Greetings:
I am Author / Screenwriter / Producer for The Journal of Rudd (Animation). Previous crowdfunding fell flat on its face, due to lack of publicity (e-mail contacts).
I seek a database of a donor audience with the following attributes i.) e-mail address ii.) animated movie preference iii.) historical fiction - and all that without breaking open the piggy bank.
Anyone have any ideals?
May I suggest that is not a good strategy. You're better off 4-Walling. Create a Press Kit with info and bios of all involved, script etc, and approach local business in your area for 'small' funding, important that you ask for small funding, you'll need quantity here. Go door to door in person. Offer shares or credits in the film in exchange. This is how Sam Raimi made Evil Dead which got him noticed and the rest is history.
Thanks, Ken. I'll bear this in mind. Also, I was a technical bookseller working, as you say, in 4-Walls. There I learnt effective guerilla marketing, and I am always, marketing. Should you know of any doors that could open to
venture capital, in this regard, I'd be grateful to learn about it. The themes for both screenplays are the lot of the "underdog". Genre of both screenplays are historical fiction and are set in colonial South Africa.
I would then suggest that you pair up with an experienced producer who can then package all the tax credits and breaks for you to raise capital. The tax credits is key for you to raise substantial capital from investors.
$25-$500 or up to 1k. You sell 'Executive & Associate Producer' credits in exchange for some money. Be up front and say you're not going to see any returns. That's the easiest way. If you want to sell shares, then you'll need to pair up with a producer who can set that up for you - register an LLC online (cheap) and sell shares or points of the film in exchange for some money. Again, when you setup a company you're obligated to basically say you're most likely never to see a return. But you sell your film as a project you and them would like to see created. Just keep it simple - say "give me $50 and I'll give you a producer credit in a 'Movie' you're not going to get the money back ever." Simple. But they must sign a deal memo of course.
But don't worry about that yet, you're a way off. Get the script right and do the 1min video proof of concept first. You'll use that video to raise 'small' funding in the future. Connect with a local experienced producer and collaborate.
The best investment you can make is in your education. I strongly suggest working on a feature film in any capacity. You'll pick brains, make connections and these people will eventually be your crew on your film and vice versa.
Jack, I've ran two successful crowdfunding campaigns. A donor list won't get you to your goal. Instead, you need to focus on marketing your project to your core audience.