The Night the Reindeer died.....

Newcott

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Jul 9, 2010
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Hi All,

Been on here a while now but could really do with some help.

I'm working on a new film project - due to be shot at the end of the month and you can find more information on it in the link below:

http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Night-the-Reindeer-Died

I'm hoping you good people at the UKBF can help either
1)Raise funds
2)Raise awarness.

The film with be awesome, we've got the ability & talent but we need help with crew,location and equipment costs.

For thoese of you unfamiliar with crowd funding its a great way of helping UK film, small contributions that add up to a larger budget.

If anyone can help out and wants a to contribute (the packages are on the right) I would be very very thankfull.

If not if you could please help us spread the word - blogs,twitters, facebooks, emails anything to help get exposure.

Of course welcome to any questions or feedback but we are determinded to get this project done we just need a little support.

Thanks!

Nick

(P.S. sponsership packages outside this may be availble so PM me :) )
 

debbidoo

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Haha - love the plot, it sounds insane :D And I'm a huge fan of Christmas movies :)

Hmm. Tempted by the $100 package - but wouldn't a henchman called "debbidoo" be a bit bizarre? :p

$1250 is a very low target. Is that really all it's going to cost you to make the film? Or do you have other backers?

Something I'd want to know is, what happens if I pay and the movie doesn't get made for whatever reason? Is there a cut-off point in terms of time? I mean, what if I pay $100 now for sponsorship, and the movie takes 10 years to make and by that time I've retired or changed the company name or something?
 
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Newcott

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debbidoo:

Of course not - to be honest a name like that won't be the most insain thing in this film (We've got a few secret's up our sleve on possible plot points depending on funding)

Its is a low budget film - but we're only looking for what we need to get it done. We have our main camera as a Sony EX3, some basic lighting and greenscreens. We've also got a few skill sets alredy through friends lending a hand and we're experienced to get it done. What we need help with is the extra equipment (Sound, camera tracks/dolly/jibs & extra lighting) plus to pay for location and actors costs (transport & food included) So yes the figure is low but its exactly what we need.

It will get made - we have the location booked (just need to pay for it) actors booked & main crew sorted. We are very determined for this to happen as it will be out the week before chirstmas.

Happy to answer any questions you may have :) would be great to have you on board and we can christen your henchman :)

Nick
 
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debbidoo

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Fourteen12:

Its a short film so will be on YouTube & a few other sites.

Copies can be sent on DVD if requested :)

From a commercial point of view - how will you make any money from it if it's only on YouTube etc? Or are you using it to showcase your talents to get you more work in the future?

Hope my questions don't come across as negative - I'm genuinely interested :)
 
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Newcott

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Debbiedoo:

Not negative in the slightest - always open to talk.

Its a mixture of showcase and building on earning some dosh. (which would be put towards further films/sketchs)

Basicly it will be used to showcase what we can do but also we are currently in talks with YouTube about being a partner (basicly you get a share of revenue generated by advertising on your channel) We have 3 new projects starting next year so this will be one of the first. Search in YouTube for either FreddieW or Film Riot - theses guys are able to post a video a week due to sponsership or partnership and we're looking to emulate.

We are also considering putting it on a Video on Demand site that we are using for our feature film due to be released next month "It Came Alive" ( http://fireflylondon.co.uk/index.php/projects/47-it-came-alive)

Does that help?
 
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debbidoo

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Debbiedoo:

Not negative in the slightest - always open to talk.

Its a mixture of showcase and building on earning some dosh. (which would be put towards further films/sketchs)

Basicly it will be used to showcase what we can do but also we are currently in talks with YouTube about being a partner (basicly you get a share of revenue generated by advertising on your channel) We have 3 new projects starting next year so this will be one of the first. Search in YouTube for either FreddieW or Film Riot - theses guys are able to post a video a week due to sponsership or partnership and we're looking to emulate.

We are also considering putting it on a Video on Demand site that we are using for our feature film due to be released next month "It Came Alive" ( http://fireflylondon.co.uk/index.php/projects/47-it-came-alive)

Does that help?

Yes, really interesting - thanks for taking the time to explain :) Hope it makes you rich and famous :)
 
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LicensedToTrade

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So this is how Spielberg got all those film credits?

I'm not a big fan of these vanity sponsorships, it seems like a bit of a farce. You pay money to have your name appear on the credits of a film that no more than 20 people are ever likely to see, and let's be honest, when was the last time that you sat through the credits of a blockbuster at the cinema?

This reminds of those companies that love your book so much they want to publish it for you! You know, the one where you pay £2,000 and get 100 copies of your book sent to you, in other words a printing service for the the vain.

I remember many many years ago I invested into one of these start-up film companies with big promises of a great ROI. The film never materialised and I was a few quid out of pocket.
 
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Newcott

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LTT:

Jokes aside yes- I know many a story on Speilberg not just his work but lending his name on projects that otherwise never would of seen the light of day.

As for cinema credits being in the industry I always sit through - so does everyone I know in this as its a respect thing - one day I hope films I work on will have someone sitting untill the end.

But the point of this is not just the vanity thing, its about helping create something awesome, helping a UK film maker when there is no support anywhere and enjoying the results once its made - as people have already said they like the sound of it I hope that they will be pleased once they have watched it.

With regards to your past experience, sorry to hear that but our situation is different. This film will be made but the funding is the difference in it being mind blowingly awesome as we will be able to afford extra crew, the location, makeup & wardrobe.

I'm not promising a ROI - I don't want to lead anyone down a false path but at the end of the day you can contribute as much or as little as you want and lets face it I'm not asking for huge sums $10 (or around £8) if we can get 200 people to contribute or if we get 5 lots of the $250.

Also just to add there is a option of not putting your name to it and just donating :p

Hope that clears up concerns you have voiced?

Nick.
 
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debbidoo

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On the other hand, it's nice to know that for as little as $10 you can support home-grown talent and help these guys move forward in their careers :) That's worth a small investment of $10, surely? :)

From my point of view - I just think it would be really, really funny to have an evil Santa-kidnapping henchman called 'debbidoo' - haha :D I don't suppose I'd get any work out of having a credit on the movie, but even so - it's a fun idea, and even if nobody saw my name on the credits, I'd be glad I did it :)
 
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Newcott

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On the other hand, it's nice to know that for as little as $10 you can support home-grown talent and help these guys move forward in their careers :) That's worth a small investment of $10, surely? :)

From my point of view - I just think it would be really, really funny to have an evil Santa-kidnapping henchman called 'debbidoo' - haha :D I don't suppose I'd get any work out of having a credit on the movie, but even so - it's a fun idea, and even if nobody saw my name on the credits, I'd be glad I did it :)

Thanks Debbidoo :)

Other options, if people don't want to donate or pass the link around for us - please please please could you click on Feature it! ( very Bottom right hand page under the packages) It will help us get on the front page :)
 
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Newcott

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Morning all.

Didn't get a huge ammount of time to promote over the weekend but our first donations have started to role in :)

www.indiegogo.com/The-Night-the-Reindeer-Died

Out of interest if I could get some feedback that would be great
A) Is there anything I could say or do (within reason) that would increase the chance of you contributing
b) same as above but for sharing it around.

I'm nervous our timescales are short but I know there are some good people here who are able to help either way.

Thanks

Nick
 
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LicensedToTrade

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Inspite of my previous comments I was going to buy the $25 package but I don't have any of my cards with me and try as I might, my pc keeps rejecting all of the coins I keep feeding into the various ports. I will buy one of the packages either this evening or tomorrow morning.

Unless of course there is a way for me to do a direct funds transfer?
 
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debbidoo

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Inspite of my previous comments I was going to buy the $25 package but I don't have any of my cards with me and try as I might, my pc keeps rejecting all of the coins I keep feeding into the various ports. I will buy one of the packages either this evening or tomorrow morning.

Unless of course there is a way for me to do a direct funds transfer?

Awww :) LTT, that's lovely :) I'm going to do mine today or tomorrow too :)
 
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Newcott

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Debbiedoo - I'll PM you soon as its up :)

LTT - Thank you very much, especially with your previous experience I assure you I will stick to my word and this will be made.

More for your own protection I recommend IndieGoGo (I know its a bit annoying) but this way you will have a clear trail plus if we don't get the full ammount of funding you will have your money back and secured portals.

Hope thats ok?
 
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Have you thought about launching films at local film festivals or private small cinema screenings and such? You can sometimes get sponsorship from the camera companies e.g. if you use Kodak cameras, they may well chuck 5k at a project that is guaranteed to hit a few thousand people on youtube or a cinema screen and it may count towards their 'helping new film talent' tick box

Local businesses may also put a few hundred in the pot to get a logo on the opening title sequence.
 
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LicensedToTrade

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Have you thought about launching films at local film festivals or private small cinema screenings and such? You can sometimes get sponsorship from the camera companies e.g. if you use Kodak cameras, they may well chuck 5k at a project that is guaranteed to hit a few thousand people on youtube or a cinema screen and it may count towards their 'helping new film talent' tick box

Local businesses may also put a few hundred in the pot to get a logo on the opening title sequence.

Following on from this excellent suggestion, you could try approaching the local council or even the Prince's Trust?
 
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Newcott

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ESK247 - We've fired off a few emails about sponsership but I'm not holding out on it purley based by our short timescale - we're shooting at the end of the month.

The festivals and cinema's good suggestion but again have pitfalls I'm affriad (mainly timescale again)

LTT - I've approached both of thoese in the past and got very little help from both.

I've got an appointment to speak with Google/YouTube tomorrow about partnership so once the film is done this will hopefully be the first project on there :)


Local business - I'm more then open to talk further to anyone on this which is one reason why I posted on here - as for actual local businesses (South London - Bromley/Biggin Hill area) thats something I've not considered so will have a look this afternoon.
 
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Newcott

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Simon,

Thats great - every little helps (look where that go Tesco's!) and I'm thankfull to everyone who can help.

With regards to the payments I don't know thoese details - its done via IndieGoGo and as a project on their we don't have any involvment.

I can email them and ask if you wish?

Ta.

Nick
 
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TotalWebSolutions

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Simon,

Thats great - every little helps (look where that go Tesco's!) and I'm thankfull to everyone who can help.

With regards to the payments I don't know thoese details - its done via IndieGoGo and as a project on their we don't have any involvment.

I can email them and ask if you wish?

Ta.

Nick

Hi Nick,

As the collection of card data is done on the site - as apposed to a gateway page - I would prefer to know before supplying card details. Alternatively, I could pay via Paypal if that is an option?

Thanks,

Simon
 
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Newcott

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Jul 9, 2010
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Hi Nick,

As the collection of card data is done on the site - as apposed to a gateway page - I would prefer to know before supplying card details. Alternatively, I could pay via Paypal if that is an option?

Thanks,

Simon

Hi Simon,

I have a response - I will PM it to you but let me know if its satifactory.

Quick update - Anyone who is considering a donation - its Tax deductable:
http://www.indiegogo.com/about/howitworks



We're building up now but only have 11 days left - anything else I can offer for people to help us out. Even if its just the $10 (By the way I'm English but the site doesn't have the option for £)

Every little counts.....
 
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Asholay

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Very tempted - will look into it a bit more later.

I started writing feature film scripments about a year and a half ago and have one fully written and about 5 original ideas down to the scene index cards - so if you make it into a big Hollywood director remember my donation and buy them outright from me ;-)
 
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Newcott

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Jul 9, 2010
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Simon - Thank you very much!

Asholay - Even if its just the $10 it helps us get closer to the target, I really appreciate every contribution!

Plus always interested in new projects so let me know... We've been planning for next year and its going to be big for us.
 
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