Crowdfunding Best Practices

[Tom]

Off topic, but it's still April 7 here, so Happy Birthday, Tom!

Thanks!!.. getting to old.. LOL

 

[Maurice]

If you're talking about offering a digital copy of the film for a donation, that's a no-no because then, effectively, people are paying for the movie.

 

[BrEnDoN]

I've read that including lower donation options with perks helps. Like a digital copy for $10 for example.

If you're talking about offering a digital copy of the film for a donation, that's a no-no because then, effectively, people are paying for the movie.

This is why I don't like crowdfunding for fan films, I fear it will lead to them all being shut down. I saw the Renegades kickstarter offered DVDs and blu rays as donation perks was worried.

Even of the perks are other things, like shirts or whatever, I don't like the idea of it being attached to the project like that. If you sell stuff, and then end up using that money to make a fan film, I guess that would be ok, but by offering these things as perks, it's essentially saying "Buy these so we can make a fan film" it's still using the production to get money, money they wouldn't have had originally.

I know fan films are an exercising in losing money, but they should be that for the people who make them, not the people who watch them. If this leads to fewer fan films or films of lower production value, I can live with that, because it's better than no fan films at all, which is where I fear it heading...

Atleast, that's just my .02 of a dollar...

 

[STF]

I definitely agree with what Alec is saying. You have to be completely transparent with your budget and honest with your fans about what your goals are, and how you aim to practically meet those goals. Funders want to be clear about what they are contributing to.

PS - The whole Titan thing really grinds my gears. Prime example of what not to do.

Just my .02c

 

[MikeH92467]

Short version: take a look at what Axanar did and steal every idea that's not nailed down!

 

[Loken]

Short version: take a look at what Axanar did and steal every idea that's not nailed down!

No need to steal, I will share what we did with anyone who asks me.



Alec

 

[MikeH92467]

Short version: take a look at what Axanar did and steal every idea that's not nailed down!

No need to steal, I will share what we did with anyone who asks me.



Alec

Figuratively speaking, of course!

 

[lennier1]

I definitely agree with what Alec is saying. You have to be completely transparent with your budget and honest with your fans about what your goals are, and how you aim to practically meet those goals. Funders want to be clear about what they are contributing to.

PS - The whole Titan thing really grinds my gears. Prime example of what not to do.

Just my .02c

To be fair, this and the detailed records for the IRS won't exactly hurt either to reassure CBS Legal that the production isn't making a profit off the company's property.

 

[Loken]

To be fair, this and the detailed records for the IRS won't exactly hurt either to reassure CBS Legal that the production isn't making a profit off the company's property.

I can tell you that the records for "Prelude to Axanar" are meticulous and are being prepared by our Line Producer, who is also a partner in an accounting firm. We plan to share as much as possible with our donors so they know where their money is going.

We simply want to set the standard and help other Star Trek projects do it right. I already helped out Tommy Kraft with the Horizon Kickstarter.

Alec