I have a sci fi franchise screenplay - an optimistic, game changing paradym unique and original concept/premise series a la Star Trek that I'd like to produce. Can someone tell me what to do with it and how kickstarter works and so forth or send it to Robert Zemeckis and be done with it, or a graphic novel? I want to put excellent space music to it though and at least try to do what TOS did again, though that's something only God can do. Any ideas?
Kickstarter
- Thread starter Valenti
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Kickstarter isn`t really the place to raise funds for a script. since why would people give money to someone they don`t know with no track record, and they can`t read the script anyway?
I have to agree with firebird (though getting an agent is easier said than done)
I have to agree with firebird (though getting an agent is easier said than done)
I mean with the help of a friend, I put the log line synopsis on kickstarter (though I can't seem to find it now). Was that a mistake as proof of concept (i.e. by seeing the concept/premise and story/pitch of project itself and accompanying continuing stories)? I have an agent sort of and sent it out via scriptblaster. Haven't received any responses yet. Any ideas, guys? Maurice, when is Polaris coming out? Just wondering. Thank you.
First, and most importantly: Is there a complete screenplay as opposed to a treatment? The former can sell, the latter just falls under "ideas are a dime a dozen" unless you are a known Hollywood player.
If you have no track record and/or industry contacts your chances of getting anything in front of a Zemeckis are pretty next to nil.
Raising money on Kickstarter is very tough, especially if you don't have a social media presence or established network to spread the word. You'd also generally need a pretty polished pitch video. (How can you put something on Kickstarter and not be able to find it? Don't you have to have an account? And if you do find it, don't post the link here, as that's against the board rules.)
P.S. re Polaris: I was the A.D. on the shoot and did the rough cut and the project left my hands after that point. You'd have to ask Dennis.
If you have no track record and/or industry contacts your chances of getting anything in front of a Zemeckis are pretty next to nil.
Raising money on Kickstarter is very tough, especially if you don't have a social media presence or established network to spread the word. You'd also generally need a pretty polished pitch video. (How can you put something on Kickstarter and not be able to find it? Don't you have to have an account? And if you do find it, don't post the link here, as that's against the board rules.)
P.S. re Polaris: I was the A.D. on the shoot and did the rough cut and the project left my hands after that point. You'd have to ask Dennis.
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This is an uphill battle, and it's kinda bass-ackwards to boot.
As the guys said, investing in a KS with no real idea of your script or your skill level is not gonna happen (for the most part).
You have an agent sort of? That's like being a little bit pregnant. You either have a signed contract, or you don't. Promises of contracts and representation are lovely but they don't mean squat unless there's a signed document (note: I am not your lawyer but I actually am a retired one and if you were my client I'd be pushing you to get a signed doc).
So! A few suggestions:
As the guys said, investing in a KS with no real idea of your script or your skill level is not gonna happen (for the most part).
You have an agent sort of? That's like being a little bit pregnant. You either have a signed contract, or you don't. Promises of contracts and representation are lovely but they don't mean squat unless there's a signed document (note: I am not your lawyer but I actually am a retired one and if you were my client I'd be pushing you to get a signed doc).
So! A few suggestions:
- If I'm plonking down $$, I want to have an idea of what I am getting, So how about putting something small up for all to see? It can be on Youtube and it can be a fan film, wholly unrelated to what you are doing. Just, I want to know, whaddaya got? I'm sure I'm not the only one.
- Keep the KS on hold until you've got something to show. Proof of concept! I'm sure KS will tell you the same.
- I wouldn't send stuff, blind, to Robert Zemeckis or anyone else (but the guys can correct me if I'm wrong about methodology here). You don't do that with books; I doubt you do that with films.
Late French Immersion?
Alec "Lord Foot-In-Mouth" Peters
I just finished writing the rough draft of a script for the pilot of a sci-fi series. If I were to release the final draft of the script to the public prior to doing a Kickstarter, would that negatively impact the Kickstarter because of spoilers, or would the interest generated by its release benefit my efforts?
Honestly, anybody can write a script...the point of a Kickstarter is getting money to film it. If you have no footage to show to convince people you actually have the skill, let alone the intention of getting this finished, your chances of success are probably going to be very slim...
So you're saying that the bare minimum you need for a Kickstarter is something akin to a teaser trailer, then?
KS wants what is essentially a prototype, and a teaser trailer would fit the bill.
PS @Matthew Raymond my fellow bat lover; I love the little shirt for your avatar. I should p'shop a delta shield on mine's blankie.
PS @Matthew Raymond my fellow bat lover; I love the little shirt for your avatar. I should p'shop a delta shield on mine's blankie.
Honestly, the average person/possible backer is a terrible judge of scripts. Screenplays are not the most accessible form of writing. Better to have a solid "elevator pitch" and maybe some sample pages. But what's really going to sell any project on Kickstarter is demonstrating the ability to execute. If I were to pitch a film for crowd funding I could point to two dozen videos I've done to demonstrate I could actually deliver. Minus work samples work or a trailer showing the potential it's one steep hill to climb.
If you just want to do a YouTube low-budget online series then probably your $$$ needs are low enough that a one-minute sizzle reel would be sufficient for a reasonable Kickstarter goal of say, $15 000. If i remember correctly the Horyzon fan film goal was about 20 000$ but he had already shot quite a lot of footage and had a making of shorts series that detailed his pre-production work up to that point.
My advice: if all you plan on contributing is the script, consider finding and teaming up with someone that has live-action skills and contacts...You might want to look up James Cawley's plan to offer a one-week filmmaking boot camp next fall where you could get valuable experience handling or at least observing cameras and other tools. It's in upper New York state, btw.
My advice: if all you plan on contributing is the script, consider finding and teaming up with someone that has live-action skills and contacts...You might want to look up James Cawley's plan to offer a one-week filmmaking boot camp next fall where you could get valuable experience handling or at least observing cameras and other tools. It's in upper New York state, btw.
I just mentioned James Cawley's project because somebody from this board might feel more comfortable contacting and getting involved with something Star Trek than out of the blue looking up a semi-pro hiphop gangsta rap music video guerrilla shoot or a local no-budget horror film group...
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