Kickstarter and Funding for Fanfilms?

[JarodRussell]

Is it possible?

Fanfilms are a legal grey area. But is there are difference between friends in the neighborhood coming together in their garage and building sets, buying cameras and editing and VFX software from their own money, and "friends" on the internet coming together to pay their own money so some can build sets, buy cameras and editing and VFX software?

 

[RJDiogenes]

You'd have to check the Kickstarter rules to see if they allow that sort of thing. But you'd probably have a hard time getting donations in any case. I'm happy to support an independent creator with an original idea, but I'm not going to give financial support to somebody's hobby (which is not to say that it wouldn't be good or entertaining, just that I'm reserving my funds for somebody who's got their own thing going).

 

[Admiral_Young]

The Joker Blogs used Indie Gogo for their fund raising campaign. Don't know if there are any specific rules to that specific question.

 

[JarodRussell]

What I have in mind is not quite a fanfilm, but rather a parody/tribute of sorts, in the style of Spaceballs, Men in Tights, Hot Shots! or Airplane! So it would not be entirely unoriginal.

We'd produce a teaser/clip that shows the style and production value we'd be going for, and go through most of the pre-production stage and then present the project at Kickstarter and/or alternative platforms. It's never going to be a commercial project though, at least we're not aiming for it.

RJDiogenes, does that mean that if New Voyages were presented on such a platform, you wouldn't fund it out of principle?

 

[RJDiogenes]

Probably not. I'm not made of money, so if I'm going to fund something I'd want it to be original.

 

[Amaris]

It might work. Over the course of 24 days, Bronies got together via Kickstarter and funded the Bronycon 2012 Documentary Project, for a grand total of $322,000 ($348,000 if you count Paypal). It's being hosted and produced by John de Lancie, and Tara Strong, among others. If they can do that, then I figure you could manage funding a small parody.

 

[Admiral_Young]

If I had money during the time The Joker Blogs were doing their fund raising, I would have donated to them. I am a huge fan and respect what they're doing. It's a quality product that has a mass following for that reason IMO. If whatever you do has quality and is entertaining. People will recognize that and pitch in. The Joker Blogs were looking for $25,000 dollars to fund continuing the series and exceeded that total by thousands of dollars. It was really amazing and impressive to follow.

That's awesome to hear about the Brony documentary J.

 

[OmahaStar]

Sure, why not? They're labors of love on the part of the cast and crew. They get some of their costs taken care of, and we get something in return. I love the idea. I've supported a number of fan films on kickstarter, including a Doctor Who one that's running right now.