Kickstarting the Possibilities
So there's this development in the creative scene called crowd funding. Many of you may well have heard about it; it's been around for a while now, someone I went to uni with has even used it. But it's come more strongly to my attention through projects by Amanda Palmer and Tom Dickins - names that have popped up once or twice in this blog before. Amanda's in particular is turning heads as it has raised well over half a million and is still going.
For those who don't know what crowd funding is, here's the basics. There are websites, two that I know of, Kickstarter in the US and Pozible in Australia, I'm sure other countries have them too, where artists from any creative medium can propose projects they are trying to get up. Using Tom as an example, he wants to make an album but has zero money and no backing from a label or anything. So, he's put up a project on Pozible and told his fans about it who have spread the word too. When they go there they can pledge a certain amount of money towards the project, there's a goal that has to be reached within 30 days. If enough people pledge enough money to make that goal they're pledges are processed and Tom will get the money (less a percentage for the website). Now, he has to explain where all the money will go etc, it's not an easy con, and most backers pledge their support for a reward which is related to the project - in this case a CD and digital copy of the album is the most logical. Tom's taking it all a bit further and every backer will have access to inside development information and is welcome to provide feedback and give ideas.
This concept is obviously an exciting one for anyone trying to produce creative works. It also puts certain responsibilities back on the artist. No-one's doing the boring stuff for you here. It sounds like a lot of money but, as Amanda Palmer has explained in her blog, it really isn't. It can provide the necessary funds, maybe a few more, but first of all you have to get the backers. And no-one's helping you find them either. Done well and with some strategy and realistic attitudes however, this really could be the future of creative endeavours. I doubt it will replace corporate entities and government funding etc, but it will allow emerging artists to be heard and seen.
Expect requests for pledges in the future. And maybe take a look at the sites to see what you can help happen. That's the other thing to remember with this, you become a part of the art, it's community and freedom all wrapped up in a confusing and exciting bubble. We really can make things happen.
Keep dreaming!
For those who don't know what crowd funding is, here's the basics. There are websites, two that I know of, Kickstarter in the US and Pozible in Australia, I'm sure other countries have them too, where artists from any creative medium can propose projects they are trying to get up. Using Tom as an example, he wants to make an album but has zero money and no backing from a label or anything. So, he's put up a project on Pozible and told his fans about it who have spread the word too. When they go there they can pledge a certain amount of money towards the project, there's a goal that has to be reached within 30 days. If enough people pledge enough money to make that goal they're pledges are processed and Tom will get the money (less a percentage for the website). Now, he has to explain where all the money will go etc, it's not an easy con, and most backers pledge their support for a reward which is related to the project - in this case a CD and digital copy of the album is the most logical. Tom's taking it all a bit further and every backer will have access to inside development information and is welcome to provide feedback and give ideas.
This concept is obviously an exciting one for anyone trying to produce creative works. It also puts certain responsibilities back on the artist. No-one's doing the boring stuff for you here. It sounds like a lot of money but, as Amanda Palmer has explained in her blog, it really isn't. It can provide the necessary funds, maybe a few more, but first of all you have to get the backers. And no-one's helping you find them either. Done well and with some strategy and realistic attitudes however, this really could be the future of creative endeavours. I doubt it will replace corporate entities and government funding etc, but it will allow emerging artists to be heard and seen.
Expect requests for pledges in the future. And maybe take a look at the sites to see what you can help happen. That's the other thing to remember with this, you become a part of the art, it's community and freedom all wrapped up in a confusing and exciting bubble. We really can make things happen.
Keep dreaming!
Comments
Post a Comment