Financing / Crowdfunding : Stage 32 I need your creative input! by LB McGill

Hello - wow - is there a reason why you select Kickstarter vs Indiegogo? -

no... do you think it's a bad idea? Is indigogo better? Remember this is only a draft, there's all the stuff I'm adding, but I just wanted as much feed back as possible. I don't have to make this live and I have to add everything still.

Oh know, I was just curious - Have you gets all your perks down yet, do you know what you want to give the donors? - And why $10,000.00? - also Let say you raise $5,000.00 or 8,000.00 - will you be able to put the rest - To meet the Goal?

well now I was wondering about perks? Do you have any ideas? My AD is putting together the budget this week, that number isn't final yet, but of course everything we need to spend money on will have to be listed in the video. Any ideas for the video?

I'll check the video tomorrow - I like that Image - yes - Posters - credit - DVD copy - T-shirt - Special Thanks - sign-photograph - lets find something cool from the script - a message or something that can put on print - keep in mind you don't wanna spend the money raise - to purchase the PERKS - looks at items you can either make - or cost little to nothing - keep a reasonable goal - I am not sure, I have to double - but I believe you have to meet your goal on Kickstarter to keep the fund raise, but they are the bigger platform - Now Your budget is the key - Make sure the script breakdown for budgeting is done well - with enough overall spending.

ug, I don't have the video up yet :p there's nothing to check, I just want ideas. and that's a lot of suggestions for one post, let's take this one thing at a time, I'm new at this, a sort of crowd funding virgin~ I've played around a little, but this is the real deal, so don't go so fast Durand you'll scare me! :p I really like the "Let's take a phrase from the script" idea, is that to put on the poster?

We need a tagline for the poster. Something quick and witty. (40 Year Old Virgin: The Longer You Wait, The Harder It Gets) • (Alien VS Predator: Whoever Wins, We Lose) • (Army Of Darkness: "Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas.") • (Chicken Run: "Escape Or Die Frying.")

Oh that's a great idea Dave! Have any ideas? What do you think of the picture? could we use that as the poster?

PS Dave meet Durand, Durand meet Dave :p

How about "Dead Serious. I'm not kidding" :p

Loralie, I like the pic... but I would suggest adding something "clever" to the toe tag. Being a Rom-Com, I don't get that from the pic. As far as the perks, here's a couple interesting perks from other campaigns: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jokeandbiagio/dying-to-do-letterman-... http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2115598587/i-am-i-feature-film The reason for the question asked earlier.... kickstarter as opposed to indiegogo.... With Kickstarter, you need to raise all the funds in order to get the money. With Indiegogo, you keep what you earn. From some other suggestions I have heard with kickstarter campaigns; you want to set your goal "low".... Good luck!

yes, that's what Dave said... any suggestions? no one seems to like mine:p Great link~ I'll go over those and add them Yeah, I haven't decided on which one to go with yet, I don't have to keep it here, I can always move it to indigogo, I'm just sorting out the design, then I'm sure which one would be best for the campaign will be apparent. And the budget isn't set in stone either, we're getting the final numbers. So we're just working on the tag line right now. Any ideas?

Dead Serious. Buried alive in laughter?

@Ray~ oh adding it to the toe tag! How did I miss that, that's a great idea!

now what to add... what to add...

If you have any conceptual art, that would be good. I think people who may be thinking about investing might want to get a little taste of what the vision is. If there is no concept art, maybe some storyboard art instead as long as it is done pretty well.

@Ray- oh I get it, being a romantic comedy you don't get it from the morgue shot... what if we tie relationships into death, something about life after death... no that's not it...

Oh good idea Thomas, Maybe we could talk Pablo into doing something up. Any ideas on the image?

Another perk could be a video tour of one of the sets with an introduction and thank you from the cast and crew.

Depending on the expenditures and your total budget, maybe a dinner and private screening with the cast and crew for one of your highest perks.

oh I like the video tour idea, because that would be free, what like a special behind the scenes video made for just special people? How much do you think that perk should go for. And dinner is a great idea, but what if they give from England :p and it's not a tiny cast, that could get quite costly...

Just like a behind the scenes for those that give at that level. What are you thinking will be your highest perk amount? Of course you would set a geographical limit for the dinner and screening and that is true about it getting costly. You could make the dinner with just the producer and director then.

Also the other thing you may want to consider, is sometimes the crowd funding community likes to see that you have helped to fund other projects before you put yours up. Not in all cases, but some.

As for what particular artwork to show, maybe a scene in which your cast is mostly assembled and working toward the common goal. Just a thought. Or perhaps a scene in which there is a loving embrace or high stress.

oh I have funded other causes. hmmm highest level for 10 grand... I don't know like 5 grand? do you think anyone would give half the budget? :p

yeah, like a loving scene and a dead body, cause we know there's love and we know there's a dead body :p

I don't ever think I've seen many if any pledges that high in general. I've see $2500.00 given quite a bit though. I'd really have to purposely study it to be totally accurate.

Ah I got it! Dead Serious. Killing you softly with my song What do you think? I think it's great... do you think it's great?

There you go. A loving scene with a dead body.

oh you should look at the links Ray posted for perk levels and ideas... I'm trying to figure out how to adapt them, they're in his post.

How about Dead Serious... Killing you softly!

ah... but will people get the reference? without the my song part?

I like it though

I did, those are all great ideas. I sort of look at perks as extensions of the creators personality.

and we can't give away too much with the dead body, that's why I like this picture. it's sort of any dead body.

and isn't it actually killing me softly with your song?

Hi Loralie, I have only glanced at a couple of the comments...what I have learned from our failure on Kickstarter with Shazam and the Lost Path, is we certainly should have made a trailer, I know it would of been a pain in the ass but I believe it would of certainly helped the cause. Also, utilize every friend and family member you have for connections to get the word out, post, repost, and post again!!! Wouldn't hurt to send a youtube video blast as well once you are ready,... and people obviously love memorabilia so as Im sure some people have suggested, stickers, posters, and T-shirts are a great idea. You were very sincere with me when I posted for Shazam, I am very grateful for that, so when you have your campaign up and running give me a heads up, It will not be a fortune but I will certainly donate and spread the word through my contacts for you. Prosperity my friend

:p I'm too close to my personality to create any perks for it :p

Thanks Nicholas, yeah that helps a lot!

okay I added a perk, I think I need to spice it up a bit :p

You might also want to include some or all of the previous perks too... when you develop them. That almost always seems to be the norm.

Wow - I closed my eyes for a couple hours, well 6 hours - and can't find my post - LOL Nice! -

@ Magda No! This is a little "class" project I've started, I would never launch anything without you looking at it first, please jump in and give us your ideas! @Thomas yes, T-shirts, buttons and so forth, I'll add those @ Durand :p I've opened a creative can of worms, I love it!!!

I can see - I say all the perks listed is great - now if you are going to T-shirts... Try finding a local Mom and Pop store that do - T-shirt, and see you can do cross promotion with them - where they would print out for you for free - it cost you the shirt - and maybe they can donate - Man doing La Fleur - Cross promotion works - like Crazy.... for almost everything - just give them special Thanks Credit - put them on the website as sponsors -

Thanks Lucy for your input. I'll check and see if Kickstarter has flexible funding... I still have plenty of time to decide that, right now, I'm focused on design. :)

Oh that's a great idea Durand!

Great questions Loralie, I am in the early stages of creating my kickstarter campaign also. I was going to use signed copies of dvds, posters, as well as tshirts. And being I authored the novel the film is based on I am also offering signed copies of the novel also. Do you think 15,000 is to much to ask. I figured shooting high would be better than to low. And if I only raise 5,000 I can probably back the rest. Not for sure but I think kickstarter will alow you to set your campainge so that you can get the funds rather the whole goal is reached or not. I've got a few friends who have used kickstarter so I'll ask around? Thanks for the great ? and all the great answers. Hope it helps me also as I move forward.

@Blake, yeah, that's exactly why I started this thread so we could all learn together. If I remember kickstarter will allow flexible funding. but I think you pay a heavy price for itMy thing with flexible funding is I'm not sure I want to fund someones consolation party. Kickstarter believes in funding a project fully. They don't want to see partial funds going to a project that is never going to get off the ground. One thing I do know is that they will not allow you to fund it yourself, from your account, there are ways around that obviously, but you want to know what that way is in advance. I'm new at raising money for a movie, but not new at raising money. $15 for your book sounds reasonable to me, because they're not buying a book, the book is a gift to a donor. Best of luck, please feel free to chime in with ideas!

Loralie, here is another link that I have saved for just this reason.... http://www.jokeandbiagio.com/ten-posts-that-helped-us-launch-our-kicksta... As for the video, I noticed that someone said to put a trailer, but if you need the funds for the film, generally you wouldn't have a trailer.... And if you had the time and money to shoot a trailer... why no just shoot the whole thing???? Unless it's for a feature, and your investor wants a trailer, you would be better off not shooting a trailer.... Instead, for a crowdfunding campaign, you should shoot a creative video, pleading your cause... In my opinion, the ones that I have given to, have a very creative video to go along with it. As a filmmaker, you don't want a "crappy" video...

Thanks for the link Ray, as always very helpful. Yes on the "trailer" I'm writing a "skit" this week for me and my AD to be in explaining things. We'll shoot that next week, it will be funny because after all, if you're trying to launch a comedy, someone needs to laugh :p

Okay the two tag line ideas for this movie are Dead Serious, Killing Me Softly or Love Isn't Funny in fact it can be... Dead Serious FEED BACK PLEASE! smile

The 2nd one...

Evil Dave will be so happy to hear that, you don't think it's risky to sell a comedy with the words "it isn't funny" in it?

As far as tips...I saw some posting from Durand asking why you used Kickstarter and I don't know the ins and outs of it either but I think that Indiegogo allows you to keep whatever money you raise regardless of whether you hit your goal or not...so I would use Indiegogo just because the "all or nothing" approach doesn't really help me, it kinda makes me a bit more of a perfectionist and paralyzes me..but I don't know how you operate under pressure (Depending on what it is, in acting I am good about rising to the challenge (not without help)...most other things, I procrastinate especially design related things). I would definitely write a synopsis of the film (if this stuff was all done by the time you get this..my bad), they say you need a video as well and as far as prizes...I've always thought it was a good idea to try and tie them into the theme of the actual piece..your film seems like its going to be a horror type film so perhaps doing something along those lines...maybe a trip to Knotts Scary farm or something like that with the cast could be cool as one of the better prizes. I'll keep thinking about it...

Ah those are great tips Ryan- very helpful Thank you!!!

I think that's part of the humor!

haha... okay well I told Evil Dave he got the winner! I'm happy with it, I like it lots. See see how wonderful this is!? I love collaborating!

Hi Loralie..... Great start, maybe the name tag should have a famous directors name on it ;) My late uncle Bob was quite well known in the film/tv world, I'm sure he wouldn't mind ;) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0873541/

Ah well I love the idea! I have spoke with my assistant director about it, and he thinks that using this picture is fine.but also suggested another idea I know of a really nice house to set up a photo shoot in and he knows an awesome photographer that will shoot it for free, so I think we're going to put a dead body on a dinner table take some great pictures and make a poster ourselves! I sat down and wrote the skit for the video today so that will go up next week... so moving on The "Perks" Everything I read said that the ideas should be creative and have something tied to the movie itself. Not just the usual T shirt, DVD, button idea, but something cleaver. Ideas?

Hey Loralie.... How about the people who contribute at least $75, be offered a perk of at least 20 minutes to a half hour of any questions they may have with the actors, and/or the director via skype? Maybe, offer to keep them posted with a bts video or stills via e-mail or fb when they contribute a certain amount. Just a thought. As for the dead body on the dinner table, maybe get creative by adding some fruits and vegetables. I think it beefs it up a little and adds more flavor to the dark comedy.

yes yes Maleche, these are just the kinds of really creative ideas we need! I like all your suggestions Keep em coming!!

so my research tells me to go with indigog, I've started a draft and I'll give you guys a link to the draft when it looks different from this one. :)

Yes, I am begining to lean toward indigogo myself. Again, Loralie thanks for bringing up this topic!

your very welcome Blake! I figured we might as well all learn together, right? :)

Hello, are you looking for Actors

Yes Keeda~ I posted on your wall that I'm looking for an actress 5'5" or shorter.

Wow, Loralie -- I'm already intrigued! I agree with other commenters -- Indiegogo is a better crowdfunding site. Unlike Kickstarter, you can keep whatever money you earn (although they charge you a slightly higher percentage). I've seen some projects on Indiegogo that say they lost all their money on Kickstarter because they didn't reach their goal, so they're trying again on Indiegogo!! I'm not sure as far as perks. Lots of films offer tickets to a screening or copies of the film. But you can't go wrong with T-Shirts, tote bags, or that kind of thing. You just need someone to draw up a really great logo! Hope this helps!

Thanks GE! Yeah we have the poster shoot in the works and I've written what I think is a pretty funny script for the video. We're shooting that next week. The script for Dead Serious has been looked at by some pretty cool guys that are going to plug me into their network when the launch happens and already the project is gaining more momentum than I anticipated. It's all very exciting!

A logo is a great idea! Any artists out there want to do it? Obviously I haven't got any money :p

You can surely find someone to do a logo - under $100.00 - actually $50.00... let see what I can find!

Nice!

For a logo, check out http://fiverr.com.

Wow! cool Eric! Thanks!!!

I have actually used this site and there are some talented people there ....and yes they will do anything for a fiver!

And just like that, we have a logo! Like my new hair do! Thank you Thomas R Monette!!!!

I added the logo to kick starter, but it's not right yet lol It's a work in progress... don't worry the hair is just a wig, I just loved it so much I had to wear it for a day!

I have not read all of the comments but will just ad that I am a BIG fan of Indiegogo and not so much with Kickstarter. I just failed to fund my Kickstarter campaign and basically lost out on $6000. Wheras my Indiegogo did not reach it's goal, but the money I did raise was invaluable as for moving the project forward. It was my own stupid fault for not reading the Kickstarter fine print. Plus, I had trouble getting Kickstarter to even accept my project because they thought I was trying to raise money for an organization through my documentary. I kept telling them to "read for content"!! But they wouldn't...So I simply re-named the project and omitted the stuff about how this doc would raise "awareness" of a great program....Kind of what a doc should do....Anyway, lots of perks and a REALLY WELL MADE trailer is the key I believe...

Don't you need to shoot a really awesome movie to get footage for a really awesome trailer? I wrote a funny skit and we're filming it next week.

Loralie, You are correct, that is why I mentioned earlier not to worry about a trailer, but a really clever video! I'm sure it will rock!

Look at the most successful campaigns and you will see that they have a release quality "trailer"....A cute skit could be used to introduce the trailer.....Many very good directors/filmmakers will select one or two of the best scenes (or easiest to shoot) from their screenplay and shoot it/them as a "trailer" to show off what the whole film would be like....They then use that as a vehicle to raise money just like you and I....I have just been asked to produce a trailer for a guy who has a script and needs to raise money to get it done.

hmmmm, well that won't work for this, unfortunately, it's a 3 scene short. But we have an awesome logo! Thanks again Thomas, I fixed everything!!!!

Thank you Magda! As always very helpful information!

:) you're so sweet.... okay here's to starting the buzz clink http://www.facebook.com/deadseriousmovie

So how are things moving along? Well i hope. Any updates to the Kickstarter / Indegogo campaign? Inquiring minds wan to know?

Well, I made a facebook page this morning see link ^ I'm hot on the hunt for my actress, a few leads but we haven't found SUSAN yet, Evil Dave made the budget and came up with $18,000 :p and that's before equipment :p so we need to get out our handy slicer and dicer and cut that thing down! I wrote the script for the skit and Evil Dave didn't hate it, so hopefully we can shoot that next week, and Many and I had a great conversation this morning planning all the movies we want to do after Dead Serious lol oi! it's been a busy day!!! I've already dreamed up an Oscar and I haven't shot a frame of film!

Hey! I've just had a 17thC book in for restoration fron a NY private collection....with John Barrymore's bookplate and his signature and date 1924...and I thought "I wonder how Loralie is doing with her project?" Well he is DEAD and he was a SERIOUS actor! ;)

haha, that's awesome Paul! What book was it?

An obscure 17thC 8vo on sea travel.

ahhhh, my favorite kind, I could get lost in a book like that for hours...

Study other successful campaigns in your genre and also find a couple campaigns and contribute to them to understand the process. Kickstarter has good search tools so make use of them. Compile a list of the best ideas and use them. Don't over think it because the good ideas (for raising funds) are being used and re-used and they work for a reason.

Well you're very creative Magda! I've updated my "perks" tell me what you think! @Bill Thank you!

A rom com with a dead principle called Dead Serious.My Corpse lover- My boyfriends a stiff-Lust and laughs and stiffs-Necrophilia isn't that what married people do? Money raising trailer. It has to be in verse t'were my cheeks were gardens full of flowers, they should recieve money in showere etc. Use the venus reel with the music but put a voice over narration commentary= not only does this girl not shut up, but she doesn't give up. I need your crowdsourced money to make a great short film. If you don't want what this guy gets you better start handing over the dosh. (Obviously all this has to rhyme, and edit the film so that you see the huntsman get decked time after time- go splitscreen 4 ways so you can see what a proper pasteing he gets) Probably not that helpful but i gave it a go. I would just ask lynx for the money. Just remembered an old joke that could be battered into a tagline,Que. what did your last slave die of? Ans. Too much sex. If one lover believes the other to be dead, acts rashly which results in their own death, and then the first supposedly dead lover wakes to the despair of finding their persihed soulmate and takes their own life etc etc. I wonder how long you could cycle this?The device works because the audience know what the protagonist does not, but the level of knowledge could change the outcome.Heres something new to add to the mix, in verona (not far from venice if you are the festival too) there's a tourist bit and a supposed balcony.The interesting thing is all the love notes stuck to the wall nearby.What a great plot point, what if there was a message there?

Is this the reason you don't have a profile pic Clive? ;)

@Clive lol- I might just incorporate some of that :p @ Paul yeah right?!

Hahaha......looking forward to the finished project ;)

Thanks Paul, you can follow updates on the movie here http://www.facebook.com/deadseriousmovie?ref=hl Hope to have the indigogo campaign up next week, although that seems a bit rushed so maybe the week after.