[PART 2] THE GREAT DEBATE: CROWDFUNDING VS. CORPORATE FUNDING.
CROWDFUNDING AS A NEW WAVE OF CREATIVITY AND GATEWAY TO NEW IDEAS
Crowd funding has essentially democratized the filmmaking industry to a degree. It has given aspiring filmmakers that do not have the financial backing of a major studio to be able to get the necessary funds to produce and create a feature film production that would often require years of working and saving up to be able to create on an independent level. The very idea that people from all over the world can look into a profile for a project needing funds to be create and then have the option of donating hard earned money to support the film is an astounding idea and concept. It is a process that is by the people and for the people.
There are incentives for the film despite no one that donating gets anything back financially but do get the perks of seeing an advance screening or other incentives to see a rough cut of the final production in advance of the premiere screening. But the main idea of having the people be the ones that give you the money to make your film is a very powerful and empowering idea. It also enforces an aspiring filmmaker to be precise and specific in what they need to communicate to their target demographic. It is one of the many things that are required for a successful campaign to get people interested and involved in a passion project.
There are factors that crowdfunding makes the independent filmmaker must think about: 1. Who is your targeted audience? 2. What are you promising people that fund your project as incentives? 3. Do you have a timeline to provide updates for your audience and supporters as to the progress of your projects and sending thank you letters to everyone that has supported you?
These are but a few of the questions that someone who is working hard to get funded should ask themselves. It is definitely a gateway into marketing to a degree because you're having to get everyone's attention in a brief moment of time and need to grab the audience's attention and keep it for the duration of the time you need to get funded. The saying, "First impressions last forever" is a key term that is definitely a must in regards to crowdfunding. There is a short window of time that you have to grab a person's attention and to hold it long enough for them to be interested in funding your project.
"FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST FOREVER"
When thinking of the term, "First Impressions Last Forever," it comes with the issue of revealing something that is your best idea and putting your best foot forward to get everyone's attention. This could be anything that ranges from some of your best concept artwork, a movie poster, a behind the scenes documentary video that gives a brief overview of the mission. You want to wow and impress everyone immediately and keep them hooked. You want people to be excited about what is it that you're trying to accomplish with getting funded.
Let people know exactly what it is that you're trying to accomplish. It is best to shoot a bunch of content to have if possible weekly, bi-weekly or monthly updates via video or photos or blogs depending on how much time you have on your project due to the time allowed before your goal is needed to be reached. The more that you share with people and the more people see, the more they are likely to be convinced to go along with your vision as well as having people likely to spread the word a lot more frequently. Social media is a very big key in the process of crowdfunding and having the ability to spread the word of your vision without spamming your friends or family but being professional about it.
SEEKING HELP AND GOING INTO DETAILS PRIOR TO LAUNCHING
Crowdfunding requires a lot of hard work an deep commitment and does need a game plan from the beginning to the end. It is a production all by itself in some respects. And definitely make sure that you use your strengths and collaborate with others to help further your goals of getting everything done. If you need help with doing financial managing and have a peer who is an accountant, before you even launch your page for the project, have a deep seated conversation with them about how much money will be needed from breaking your script and looking into the production value of everything ranging from the hair and make-up, costume design, lighting and catering, to the set props and location rental. Take everything into consideration before going forward with launching a page. The more time that is taken going into the details will be shown when the page is launched and the world will see the level of detail and care brought forth.
This is not like having a studio fund the project but at the same time you're making the case like you were seeking funding for the project from a major studio. Just treat it the same way. Definitely know what is the budget that you need and don't guess at all. But try to be exact from the dollar amount down to the cent on how much you need for the project, which is why seeking financial advice and know the amount of funds that will be needed. If you're working on having practical effects work done then make sure to have that included in the budget. Tell the viewers who are looking at your page how many days or weeks or months needed to shoot the entire production.
Provide photos of the official cast members who have been cast or drop hints of new things to come in the weeks ahead of the production once you've been funded. Give as much insight into the project without spoiling the project at all. Protect your investment with copyrighting it and not giving away plot points, but give the viewers a window into your world that you're trying to bring to life with their help.
Crowd funding has essentially democratized the filmmaking industry to a degree. It has given aspiring filmmakers that do not have the financial backing of a major studio to be able to get the necessary funds to produce and create a feature film production that would often require years of working and saving up to be able to create on an independent level. The very idea that people from all over the world can look into a profile for a project needing funds to be create and then have the option of donating hard earned money to support the film is an astounding idea and concept. It is a process that is by the people and for the people.
There are incentives for the film despite no one that donating gets anything back financially but do get the perks of seeing an advance screening or other incentives to see a rough cut of the final production in advance of the premiere screening. But the main idea of having the people be the ones that give you the money to make your film is a very powerful and empowering idea. It also enforces an aspiring filmmaker to be precise and specific in what they need to communicate to their target demographic. It is one of the many things that are required for a successful campaign to get people interested and involved in a passion project.
There are factors that crowdfunding makes the independent filmmaker must think about: 1. Who is your targeted audience? 2. What are you promising people that fund your project as incentives? 3. Do you have a timeline to provide updates for your audience and supporters as to the progress of your projects and sending thank you letters to everyone that has supported you?
These are but a few of the questions that someone who is working hard to get funded should ask themselves. It is definitely a gateway into marketing to a degree because you're having to get everyone's attention in a brief moment of time and need to grab the audience's attention and keep it for the duration of the time you need to get funded. The saying, "First impressions last forever" is a key term that is definitely a must in regards to crowdfunding. There is a short window of time that you have to grab a person's attention and to hold it long enough for them to be interested in funding your project.
"FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST FOREVER"
When thinking of the term, "First Impressions Last Forever," it comes with the issue of revealing something that is your best idea and putting your best foot forward to get everyone's attention. This could be anything that ranges from some of your best concept artwork, a movie poster, a behind the scenes documentary video that gives a brief overview of the mission. You want to wow and impress everyone immediately and keep them hooked. You want people to be excited about what is it that you're trying to accomplish with getting funded.
Let people know exactly what it is that you're trying to accomplish. It is best to shoot a bunch of content to have if possible weekly, bi-weekly or monthly updates via video or photos or blogs depending on how much time you have on your project due to the time allowed before your goal is needed to be reached. The more that you share with people and the more people see, the more they are likely to be convinced to go along with your vision as well as having people likely to spread the word a lot more frequently. Social media is a very big key in the process of crowdfunding and having the ability to spread the word of your vision without spamming your friends or family but being professional about it.
SEEKING HELP AND GOING INTO DETAILS PRIOR TO LAUNCHING
Crowdfunding requires a lot of hard work an deep commitment and does need a game plan from the beginning to the end. It is a production all by itself in some respects. And definitely make sure that you use your strengths and collaborate with others to help further your goals of getting everything done. If you need help with doing financial managing and have a peer who is an accountant, before you even launch your page for the project, have a deep seated conversation with them about how much money will be needed from breaking your script and looking into the production value of everything ranging from the hair and make-up, costume design, lighting and catering, to the set props and location rental. Take everything into consideration before going forward with launching a page. The more time that is taken going into the details will be shown when the page is launched and the world will see the level of detail and care brought forth.
This is not like having a studio fund the project but at the same time you're making the case like you were seeking funding for the project from a major studio. Just treat it the same way. Definitely know what is the budget that you need and don't guess at all. But try to be exact from the dollar amount down to the cent on how much you need for the project, which is why seeking financial advice and know the amount of funds that will be needed. If you're working on having practical effects work done then make sure to have that included in the budget. Tell the viewers who are looking at your page how many days or weeks or months needed to shoot the entire production.
Provide photos of the official cast members who have been cast or drop hints of new things to come in the weeks ahead of the production once you've been funded. Give as much insight into the project without spoiling the project at all. Protect your investment with copyrighting it and not giving away plot points, but give the viewers a window into your world that you're trying to bring to life with their help.
Comments
Post a Comment