Category Archives: Financing

1,000 True Fans

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Now, this is an interesting. We only need 1,000 true fans to finance ourselves as artists:

I am suggesting there is a home for creatives in between poverty and stardom. Somewhere lower than stratospheric bestsellerdom, but higher than the obscurity of the long tail. I don’t know the actual true number, but I think a dedicated artist could cultivate 1,000 True Fans, and by their direct support using new technology, make an honest living. 

Actually, it might a few more True Fans to support filmmakers:

Lastly, the actual number may vary depending on the media. Maybe it is 500 True Fans for a painter and 5,000 True Fans for a videomaker. The numbers must surely vary around the world.

via The Technium: 1,000 True Fans.

A taste of the hitman

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Check out the teaser ripomatic for our feature film script, The Hitman’s Cookbook. Freshly baked! If you like the teaser, you’ll love the film we want to make. Spread the word and read more about it here. We’re currently seeking a lead Producer, Executive Producer, local distributor, international sales agent and interest from private investors and broadcasters. Please contact Ben to chat!

Crowd funding case study #1 – The Tunnel

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Luci Temple has insightfully dissected the financing strategy for an Australian crowd funded feature film, The Tunnel. There’s two parts to the article – Part 1 and Part 2. Read both. Notice the trend. Everyone seems to raise $10-15K from supportive family and friends. And then the money seems to dry up. I was a big fan of the concept of crowd funding. However, I’m increasingly thinking that the incredible amount of time that it takes (at the sacrifice of ‘creative time’) might be better spent convincing wealthier financiers (eg West Australian mining magnates ;) ) to invest in your project. Nonetheless I hope The Tunnel raises its entire budget and it’s creatively successful. After all, it’s a challenge in this current filmmaking climate. Good luck to them and congrats to Luci on her analysis.

Will you make your film without government funding?

Posted on by Ben Phelps

I sometimes meet filmmakers who are resigned to not making their debut feature film because they can’t attract investment from government film funding agencies (eg. Screen Australia/NSW/Queensland/West, Film Victoria and SA Film Corp). I think all filmmakers (myself included) should ask themselves an important question:

If you don’t attract government funding, will you press ahead and make your film anyway?

If the answer is ‘no’, we should question whether we really want to make the film. This question has clarified my motivations. Yes, I want to make The Hitman’s Cookbook, even if we can’t attract government financing. Make the film – rain, hail or shine!