Jumper Cable Films - crowd funding with a twist!

[JumperCableFilms]

Hey everyone,

Just launched a new production company, Jumper Cable Films. Grassroots funding + letting the community of advance "ticket holders" behind the scenes throughout the process. We want to make our film, we want people to see it, and we want those who are curious about the filmmaking process to be able to follow along.

We want as many eyes on this as possible - the more the merrier, obviously!

Curious to hear anyone's thoughts/reaction.

Thanks!

Also, you can check out our Facebook page, or watch a quick promo talking about the origins of the script.

 

[finderskeepers]

Sounds like an interesting funding idea. I hope you update us on how it goes.
Best of Luck

 

[JumperCableFilms]

If anyone has the time and inclination to have a look at the site, jumpercablefilms.com, feedback would be much appreciated. We're super excited about the project and the approach, but realize that getting a groundswell going takes serious effort.

If anyone feels like hopping over for a few seconds, we'd love to know:

a) How does the project as a whole strike you? Ambitious? Cutting edge? Lame?

b) Does the intended film, Onward Amazing People! itself grab you? Turn you off?

c) What is the tipping point for you when it comes to buying an advance ticket or not? Too much money? No faith it will work? Just plain not interested? Or something else?

Many, many thanks in advance for any feedback! Any response at all is super helpful. And... not that we want to be bashed all to hell, but we do have thick skin. We find people are more inclined to respond with compliments, but we want to elicit as much criticism as possible - so if you have something negative to say, I hope it's constructive, but please bring it to our attention.

Cheers!

 

[directorik]

a) I see it as ambitious but not cutting edge. This has been tried
over and over and over.

b) The synopsis on you web page is poorly written. But the
reluctant hero forced into doing the right thing story is tried
and true. It seems as if you have a nice take in it.

c) The tipping point for me on all these “crowd funding” projects
is I don’t know what will happen to my money if the film isn’t
made. Nowhere on your website do I see a production budget. How do
I know that I’m donating to a $2,000 project or a $200,000
project? If it’s a $200,000 project and you only raise $2,000
before Dec 2010 I don’t know if you will extent, shut down and
keep my money, shut down and return my money or push forward and
make a movie for $2,000.

I have bookmarked the site (which is very nice - although the wind
audio became annoying after a while so I had to mute my audio) and
will keep checking back. It’s too bad I can’t have access to the
forums to keep up with the progress unless I pay, but hopefully,
you will update elsewhere on the site.

 

[JumperCableFilms]

a) I see it as ambitious but not cutting edge. This has been tried
over and over and over.

c) The tipping point for me on all these “crowd funding” projects
is I don’t know what will happen to my money if the film isn’t
made.

too bad I can’t have access to the
forums to keep up with the progress unless I pay, but hopefully,
you will update elsewhere on the site.

Direktorik, thanks so much for the feedback - these reactions are very useful for us to hear.

We will be updating the site as we go along, for sure, but for forum access and "meaty" insider updates, yeah, gotta pay that ticket - our concepts centers heavily on the value of the "real-time" making-of. Our way of rewarding the leap of faith the audience member is extending to us. We aim to make a great movie that people like, of course, but even beyond that, we want them to get real value - beyond entertainment - for their $7.50. We feel this aspect of the project is what gives it a unique spin compared to similar crowd funding projects.

As to the "what will happen to my money" question. Very good point. We have had LONG debates about this one. Truth be told, our secret plan in that unfortunate event is to give all of the money raised (minus production costs already spent) to a handful of charities voted upon by the community. However, we are very hesitant to include this on the website, as it projects the idea of failure, not confidence. We're still on the fence, though - thanks for the salient point.

Budget we're aiming for is $400,000 for a formal production with fully paid professional cast and crew. We'll make do with less, of course, but will pull the plug if we don't get at least $75,000. We've gone back and forth on that idea, too, whether or not to elaborate on the site. We take your comment to heart.

Thanks again for taking the time to check it out and responding so thoughtfully. It is much, much appreciated.

Best!
-Ryan

 

[directorik]

As to the "what will happen to my money" question. Very good point. We have had LONG debates about this one. Truth be told, our secret plan in that unfortunate event is to give all of the money raised (minus production costs already spent) to a handful of charities voted upon by the community. However, we are very hesitant to include this on the website, as it projects the idea of failure, not confidence. We're still on the fence, though - thanks for the salient point.

I suspect that that’s the reason people don’t like mentioning what
will happen if the entire budget isn’t raised. In the world of
investment (and I know this isn’t an investment) the law states
everything must be disclosed. Even the potential of failure and
total loss.

I know I would feel more comfortable knowing exactly what will
happen to MY money if the project doesn’t happen. And I’d want to
know the exact cut off date. This has always been a problem for me
with these “crowd funding” projects. It’s too much “pie in the
sky”, “what if”, “it could happen” optimism and not enough
business. I’m open to support a friend, someone I know and trust -
I am not open to supporting people I don’t know at all. Unless I
see they are treating their project as a business.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for enthusiasm and optimism. But this
is a business venture. You are asking people to donate their hard
earned money. When that donation gets above $50, it’s a lot of
money. I’ll bet you have never donated above $50 to a complete
stranger who wants to use the money to make a movie. Ask yourself,
“why?”

I’m glad to hear you have been thinking all this over. I suggest
you put some of it in your “business plan”. For example:

I’d be interested in being part of a $400,000 movie - not a
$20,000 movie. I don’t want to become a “producer” ($500) of a
movie budget at $400,000 only to find out I have put $500 into a
movie being made for $20,000 because the producers couldn’t raise
the money.

I want to know the exact cut off date. I don't really like the idea that
my $500 (or even $7.50) will sit for a year and if the producers haven't
raised the money they may hold it for another year as they regroup.
And then maybe hold it for another year. It gives me the impression
the producers are hoping I will forget that I donated $500.

I also want to know what charity my money would go to if the movie
isn’t fully funded. If I know my $500 (or even $7.50) was going to
go to a charity I don’t like, I wouldn’t donate. I want to have
that information up front so I can make an informed decision.

I hope what you take from this is I am very interested in this
type of funding. I would love this way of funding to work. I
currently have 11 of them bookmarked and I check them once a
month. And that doesn’t include the two dozen projects I follow on
those funding websites. I have made a promise to myself that when
I find one that treats raising funds like a business, like an
investment, I will donate $1,000.

I wish you the very best and I will be following your progress.

 

[JumperCableFilms]

Again, Direktorik, thanks a million for the thoughtful response!

We'll be re-vamping our home page soon to tackle this issue head on. To put our concrete budget aims, deadlines, and contingency plan in the forefront. No small thanks to your insight, and your taking the time to share your thought process.

We very much want to be completely transparent and earn people's trust, but didn't want to come across as ineffectual and admit that the grand experiment might not work. So I guess we overthought that angle, and erred on the side of caution to our own detriment, it seems.

Anyway, thanks again for letting us "behind the scenes" of your reaction. This kind of feedback is invaluable.

All the best,
Ryan

 

[TheOpusFuller]

I suspect that that’s the reason people don’t like mentioning what
will happen if the entire budget isn’t raised. In the world of
investment (and I know this isn’t an investment) the law states
everything must be disclosed. Even the potential of failure and
total loss.

I know I would feel more comfortable knowing exactly what will
happen to MY money if the project doesn’t happen. And I’d want to
know the exact cut off date. This has always been a problem for me
with these “crowd funding” projects. It’s too much “pie in the
sky”, “what if”, “it could happen” optimism and not enough
business. I’m open to support a friend, someone I know and trust -
I am not open to supporting people I don’t know at all. Unless I
see they are treating their project as a business.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for enthusiasm and optimism. But this
is a business venture. You are asking people to donate their hard
earned money. When that donation gets above $50, it’s a lot of
money. I’ll bet you have never donated above $50 to a complete
stranger who wants to use the money to make a movie. Ask yourself,
“why?”

I’m glad to hear you have been thinking all this over. I suggest
you put some of it in your “business plan”. For example:

I’d be interested in being part of a $400,000 movie - not a
$20,000 movie. I don’t want to become a “producer” ($500) of a
movie budget at $400,000 only to find out I have put $500 into a
movie being made for $20,000 because the producers couldn’t raise
the money.

I want to know the exact cut off date. I don't really like the idea that
my $500 (or even $7.50) will sit for a year and if the producers haven't
raised the money they may hold it for another year as they regroup.
And then maybe hold it for another year. It gives me the impression
the producers are hoping I will forget that I donated $500.

I also want to know what charity my money would go to if the movie
isn’t fully funded. If I know my $500 (or even $7.50) was going to
go to a charity I don’t like, I wouldn’t donate. I want to have
that information up front so I can make an informed decision.

I hope what you take from this is I am very interested in this
type of funding. I would love this way of funding to work. I
currently have 11 of them bookmarked and I check them once a
month. And that doesn’t include the two dozen projects I follow on
those funding websites. I have made a promise to myself that when
I find one that treats raising funds like a business, like an
investment, I will donate $1,000.

I wish you the very best and I will be following your progress.

I agree with Directorik. Not only do I agree but I think everybody looking to crowd fund should practice what he preaches.

With that I'd like to chime in on my thoughts on this whole shibang...

1. In my opinion I think it's a weak point to offer someone's name in the credits for $xxx.xx. Why do I care if my name is in the credits? What is having my name in the credits do for me? Nothing. Nothing at all. I see this on most if not all crowd funding projects and I just can't wrap my head around this concept of why having a name in the credits is a big deal and why it is a compelling selling point to make people want to donate and support a project on such a high tier of $... Especially for an independent film that nobody has ever heard of... I can see this being effective for a Sam Raimi film or something but for some random John Doe saying hey, throw 200 dollars down and your name will be in the credits is just.... ugh....

2. I think crowd funding has huge potential! HUGE potential. But in my opinion people are doing it wrong. They are offering a movie. A name in the credits. Access to a forum (something that should be free). E-mail updates. etc. etc. etc. None of these offerings are even compelling enough to have people want to jump on board and throw their money at a project. Again, this is just my opinion.

I have my own plans for crowd funding so I'm not going to reveal them yet until I'm ready to launch. But once I do I hope to make an impression with people to give them incentive to want to donate money. I plan on showing them I mean BUSINESS (that's for you Directorik ).

In my opinion you have to show them first. Give them reason to want to back the project. My next film is going to be BIBLICAL and that's not an opinion. That's a fact!

 

[JumperCableFilms]

a weak point to offer someone's name in the credits for $xxx.xx. Why do I care if my name is in the credits? ...

crowd funding has huge potential but in my opinion people are doing it wrong. They are offering a movie, name in the credits, access to a forum etc.

In my opinion you have to show them first. Give them reason to want to back the project.

Thanks for chiming in, TheOpusFuller! Looking forward to checking out your project when it's ready to launch.

I agree, I personally might not be interested in paying XX amount of dollars for credits, but some people are. I've noticed some crowd-funding projects will offer producer credit in the drop of a hat, even for a dollar or two. Yeah, what's the advantage of being on a long list with 7,000 other people? That's why we're raising the bar on the price level, as we don't want to flood the plains - and if the project takes off (as we are doing everything in our powers to make happen), then having your name associated with a successful project is a valuable thing.

What also separates our project from other crowd funding projects we've seen is that we're aiming for a formal production with top-level talent. And bringing our audience into the fold, week by week, when it comes to executing that production. If we tried to make the movie first, on no budget, we wouldn't have much to sell. So I guess on that point, I'm not sure what you mean when you say it's a mistake to "offer a movie" or we have to "show them first" to get supporters on board.

Movie, forum access, behind the scenes - this is the package we're selling. Give people multiple incentives to support us and get something in return. Also, while we're targeting film enthusiasts, film students, etc., we're also targeting people that have never even heard of crowd-funding.

Again, if this were a "two couples visit a cabin in the woods" type of no budget endeavor, yeah - what would be the point in signing up for a forum and having producer credit? But we're aiming to make a "3 million dollar" film for less than half a million. Pro cast and crew, nobody doing us any "favors". Plus, shooting a quirky comedy and surrounding the production with smart, funny people. This will give the making-of even more kick.

Anyway, thanks again for your thoughts. I disagree with (or don't fully understand) a couple of your points, but I definitely appreciate you taking the time and effort to give us a glance and respond. It really does help to get as much perspective as possible, and lets us know what "strangers" are thinking. So thanks, man!

Best of luck with your project, and I hope you update us here.

Cheers!
Ryan

 

[TheOpusFuller]

Just out of curiosity, what points do you disagree with?

- Also, just to add this on to my thoughts, Budget is one thing I don't give two licks about. I've been to events where a film is shown and during the Q&A the filmmakers are asked how much the budget was for the film and say 50+ thousand dollars... It makes my jaw drop.

I think that's the only thing I disagree with Directorik on... Budget. I don't care if the budget for the project is 1 thousand, 5 thousand or 100 thousand. Means nothing anymore. The only thing it does mean is that money is spent foolishly on certain films... This can be argued left and right but I know from experience shooting a low budget film... Budget is just fluff and that fluff does nothing from me. This isn't an attack on you but just my opinion on budgets, crowd funding, etc.

 

[sikandtwisted films]

I think you have an interesting concept , if you need anything ,you have our support.

 

[directorik]

I think you have an interesting concept , if you need anything ,you have our support.

How much did you donate?

 

[directorik]

I think that's the only thing I disagree with Directorik on... Budget. I don't care if the budget for the project is 1 thousand, 5 thousand or 100 thousand.

I don't think we have a disagreement. I think I worded it
wrong. What I mean is I don't want to donate $500 to a
$400,000 project that ends up being a $20,000 project.
I also don't want to donate $1,000 to a $20,000 project
that ends up being a $5,000 project. But I would gladly
donate $1,000 to a project budgeted at $20,000. The
budget isn't an issue with me, either. One of my concerns
about this crowd funding is I really don't know the budget
of most projects. I know what the filmmaker WANTS to
raise - I just don't know what they will end up making the
movie for.

 

[JumperCableFilms]

Just out of curiosity, what points do you disagree with?

The only thing it does mean is that money is spent foolishly on certain films...

I guess I didn't fully understand your point that we and other crowd-funding projects are doing it wrong by "offering a movie" and all the other stuff that "should be free". In that case, I just don't have a clue what we'd be selling to the end audience. Our point is to be able to make our film, and have an audience/word of mouth marketing network automatically in place. We'll submit to festivals, etc., and if we get a distribution deal, super. But our main goal is to make the film, have it seen, and not lose our shirts.

So I don't know what you meant by "show them first".

As to the budget, again I disagree. Sure, no need to throw money away on crane shots and helicopters. But budget does make a difference - can we afford to hire 20 day players at 2 days each, or do we have to slim that down to 5 for 1 day? Can we afford a stunt coordinator to choreograph and coach our actors to fight effectively and, above all, safely? Can we afford an international flight for our director and put him up for 2 months? Script supervisor, production accountant, what is our budget for set decoration and props? Etc. etc.

We're not out to call in favors from our friends who did a little high school acting, or try out a student who says he can "do lights" for free. While we do have a lot of equipment and talent at our disposal, while we're lucky to be able to keep costs negligible in many crucial areas, and while there are always alternatives to do some things for little or no money (or not do them at all), that's just not our vision in this particular case. $5,000 ain't gonna cut it for what we're trying to do.

To Directorik - perfectly valid perspective on wanting to see the numbers. I personally would be in the same boat before I supported a project. Another one of our major concerns, however, is that people could feel daunted in the beginning of the process. They look at our progress bar and think, "well, they've only raised XX amount, they'll never get there, why throw my money away?" So especially in the beginning, we've been reluctant to advertise how far we have to go. That said, we've been on the fence with this issue since the early stages of planning, and we're anxious revamp our approach and see if it makes a difference. Thanks again!

Guys, seriously, many many thanks for your thoughts. It helps tremendously and is much appreciated.

Best,
Ryan

 

[directorik]

To Directorik - perfectly valid perspective on wanting to see the numbers. I personally would be in the same boat before I supported a project. Another one of our major concerns, however, is that people could feel daunted in the beginning of the process. They look at our progress bar and think, "well, they've only raised XX amount, they'll never get there, why throw my money away?" So especially in the beginning, we've been reluctant to advertise how far we have to go. That said, we've been on the fence with this issue since the early stages of planning, and we're anxious revamp our approach and see if it makes a difference. Thanks again!

And once again, if this were really a business venture seeking
"investments" you would be required by law to disclose how
far you have to go and what the risks are. It is precisely your
reasoning that keeps me from donating. You are looking for
people to pony up $500 (or just $7.50) without knowing
everything about your project because you fear that some
people won't donate if they DO understand exactly how far you
have to go.

To be very clear, I am in no way accusing you of running a scam.
If your method works and you can get several hundred people to
donate without knowing everything, then I will congratulate you
and rethink my personal objections. None of the projects I've
followed for several years have ever reached their goal. Make me
think more people may feel the way I do. I mean, there must be
a reason why complete strangers aren't donating $500, right?

 

[JumperCableFilms]

And once again, if this were really a business venture seeking
"investments" you would be required by law to disclose how
far you have to go and what the risks are.

Absolutely correct, in terms of the philosophy of investing. In our case, of course, are we not going anywhere near playing the investment angle - especially at the small dollar level - as that would open a total legal nightmare. Would shoot our legal department costs up, plus give the impression that it's a community film and everyone has a say in the content. So not going that route.

But yes, people want to know exactly where their money is going. So,we're revamping things and including the line-by-line budget on our site, and our contingency plan. We've spent months thinking about ALL of the angles, and the rollout has been mildly successful. But here we enter the adjustment and tweak phase. We'll post an update in the next few days.

Most of our audience will be composed of the $7.50 crowd. But as far as the $500 crowd, you'd be surprised. Some of our more affluent friends and supporters have actually scoffed at us that we're selling ourselves short! So we're viewing it as an opportunity for people who want to give more, to give more. Kind of like NPR charging $300 for a CD - some people do like to give.

Thanks again for your thoughts! We'll keep you posted on the site changes.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

[bird]

I just want to add, IF I were to invest/donate to one of these crowd funded projects, I'd definitely want to see a reel or some evidence that the filmmaker was not only competant in their field, but had an extraordinary vision. I am a working class artist footing the monies for my own project and would need to be wholly convinced that a percentage of my own work's budget would be better spent on another's project. I've looked at sites like Kickstarter and, IMO, the more worthy projects, (in terms of revolutionary content/approach and benefit to a wider audience) are the social experiments (ie the re-converted gumball machines which dispense *seedballs*). Many of the 2-d visual arts projects are a wee bit self-indulgent, and many of the film works, run of the mill (JMO, of course).

 

[TheOpusFuller]

I guess I didn't fully understand your point that we and other crowd-funding projects are doing it wrong by "offering a movie" and all the other stuff that "should be free". In that case, I just don't have a clue what we'd be selling to the end audience. Our point is to be able to make our film, and have an audience/word of mouth marketing network automatically in place. We'll submit to festivals, etc., and if we get a distribution deal, super. But our main goal is to make the film, have it seen, and not lose our shirts.

So I don't know what you meant by "show them first".

As to the budget, again I disagree. Sure, no need to throw money away on crane shots and helicopters. But budget does make a difference - can we afford to hire 20 day players at 2 days each, or do we have to slim that down to 5 for 1 day? Can we afford a stunt coordinator to choreograph and coach our actors to fight effectively and, above all, safely? Can we afford an international flight for our director and put him up for 2 months? Script supervisor, production accountant, what is our budget for set decoration and props? Etc. etc.

We're not out to call in favors from our friends who did a little high school acting, or try out a student who says he can "do lights" for free. While we do have a lot of equipment and talent at our disposal, while we're lucky to be able to keep costs negligible in many crucial areas, and while there are always alternatives to do some things for little or no money (or not do them at all), that's just not our vision in this particular case. $5,000 ain't gonna cut it for what we're trying to do.

To Directorik - perfectly valid perspective on wanting to see the numbers. I personally would be in the same boat before I supported a project. Another one of our major concerns, however, is that people could feel daunted in the beginning of the process. They look at our progress bar and think, "well, they've only raised XX amount, they'll never get there, why throw my money away?" So especially in the beginning, we've been reluctant to advertise how far we have to go. That said, we've been on the fence with this issue since the early stages of planning, and we're anxious revamp our approach and see if it makes a difference. Thanks again!

Guys, seriously, many many thanks for your thoughts. It helps tremendously and is much appreciated.

Best,
Ryan

here's my point. You see a lot of crowd funding projects. And most if not all offer the same "perks" I guess you can call it. A copy of the movie (which makes sense).. but then you see some perks that are "name in the credits" "access to a forum" "signed t-shirt", etc. These to me just aren't compelling in the least.

Again, this is just my opinion, not sure how others feel about this. But like I said, I don't care about having my name in a long or short list at the end of an independent movie. if it was in Sam Raimi's movie or something that would be a different story, but even then, having a name in the credits does nothing for me.

And also, again, I think crowd funding is a great idea, I plan to launch my crowd funding idea when I'm at that point. But as of now, I don't think the whole crowd funding model is completely there. It's too cookie cutter. Too much of the same thing. People just want money to make their film and that's that. I think people need to find a more compelling way to bring people on board so that they WANT to donate and fund the project...

Anywhoo....

*Shrugs*

 

[TheOpusFuller]

I'd also like to add...

I so want to donate and help fund a film. I'd pay 50 dollars, hell, even 100 dollars in a minute if the project caught my eye. Sadly, no project has really caught my attention. Even searching on Kickstarter I haven't seen anything that catches my eye.

Which brings me back to the key ingredient.... Write a compelling story! Then again, I guess it can all boil down to taste.

 

[Buddy Greenfield]

I don’t mean to go off track here (Sorry), but are there fund raising/script arrangements that pit groups or parties or preferences against each other for dominance? I mean like the film to be funded might be called “Man rules the Earth” BUT it might be called “Woman rules the Earth” OR it might be called “Night of the living Republicans” , but could be called “Night of living Democrats” (whatever) depending on which group contributes the most funds by a given date.

With the right script and the right “battle”, it seems this could work and possibly generate a lot of buzz.

-Thanks-