There has been a lot of controversy lately over whether established "industry" people like Zach Braff should be using www.kickstarter.com as a source of funding for their projects. Is it fair to struggling artists that someone with a massive fan base can just waltz into their beacon of indie-filmmaking hope and score a couple million dollars out of it? Especially considering how many dreams get crushed when projects fail to meet their targets. I certainly understand the skepticism, which has been addressed elsewhere ad nauseum. But I also think there are a lot of advantages that can trickle down to the emerging filmmaker.
I remember when I wrote my very first script. It was for a video youth program I was in, and I had to give it to someone else to direct it. It ended up being a disastrous mess. So did the next one.
Filmmakers put a crazy amount of thought and effort into their work, and it really fucking sucks when someone else destroys it. Instead of feeling proud you feel angry and helpless, and maybe even betrayed. And that's the thing about producers. Not to trash talk producers, because they have a crucial role in film production and I love them. But their job is to think about money and how to get the most possible. A Director's job is to try their best to realize their vision. (I know that's oversimplified and a great producer will bring something extra and unique to a project. But the butting-head relationship between a director and a producer is certainly not a new one.)
My understanding is that one of the reasons Zach Braff turned to the kickstarter program was that greater powers were forcing him to give up some of his creative control. In other words, compromising his vision. One thing that I think is really great about someone as high profile as Zach Braff using this method is that it gives back some autonomy to the creative minds. It demonstrates to producers that if they don't want to respect the decisions of directors there is an alternative route that empowers the director. The rules have changed. It shifts the balance of power in a totally unprecedented way, which I think could be really good for artists.
People have also been focusing on this being an established industry man seeking funding by a means that is both exploitative to his fans, and unfair to up and coming filmmakers who really truly need this resource. As a starving artist I can definitely appreciate that perspective. But on the other hand, what if, hypothetically, his casting choice gives work to emerging actors, and this could be their big breakthrough role. A producer would want to cast Jennifer Lawrence or Tom Hanks or some other Hollywood A-lister. But maybe this could actually be used as an opportunity to give deserving artists their necessary break. Maybe it actually could benefit the underdog. I mean, I've seen the amount he's requesting and I'm pretty sure it's nowhere close to Brangelina's going rate.
Another positive aspect of high profile celebrities participating is that it increases awareness about these micro-finance programs. Countless people who would otherwise not know about them are gaining insight and becoming active participants in creating projects of all genres. Sure the vast majority of his financiers are probably only interested in his film, but there are likely other beneficiaries whose projects are being viewed and funded by people who would otherwise not even be on kickstarter. Celebrities are increasing traffic to the site, and I highly doubt that's a bad thing.
One would seriously hope that celebrities aren't just using it as a cash grab and then bailing. Ideally they're using it as an opportunity to learn about exciting new projects in the works, and helping emerging artists realize their goals. If they're not giving back to the kickstarter community, then I will happily say they are assholes.
I remember when I wrote my very first script. It was for a video youth program I was in, and I had to give it to someone else to direct it. It ended up being a disastrous mess. So did the next one.
Filmmakers put a crazy amount of thought and effort into their work, and it really fucking sucks when someone else destroys it. Instead of feeling proud you feel angry and helpless, and maybe even betrayed. And that's the thing about producers. Not to trash talk producers, because they have a crucial role in film production and I love them. But their job is to think about money and how to get the most possible. A Director's job is to try their best to realize their vision. (I know that's oversimplified and a great producer will bring something extra and unique to a project. But the butting-head relationship between a director and a producer is certainly not a new one.)
My understanding is that one of the reasons Zach Braff turned to the kickstarter program was that greater powers were forcing him to give up some of his creative control. In other words, compromising his vision. One thing that I think is really great about someone as high profile as Zach Braff using this method is that it gives back some autonomy to the creative minds. It demonstrates to producers that if they don't want to respect the decisions of directors there is an alternative route that empowers the director. The rules have changed. It shifts the balance of power in a totally unprecedented way, which I think could be really good for artists.
People have also been focusing on this being an established industry man seeking funding by a means that is both exploitative to his fans, and unfair to up and coming filmmakers who really truly need this resource. As a starving artist I can definitely appreciate that perspective. But on the other hand, what if, hypothetically, his casting choice gives work to emerging actors, and this could be their big breakthrough role. A producer would want to cast Jennifer Lawrence or Tom Hanks or some other Hollywood A-lister. But maybe this could actually be used as an opportunity to give deserving artists their necessary break. Maybe it actually could benefit the underdog. I mean, I've seen the amount he's requesting and I'm pretty sure it's nowhere close to Brangelina's going rate.
Another positive aspect of high profile celebrities participating is that it increases awareness about these micro-finance programs. Countless people who would otherwise not know about them are gaining insight and becoming active participants in creating projects of all genres. Sure the vast majority of his financiers are probably only interested in his film, but there are likely other beneficiaries whose projects are being viewed and funded by people who would otherwise not even be on kickstarter. Celebrities are increasing traffic to the site, and I highly doubt that's a bad thing.
One would seriously hope that celebrities aren't just using it as a cash grab and then bailing. Ideally they're using it as an opportunity to learn about exciting new projects in the works, and helping emerging artists realize their goals. If they're not giving back to the kickstarter community, then I will happily say they are assholes.
