Filmmakers who are able to successfully identify their audience, provide visible progress and incentives, and of course, understand, and comply with legal matters can use crowdsourcing to their advantage. Websites such as Kickstarter put the power of funding into the hands of fans.
Directors are always looking to Kickstarter to help finance new projects and bring their ideas to life.
Director of Ghostbusters II, Bradley Bjornstad is currently aiming to raise $100,000 through Kickstarter to create a documentary, Ghostbusters 2 – the Original Version and an extended cut to give fans an insight into his original vision. This potential project will prove exciting to fans of the franchise, which has sparked TV series, video games and online slots, after the disappointing cinematic release.
“Indie filmmakers are always in search of financing because their work, their vision sometimes does not coincide with studio pictures,” said indie filmmaker Spike Lee, who is attempting to raise support for a new thriller project of his own.
Here are some successful examples of film projects financed by Kickstarter, which show how effective crowdsourcing can be when used right.
Save Blue Like Jazz (The Movie) by Steve Taylor
Pledged: $345,992
Funded: 276%
Backers: 4,495
This feature film, starring Marshall Allman, is based on Donald Miller’s New York Times bestselling memoir.
Neil Gaiman’s The Price by Christopher Salmon
Pledged: $161,774
Funded: 107%
Backers: 2,001
Based on award-winning author Neil Gaiman’s short story, The Price is a uniquely stylised CG animated film.
Minecraft: The Story of Mojang by 2 Player Productions
Pledged: $210,297
Funded: 140%
Backers: 3,631
This feature-length documentary tells the story of the first year of Mojang studio, following the runaway success of indie game Minecraft
MY REINCARNATION by Jennifer Fox
Pledged: $150,456
Funded: 300%
Backers: 518
This epic documentary film explores the themes of family, destiny and spirituality.
“Finding Vivian Maier” – a feature length documentary film by Toneloof
Pledged: $105,042
Funded: 525%
Backers: 1,495
Unravelling the discovery of 100,000 negatives, this film tells the story of a mysterious photographer that shocked the photography world.
I Am I by Jocelyn Towne
Pledged: $111,965
Funded: 111%
Backers: 902
This feature film tells of a woman who meets the mentally ill father who abandoned her in childhood. He is convinced she is his wife and attempts to win her back.
Urbanized: A Documentary Film by Gary Hustwit
Pledged: $118,505
Funded: 139%
Backers: 1,814
By the director of ‘Helvetica’ and ‘Objectified’, Urbanized explores the designs of cities, and the issues and strategies behind urban design.
Really interesting, thanks!
I think that you would be really interested in some recent research that I have come across about crowds and citizen science. In particular I feel you may find these two emerging pieces of research very relevant:
– The Theory of Crowd Capital
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2193115
– The Contours of Crowd Capability
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2324637
Powerful stuff!