I'm giving IndieGoGo a shot. Let's see what happens.

Zak Forsman

Zak Forsman

Major Contributor
I started a fundraising account at IndieGoGo. This is where indie filmmakers can direct traffic for donations and contributions to their project. You have 45 days to raise your target amount or else the funds are returned to the contributors. I don't quite understand why but I guess it keeps people motivated and operating within the bounds of reason.

http://www.indiegogo.com/wanderlust

What i like is you can create "VIP Perks" that donators get depending on the level of their donation. In my case, I made three, all of which include a pre-release copy of the film on DVD.

1. $30 or more - Pre-Release DVD
2. $100 or more - Special Thanks credit / DVD
3. $500 or more - Associate Producer credit / DVD

Anyway, keep you eye on things over the next 45 days. Someone already made an anonymous donation. I don't know who. And I'll post here again every now and then with updates on our progress and the things i've learned. If this turns out to be a viable fundraising technique, I'll gladly share with everyone here, what I did to facilitate the donations.

And if you just want to test the waters at IndieGoGo vicariously through me, thats fine too! i dont mind sharing what i've learned.
 
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Sorry I'm tired even if its the morning... can't think of the right name for it now... give me a few minutes...

Still can not think of the number but the SEC only allows you to show your biz plan to so many people...

Sorry still recovering from surgery a week ago... so some times the old brain doesn't work... just can't seem to come up with the right terms and words for it right now...
 
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oh I see what you mean. I believe IndieGoGo avoids that because you are not selling points or any level of ownership of the film. there is no investment. only a donation. and if i were a non-profit they could write it off.

here's the IndieGoGo FAQ

General FAQs

What is IndieGoGo?
IndieGoGo is an online social marketplace connecting filmmakers and fans to make independent film happen. The platform provides filmmakers the tools for project funding, recruiting, and promotion, while enabling their audience to discover and connect directly with filmmakers and the causes they support. Click here to learn more about us.

Who can use IndieGoGo?
Anyone can use IndieGoGo. Whether you're a filmmaker trying to get your project started or finished, or a fan eager for more personally relevant and interesting films, IndieGoGo is where both can take action and influence what projects are brought to life.

What actions can I take on IndieGoGo?
Filmmakers can raise money and awareness, find cast and crew, and gain credibility through the help of their number one resource, the fans. As a fan, you can fund, promote, endorse, rate, comment, and get VIP perks.

Is signing-up free?
Yes.

How do I verify my IndieGoGo account?
After signing-up, you will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link in the email to verify your account. You will return to IndieGoGo where you can sign-in.

Project FAQs

What is a project profile?
A project profile is a filmmaker's free real estate on the web to pitch their story to the world. The profile includes basic information about the project and its team, a pitch clip and other media, private documents for friends, an announcement and comments section, and recognition walls for contributions and endorsements. The project profile is also the interface through which fans take action. Fans can fund, promote, endorse, rate, and comment on the project through its profile.

Who can post project profiles?
Anyone can post a project. Project status can range from the idea stage to already complete. Project needs can range from funding to promotion to recruiting as well.

Who can view project profiles?
Anyone can view project profiles, but the filmmaker (or the project's owner) controls access. Only friends can see the project's private documents. However, no one can take action on a project profile without registering with IndieGoGo.

What is the purpose of the Private section?
To provide an area for the project owner to share private documents with friends - people who have requested and been granted insider access by the project owner. Private documents could include a treatment, a copyrighted script, top sheet of the budget, or even non-public video clips.

What are GoGo widgets?
GoGo widgets are project-specific pieces of code that look like little stickers when embedded in websites and blogs. These stickers include basic information about the project and link directly to the project's IndieGoGo profile. They are a great way for a project's team members and fans to build awareness about the project virally.

Fundraising FAQs

How does fundraising work?
First, filmmakers post a project and build an audience with IndieGoGo's promotion tools. When they are ready to raise funding, they submit a request specifying the funding goal, use of proceeds, and the VIP perks aligned with varying support levels. The funding period runs for 45 days from the day of the first contribution. This compact time period encourages filmmakers to be targeted with their requests and alleviates the fans' concern about "inactive" contributions. IndieGoGo recommends filmmakers raise money in rounds to increase the chance of achieving their funding goals while building a track record of successful fundraising and execution.

What are VIP Perks?
VIP Perks are benefits filmmakers offer fans to encourage contributions. Filmmakers determine which VIP perks correspond to different levels of support.

How do fans contribute?
Fans contribute using a secure PayPal link. Fans can draw from their PayPal account or credit card.

Can fans contribute anonymously?
Yes. Fans can choose to make their identity and/or amount of contribution anonymous.

Are contributions tax-deductible?
If the project has 501c-3 non-profit status or has fiscal sponsorship, the contribution can be tax-deductible. Supporters should contact the non-profit or fiscal sponsorship organization directly for instructions on getting a receipt for tax purposes.

Can filmmakers use IndieGoGo for equity investments?
At this time, we are not offering equity investments.

Can the funding goal change during the funding period?
No. Once the funding period has begun with the first contribution, the funding goal cannot change.

What happens when a project reaches its funding goal?
IndieGoGo disburses the funds to the filmmaker who then brings the project to life and delivers the VIP perks.

What happens if a project does not reach its funding goal?
Contributions are returned to the contributors' IndieGoGo accounts. If the filmmaker of the project submits a new funding request, contributors can fund the project again. Contributors can also fund a different project or return their original contribution to their personal bank account. If the latter, contributors have 10 days to withdraw their money from their IndieGoGo accounts without incurring any fees.

How much does fundraising cost?
IndieGoGo is free to sign-up and a majority of the core actions are free to use (i.e. post, fund, promote, discover, endorse, rate, tag and comment). Incentives are aligned as IndieGoGo charges a 9% processing fee only when filmmakers and fans connect to successfully fund a project.

People FAQs

What are people profiles?
People profiles are individual and organizational profiles for filmmakers, fans and organizations to tell the world about themselves, their interests and associated projects.

Who can post people profiles?
Any individual or organization can post a profile. IndieGoGo is a transparent community-driven site, where filmmakers bring independent projects to life with the support of fans. Individual and organizational profiles are the vehicles through which actions are recognized.

Resources FAQs

What is a resource?
A resource is a useful tool, site content or application that helps filmmakers get their projects made. Resources can also help fans discover and influence what projects get made. If you have a suggestion for a cool new resource, please click here and let us know.


MyGoGo FAQs

What is MyGoGo?
MyGoGo is your private account section. Go to MyGoGo if you want to check the funding status of the projects you have supported and promoted, or change your password or preferences.

Who sees MyGoGo?
Only you will be able to view your MyGoGo section.

How do I invite friends?
Know any filmmakers and film fans who you think would enjoy making independent happen on IndieGoGo? If so, go ahead and invite a few of them in your Friends section within MyGoGo or directly via email.

How do I cancel my registration?
If you would like to cancel your registration and remove your individual and project profiles, please email support@indiegogo.com from the email address registered on IndieGoGo. Please type "Cancel Registration" in the subject line. We will send you a cancellation notice to confirm. Also, any feedback as to why you are canceling would be great too!

How do I change my settings and notification preferences?
Click on the Account and Preferences tabs within your MyGoGo section and make changes accordingly.

Does IndieGoGo share my personal information?
No. See our Privacy Policy here.
 
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