Well, gang, the IndieGoGo fundraising campaign for G.O.S.P.E.L. is over. How did we do? Well, technically, we came up aout 93% short of the goal (scoring $550 of the $7,500 I was seeking).
Yikes. Does that mean the movie's gonna get canceled now? Nope. Not by a longshot!
You see, the majority of that money I was asking for was to cover travel expenses to send me across the country so that I could get the real life artists that inspired the film's stories on camera. I've got enough in the budget now to make one of those trips (one out of the six that I was hoping for), and that's fine. Austin, TX (that's where I live, in case you didn't know) is FILLED with artists that can do more than simply act as placeholders for those that initially inspired me. What does this all mean? Well, it means that Austin is going to be represented even more than I initially intended... and that is by no means a bad thing! :)
The money that was raised through this campaign is going to go a long way in terms of covering costs for materials/supplies for props and original artwork for the film, feeding people on the set, setting up the locations/venues for the bigger scenes in the film, and putting money in the hands of the people that help out.
That last point is key. I've had a lot of experience making films on a $0 budget – this is called GREENLESS Studios, after all – but nobody wants to work for free... and I don't want to make them, you know? Most people are committing to the film on a completely 'gratis' basis, knowing that if the film ever saw any sort of financial gain I'd compensate everyone accordingly, but not really counting on that happening at the same time. It'll be nice to throw a few bucks their way when the dust settles, even if it's just gas money. And all you people out there in Internet Land have made it possible.
All of that said, $550 might not even be the 'final' budget for the film. I recently submitted a grant application for the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund, so keep your fingers crossed and let's all hope they can throw some love this way, too. Either way, the film is getting made, and with a budget of more than $500, this really is the most expensive film I've ever produced!
I said from the start of this campaign that I'd make the film whether I raised $50, $5,000, or whatever. It might take longer than I was anticipating, and it might be harder than I anticipated, but this thing is getting done. So, THANK YOU to everybody that's helped out so far. Your contributions mean more to me than a 'thank you' in the credits will ever convey. I want you all to be my best man at my next wedding (no, I'm not getting divorced... just strongly considering polygamy). :P
Expect to see some updates on G.O.S.P.E.L. later this summer. For now, it's back to the old editing room to work on Ronald Short's Billi & Theodore... and, by the way, you can share some of your wallet love with B&T, too! :)