Crowdfunding 101 - Let's Start Here

Crowdfunding is lost. Why? Let me answer.

First, if you aren't aware of what crowdfunding is; it's simply when a filmmaker (I know there are a lot of other reasons to crowd fund but let's stick with filmmaking) turns to the internet site Kickstarter, as an example, creates a campaign, a pitch video, posts what the project is about. Then, fans, the crowd, people who become interested, donate to the project to help make this dream a reality.


So far, so good.


Now, I will lay the blame on the filmmakers. Some do it right. Those are the ones who achieve their goals and actually do better than they hoped. The ones who look to blame everyone and everything except themselves are the problem.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN - keyword in planning is plan. This is simple. Do your homework and research what you're making, what crowdfunding platform would work best. Look at costs and finances. Have a back up plan in case your goal is not met. Know what you're making...do you need insurance, permits, new equipment? What needs to be paid for. Look into everything. Make a check list. How much will it cost to crowd fund? To make and deliver your perks? Look at everything. (I won't touch on pitch video or perks today, but stay tuned for a future video or blog)


Stop creating multiple crowdfunding campaigns asking for help 3-4 times to get one project done. You're already asking people to take a chance, now you're looking terrible and potentially ruining the experience for them, and the next project they might invest in. You could start a chain reaction that damages others dreams. Be responsible.


You are a filmmaker, in essence starting a business. You need to budget yourself and your project. If you can't do this, don't crowd fund. Do not ask for anything that is beyond your means. Stop asking for unrealistic numbers. Don't have a following? Then the chances of you succeeding is small. Maybe crowd fund for a small project, make and complete that and build faith in your current customers and potentially build a larger audience.

Stop and PLAN

Here is the blunt fact - stop being lazy, stop blaming others, start researching and show others why they should invest in your project.


Look at your project as an outsider and be honest: would you donate? Do you care if this gets made? Does the pitch trailer look like a professionals work?


Before I launched my campaigns, each of my 3 projects I used crowdfunding (all successfully reached their goal, the last reached the goal 36 hours after launch) I was studying pitch videos, reading books, googling for help online. I asked others and paid attention and stopped using excuses like "Well, Rob Zombie was crowdfunding and thats where the money went!" Stop fooling yourself. His fans aren't investing in yours. "But Rob, you don't understand"...actually I do...that's why I'm being honest. I treated my investors like partners and shared things along the way and tried to show them bits and pieces along the way. I delivered on all 3 projects. I worked hard, lost some money but didn't let that stop me. I made mistakes but I would NOT let people down.


That's it for today. Crowdfunding works. It's not begging unless you make it begging. The people investing are proving they believe in you. Have integrity and don't let them down. Prove you're a professional and make something great. You can take this advice and make the best project possible or ignore help and realize you made a mistake, costing you much more than a bruised ego. Look around, plenty of advice/help out there. Best of luck.


Until next time, want to see my films? Visit www.youtube.com/RobDimension and watch for free.

Crowdfunding - Who Can Use It?

Crowdfunding - Who Can Use It?

This past week, the internet community has been a buzz with Zach Braff starting his Kickstarter campaign for his new film WISH YOU WERE HERE. This on the heels of the VERONICA MARS fund raising operation, that had a overwhelming response for the cancelled show to be greenlit for a feature film.


Let me give you some background on the term Crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is exactly what it sounds like; someone has an idea for a gadget, a book or a movie (just to name a few examples) and that person then reaches out to the general public to help raise funds for the project. Typically, the donator will receive something in return; possibly a pre-released version of the project, maybe a walk on role in the movie or even be given a higher credit and really be involved in the process behind the scenes. Sites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo have helped so many projects become a reality for struggling creators. It's designed for Independent projects.

The biggest riff this week was based on a big fish like Zach Braff wanting to swim in the little pool, with the feeling he will hog all the food. Braff, the writer and actor behind the successful GARDEN STATE reached out to his audience and asked for help, claiming he wanted to make this film, yet remaining creative and giving up no rights that are often restricted by production studios. He wants to make his movie, his way...I can respect that.


Let's be realistic and look at both sides of the Crowdfunding debate.


The Bad - Who deserves your money? Many independent filmmakers are nervous and feel that with someone like Zach Braff having an extremely successful campaign (raising the almost $2 million dollar budget within the first 48 hours), no money will be left for us. The real fear is that more "celebrities" will now turn to this measure, ruining the purpose that sites like Kickstarter were designed for.

Braff has his own fan base but is now also reaching for our limited group, so there are two possibilities here - Yes, it is indeed possible that potential funds that were designated to come our way, will now, in fact, go to him. Let's say I want to ask for $2,000 to make my first feature film. Yes, I'm aware that's almost nothing but to many, this achieves a dream and can be a game changer. So, in essence we need 20 people to each donate $100. Now, what if those same 20 people look at Braff's campaign and notice how polished it is. In his teaser/pitch trailer he gives you stars that are recognizable, flaunts his award winning GARDEN STATE that screams "I'm successful" and drops terms like "Final Cut", even explaining that if he has to deal with a big studio, they will compromise his "vision". To the first time Kickstarter viewer, this all seems extremely appealing. I don't know about you, but I don't have any famous friends that are on major hit TV shows to use at my leisure. One would have to ask, Braff must have millions, right? Make the movie yourself you greedy turd!!


Now...hold on a second...let's look at the other side

As a fellow struggling filmmaker I had to step back and congratulate Mr Braff for putting together an amazing campaign. If you look at his page, it is full of information, the pitch is done slickly and makes me only want to work harder. Plus, what if he is actually creating an awareness about crowdfunding, thus helping us have a wider audience to reach? Is it possible? I think it can be...let's say his 28,000 donator's (as of now) all have an amazing experience; he delivers on every promise and makes them all feel they got exactly what they wanted, because, admittedly, crowdfunding has a few tarnishes on it from untrustworthy organizers. This could shine a new light on this, give us a new influx of people who want to be involved and we can make more!


Honestly, if people have an opportunity to stand behind someone or something they believe in, they have that right. Donating is just that...a donation. It's your money and no one can tell you how to spend it. If you feel you're getting something out of it, than why should anyone else question it. As someone who has launched two successful crowdfunding campaigns I can say this - I couldn't do it without you, I mean that. It's amazing to hear the kind things that people enclose in messages, the feeling I get to hear  that someone else is living through me...it's overwhelming. Zach has done one thing, at least for me...his presentation has made me realize I need to step up my game. I need to offer the best I can offer, I need to work harder and I need to make the best product I can make or I will lose the faith that has been given to me by others.


The bottom line is this - I'm at the bottom of this creating spectrum, a true independent. I'm hoping that Zach's success will create a trickle down effect and all the rest of the little fish in this big pond will be able to eat too. To the creators, make it count...make it your best effort. To the donator's; when you donate a few bucks, you are literally changing someone's life for the better.

Want to look at my project?
www.YouveBeenRobbedFilms.com