Crowdsourced Filmmaking
I can't think of a better platform for this... feedback, fundraising, and collaborative networking all in one spot.
I've been churning out film and TV series concepts as a hobby for nearly a decade now, saving them in the back pocket for a time when I can afford the time and money to bring them to life. Well, that time seems to be creeping up on me, now that we're building a studio here at Fort Galt and a nice assortment of talented creators is coming together here to assist. Just as I was wondering about the best way to crowdsource feedback during pre-production while also raising funds to cover expenses along the way, Steemit was born. Funny how things can just line up like that, huh?
As things come together down here, I'll be posing material on Steemit and I'd like to invite everyone to freely suggest episode concepts, characters, plot elements, script modifications, or whatever else might come to mind along the way. You'll be able to see everything from brief synopses to full outlines and your constructive input will always be welcome. All concept material will be registered with the WGA for copyright purposes and uploaded to the bitcoin blockchain as well as this one so don't worry about poachers. We can let the ideas flow freely here and there will be a clear and reliable record of it all for future reference. Also, projects like this are highly collaborative so if you know any exceptionally skilled individuals that might have unique value to add to these projects, please refer them here so we can get in touch.
At present, I'm most focused on a TV series pilot and a couple of feature-length spec scripts, the outlines of which, I'll be posting here shortly. I'm working on new screenplay submission packages for them and would like to bring an experienced assistant that I know on board to help with polishing (yup, now you know what I'll be spending my steem dollars on next month). Once that's done, we'll have to start courting studios and to help with that process, I want to shoot some good teasers to use in promotion. If we are able to drum up enough interest and capital, we would love to produce some of them ourselves but that's a bridge we'll just have to cross when we get to it. There are a whole lot of little steps between here and there but I have a feeling that it'll be a whole lot more fun with the Steemit community along for the ride.
As I post material, I'll link to them here to make them easy to find. You can also follow me and/or keep an eye on the filmmaking topic.
Project #1 - LEVIATHAN - Series Pilot - Characters & Outline
First project outline is up: Project #1 - LEVIATHAN - Series Pilot - Characters & Outline
Meet the new writer that just joined Fort Galt Studios!
You are right. I'm going ahead and adding you to my roster of people I follow.
Thanks, man. 'Means a lot. :)
I like what you're doing. If you need music for your projects let me know. I'd love to collaborate.
It's always good to have more musical options. Feel free to post links to samples here. I'd love to hear some of your material. :)
Here are some samples for you. If you need other musical genres, let me know. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xhtljf35l2t8plu/AACNopdhjJkCMowDpS80XN1ga?dl=0
Thanks. Good stuff :)
Great post man! Do you know what your series concept will be? Because this can be key if you prefer to go the crowdfunding route, just as you can go super-niche with target audience, you could do the same with repeat backers that back films similar to your concept, I don't know if you know what I mean?
Instead of posting your film crowdfunding project and hope for the best, even if you do everything right and get featured in the platform, it might be better to create anticipation among people you know have backed multiple projects just like yours.
There are websites like Krowdster or Backer database that gives you the list of all backers of a specific genre, like film but they won't go beyond that and you have to be very sniper about it if you want to increase your possibilities.
Anyways, sorry for the long text on what's supposed to be a small comment, but I will write a post about this very soon since I'm creating a series too, and have a lot of logistics set in place already. Or if you want you can contact me of course, if there is something I can help with.
About the distribution, there are also a lot of ways to go about it too, but the Amazon option is the real game changer here, I just posted about it just today.
In fact when I did I didn't know there was a filmmaking tag, so I'm gonnna change it from poltics to filmaking :)
Oh, great post and keep us posted on the updates!
Yes, I love what Amazon has been doing. They've made it really convenient to submit screenplays for consideration and I'll definitely be sending a few to them (I'll post more on them shortly).
One of the spec scripts I'm working on now (Cannibal Farm) is perfect for crowdfunding and low-budget independent production so I'll cut my directorial teeth on that one but there are a few bigger concepts that I have ready that have more widespread commercial appeal too so Amazon will certainly be a good route to explore for them.
Looking forward to reading about what you're up to as well, by the way! There might even be some opportunity for collaboration at some point.
Cannibal Farm? Is it like Orwell's Animal Farm but with a Lord of the Flies post-shtf twist on it? Al jokes aside, I'm not psychic :) Good call on the title, powerful titles are always a great plus.
Yeah, crowdfunding I believe is the best option, not only because of the margin of returns (most backers will receive a DVD and all kinds of V.I.P perks that put together will not come close to the percentage that an investor will receive, which is only fair but still, the difference is quite big) But the bonus here is that you can use those same backers to create buzz and anticipation that you can use to leverage that fan power to your advantage before the release date.
Which platform of crowdfunding have you decided on by the way?
Looking forward to hear more of your updates as well! I'll be posting updates here on their respective occasions of course.
I'm open for collaborations in the future as well, if the time is right and everybody benefits, why not?
I'll be posting more about Cannibal Farm very soon but here's the one-sentence logline to give you an idea...
"One unusually curious little girl named Eve is about to show the rest of the human livestock on Cannibal Farm that escape isn't so hopelessly impossible after all."
dont make film about shinking ship
One of them involves an autonomous submarine... does that count? :P
Sounds like a great way to kick off a project, and a little feedback always helps.
I have a similar camera, what lens do you use for video?
Depends on what I'm doing. I usually like to keep a 50mm prime close at hand as well as something with more range, like the 24-70mm I had with me at the shoot in the picture. With the Sony a77, they're Zeiss but these days I just have a little cheapo Cannon set up in front of the computer for videoconferencing. When we start preparing for production, I'll leave the gear up to the cinematographer though. It's important to let the specialists handle their departments, after all... but if it were up to me, I'd probably grab a few of those cinema cameras from Blackmagic Design.
Cool, I will have to check out those lenses. Yeah, a Blackmagic or a Red would be a fun upgrade to mortgage the house for.
Good luck with the project.
Yeah, a Red would be fantastic too. They're pretty reasonable to rent, actually. Just gotta plan your shooting well to make the most of the time you have them.
Cool!!! I'm an animator. I wonder if you would be offering freelance works in the future over here.
Nice. What sort of animation do you do?
Mostly explainer videos and motionGraphics, typography these days, I've done character animation, 3d animation too. I also have done facial moCap for games. But, I haven't created a decent portfolio yet. And, I'm currently working at Caraou Digital. I do freelance works as well whenever I get chance.
Edit : Caraou Digital This is the portfolio of the studio and includes my works too. Most of the videos done here are completed within 2 to 3 days so, some of them may not look very good.
Also, here's my freelancer profile link which contains some of the works I've done.
Awesome. I'll keep you in mind if we need anything like this done.
Cheers!!!