Is this leveraging technique too bold and stupid to work?

[Firm1]

Hey guys,

My brother and I are in a bit of a conundrum here. We're getting ready to roll out our pre-marketing campaign for an eventual Kickstarter Campaign to raise funding for a pilot episode we wish to make in the hopes that it'll get picked up by an online media company like Netflix.

We pretty much have everything laid out including a list of bloggers and news sources we're going to reach out to. The only problem is, the story we're running on with our press release is too boring and typical. We're pretty much telling them that we're aspiring filmmakers looking to launch a pilot through Kickstarter.

So, I thought about it for a while and came up with a new way to sell ourselves. Check out the rough draft here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q9oczhQHvQ5qzhmAJujHzf2ugTW6t7-QtNZSyCcSajU/edit?usp=sharing

We personally think it's a powerful way to sell ourselves and maximize funding for the project and subsequently profits that will be donated to the EFF. But, I'm nervous because I've never seen anyone do this for a Kickstarter project. I know it's technically within the guidelines just so long as we don't raise money and donate directly to an organization, but it's still falling in the grey zone and is certainly something that kind of ruins the spirit of Kickstarting a project.

Do you guys think this is a good idea? I mean, if we pledge to donate all profits so we don't make a lick of money off it, it's saying a powerful statement about our belief in the story. We think it's so good, that it'll inevitably get picked up and that'll be our reward. Of course, there's absolutely no certainty that this will happen, so it's a high stakes game. But, maybe that can help with our marketing because it'll make our story more conflict-driven and intense. I don't know. I'm stumped. What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance!

 

[directorik]

I can't speak about the rules of Kickstarter, but I can say that this
doesn't encourage me to donate. If I want to to donate to the EFF
I would send them the money – not you.

But it might work. People who don't know that it is unlikely your
pilot will ever return a profit may feel good about filtering their money
through you to the charity. Sometimes bold and stupid is successful.

To be brutal; When I see something like this I am put on the defensive.
In this case I “know” you. From your couple of years here I know you
and your brother to be stand-up guys struggling to reach your goals
and dreams. But when I come across anything like this I get suspicious.
It seems to be a gimmick. The obvious difference is someone whose
press release states that they have been involved with the charity for
many years and are doing this because of their dedication to the charity.
Others may feel that way, too. You and your brother do not seem to
have worked for EFF in the past so this comes off as a fundraising gimmick.

 

[FantasyFilmProductions]

For me it's a no.

For one I still know nothing about the film so all I can see is that these two people are going to be raising money for a film.

The word exciting is used...what is exciting? You have not told me what I am to be excited about, just that it is exciting. I understand that but it flops flat. Obviously for you it is exciting, you know the details and it is your baby. For me, I am still in the dark.

This press report on oneself thing...people will instantly recognize that it is that because you are not for instance writers for the New York Times reporting this. Ie there is no known writer reporting to be writing this. So people will understand that this is an unnecessary pretence.

"We just feel so grateful to live in a time where..." Cheesy!!!

"Those who donate get to watch it for free"....wait..what???...so I pay with a donation, but I get to watch it for free...despite having paid with a donation? Perhaps re-phrase that.

"You can’t raise money and donate through Kickstarter, but you can raise money, make your baby and sell it for profits that you can then use to donate. And, If you’re like us and you’re only in it for the story and your fans, then the money won’t matter"

So....am I now reading about an upcoming film, or a blog discussing the virtues of giving my profit away...I say profit but generally that profit doesn't even cover the cost of making the film, let alone the next one...so there is no profit.


Anyway...I am not meaning to come down on you guys. You clearly have a lot of passion for what you do, but from an outside perspective, this is not something that gets me interested in you as directors, or your story, or why I should keep some dollars in my pocket in reserve for your upcoming kickstarter campaign.

I think you are quite capable of doing a lot better. Try again.

 

[Sweetie]

What do you guys think?

If your whole pitch is all profits go to the EFF, I'm firmly in the realm of "I don't give a rats ass." If you were somehow leveraging the story that is relevant to the EFF, then maybe you can rally their supporters. This comes off too much of a "Hey look over here... shiny."

On top of that, it's too cerebral, not emotional.

If you film does tie in with the EFF, figure out a way to make the connection. Currently it comes across as another method to raise money on the bootstrap of a charity.

If you do go down this line, contact the EFF. I believe most charities have guidelines in how you can use their name and often require a cut of the raised money.

 

[Firm1]

I can't speak about the rules of Kickstarter, but I can say that this
doesn't encourage me to donate. If I want to to donate to the EFF
I would send them the money – not you.

But it might work. People who don't know that it is unlikely your
pilot will ever return a profit may feel good about filtering their money
through you to the charity. Sometimes bold and stupid is successful.

To be brutal; When I see something like this I am put on the defensive.
In this case I “know” you. From your couple of years here I know you
and your brother to be stand-up guys struggling to reach your goals
and dreams. But when I come across anything like this I get suspicious.
It seems to be a gimmick. The obvious difference is someone whose
press release states that they have been involved with the charity for
many years and are doing this because of their dedication to the charity.
Others may feel that way, too. You and your brother do not seem to
have worked for EFF in the past so this comes off as a fundraising gimmick.

Interesting. This is giving me a lot to think about. I suppose if we build a niche audience first for 6 months, then we might be able to pull this off when we try to get press for our Kickstarter campaign. But, now I'm not sure. I guess we'll find out. Thanks a bunch man.

 

[Firm1]

For me it's a no.

For one I still know nothing about the film so all I can see is that these two people are going to be raising money for a film.

The word exciting is used...what is exciting? You have not told me what I am to be excited about, just that it is exciting. I understand that but it flops flat. Obviously for you it is exciting, you know the details and it is your baby. For me, I am still in the dark.

This press report on oneself thing...people will instantly recognize that it is that because you are not for instance writers for the New York Times reporting this. Ie there is no known writer reporting to be writing this. So people will understand that this is an unnecessary pretence.

"We just feel so grateful to live in a time where..." Cheesy!!!

"Those who donate get to watch it for free"....wait..what???...so I pay with a donation, but I get to watch it for free...despite having paid with a donation? Perhaps re-phrase that.

"You can’t raise money and donate through Kickstarter, but you can raise money, make your baby and sell it for profits that you can then use to donate. And, If you’re like us and you’re only in it for the story and your fans, then the money won’t matter"

So....am I now reading about an upcoming film, or a blog discussing the virtues of giving my profit away...I say profit but generally that profit doesn't even cover the cost of making the film, let alone the next one...so there is no profit.


Anyway...I am not meaning to come down on you guys. You clearly have a lot of passion for what you do, but from an outside perspective, this is not something that gets me interested in you as directors, or your story, or why I should keep some dollars in my pocket in reserve for your upcoming kickstarter campaign.

I think you are quite capable of doing a lot better. Try again.

Well, for the record this is a press release not an article we're writing about ourselves. In other words, its a description of our story that we're going to give to bloggers and other media sources that fall within our market niche. The idea is to get other writers that are reputable to write about us and our Kickstarter Campaign. The problem is, everyone's doing that so we need to have a story that sets us a part from others. That's why we're pledging to donate profits and excess donations made to the site.

But, perhaps it's not the right platform because you guys are right. We're not being genuine enough and connecting ourselves more to the organization. Now, I have much to ponder on. Thank you so much!

 

[Firm1]

If your whole pitch is all profits go to the EFF, I'm firmly in the realm of "I don't give a rats ass." If you were somehow leveraging the story that is relevant to the EFF, then maybe you can rally their supporters. This comes off too much of a "Hey look over here... shiny."

On top of that, it's too cerebral, not emotional.

If you film does tie in with the EFF, figure out a way to make the connection. Currently it comes across as another method to raise money on the bootstrap of a charity.

If you do go down this line, contact the EFF. I believe most charities have guidelines in how you can use their name and often require a cut of the raised money.

Oh yeah. I definitely contacted them first to see if it was okay and they seemed pretty welcoming about the idea. However, as you said, there's no connection. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[FantasyFilmProductions]

Oh yeah. I definitely contacted them first to see if it was okay and they seemed pretty welcoming about the idea. However, as you said, there's no connection. Thanks for the feedback.

Get that in writing if you have not done so already. Ie get them to write that they are happy for you to do this. That way if anyone does ask, you can flick them a copy of the letter or email to prove it.