing you to bypass the tarmac and start at your creative cruising altitude. This means your time, budget, and energy are focused on the journey, not just the departure.
This comprehensive package handles every facet of your production, from financing and crewing to accounting and post-production wrap-out. We provide or source all the labor and services needed to complete your project, allowing you to focus on the creative vision while we manage the execution.
AUTOPILOT Services
Seamless Community Integration & Support
Our strategic partnership with the Champaign County Film Office provides your production with unparalleled ground support and removes the friction of filming in a new territory. As the official film office for the region, their team acts as a complimentary concierge, ensuring you have access to everything the community has to offer. This partnership provides:
Location Scouting
Access to an extensive photo library and on-the-ground support to find and secure the perfect locations.
PermitS & Government
A direct line to local municipalities, police, and fire departments to streamline all necessary permitting.
Local Crew & VendorS
Access to a deep database of experienced local crew, hotels, caterers, and other essential support services.
Casting and Background Talent
Managing hundreds of background actors can be a major logistical challenge. The "Autopilot" service streamlines this entire process with our integrated, in-house solutions.
In-House Casting
We provide full-service local casting for principals and background actors through our in-house casting company, Compass Casting & Bokeh Background. This gives your production immediate access to a robust database of regional talent, eliminating the need to source and hire an external casting director.
Digital Vouchers & Payroll
To manage background talent on set, we utilize a modern, fully digital platform. This system replaces traditional paper-based processes with seamless digital vouchers, electronic onboarding, and integrated payroll, creating a more efficient, accurate, and eco-friendly workflow for your production.
Picture Cars
We facilitate the connection between car owners and productions who need specific types of vehicles for their projects.
Team
Proven Leadership
Our studio and the "Autopilot" service are guided by a team of experienced producers who know how to deliver high-quality films efficiently. The service is piloted by our in-house production office staff, saving you the time and expense of building a team from the ground up. Our seasoned professionals handle the day-to-day operations of your film, including hiring all local crew and vendors, location scouting, and managing the complex logistics of any feature film or television series.
Integrated Financial Services
Our Autopilot service includes a complete financial infrastructure managed by our in-house team, Four Swords Consulting, which has over 30 years of combined finance executive experience. We provide end-to-end accounting and payroll services, but our offering goes much further.
By choosing the Flyover "Autopilot" service, you are not just renting a space; you are engaging a complete production partner dedicated to bringing your project in on time and under budget.
Tax Credit Financing to Audit
1
Tax Incentive Monetization
We don't just help you apply for the Illinois tax credit; we help you get cash from it during production. As part of our Autopilot service, we offer in-house financing to pre-monetize your tax credit, providing critical upfront funding for your project. Our expert team then manages the entire lifecycle, from the initial application and audit preparation to the final sale of the credit, ensuring you maximize your financial return.
2
Audit-Ready From Day One
We handle all meticulous cost tracking and internal control evaluations to ensure your project is prepared for any financial scrutiny. We prepare all materials for the tax credit audit and manage the process on your behalf.
3
Full Accounting & Payroll
Forget staffing a new accounting department. We manage all project finances, including payroll, tailoring our services to the unique legal and accounting compliance needs of your production.
The decision to move Moses the Black from Chicago to Flyover was a game-changer. It delivered millions in savings and condensed our Chicago-planned schedule by several days. This efficiency meant that our crew could really focus its energy on the film's creative vision.
Alexandros Potter, Producer "Moses the Black"
The Case Study
We recently put this model to the test on a mid-sized feature film. The production was initially slated for a 19-day shoot in Chicago. After running the numbers, the production made the strategic decision to relocate to Flyover Film Studios, utilizing our complete "Autopilot" service. The projected total savings were staggering—over $2.7 million of the GROSS budget. The enhanced 40% Illinois Tax Credit for downstate productions was a significant benefit for the project, delivering additional tax credits compared to Chicago.
This wasn't just a move for affordability; it was a move for efficiency. Once the cameras started rolling, the on-the-ground efficiencies were so significant that the team was able to cut an additional two days from the schedule, completing the work in just 15 days.
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For more information, we have a dedicated page with all of the data:
CO-PILOT: FOR PRODUCTIONS THAT want more operational command
Try Co-Pilot...
It's Just That! You're in Control, We're here to Support
The Co-Pilot model is our direct response to a clear industry demand: a hybrid solution that combines the institutional knowledge and resources of a local powerhouse with the specific leadership and vision of a visiting production. It is not a pre-packaged service; it is a strategic partnership designed for seamless integration and maximum efficiency, empowering producers to do what they do best.
The core difference is control. While our Autopilot service offers a fully managed, turnkey operation for those who need it, Co-Pilot integrates Flyover’s immense resources directly into your team. Your producers and your department heads remain firmly in command, augmented and supported by our veteran team and state-of-the-art facilities. You are the pilot; we are your expert co-pilot, navigating the logistics so you can focus on the destination.
CLIENTS
RECENT FLYOVER PRODUCTIONS
