A Different Kind of Funding for a Different Kind of Film

A few weeks ago, I joined a rag-tag team of do-gooders to launch an alternative fundraising site for our next film, “Lemonade: Detroit.”  The idea is this: you buy individual frames of the film a dollar. In return, you get producer status both in the end credits and on IMDB.

Why am I so excited about this?

First of all, I take great personal satisfaction in giving my perceived obstacles a beat down. If Hollywood studios aren’t lining up to produce my film about Detroit’s reinvention, it’s on me to find another way.

Second of all, it’s working. In just a few weeks, 750 producers have funded almost 19,000 frames. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has agreed to match funds through the end of the year. And the momentum is gaining.

On top of everything else, it provides a framework to crowdsourcing that I can get on board with. While I’ve always been intrigued by the potential of crowdsourcing, most  existing models have rubbed me the wrong way. Too many rely on tons of effort by tons of people for a very slim chance of reciprocation.

What excites me about Buy A Frame is that the effort/reward ratio is pretty even. Invest a dollar and three minutes of your time in a single frame of the film, and you’ll get your name in the credits. Invest the same amount of time with a $24 investment, and you’ll get a digital file with your second of the film, along with your name edited into it, as well as an invite to the premiere. There’s an actual return on your time and investment. Everybody wins instead of just me.

Will we be able to fund the entire film like this? Let’s put it this way, in a 90 minute film, there are 129,600 frames. In theory, we could shoot a feature length documentary for less than $130k. But that would require favors, an abbreviated shooting schedule, and sacrificing some crucial spit-and-polish post production. So on top of BuyAFrame, we’re also seeking additional corporate sponsors to get behind the film.

Not to mention, part of the mission for “Lemonade: Detroit” is to put Detroiters to work. And if all we’re doing is accepting favors, then it tips the scales in favor of an out-of-town filmmaker. And that’s just not what this film – or the spirit of Detroit – are all about.