Darn. I really liked SGU. I'd like to help bring it back. But, correct me if I'm wrong, this seems like a lot of magical thinking on his part. Godbless him. But it sounds like some real pie in the sky wishful thinking.
He's attempting this without any agreement with anyone? For one thing, might as well not even bother if you don't get Robert Carlyle onboard, not to mention the rights holders. Would that be SyFy?
And SyFy has already cancelled the show due to lack of ratings. What would be different after fans raised this money? It would still be a show not enough people watch, right?
Admittedly, I don't have a head for this stuff. But how do you get from $50,000 to $50 million again? It's nice that he assures funders a partial refund if the funds are raised but it turns out no one wants to make it, or it cannot be made.
But this...
Failure to secure a distribution/broadcast agreement.
In any case, part of the budget is to establish a internet based download service. Qualifying backers will be given free access to download all episodes. It is envisaged that securing a broadcast agreement for the largest kickstart project to date should be straightforward. In the event of the show being produced, and no networks want to broadcast it, backers who opted for the download or dvd box set will still be able to watch the show. Part of the negotiations will be to ensure that should this eventuality arise, the download service & box set will be made available for the general public to purchase, with appropriate revenue being made available to the existing rights holders.
This surely must be fantasy (albeit a lovely fantasy). Isn't the idea that the third season would be produced without a broadcast agreement very far fetched? Even more so that downloads or DVDs will be produced? Or in other words, isn't it fanciful to think the show would be produced just so funders would get their downloads and DVDs, if that's what he's saying?
But yeah. I wish they hadn't cancelled it in the first place. Thanks for sharing this, WB. =)