Veronica Mars Movie on Kickstarter!

[Ouija]

Saw this earlier, surprised no one has posted about it yet! (sorry if anybody actually has and i've missed it)

I've only ever seen brief clips from the show while channel hopping, but I think this whole kickstarter campaign is particularly impressive - it could set a precedent for so many similar TV shows!

It's been up for less than a day and is already over two thirds of the way to being funded. I know that some (or at least some of the members here years ago) seemed quite avid fans so decided to bring this to peoples' attention! There's not a lot for international pledgers though.

I'd just like to see the same thing happening for TV shows that ended abruptly with little conclusion (Alcatraz, Tru Calling etc) or pretty much anything done by Bryan Fuller!

[elee0031]

Wow! This sounds like the movie or at least the script has already been made. Why else would there be a scene where you can buy yourself into the movie as an extra "Waiter/Waitress." Also I'm pretty sure that the cast and creators would be aware of this based on those stated prizes. - So the project is probably already received a green light and I guess this is just to pick up some extra cash to budget the movie if not stir the public interest.

If kickstarter were to do this for Buffy or Angel or Feature Both in a Crossover Movie it too would also be in development as well.

Well hey look at that. The goal has been reached and then some. So does this mean the movie will move into the production phase?

[Ouija]

And so it continues! Zach Braff using the Kickstarter route for large scale funding!



I love the idea of fans financing films this way, it shows the passion of the directors and the devotion of the fanbase. Also Zachy B outlined the freedom in how it affects casting choices, which I found quite insightful really:

Casting Choices:
Traditionally, in order to procure your financing, a filmmaker will often have to choose from a list of pre-approved actors with whom the financier is willing to make the movie. Although there are often many wonderful actors on these lists, you may not see the actors you had in your mind to play those parts. The lists are compiled of actors who’ve been in films that have had large successes overseas. Their names are put into an algorithm, and a computer calculates how much money the financier will be able to pre-sell the foreign distribution of the film for based on that actor’s past successes. Bored yet? Basically, you have to cast who they want, not who you want.

Plus it's fun to see the updates and process of production. Definitely feel this is more fan and creativity focused than your average money-based blockbuster.

Only downside I could see was being charged 18p for backing a Kickstarter that wasn't in GBP! And that's not a major gripe.

Mar 13, 2013 16:54:33 GMT -5 elee0031 said:

Wow! This sounds like the movie or at least the script has already been made. Why else would there be a scene where you can buy yourself into the movie as an extra "Waiter/Waitress." Also I'm pretty sure that the cast and creators would be aware of this based on those stated prizes. - So the project is probably already received a green light and I guess this is just to pick up some extra cash to budget the movie if not stir the public interest.

If kickstarter were to do this for Buffy or Angel or Feature Both in a Crossover Movie it too would also be in development as well.

Well hey look at that. The goal has been reached and then some. So does this mean the movie will move into the production phase?

The creator, Rob Thomas, made the Kickstarter himself, with the cast chiming in to help the plea. Watching the video and reading the text outlines how well planned it was. The plot had an outline but remained fluid - how high the funds went dictated what they could do/add to the plot! The speaking part is so minor that it doesn't affect the overarching plot beyond requirement for a scene in a café. It wasn't spontaneous, it was a brilliantly conceived campaign. Definitely couldn't hurt to get a good guage on the fanbase either

As for Buffy/Angel it's quite obvious that the Kickstarter method of funding a film isn't optimal for (most) science fiction. Veronica Mars is fundamentally cheap, even though it requires millions. Aside from the actors salaries, I would presume the most expensive part of filming a Buffy/Angel episode or film would be the dusting effect when a vampire is staked. Too many effects, props and prosphetics is costly, and that basically rules scifi out. I could be wrong but I believe I read that a single orb scene in Charmed cost $1000 alone, for example. Additionally Phoebe's levitation power got swiftly cut from the show due to cost. It's just not practical without major financial backing.