Case Study

 The cultural influence on crowdfunding websites such as the popular Kickstarter.com is quite remarkable. Not only do projects and concepts become possible due to the need of funding, something that in the past was quite a task to secure but also the publicity that can be achieved just from submitting a project on the website is a great resource. While these are all great things to hear for an aspiring film maker (like myself) or entrepreneur, there are unfortunately some bad.

 Like with all online transactions, the crowdfunding network has severe risk. There are unfortunately dis-honest people who secure funding for projects that are bogus, taking funds from backers and running, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of those who have or may have backed legitimate people. In one recent case, a group called Magnus Fun Inc. hustled more than $120,000 from approximately 3.200 backers for their Kobe beef jerky scam.

 Of course not all people on Kickstarter are scammers, and there have been a slew of great ideas to come to fruition because of the crowdfunding model.  Unfortunately, there are dishonest people as well which can eventually make the risk to much for an investor, stopping this trendsetting method of funding dead in it’s tracks.

I also believe the financial impact on crowdfunding can play a major role in changing mass media as well. For example, many more independent films will come to the surface. People who had no means to produce music of their own and were forced to go the route of the major record label would be able to self produce but on a much bigger scale than publishing at home with a minimal budget. I believe this will influence major companies to invest while they can, knowing that there are now other means available.  

Began the quest........

On Wednesday of this week, I began filming for the project that I will be using Kickstarter.com to fund for film festivals. I have also been compiling all of the info that I need to upload and begin the process of sourcing funding. For example, the script, photos from the initial shoot as well as photos from the various readings that we have done with the actors. I am planning on getting a more thorough trailer edited once I get more of the footage done in the next week or two and using that as I try to secure backing through Kickstarter. I am also going and registering the business forms this week with my son Tyler for our indie film company.

Wiki entry Woessssss

 Today I created a wiki entry for the upstart film company that my son and I began. I wrote a short blurb about our history and upcoming project etc. and submitted it for review. The process is pretty strange yet straightforward, oops probably jinxed myself there! The site says that the submission process can take some time for review so I will keep everyone updated as to any progress. I also did not cite any resources for the main fact that I really have none at this moment. Once the first project is completed I would include a link to the promotional page for that but really had noting else to reference as of yet.

 One thing I did want to add, something that bums me out is that the original name that we planned on using has been taken so we had to go with our second choice which I do not like nearly as much. The company will be Upton Film's which doesn't have the same ring as Duality did but then again I would rather spend money on equipment than getting a lawsuit!

 Here is the link to the added date on my timeline.

http://www.dipity.com/djdane/Media-Arts/

The Business Of New Media

My path of inquiry for the course will be the new technology of online sponsorship and backing for media based projects.

 In another course that I am taking with Professor Kermani, I am working on a short film. The project itself is going to be really great, in fact I did a little research into expanding the end product into a film that can be presented in film festivals. Of course, this all takes funding. I came across a website called Kickstarter.com which allows people with ideas to present to investors in a fresh manner involving new technology. This I believe is going to change the ways that creative people think and will allow ideas to become reality for people that previously may not have had the resources to fund their projects without shaking their piggy bank.

 With my research and final project, I will build my own project on the kickstarter website, showcasing the film from storyboard to clips from the final edit, all with the hope of securing the funding needed to move to the next step. With any success, we will meet our mark and the project will be greenlighted.

I feel that this proposal will show a great example of how business in the new era of media and web 2.0 has evolved and is going in a positive direction.

The Social Network

I have to first fess up to something. I have searched for days and cannot find any of the movies except for The Social Network. While I feel like I am cheating a bit, I see no other option so I will try and just compare the movie and it's story with the story on my dipity, which is how I started my record label and studio.

In the movie, Mark Zuckerberg developed a resource for networking socially, hence the name, by using a schools database and code to rate girls. Initially, this started as a prank, however the idea sparked enough buzz that it evolved into a mass listing of contacts. While creating the first version of his website, he crossed paths with people that could provide him gains and while some he partnered with stuck, others didn't which resulted in legal issues over rights of ownership.

With my story, I also created a brand as well as a product with music and crossed paths with various partners along the way. I feel that like friends in your personal life, business partners come and go and offer various resources. Those that are valued more are kept while those that show little value eventually are weened off. When I started Biggupss, I had a few partners that came on board. 2 of them were cousins and the other was a long time friend. After a few months, I quickly realized that I was doing all of the work while the others were reaping the benefits of my labor. I had to sever ties and disband the partnership. This is similar to the roles of Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield in the film. After the partnership ran it's course, the ties were broken and there were bad feelings.


In the film, Zuckerberg than gets involved with Sean Parker, who is the founder of Napster. While this may not have been such a great moral decision, it is the reason that his success has been so great. Now back to my story, after I excused the partners, I soon realized that I was burning the candle at both ends. I was burying my self in projects and work and had commitments to many people that I had to keep. I began a search for other partners. This time, I chose people that were also into music in some fashion that could help me out. I also enlisted the help of my best friend at the time. This eventually backfired as well. I soon learned that I was a control freak and while many of my partners contributed greatly, I became jealous of my own design.


The end, while the story of Mr. Zuckerberg goes on and on, with Facebook being one of the top networking sites, my endeavor folded. I made a ten-year run between the label and eventual recording studio. I gave it my best but as my business grew, so did I. My family became a priority and while the flexibility of having a schedule like I did was beneficial to me, there were many shady elements in the recording studio that made it a wise decision to close shop. Of all the partners that I had, I only remain in contact with one of them.