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Aug 20 2010

Indie Films Turn to Grassroots Funding

Published by Jennifer under Films

"Onward, Amazing People!" Poster

The age of “crowd-funding”, or as it is more commonly referred to in the world of politics and non-profit organizations, “grassroots funding”, is long overdue when it comes to financing independent films. Major advances in digital technology, which allow film-makers access to higher quality equipment at a lower costs, was always touted as the tipping point towards a new era in independent film-making. But this revolution never exactly came to be. Why?

Lower film-making costs never solved the problem of distribution, which often burns up to 85% of a film’s budget. After all, to broker a deal with an established company that can market the film effectively, then produce film prints and DVDs to sell to a waiting audience, is a necessary and difficult endeavor. Even excellent films with well-known actors can find themselves stuck in the festival circuit, unable to make that leap to cinema houses or DVD rentals.

The coveted Red One digital camera, or digital still cameras capable of taking high-definition video such as the Canon 7D or Sony A500, have certainly brought down costs dramatically and have had a positive impact on the film-making community. But these advances in digital technology have also unleashed a curse upon the industry. Widespread illegal downloading has taken a severe toll on profit margins of studios, forcing most of them to significantly downgrade their independent divisions. Oddly enough, it is more risky to invest in a 1 million dollar independent film (which is often targeted towards a smaller, more cultured and intellectually curious audience) than it is to invest in a 200 million dollar film (which is cross-promoted with fast food toys, cereal box covers and more, and targeted at a mass audience). And the word “risk” doesn’t often escape the lips of the shrewd businessmen that run Hollywood these days.

The grassroots fund-raising movement has enjoyed modest success in the world of independent film-making, and is fast on the rise. Sites such as Kickstarter.com, which hosts short film, music, art and social projects, has been featured in Newsweek, Forbes and The New York Times and others. Indiegogo.com operates on a similar model, and focuses its hosted projects in the area of short and feature length films. On both sites, individual artists post their project proposals then elicit donations of all sizes from patrons of the arts online.

However, a young American couple based in Berlin, Sarah Morris and Ryan James, have founded JumperCableFilms.com, and have taken this grassroots concept one logical step further. “Onward, Amazing People!” is their post-apocalyptic comedy written by James, and is intended to be a formal feature film production – with a budget of $300,000 – made with a professional cast and crew. In this case, it employs the grassroots model not only to raise funds, but to elude the always imposing problem of distribution. That is, Jumper Cable Films has structured its donation model to elicit small donations (a modestly priced “advance movie ticket” at $7.50) from a wide pool of supporters, thus guaranteeing that no one loses their shirts to make the film, and there will be a significant audience already in place once the film is made.

While Jumper Cable Films does employ many of the traditional hallmarks of crowd-funding – such as certain perks for higher levels of donation – their fund-raising model takes on what amounts to voting power for their audience members. In buying a ticket to a film that they genuinely want to see come to life, the audience is thus extending faith to the filmmakers that the quality and entertainment value of “Onward, Amazing People!” will meet their expectations. In return for this faith, the Jumper Cable Films team is offering a thorough behind-the-scenes view of the production in “real-time”.

Once audience members buy their advance “ticket”, they’ve joined a community of like-minded champions of the arts, film geeks, and plain old curious folks who can follow along the trials and tribulations of the film-makers. From managing a 300-line budget to casting sessions to creative and strategic discussions with the Director, these ticket holders will not only receive a digital copy of the film they’ve helped produce, they’ll get an exclusive, engaging inside view throughout the entire film-making process from pre- to post-production.

Touted as “blazing a quirky path through sci-fi and cult classic models”, “Onward, Amazing People!” is set in the year 2008 (just six years after the apocalypse) when a lazy, conniving, reluctant anti-hero is called upon to save the only partially rebuilt city on Earth and its crappy civilization. “It’s the perfect film for this type of grassroots funding project,” says James. “The story is hilarious and fun and a lower budget works for it, not against it.” James believes that the cult classic vibe of the film and its post-apocalyptic set pieces (posing as the United States but shot cheaply in Eastern Europe) will give the film that ‘where exactly are we?’ ambiguous feel that made the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” or “The NeverEnding Story” so striking. These aspects will keep costs low without compromising how “big” the film feels or cutting corners on professional cast and crew. “Basically, we’re over the moon with this project, and our excitement has proven to be contagious, which is exactly the momentum we need.”

It just might be the dawn of a new era for independent films, after all. As these types of projects become more visible to the public eye, and as one of them cracks the glass ceiling and gains significant attention for both its quality and its inventive production approach, this writer imagines that a film-making revolution will indeed be on its way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Coe  

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Jul 18 2008

The Cutest Indie Shop EVER!!!

Published by Jennifer under Clothing,Internet

I just came across the most adorable online shop – with the exception of maybe a Hello Kitty car, they have everything a hipster could want (or anyone looking for unique styles) – clothes, purses, artwork, jewelry, office supplies, and more: Shana Logic.

Here are the items I’m eyeing:

I love owls! (They have all of my favorite wildlife as a matter of fact).

Cute cloud shirt

I’m not even sure what this is for but it would sure look cute on my desk…

And sooooo much more – time to save my pennies!

Now if only Shana would add a wish list feature… :)

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Jun 08 2008

A Match Made in Heaven

Published by Jennifer under Music

There have been recent rumors that M. Ward and Conor Oberst AKA Bright Eyes may be forming a band together – which I find highly exciting because not only are they amazing singers/songwriters in their own rights, but they have an amazing chemistry when they play together.

Check out the two of them playing “O’ Brien” on Austin City Limits to get an idea of the kind of magic they can make together.

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May 28 2008

Rolling My Eyes So Hard They Might Fall Out…

Published by ADQ under Humor,Internet

todotattoo_648-1

Buy them here!

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May 28 2008

Solar iPod

Published by ADQ under Uncategorized

apple-ipod-nano-touch

Well this is pretty cool. Eco-Geek is reporting that Apple has filed a patent for a solar film that would cover the face of the player. iPods are currently solar powered, but only by connecting them to a large panel using an adapter. Apple’s plans are uncertain since the technology doesn’t exist to run an iPod entirely off solar film, but who knows what it will look like in another couple years?

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May 28 2008

Independent Lens

Published by ADQ under Uncategorized

Check out this fantastic PBS series, Independent Lens.

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May 28 2008

Top Five Favorite Indie Music Websites

Published by ADQ under Uncategorized

1.  Obscure Sound

This is a fantastic and well-written blog about the indie music scene.  They regularly post MP3′s and album reviews.  Subscribe.  Read.  Be Cool.

2.  Indie Music Sampler

The site is updated each week with a new 30-minute podcast sampler of indie music.

3.  Indie Rock Cafe

A meaty blog with lots of content.

4.  Indie Music Charts

Top 100 charts for independent artists from every genre of music.

5.  The Deli

The San Francisco Bay Area’s best indie music publication and website.

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May 28 2008

Pyramid Song

Published by ADQ under Uncategorized

I jumped in the river and what did I see?
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
All the things I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt

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May 28 2008

Investing in Indie

Published by ADQ under Uncategorized

If you are serious about getting your band to the next level, check out this article.

Bands can now find investors through these websites, building the funding they need to finance their recording, marketing and touring needs.  Fans can contribute to your future success starting at as little as $10.  What an amazing way to help a band you love…at less than the cost of a new CD.

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May 28 2008

The Indie Band Survival Guide

Published by ADQ under Internet,Music

I found this great site that is by an indie band called Beatnik Turtle. They have written a very extensive ‘survival guide’ for indie bands and their supporters–it is literally chock full o’ valuable information. These guys have really provided an excellent service for people, so show your support by buying one of their CD’s and sending them an email so they know how great they are.

Check it:

Beatnik Turtle Indie Band Survival Guide

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