Going IndieGoGo with DRY BONES

I recently annouced that I'm producing a new comedy horrror film, DRY BONES, this spring.  Michael O'Hear initiated the project whenhe hired me to write the script, and I liked how it turned out so much that I offered to produce it.  Michael is directing and co-staring with Melantha Blackthorne, and we've already cast several other roles and have lined up a crew.  We have an 18 day shooting schedule, which will be comprised of one six-day week and six weekends.  In true SLIME CITY fashion we'll be shooting primarily in my house, but we're building sets as well.  Production begins in late March; we'll finish shooting by the end of May, edit over the summer, and will have a completed film in the fall.  As the producer, one of my responsibilities is to raise the necessary funding.

DRY BONES is budgeted at $10,000 - $12,000, and I've already raised commitments for $7,500, which is pretty good.  That leaves a minimum of $2,500 to raise to make our movie, and I'd really like to make it $4,500.  I'm going to raise the money through a combination of investors and crowdfunding, ie IndieGoGo.

The pitch to investors:

The minimum buy in for this project is $500.  Once the film has been completed, any money generated from exploiting the motion picture from screenings or DVD/VOD distribution goes to investors first.  Once each investor has recouped his complete investment, any Net Profits will be split 50/50 between the investors and the film company.  If the film goes over budget, points will be sold from the company's share, so the value of the investors' capital contributions will not be affected. If the film comes in under budget, the value of the investors' share will increase.  $500 buys a minimum of two (2) Net Profit points.  Anyone can invest more than $500, in increments of $250 (one Net Profit point).  As always, I stress that no one should invest in this or any other film unless he can afford to lose his entire investment.  Anyone who tells you that you're guaranteed to make money on a film is unscrupulous at best.  Investors will receive different producerial credits based on the level of their investment; under $1,000 makes you an Associate Producer, over $1,000 makes you a Co-producer.

Crowdfunding is another story.  Contributors make donations as low as $25 with no expectation or possibility of making money down the road, solely for the satisfaction of participating in a worthy project or helping an artist.  I've been resistant to crowdfunding opportunities because I've seen people abuse the process to the point of harrassment.  A friend of mine calls this "cyber panhandling."  But there is no denying that some people have had success going this route, and I've made a commitment to raise the necessary funding.  So off we go with IndieGoGo; I promise not to be a pain in the ass with this.  Here is my IndieGoGo pitch:

http://igg.me/p/291738/x/78828

DRY BONES is a feature length horror comedy in the tradition of such popular 1980s films as FRIGHT NIGHT and HOUSE.  The film is written and produced by Gregory Lamberson, who is responsible for the cult classic SLIME CITY and its sequel SLIME CITY MASSACRE. The film will be directed by Michael O'Hear, an actor who appeared in SLIME CITY MASSACRE and SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST (which Lamberson produced).  It will star cult actress Melantha Blackthorne, who has a strong following in genre circles.

PRODUCTION PLAN

DRY BONES has a budget of $10,000 - $12,000, and already has $7500 raised through investors.  Shooting begins in late March 2013 and will wrap by the end of May.  The money raised through IndieGoGo will supplement the money already raised.  Editing will occur over the summer and the film will be completed in the fall.  Shooting will take place over 18 days: one six-day week and six weekends.  The finished film will be submitted to film festivals, and DVD and VOD distribution are likely.

Our goal is to make a funny, entertaining film.  The content is R rated.  An emphasis will be placed on the quality of the acting, although our production plan calls for some unique set construction and special effects which will add production value. 

The New Republic recently posted an article entitled "The False Promise of Kickstarter," which described how many projects offered for crowdfunding are never completed (http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/magazine/110225/the-false-promise-kickstarter?page=0%2C0).  We're all familiar with self proclaimed artists or entrepreneurs who have squandered capital contributions and the time of volunteers and never even completed their projects, or moved on to the next one before properly exploiting the work.  This will not be the case with DRY BONES.  Producer Lamberson has a proven track record, having completed four feature films of his own as a writer-director-producer (SLIME CITY, UNDYING LOVE, NAKED FEAR and SLIME CITY MASSACRE), all of which were released on VHS/DVD.  He produced SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST, partly funded through IndieGoGo; that film will be released on DVD in February 2013.  Lamberson has never started a film project which he did not complete; donations will not be wasted, contributors will have a completed film to show for their generosity.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

On a micro-budget film like DRY BONES, the majority of the creators, cast and crew are volunteers who are donating their time because they strongly believe in the project.  Those who are paid are professionals who do this kind of work for a living.  Expenses include set construction; special make-up effects; art direction; costumes; equipment rentals; gas money; and food (an 18 day shoot will require at least $1500 for food alone); footage must be stored on an external hard drive; and money will be required for film festival submission fees when the film has been completed.

THE STORY

DRY BONES tells the story of Drew, a troubled man who returns home after 35 years only to discover that the creature he imagined living under his bed is real.  Worse, it's a succubus, and it's been waiting all these years for Drew to come home and release it.  As several frightening and hilarious situations and dehyfrated corpses pile up, Drew comes to realize that the succubus is impersonating several of the key people in his life.  The story builds to an outrageous climax that will leave viewers laughing and screaming.

OUR TEAM

Our key production team consists of people dedicated to their craft, who want nothing more than to make a good movie, with no shenangeans:

Gregory Lamberson: Writer-Producer

Lamberson is the screenwriter, director and co-producer of SLIME CITY, UNDYING LOVE, and NAKED FEAR, all of which have been released on VHS and DVD.  He produced SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST, which will be released on DVD by POP Cinema in February 2013.  In 2012, he worked as the Line Producer and 1st Assistant Director on MODEL HUNGER, the directorial debut of Debbie Rochon, and as the 1st AD on the werewolf film WARD'S ISLAND; both films are currently in post production.  In the past, Lamberson worked on Frank Henenlotter's BRAIN DAMAGE as 1st AD; WEST NEW YORK as Associate Producer and 1st AD; I WAS A TEENAGE ZOMBIE as Production Manager; and PLUTONIUM BABY as 1st AD.  SLIME CITY MASSACRE won several film festival Awards, including Best Feature and Best Actor at the PollyGrind; Best Actress at the Eerie Horror Film Festival; Best Scream Queen at the B Movie Awards; and the Polished Apple Award for Best Sequel.  He is the author of eight published books, including CHEAP SCARES: LOW BUDGET HORROR FILMMAKERS SHARE THEIR SECRETS.  In 2012, FANGORIA magazine called him "The Hardest Working Man in Horror," and in 2013 Medallion Press will publish his novel THE JULIAN YEAR, which is thhe first TREEbook (Timed Reading Experience E-book), a cutting edge e-book platform utilizing time triggers and branching technology.

IMDB credits: O'Hear has long been a staple of the Buffalo acting community, and has appeared in 27 films, among them SLIME CITY MASSACRE (on which he also worked as Casting Director and 1st Assistant Director), SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST, HOUSE OF HORRORS: THE MOVIE, its sequel HOUSE OF HORRORS: THE GATES OF HELL, MODEL HUNGER and RETURN TO NUKE EM HIGH.  He has also done extensive theatre work.  In 2011, he initiated DRY BONES by hiring Lamberson to write the screenplay, which turned out so well that Lamberson decided to produce the film himself.  DRY BONES will mark O'Hear's directorial deubut, with Lamberson acting as his 1st Assistant Director.  O'Hear will also co-star in the film with Melantha Blackthorne.  As director, he is committed to ensuring the best possible performances from his cast.

IMDB credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxmxCcQLO14

 

Melantha Blackthorne: Star

 Blackthorne is a cult actress who has appeared in at least 36 films and video games, garnering a large fan follwoing.  She has also worked as a writer, director, producer and stunt woman.  In DRY BONES, she will play three major roles, including the shape shifting succubus who preys on the sexual desires of men.  Her multiple roles will enable her to showcase her many talents.

IMDB credits: Durick is the author of the instructional filmmaking book FILMING THE UNDEAD: HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN ZOMBIE MOVIE.  He was the special make-up effects supervisor on SLIME CITY MASSACRE and THE FINAL NIGHT AND DAY.  He is the winner of the "Best Western New York Special Make-Up Effects Artist" award at Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival, as well as the award for "Best WNY Genre Film" for his short THE CAMPER.

Arick Szymecki, Special Make-Up Effects and Special Visual Effects

Szymecki is a special make-up effects artist who worked on SLIME CITY MASSACRE, SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST, and other area films.  He is also the effects and actor supervisor at Frightworld Screampark, the largest haunt attaraction in Buffalo.  He is also versed in camera technology and post production.

IMDB credits: McGinnis is a long time actor in the Buffalo theatre community, and the last few years he has been working in local films, including SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST and the award winning short SOMETHING AFTER MIDNIGHT.  The role of "Tom" in DRY BONES was written for him to take advantage of his comic skills.  At the 2012 Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival he won the "Local Hero" and "Best Original Screenplay" awards.

IMDB credits: Gabriel Lopez, Illustrator

Lopez has been making a name for himself as the artist behind several small press, limited edition book covers.  For DRY BONES, he will be contributing creature designs and storyboards; he already created our logo, seen above.

A FINAL NOTE

Crowdfunding for independent films usually consists of "perks" for contributors - a movie poster, a DVD of the finished film, or other merchandise.  But what good are these perks if the film is never finished, or if it's so poorly made as to be unmarketable?  We're not offering any swag - we're offering the opportunity to contribute to a quality motion picture that will be completed and which will generate press and probably a distribution deal; we're offering screen credit at the end of the film, and an invitation to the premiere in Buffalo, but that's it.  The satisfaction will come from the finished project.