I'm making a short film and I'm reviewing the different crowdfunding sites and I'm not sure which too use. I wanted to know if any of you have recommendations. Thanx.
There are statistics out there that say Kickstarter is the best way to go. There's a level of trust with the site, plus the "all or nothing" aspect of it's campaigns both give backers a sense of urgency in donating to the project, and let them know that once the campaign is over you'll actually deliver on creating the project (Flexible Funding campaigns on IndieGoGo are enticing, but since they give you the money whether you hit the goal or not, there's a risk that the final product will either not exist due to insufficient funds, or be sub-par).
Hi. Kickstarter is primarily for US, Canadian and UK projects. And as mentioned above it's all or nothing. For Indiegogo you can source funds internationally and you can receive any amount of capital that you raise for an additional fee paid to IndieGoGo. Of course, oftentimes for the first time projects the best resources are from family and friends, for local businesses that you have a relationship with.
If you don't raise your goal on kickstarter, you lose everything. On indiegogo even if you don't hit your goal, you keep the money. Indiegogo is the only platform I'd use.
Kickstarter and Indiegogo have approximately the same fees, roughly 8-11%. The big difference that I've read is that Kickstarter has 5 times as many views from random people. So, you're better off getting 'random money' on Kickstarter. Kickstarter is also better in my opinion, because if you don't hit your goal, you lose all your money. This gives incentive to those looking at your profile to bid more money and make sure you get there. I've had two friends fail to reach their goal at Indiegogo and two friends succeed with Kickstarter. Good luck.
Shirl, I have to agree with Mike. Most of my friends have used Kickstarter (over Indigogo) and the idea that they won't get funded if they don't reach their goal is definitely a strong motivator for me to donate and to help promote their project. Good luck! Angelique
Here is the hard truth about IndieGoGo's Flexible Funding campaigns: People like them for the very reason they are dangerous, you get the money no matter what. In some situations (say a limited print run of a piece of art, or a book), it can work out okay. You don't get to do things to the scale you wanted, but you still produce the item at the same quality. The same is not true for filmmaking. When you put together your pre-production plan, a major part of that is the budget. If you're smart, you put together several versions of that budget. The first is the modest, but perfectly reasonable amount of money. The amount that lets you make the film you want to make, maybe pay some folks, and still eat food. The second is the dream. This one lets you do some really great things with the script that you wouldn't have the chance to do without this big boost to your funding. You can pay the crew, maybe grab a name actor, feed people real food, and even get some really great post-production out of it. The third is the most difficult, but the most necessary. It's the bare bones. The minimal amount of money you can possibly operate on, and not make major sacrifices in quality. At this level, every penny will appear on screen. You use it to rent equipment, pay for the most meager amount of post production you can (most of which you do yourself). If you have anything left over, you pay yourself, or your cast or crew. This last one is probably going to be your Kickstarter goal (plus money for fees and reward fulfillment). Below that smallest budget, you cannot make the film you set out to make, the film your backers expect you to make. If you set a goal of $10,000 for a feature film (which will barely let even the most creative of directors scrape by), but you only raise $3,000, can you really still make the same product? That's the key. That's what you need to impress upon your potential backers (in a short 3-5 minute video, because they will stop watching), and that's why I think Kickstarter (or IndieGoGo's all-or-nothing campaigns) are the only way to go in these situations. Make the film you want to make. Don't sacrifice quality just because you want to make something, anything. Find other sources of funds. Hold a small fundraiser, get a weathly relative to host something for you, e-mail everyone. Do whatever you can to raise the right amount of money to make your movie. --- Also, Gerson, in answer to your question, it is my understanding that if you know you are about to fall short of your goal by a very small amount, you might take that $100 or what have you out of your own money, and just donate it to your own campaign.
Hey guys, I think this topic would make a good Virtual Newsmakers show. If anyone is game to talk about the pros and cons of a campaign (and yes, even to discuss how the big boys/gals are taking over the market), would love to have you on a Google Plus Hangout on an upcoming Friday (Noon EST). I'd love to get some of you on.
Tricia, Thank you for such in depth and informative comparison. I will relay this to my team and proceed accordingly. Thank you again, for taking the time to answer. Gerson
You have to put a lot of work into the campaign, the crowdfunding site itself is not as important as what you put out there. I would suggest Indiegogo as a focus. It was designed for film. I have heard JuntoBox is a good one though.
Not many prefer GoFundMe but I fully funded my project on that site. The difference about it is that if you do not reach your goal it doesn't matter, you may take out donation money whenever you decide too even if it's 5 bucks. With sites like KickStarter if you don't reach your goal, you don't get any donation money, however KickStarter is more well known.
Seen it, definitely understandable but I think most indie film creators will have to start with donations based crowdfunding if they don't have an established audience.
Indiegogo, let's you keep any funds raised. Kickstarter, is more well known, but if you don't raise the amount you are trying to earn, you get nothing. Also, check out www.mindplate.tv or junto box films as they are not crowdfunding site, but might be helpful further down the line. Best of luck.
Register / Log In
The jackpots are on Kickstarter or Indigogo
1 person likes this
But you can use "Juntobox" and fix it with your Indigogo campaign.
1 person likes this
There are statistics out there that say Kickstarter is the best way to go. There's a level of trust with the site, plus the "all or nothing" aspect of it's campaigns both give backers a sense of urgency in donating to the project, and let them know that once the campaign is over you'll actually deliver on creating the project (Flexible Funding campaigns on IndieGoGo are enticing, but since they give you the money whether you hit the goal or not, there's a risk that the final product will either not exist due to insufficient funds, or be sub-par).
Hi. Kickstarter is primarily for US, Canadian and UK projects. And as mentioned above it's all or nothing. For Indiegogo you can source funds internationally and you can receive any amount of capital that you raise for an additional fee paid to IndieGoGo. Of course, oftentimes for the first time projects the best resources are from family and friends, for local businesses that you have a relationship with.
Indiegogo is the one most filmmakers use. Fundanything.com is new and they actually give money to some projects
If you don't raise your goal on kickstarter, you lose everything. On indiegogo even if you don't hit your goal, you keep the money. Indiegogo is the only platform I'd use.
2 people like this
Kickstarter and Indiegogo have approximately the same fees, roughly 8-11%. The big difference that I've read is that Kickstarter has 5 times as many views from random people. So, you're better off getting 'random money' on Kickstarter. Kickstarter is also better in my opinion, because if you don't hit your goal, you lose all your money. This gives incentive to those looking at your profile to bid more money and make sure you get there. I've had two friends fail to reach their goal at Indiegogo and two friends succeed with Kickstarter. Good luck.
1 person likes this
Shirl, I have to agree with Mike. Most of my friends have used Kickstarter (over Indigogo) and the idea that they won't get funded if they don't reach their goal is definitely a strong motivator for me to donate and to help promote their project. Good luck! Angelique
good step dear, keep it up
2 people like this
Here is the hard truth about IndieGoGo's Flexible Funding campaigns: People like them for the very reason they are dangerous, you get the money no matter what. In some situations (say a limited print run of a piece of art, or a book), it can work out okay. You don't get to do things to the scale you wanted, but you still produce the item at the same quality. The same is not true for filmmaking. When you put together your pre-production plan, a major part of that is the budget. If you're smart, you put together several versions of that budget. The first is the modest, but perfectly reasonable amount of money. The amount that lets you make the film you want to make, maybe pay some folks, and still eat food. The second is the dream. This one lets you do some really great things with the script that you wouldn't have the chance to do without this big boost to your funding. You can pay the crew, maybe grab a name actor, feed people real food, and even get some really great post-production out of it. The third is the most difficult, but the most necessary. It's the bare bones. The minimal amount of money you can possibly operate on, and not make major sacrifices in quality. At this level, every penny will appear on screen. You use it to rent equipment, pay for the most meager amount of post production you can (most of which you do yourself). If you have anything left over, you pay yourself, or your cast or crew. This last one is probably going to be your Kickstarter goal (plus money for fees and reward fulfillment). Below that smallest budget, you cannot make the film you set out to make, the film your backers expect you to make. If you set a goal of $10,000 for a feature film (which will barely let even the most creative of directors scrape by), but you only raise $3,000, can you really still make the same product? That's the key. That's what you need to impress upon your potential backers (in a short 3-5 minute video, because they will stop watching), and that's why I think Kickstarter (or IndieGoGo's all-or-nothing campaigns) are the only way to go in these situations. Make the film you want to make. Don't sacrifice quality just because you want to make something, anything. Find other sources of funds. Hold a small fundraiser, get a weathly relative to host something for you, e-mail everyone. Do whatever you can to raise the right amount of money to make your movie. --- Also, Gerson, in answer to your question, it is my understanding that if you know you are about to fall short of your goal by a very small amount, you might take that $100 or what have you out of your own money, and just donate it to your own campaign.
Hey guys, I think this topic would make a good Virtual Newsmakers show. If anyone is game to talk about the pros and cons of a campaign (and yes, even to discuss how the big boys/gals are taking over the market), would love to have you on a Google Plus Hangout on an upcoming Friday (Noon EST). I'd love to get some of you on.
Tricia, Thank you for such in depth and informative comparison. I will relay this to my team and proceed accordingly. Thank you again, for taking the time to answer. Gerson
You have to put a lot of work into the campaign, the crowdfunding site itself is not as important as what you put out there. I would suggest Indiegogo as a focus. It was designed for film. I have heard JuntoBox is a good one though.
Not many prefer GoFundMe but I fully funded my project on that site. The difference about it is that if you do not reach your goal it doesn't matter, you may take out donation money whenever you decide too even if it's 5 bucks. With sites like KickStarter if you don't reach your goal, you don't get any donation money, however KickStarter is more well known.
No problem, glad to know I've helped! Take it easy buddy.
mutual understanding matters a lot mam
Kickstarter or Indiegogo. But the key to success is your promotion of the project.
2 people like this
Has anyone seen this? Just came through my email: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/forget-kickstarter-how-obamas-new-...
Seen it, definitely understandable but I think most indie film creators will have to start with donations based crowdfunding if they don't have an established audience.
1 person likes this
Indiegogo, let's you keep any funds raised. Kickstarter, is more well known, but if you don't raise the amount you are trying to earn, you get nothing. Also, check out www.mindplate.tv or junto box films as they are not crowdfunding site, but might be helpful further down the line. Best of luck.
2 people like this
Checkout http://greenlightcrowdfunding.com - lower fees and you can do flexible funding or all-or-nothing.