
Crowdfunding platforms have revolutionized the way movies are made, allowing creators to raise funds directly from their audience. This approach has been used by numerous successful films.
Kickstarter, one of the most popular crowdfunding platforms, has been used to fund over 150,000 projects, including several movies. According to Kickstarter's own statistics, the average film project on the platform raises around $30,000.
Crowdfunding allows creators to connect with their audience and build a community around their project, which can be a major advantage in promoting their film. This was seen in the case of the film "Veronica Mars", which raised over $5.7 million on Kickstarter in 2013.
By using crowdfunding platforms, creators can also avoid traditional financing routes, such as studios and investors, and maintain creative control over their project.
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Crowdfunding Platforms Indiegogo
Indiegogo is a well-established crowdfunding site that's perfect for filmmakers looking to raise funds for their next big project. It lists projects of all sorts, but its roots are definitely in film, making it a great fit for movie crowdfunding.
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Indiegogo charges a 5% fee on top of a transaction fee that varies based on location and currency, so be sure to factor that into your fundraising plan. This fee structure is clearly outlined in their fees and pricing guide.
One of the benefits of using Indiegogo is that it connects you with a global network of potential investors and supporters. You can create a campaign page, add videos, pictures, and calls to action to make your project shine.
Here's a breakdown of Indiegogo's fees:
Keep in mind that over 70% of donors on Indiegogo take advantage of the option to pay the platform fee and credit card fees, which can cut your fees in half.
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Campaign Success
Crowdfunding has proven to be a game-changer for filmmakers, allowing them to raise significant funds and bring their projects to life. Veronica Mars, a crowdfunded movie, raised its $2 million target in less than 10 hours with donations from card-carrying fans averaging at around $4000 per minute.
The most successful crowdfunded movie ever is Veronica Mars, which raised $2 million in less than 10 hours. This campaign broke records for the highest amount of minimum pledges and highest amount of backers at the time.
Super Troopers, a comedy film, smashed its $2 million target on Indiegogo in just 26 hours. The campaign went on to raise $4.5 million, with some backers even paying $25,000,000 for the filmmakers to literally father their child.
Here are some notable campaigns:
These campaigns demonstrate the potential of crowdfunding for filmmakers, allowing them to raise significant funds and bring their projects to life.
Making Your Campaign a Success
We've helped hundreds of film projects crowdfund and get the money they need to fund their films since partnering with Indiegogo in 2011.
Our experienced crowdfunding staff will give you two free consultations to help set up your campaign, discussing goals, perks, and trailer improvement to raise money.
Carole Dean, a renowned expert in film funding, is available for crowdfunding consultations, offering half-hour sessions to review and analyze your project materials.
Having a solid plan in place is crucial for a successful campaign, and we're here to help you every step of the way.
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$4,557,150 (So Far)
Super Troopers, the 2001 crime-comedy film, is a great example of a campaign that really took off. It raised $4,557,150 (so far) through an Indiegogo campaign in 2015, smashing its target of $2 million in just 26 hours.
The Broken Lizard team, who created the film, were determined to make a sequel and engaged with their fans to make it happen. They offered some pretty unique perks, including having them be your best men at your wedding for $20,000, and even offering to father a child for $25,000,000.
One of the most impressive things about this campaign was its ability to engage with fans and create a sense of community. The team regularly updated their backers on the progress of the film, and were transparent about how the funds would be spent.
Here are some of the key stats from the Super Troopers campaign:
The campaign's success is a testament to the power of crowdfunding and the importance of engaging with your audience. By being open and transparent, the Broken Lizard team were able to build a loyal following and create a successful film.
Benefits and Incentives
From The Heart Productions offers fiscal sponsorship to filmmakers, allowing them to accept tax-deductible donations.
With fiscal sponsorship, donors can receive a tax deduction, creating a powerful incentive for them to donate more to your campaign. This can significantly boost your crowdfunding efforts.
Indiegogo partnered with From The Heart Productions in 2011, making them one of their first crowdfunding partners for film projects.
As a result, From The Heart Productions has helped hundreds of filmmakers crowdfund and get the money they need to fund their films.
You can also benefit from special discounts on film production services and goods, including camera lens rentals, legal services, and marketing, thanks to the Roy W. Dean Film Grant.
From The Heart Productions' generous grant donors have agreed to help fiscally sponsored films, offering nearly $100k in cash and film services each year.
Crowdfundr offers three pricing models to help you get your film funded for free, or as close to free as possible, keeping more of what you raise on your campaign.
With Keep-it-All campaigns, funds are processed in real time, so you can start your project or fulfill perks and rewards for your supporters right away.
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Project Visibility and Funding
You can crowdfund a movie through sites like Indiegogo and Seed&Spark, which connect you with potential investors. These platforms allow you to raise funds for your film using your own money, asking friends and family for help, or seeking capital from investors.
To increase visibility for your project, consider joining a platform that sends out a newsletter to thousands of followers, including filmmakers and donors. This can help you reach a wider audience and attract more supporters.
Some popular crowdfunding sites for films include Indiegogo, Seed&Spark, and Slated. You can also use these platforms to raise funds for post-production costs by keeping your campaign active and adding new rewards.
Here are some features to look for in a crowdfunding platform:
- Fees and pricing that are transparent and reasonable
- Advanced social sharing tools to encourage supporters to share your campaign
- Intuitive visual storytelling and mobile-friendly pages to engage your audience
- Regular and add-on shipping fees for rewards
- The ability to clone previous campaigns, duplicate perks, and roll over a crowdfunding campaign into an online pre-order shop
By choosing a platform that offers these features, you can increase your chances of successfully funding your movie project.
Case Studies and Statistics
Crowdfunding has become a viable option for filmmakers, as seen in the top crowdfunded films. Warner Bros. Digital and Spondoolie Productions collaborated on one such project.
The highest grossing crowdfunded film projects have raised impressive amounts of money, with one project reaching $5,702,153. Another notable project raised $4,557,150.
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Top 10 Funded Films
In the world of crowdfunded films, Warner Bros. Digital and Spondoolie Productions have made a name for themselves. They produced a film through a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Warner Bros. Digital and Spondoolie Productions' film is one of the top 10 successfully crowdfunded films. The production company has experience in bringing innovative ideas to life.
The highest grossing crowdfunded film projects have raised significant amounts of money. The top amount raised is $5,702,153. This is a staggering amount that demonstrates the potential of crowdfunding.
Another notable project raised $4,557,150. This amount is substantial and indicates the growing interest in crowdfunded films.
The amount of money raised for crowdfunded films can vary greatly. Some projects raise millions, while others raise only a fraction of that amount. For example, one project raised $406,237, which is a significant amount but much lower than the top two projects.
The lowest amount raised for a crowdfunded film in this list is $25,000. This shows that even small amounts of money can be used to fund a film project.
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Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars was unceremoniously dropped by The CW, but that didn't stop the show's fans and creators from taking matters into their own hands.
The Veronica Mars film became one of Kickstarter's biggest successes of all time.
Sources
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/film-video-crowdfunding-985225
- https://fromtheheartproductions.com/crowdfunding/
- https://crowdfundr.com/pages/crowdfunding-for-film/
- https://www.blog.thefilmfund.co/top-10-successfully-crowdfunded-video-productions/
- https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/10-crowdfunded-movies-you-simply-have-to-see/
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