Kickstarted!

Kickstarter Success!

We did it! You did it! The Derelict Kickstarter funding drive is SUCCESSFUL!!! I'm thrilled, over the moon, ecstatic! I didn't think it was going to happen for a while there, but so many friends, acquaintances, associates and complete strangers came through to help me and help get this project off the ground.

Most of all this has been extremely encouraging. I've had a lot of positive feedback on the clip, people like the dialogue, love the cast and are intrigued by the scenes and want to see more. Well, there certain is more and thanks to this, and of course the other donation given, we're going to get to see it all realised.

I'm under no illusions mind you. It's still going to be a tough project to complete. When the kickstarter money comes through, what with fees and the exchange rate at the moment that $3000 should translate to about €2000. Along with what's in the bank, we'll have between three and four thousand. Still not a hell of a lot to make a feature film. But it's enough to make this film. It has to be.

There's still a lot to get organised. Including cast a new role. We unfortunately lost Andy Gallagher, who was to play, Andrew, the son. But the schedule of the film conflicted with the start date of his college course. I decided to try a little experiment and change the character of the son to that of a daughter. Adds a whole new dimension (less of a sausage fest as my wife said!) So I'm casting for that role - actresses who can play 16/17 year-old. (If you're an actress and you're reading this, hit the 'contact me' button on the right)

Equipment to get. Crew - very specifically a Sound Recordist! Anyone reading?! You know what to do.

We're able to get this film made because everyone is working for free. Because, as well as the generous people who have pledged to pay for insurance, equipment, expenses etc. there are the cast and crew, all of whom were the first to donate to this project, of their time and talent - so my thanks to them, always.

Next for me is to keep working on the script. I finished the new draft today, purely by conincidence. I'm going to spend a couple of days going over it before anyone gets their hands on it. After that we'll try and get together and begin some form of rehearsals, workshops, one on ones - whatever we can find the time to do. I do plan to hold a full rehearsal with all the cast in the location of the film, to get a feel for it, so everyone knows early on what we're up against. I'll also film it, so some teaser footage may appear in the coming months... maybe!

That's all for now. Just my thanks again to everyone who has pledged. Thank you all so much for helping get this film made. My thanks to everyone who perhaps couldn't afford to donate but still helped get the word out by sharing the link on their facebook walls and retweeting on twitter! I know for a fact one such wall post lead to a donation of $145! And another to a donation of $500!!! So in these situation, you may not think you can help because you can't pledge, but you can, getting the word out helps - you never know who's reading!

Ok, I'm off. I have a busy 10 days ahead. My wife is flying to the states for her sisters wedding so I have my 18 month old daughter alone for that time! I hope I survive... wish my luck!

Thanks! All of you. And thanks to Kickstarter for giving me such brilliant opportunities to raise funding. Great website! Love it.

Backers:

Debra Carty
Deb Stone
Niamh O'Donnell
Farah Azalea
Oisin Prenerville
David Brennan
Terry Whittingham
Elliot Kotek
Victoria Charters
Trevi Productions
Donal Black
Paul Quinn
Paul McGrath
Gavan Murphy
Damien Donnelly
Jennifer Hegarty
David Wolstencroft
Jason Butler 
Trampas Thomspon
Dan Gaynor
Brendan Leech
Emily Best
Holly Perkins
Cara Konig-Brock
Varda Hardy
Gwen Fearon
Paul J. Gitschner
Fiaz Farrelly
John Burton
Fergalio
Samantha Boylan
Noel Prendiville
Kyle Jaracz
Doen Vozov
Don Reilly
Tadeusz Cantwell
Hugh O'Conor
Morgen Sarpeshkar
Simon Gregory
Leigh Ann Danzey-Bussell
Roger Hudson
Erick von Schulz

Badgerankles360

Don't forget your friends.

Just a quick blog about the importance of taping you social networking resources indies! Take nothing for granted. A couple of weeks ago I was getting a little burnt out on facebook, so I took a break, stayed more on twitter (which of course I love, 140 anyone?!) But had the notion that maybe I would stay over at twitter! Tonight I changed my mind and remembered the each are different and as important as the other.

The kickstarter fund had stalled at $1565, as the blog below states. So I put out a call to my friends on facebook, sent a message asking them to share a link and help get word out - they went a step further and began pledging, and we went from $1565 to $2022 in a couple of hours! It was unbelievable! I'm so appreciative and taken aback with the sudden outpouring of generosity and belief! Even though I haven't had much sleep in the last three nights I'm buzzing tonight... hence a blog at 1am!

There's still a way to go. I have 7 days to raise almost $1000. I'm not resting on my laurels. But I am thankful for tonight.

The moral, take nothing for granted, utilise what you have. Trust that your friends believe in you and will support you. Ask for help when you need it. Be grateful. Be thankful. And keep pushing, right to the end.

Goodnight.

Update: June 22. Since last night the fund has gone up to $2737! So 91% funded with 6 days to go! Still $263 to raise though! - Sprint to the finish!

The Magic 5%

Derelict Kickstarter Page

As I write this, 5:30PM June 20th 2011, I have 9 days left on my kickstarter funding drive for Derelict. So far I have managed to raise $1565! Which is great, more then I made on my funding drive two months ago at the Highlanes gallery and more than the substantial donation I received right after that. But I stand to lose it all!

Kickstarter has a policy, I've mentioned it here time and again, it states that if you do not get the full amount, you get nothing, works as an incentive and I kinda like it... well, I did at the start, but now I'm in single digits and staring down the barrel of a gun, I'm not so sure anymore!!!

The script is going well, I've been writing all last week and all weekend (even with my daughter up all night teething and crying I managed to get a page here and there in the quiet moments!) So I'm feeling good about the project.

My hope is to have another reading in the location itself and film it, so everyone can get a feel for it and maybe I can even cut a rough version of the film together, which will help with further development of the script and may even be something to show investors in the project... will also just be good fun!

For me that's an important factor, Fun! Filmmaking at this level, the bottom rung of the ladder... that's if I'm even near a ladder! - is all about hustling, pulling favours, putting on community fundraisers, crowdfunding, being a one-man-band, so it gets tiring and I find myself questioning the reasons I'm doing this in the first place, it's certainly not for all of the above.

But that's the 95% that comes before the magic 5% when you do get to do what it's all about and every time I get a chance to get in that space I'm reminded why I go through the other crap. It's about getting in a room with a bunch of creative people and making something out of thin air that may entertain, educate, move, inspire people. That's why I do the rest of it. For that magic 5%.

So, back to Kickstarter. I really don't want to lose that $1500, I really would like to get the rest and make it to $3000! To lose it now would be such a blow. So I need to keep pushing it, to the final hour - Mid-night on June 30th. The next day my wife leaves for the states to attend her sisters wedding and me and my Daughter have 10 days alone. We'll already be sad. I don't want to be any more sad!

If I don't get this, honestly, the film really stands a chance of not getting made! I only have so much time to develop the script, find the rest of the crew and rehearse with the actors. I need to be concentrating on that and less on the fundraising! And time is of the essence for me as I have a huge personal deadline approaching. I can't keep delaying the shoot. So this could be it! Help. Is. Needed!

So, if you're reading this and think you can help, please do. $/€5 makes a difference, helps push us forward. $/€50 is huge boost and provides credits and freebies and inclusion in the process of making the film. http://kck.st/iLoYWC - and spreading the word, recommending to friends, it's all good!

What's the money for? Insurance, equipment rental, travel expenses and food.

Thanks for you help! It's appreciated.

Praise Be.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has pledged so far to the Derelict Kickstarter fund. The support of these people means everything to me as it means I'll be able to make my film! Patrons of the arts provide the life blood of the artist. Without their support we simple could not do what we do.

So my sincerest thanks to:

Debra Carty
Deb Stone
Niamh O'Donnell
Farah Azalea
Oisin Prenerville
David Brennan
Terry Whittingham
Elliot Kotek
Victoria Charters
Trevi Productions
Donal Black
Paul Quinn
Paul McGrath
Gavan Murphy
Damien Donnelly
Jennifer Hegarty
David Wolstencroft
Jason Butler

Thanks to all you guys for getting the Derelict Kickstarter campaign up to $1065!

I'm trying to get to $3000 and I have 21 days to go. The way Kickstarter works is that if I don't get the full amount I get nothing at all! So that 935 above isn't secure yet!!! I need more help and more generous individuals like those above to join the list and be a part of this project.

To do so head on over to Kickstarter and make a pledge, even if it's just $1! For that you get my thanks and a credit on the film, and you will have my sincerest thanks, because every penny counts with this!

Thanks.

Addition:

I would also like to acknowledge the people who donated on Ghoster and then agreed to transfer their donations to Derelict when Ghoster stalled. There money is secure in my bank along with other donation received and as they gave through a crowd-funding website they will avail of the equivalent perk to the donation they made.

Graham McBride - $50 - Thank You Credit. Updates. Signed DVD.
Paul Gitschner - $100 - Thank You Credit. Updates. Signed DVD. Signed Poster.
Robert Zappia - $25 - Thank You Credit. Updates. Signed Art Card.
David Brennan - $25 - Thank You Credit. Updates. Signed Art Card.
Mairtin DeBarra - $25 - Thank You Credit. Updates. Signed Art Card.
Caroline Farrell - $50 - Thank You Credit. Updates. Signed DVD.
Jason van Genderen - $100 -  Thank You Credit. Updates. Signed DVD. Signed Poster.

Thanks Guys!!!