We are creating an original film set in the ‘verse of Firefly with a new crew and captain. Our intent is not to change the way movies are made, but to have the final product be a source of fundraising for the charities either supported or created by our Big Damn Heroes.

Since September 2008, we are 50% of the way through our fundraising, starting auditions next month and will begin filming in March 2009.

We hope fellow Browncoats will learn more about what we’re doing and help us raise awareness and support for the charities while giving back to the ‘verse we love.

Please learn more about what we’re doing at http://www.brow...sredemption.com

@Jess
I understand that you’re wary of placing your film in the hands of another gatekeeper, but I think the part that you’re ignoring is that not all films have the funds or technological know-how to even begin to create a system like you’ve created, let alone IndieGoGo or FilmRiot. By creating a standardized system they’re lowering the bar again, but certainly that doesn’t stop anyone from doing their work independently if they have the means. Think of it as YouTube vs. server hosting.

As for me, I find the whole concept interesting and I’ll be watching it. I feel as though this could either push movies into a *more* decentralized, too-many-cooks-state or usher in a new era of auteurs. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Brian
WGBH Lab
http://lab.wgbh.org

That way, there’s an element of crowd-funding/interest-signaling but also you don’t have to worry about investing in dead-end projects from people who aren’t qualified to make good movies.

VCs have their jobs because they’re suppose to have good forward looking perspective into which startups would succeed. Now what kind forward looking perspective do consumer crowds have? Which movie/video game they want to enjoy!

Problem comes when you try to securitize this investment. How would you regulate it? Do you incorporate every project and treat it like an IPO? If not, how do you define who/what the agent is, and what are the liabilities if the project fails due to execution?

The tools their is like a collission of Facebook and Youtube with the peer funding model baked in. There will also be a number of great collaboration tools for the filmmakers so they can use the site as a virtual studio as well as a built in marketing department with national brands wanted to support the projects.

Check it out!

Another issue lies with giving away enough information to convince people to fund the film, without spoiling any surprises that may be in store. “Uh, I want to make a movie about a computer hacker who… ah… takes a red pill. But there will be lots of action and other stuff I can’t talk about!”

There may be a few problems here and there, but there’s also a lot to like about the current system. An author or director convinces a small group of people to fund the project on spec. We then evaluate the result by listening to blogs, reviewers, and friends, decide if it’s worthwhile, and then, and only then, pony up a few bucks (a miniscule fraction of the production price) to see it.

Regards,
George

in july 2006, i started developing what i called at the time “a social media crowdfunding experiment for the vlogosphere”. the focus was on funding videobloggers and their projects. at that time, i created a wikipedia entry for crowdfunding but after several months of fighting to keep it from being deleted… i gave up and setup a wiki page on pbwiki which i invite you and anyone else to contribute to. i felt a need to create a term and describe it and attach it to the progressive crowd participation internet phenomena.

http://crowdfunding.pbwiki.com

my inactive site on this topic:

http://crowdfunding.com

cheers,

sull

I’d contribute and take a one line film credit for any movie that I really wanted to see made. Think of it as contributing to the arts!

@Jess

I know the guys from FilmRiot, I’m pretty sure they are wanting to build a platform for others to do exactly what you are doing. Not be the gatekeeper. Again, I think it is all about people like me who are disenchanted with the regular, blockbuster type movies out there and really want to see quality independant films get made. Good luck to you and I hope you inspire other filmmakers to do the same!

The bandwagon is gaining speed. Are you on?

The issue isn’t whether you can raise 100k / 1 mil / ? … so many filmmakers raise the money to make their first feature flop. The question is whether you can actually make a good film, get it to festivals and get it distributed (and then, finally, if you can make any money)

Right now people are donating because its a novel feel good idea. But if other films want to get in on this there has to be a bigger reward for the investor than a one line credit.

You can say that the medium is the message in this case.

i.e. doing it via the Web is what’s new about it.

@Jess

You’ve won the battle even if the movie flops.

A movie about this “crowd funding 2.0″ experience would be watched by everyone interested in taking power back from the gatekeepers.

I had written about 2 years ago regarding a “crowd funding” model for tech startups (before Y Combinator et al came about) so I can relate to this very much.

Again, you’ve won the battle.

Have fun with the movie.

Without the web… we took videos door-to-door and organized screenings (video parties); as well as had a multiple voicemail box phone# for audio docs and PSAs.

I (independently) produced what I wanted and often found organizations, and on occaison a business or university, who would pay for the right to show, broadcast, own or use the work in the field.

Of course, here in the U.S., Public Television and National Public Radio have been “Crowd-Funding” from “people like you” for decades. No two of anything are exactly alike. Calling it Crowd-Funding 2.0 is still “new ground”… and you don’t have to split (’the original’) hairs.

Very nice site and project. All the best.

Filmriot I take a lot of issue with (again, just another gatekeeper). Professionally Massify doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve been out talking about some of this with students and other filmmakers/motion picture artists. It troubles me that more artists and audience members than I would have guessed don’t yet see the differences or downside to some of these “you bring your film to us” websites.