Zach Braff takes his 'Garden State' follow-up to Kickstarter

This will be fully backed very shortly. I love ZB, and though I wasn't huge on Garden State, I would like to see what he can do now. Also, I'll be very surprised if Colin Hay and Joshua Radin aren't on the soundtrack.
 
This kickstarter thing for big productions is smart on their behalf.... You get the Executive producer cut in proceeds yet have to put up little to no funds for risk.
 
Interview with Zach about it: http://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/zach-braff-on-why-kickstarter-is-the-next-best-thing-to-actu

Tim Heidecker, of Tim & Eric, wrote this scene for Zach's movie: https://twitter.com/timheidecker/status/327252017334603776

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Looks like it will get it's backing within the day.

Great Kickstarter video

Cool stuff, it makes me wonder who will be the first celebrity to NOT get one of these funded.
 
Without trying to argue one way or the other:

From what I can tell, the issue is a general dislike for what has been perceived as "taking advantage" of a platform meant for indie filmmakers and others who do not have the access, pull, or means to traditional funding.

Zach is relatively popular and known, with a successful film under his belt. He even says himself that he had traditional funding ready, but turned it down in favor of Kickstarter instead. The platform has always been intended for those not in such a privileged position, and this goes against that very intent.

Beyond that, is the idea of paying a successful actor/director who has made millions already... more money so that he can make a movie (that could already be funded traditionally), so that you can then pay again to see it or own it. This is seen as generally unpleasant whether you agree with Zach's methodology or not.

As a counter to this viewpoint, read Zach's BuzzFeed interview.

Now, his opening sentence from the Kickstarter is:

"I was about to sign a typical financing deal in order to get the money to make 'Wish I Was Here'"
​


To Zach's credit, he does say he is putting in much of his own money, but so far he hasn't disclosed how much. I bet if he came out and matched the Kickstarter funds, or even said something > $100,000 he'd shutup many of the people who are upset.

However, the issue remains that it is being perceived as taking advantage of a platform meant for people not as privileged or successful as Zach. It's hard enough to get a film made without connections, traditional funding, or pre-existing success or popularity... and now these people have to compete with millionaire celebrities with access to all three? And on the very platform designed for them to exist without such competition, no less. Surely, one could see how that would cause some to be critical of campaigns like this?

Question for discussion: How many other projects do you think lost out on someone's pledge, because they had limited expendable income and decided they want to see a new Zach Braff film more? Keep in mind this is a film that would already be funded traditionally, so this person would've normally been able to see the new Zach Braff film anyway (and help fund a true indie project instead).
 
I'm not sure if I'm pro or con yet... but maybe his film was riskier than he lets on... so that's why he turned to kickstarter... who knows...
 
Hated "Garden State" ( way too contrived and unbelievable for me ), not a Zack Braff fan at all but his KickStarter campaign is great, which might be enough to get me to kick in a bit of cash.
 
...It's a creative Kickstarter campaign, that shows he has talent, so I'm willing to give him another shot based this alone. It's a small gamble, because he might produce another film that I will hate as much as "Garden State", but I am curious to see where this one goes.
 
refocusedmedia said:
Question for discussion: How many other projects do you think lost out on someone's pledge, because they had limited expendable income and decided they want to see a new Zach Braff film more? Keep in mind this is a film that would already be funded traditionally, so this person would've normally been able to see the new Zach Braff film anyway (and help fund a true indie project instead).
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My guess is ZERO unknown film makers lost a pledge because of this kickstarter.

I think he should have just said he wanted the money to make a film with the fans, and skipped the criticism of the "money guys". That's my only criticism.

Otherwise, I think it's great these actor/director/producers are using their stardom to fund their projects.

I would also note that I'm not gullible. Maybe there were "money guys" willing to fund this project. And...maybe there weren't.
 
1.7 million with 28 days to go. Looks like a sure thing this one will make it just like VM. Get ready for a tidal wave of indie projects from well known actors?

I love the idea. It should make for some really creative projects with top notch production values.
 
Gillvane said:
My guess is ZERO unknown film makers lost a pledge because of this kickstarter.
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I agree.

If anything, I think these big name Kickstarter campaigns will draw even more recognition to the crowd funded model... I think this will help indies in the future, both with known and unknown filmmakers.
 
awelgraven said:
I agree.

If anything, I think these big name Kickstarter campaigns will draw even more recognition to the crowd funded model... I think this will help indies in the future, both with known and unknown filmmakers.
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I think 99% of kickstarters are funded by people that know you or know of you. Your friends, family, the supporters you've built up on facebook, friends of your actors, crew, etc.

Yes, a very small percentage of funds come from people that never heard of you and stumble on your kickstarter, but I'm thinking that's the minority.

So if someone funded Zach Braff because they like him, but they never heard of you, chances are they were never ever going to fund your project.

People like to think that you put up a kickstarter and the world discovers your wonderful project and decides to help you out (and I think that happens about 1% of the time), but really it's just a convenient way to get people that already support you to contribute rather than going to them one by one and begging for 50 bucks.
 
Looks like he just blew past his goal. If he was a mensch, he'd donate some of the money over his goal to other kickstarter projects.
 
Batutta said:
Looks like he just blew past his goal. If he was a mensch, he'd donate some of the money over his goal to other kickstarter projects.
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I'm sure you're joking. He'd like to have 20 million instead of 2 million to make his film I'm sure. Making movies is expensive and he'll need every penny he gets, and then some.
 
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