Financing / Crowdfunding : Small NYC Film Fund Group by Apolos Israel

Apolos Israel

Small NYC Film Fund Group

Hello All,

Is anyone interested in making or has completed a community film? (like 4 or 5 people). As in we all contribute to the script together and each member contributes to an equal part of an agreed budget, thereby giving all of us ownership of the film. A good short can be used to pitch to producers, and could eventually lead to a fully financed feature. I know egos tend to get in the way of things but with a good group, couldn't this be pulled off? Has this been pulled off? 5 people funding one short is infinitely easier than one person funding. Especially if each person can specialize in one area of the crew (Director, DP, Editor, Actor, Writer) If I'm being crazy please let me know, I have tough skin. 

Erik A. Jacobson

Five people behind Blair Witch Project.

Dan MaxXx

Psst, that’s what people do- they pull their resources together and make stuff. Shorts are just practice, a demo reel to show Employers you have talent to do this for a living.

Checkout “Your Stage” lounge. The movie “Cosmos” was made with 0 budget by 7 people. 5 years to do. They got a theatrical release in the USA and a worldwide distributor.

Erik A. Jacobson

Kay Luke - Monumental implosion? Nowhere near! The original brought in $248.6 million and was made for only $60,000. Apolos, the poster, is clearly seeking information as a beginner on start-up projects as examples, not multimillion dollar sequels. My own first film was made with two friends for under $30,000 and made a big profit. And no, there was no conflict. Why not try it sometime so you understand this stuff first-hand?

M L.

I think a better model is the V/H/S approach. V/H/S was a horror anthology. 2 sequels I think. It did pretty well. But that's a more practical approach where you all make your own shorts but with a common theme to it tying them all together as a "project". That will be an easier execution for sure.

M L.

Regarding whether each person can "specialize" as _________ on the crew. I don't think that's practical. They should just be that thing to begin with. So the best way to "collaborate" is to assemble a group of 'filmmakers' that are already actual crew on movies already and each have actual valuable skills.

So get a sound recordist, get a DP, a 1st A.D. and a casting director that all have their own scripts and then all of you work together as a group on each others projects for free. That's a true collaboration because you all are putting in valuable skills that translate to real money and collectively, all of you on set together at the same time is the entire budget of the film and it would cost a producer a ton of money to hire you as a team but you're each getting that value free of charge. When each person takes a turn directing, they replace themselves on the crew and they hire a pro to do their job while they direct.

Apolos Israel

M L. That's what I meant. A collaborative effort done by people with a range of skills. Doing one film at a time would work as well. I'm going to check out the making of VHS and paranormal activity.

Malachi Hooper

very interested on being apart of your project

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