Would you pay $1.00 to have your name show up in the credits of.....
Would you pay $1.00 to have your name show up in the credits of.....a small independent film that has potential to become a web phenomenon?
I ask because I was posed with this question recently and I wasn't sure how to answer.
I answered yes and paid my dollar to a gentleman who presented his vision for a very intriguing movie plot that will capture almost everyone's interest...
I will share more with the Linked Audience as soon as I gain permission to discuss this independent filmmaker’s idea and website.
Stay tuned this question will be revisited with more details and possibly a link to pay a dollar to be part of something unique, but most importantly fun!
Note: I paid the dollar because I thought the idea was rather interesting, but really wanted to use the fact that my name would appear in credits of a movie as a shameless plug with family, friends and folks I somehow become associated with in the future. I imagine being in a bar and someone arguing about an accomplishment that seem to be more of an exaggeration than factual and then stepping in and adding fuel to the fire with the idea that I was credited in a movie, thus turning the conversation to really has the bigger fish story. I can see the conversation turning into a betting scenario and maybe winning a happy hour tab. Who knew that contributing a dollar to someone’s dream of making a movie could win me a bar tab in the future….funny!
In all seriousness their will be a follow-up to this question at some point…This gentleman with this vision is a close friend and he wants to film this movie completely through taking a grass roots approach and what better concept then asking as many people for $1.00 to help fund his dream. My friend needs to raise a minimum of $250,000.00. Do you think he can make it through a ask for $10.00 campaign?
Thanks in advance for your response...
Brent Alexander
Clarification added 11 months ago:
last sentence should read $1.00, not $10.00
Brent
Clarification added 10 months ago:
This in response to the accusation that this is a SCAM...let me inform everyone that when this project launches this will not be a scam and it will be evident by the strategy and concept laid out to everyone who entertains the idea of contributing.
I am an honest young businessman whose goal isn't all about money. My goals are to become respected for my marketing ideas and hard work.
I am not afraid of criticism and will never shy away from those who simply don't believe in my opinions or ideas, but I will stand my ground when someone challenges who I am as a person.
Thanks to all who have taken time to respond and have given me the insight I was looking for.
There will be a follow-up and a site to clarify my concept of making this film.
Cheers,
Brent Alexander
Good Answers (28)
M. (Monica) B
Journalist (investigative)/researcher/writer/yoga addict/sports fanatic/deep thinker/firm believer
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No.
Matthew R
Buyer/Planner at ITT Flowtronex
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I think he can but his credits will run VERY long
What will you be credited with in the credits? Financial Backer?
Only if the donation is scalable. For example, if I pay $20 I want my name twice the size of the others. No doubt some young upstart will pay $100 and fill the entire screen!
Non-Comedy answer : Not from a commerical perspective. It doesn't really offer any sort of return as it's likely to be lost in a wall of names and pseudonyms scrolling up a screen. From a personal (or ego?) standpoint why not, it's a bit of fun.
Links:
Clarification added 11 months ago:
Perhaps a more novel approach would be to sell estate on the screen as the end. For example, imagine a scrolling portrait banner on the left while the normal credits appear on the right. You can offer the banner to companies or benefactors using a direct relation between size / donation. It worked for the guy with the $1 a pixel!
I would say it is possible, the key here is...how easy is it to donate that dollar? If it take more than 30 secs to do it...no. An SMS short code text that adds a dollar to your phone bill...easy. Paypal a dollar...not as easy. Sign up and put it on your credit card...MAYBE his good friends will.
Christiaan L
Web concept and content consultant, copywriter, project manager, and trainer/coach
It sounds nice, but what's in it for me?
Why not sell a share in the production company for $10 and have the backers share profits, if any? That would make it more worth wile, I guess.
Interesting fund raising strategy to finance a movie. I suppose he has guaranteed himself at least one sale of the DVD/download with the investment of your dollar as well, should the movie actually make it into production. It's an interesting concept that has the potential for an intriguing dialog. I'll be interested to see other's responses. Personally, I wouldn't pay.
Arne H
Consultant, entrepreneur and professional dreamer - Get in touch: link at arnehulstein.nl
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I doubt it. It depends on the film, but in general the audience leaves as the screen goes black. Credits are rarely watched anymore and in web movies that is probably even worse. So would I? There is a possibility, but it just isn't very big.
I believe the "Lord of the Rings" movies listed the names of all the members of the Fan Club in the credits of the DVD releases. With a small enough font and fast enough scrolling, you can fit a lot in a short amount of time.
Scott H
Small Business Marketing | Marketing Director
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I'd suggest asking for more money from less people and offering them something greater for it. "Pay a dollar to be part of something unique" Even though I don't see what's unique here.. I think of "just because you are unique does not mean you are useful" Follow Godin's advice about being remarkable
Links:
Charles B
Media and Technology Executive Specializing in Social Action Development and Distribution
I would much rather contribute £25 to A Swarm of Angels.
"Create a £1 million feature film, give it away to over one million people in one year. Make a cult media experience, featuring a full-length movie and media offshoots.
* Distinctive content
* Internet-funded & distributed
* Freely downloadable & DRM (digital rights management) free
(Creative Commons-licenced)
* A collaborative, participative experience
(voting on select creative decisions, filtered script development via wiki)
* Enlist a pioneering 50,000-member entertainment community"
Links:
Charles B also suggests this expert on this topic:
David B
Co-Founder Fzzz! Media
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Sounds like the "One Second Film" project which - at this point - has thousands of 'producers'. Yes. I'll admit it, I am one of them. The idea (which started over 3 years ago), was novel and fun at the time. I met the crew while at Sundance and actually donated $50. I have yet to the film or anything else. Evidently, they're still raising money - which appears to be the only goal at this point.
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Steve O
Focusing on Marketing my new children's book http://steampotville.com
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Yes I would. So now do I get best answer for this forum?
Links:
Susan S
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., financial marketing writer.
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LOTR did list the Fan Club.
Sure, for $1, why not?
I wouldn't, but I think countless people might. Why are there so many people interested in buying and/or naming a star after someone as a gift. I could see someone buying a movie credit in the same way.
BTW: If you follow the "naming a star" business model you should consider changing the cost from $1.00 to $15.00-$20.00.
Links:
Sure - I'd pay the dollar. New innovative thinking is interesting- especially when it's the 1st time I have heard this. If - this catches on - and your friend (are you sure this isn't you?) raises $5K - 10K - it will probably make the news...and then it would have all been worth the publicity it will create. This type of thinking combine with a good marketing plan could actually set up "your friend" to develop his film. Especially with all the interest in independent film today. I'll give you a dollar...*ehem*...for your friend.
Kim B
Executive Producer- creative illusions Productions & VOD South, 25+ yrs in media production twitter.com/KimBrame
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Hi Brent,
This is very interesting concept..as a producer I would like to know more about how this is working for your friend and how did he present the concept and receive the "investment"? Did you sign any agreements or just send him the dollar.
Kim
250.000 contributers is too much, if you really want a true grassroots campaign, make people donate to their ability. And you should increase the font size in relation to the donated amount to make it worthwile for people to give more. Also make sure that watching the credits will be worth it by adding bonus material next to the credits. I really like the idea of grassroots financing and I think it could work this way. Anyhow good luck!
With everything that we spend money on (think about the $5 cups of coffee that folks get every day, etc), what is $1? To have a chance to be listed on a film, and get your own listing on imdb, hey - that's probably worth something, right?
Joseph
Links:
Kira S
Director of Business Development and Marketing at Sunshine Homecare Services
i completely agree with Patrick Weir, who said the *how* of the donation is going to be VERY important, but if your friend markets this correctly, he'll be able to get tons of responses - (if the flick is family-friendly) market it towards parents/grandparents.
How many of our kids would not get a HUGE kick out of knowing their names will show up at the end of a movie?!? A neat gift-idea for the kid who has everything (or the parent who only has a dollar & in this economy, don't discount that demographic!).
by the way, if your friend does think of a way to do this, send me a line - i have 2 kids who would get a kick out of it!
Kira
Bob G
COO at JGPHL
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Nope
Steve B
Director of Broadcast Strategy at ITV plc
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Brent,
I'd rather give my $1 to charity.
Offering investors the opportunity to appear as extras in the movie has worked before. Obviously, they need to strike the right balance between the amount they stump up and the number of untrained extras they can cast.
Steve
Cher Lon M
Military wife: Event planner - Licensed travel consultant: NPO consultant: Customer Loyalty Liaison; Job Angel
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If I pay my dollar first, does that mean my name is on the top of the list? I think contributions amount will decide
Priority Placement in the list
Possiblity of logo placement (product placement in the movie), larger contributions means multiple placements
Color, size of font, banner style or similar (look at the heading charges like EBAY has)
His goal could be reached quicker and the list of credits could be shorter
Barbara D
TheCardLady - EA/Entrepreneur
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Brent,
I don't think I would paid the $1.00, my name is worth more than that. Now, if he would pay me $1,000 to put my name in the credits, I would accept with glee.
Links:
John M
Business Consultant
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Stay well away from this scam folks as it is a scam!
Clarification added 10 months ago:
Brent and others,
The reason as to why I gave my answer as stay away is because many years ago there was this $10 dollar white envelope. You passed it around and everybody made money. It became illegal and was stopped in it's tracks in Ireland.
i wish your friend all the luck of the Irish but let me put it to you this way, there are so many different ways to ask for money such as a loan. $250,00 dollars is a lot of money to put in someones pocket. Yeah great idea but what if I were to ask for a £1 or £10 so that I could go back in the recording studio to compose new songs and that I too would list everyones names who contributed. Oh and what if i decided at the last minute I did not want to do it. How on earth would I give the money back.
I'm sorry if I have hurt your fellings and possibly your friends - No I have not been burnt but I plan never to get that close to either.
There are plenty of production companies that will look at your friends idea and if it is good enough they will produce it. A film several years ago by Tartan Fims - The Bruce was sponsered by like minded people and they had their names on the credits- they also had parts in the film. check it out - Oliver Reed had a part too.There are proper channels of doing this.
Go google - "The Bruce".
Ray M
Energy expert, educator, award winning sculptor
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Sounds intriguing.
Marietta C
Executive Director, Friedman & Wexler, LLC - Collection Law Firm - Consumer & Commercial
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Hmmm .. in advance for a film I don't know whether will even be good? .. or worthy of my approval? .. or more importantly, name?
Absolutely not ..
Blake R
Multi-Family and Apartment Investment and Management
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No.
Bizarrely, is this even cost-efficient? This isn't like the million pixel homepage - film is expensive.
