[Spotlight Post] Devin Pike, Amber Benson & IndieGoGo Films
It’s spotlight day. And a gloomy one it is, too, here in the Dallas Area. So I’m looking for ways to brighten my day by talking about fun folk and independent film. You see, in the past couple of weeks I’ve found reasons to LOVE having a Responsible Adult Day Job and to hate it – and the reason? Indiegogo.
In the space of a couple of days, I found out my friend, Devin Pike, is doing a documentary on Filmmaking and the Web – called “Everything Doesn’t Suck: How The Web Changed Filmmakingâ€. Since I like to support my friends, and have the “responsible day job†and an understanding husband, I was able to toss a little money towards the production of this film.
Besides, Devin is GOOD PEOPLE and bringing more filmmaking to Texas is a good thing. And though I was unable to take him up on his opportunity this week for April, I am looking forward to one day working with him on one of the many pies he has fingers in regarding the film/tv/music industry in the area. And one day we will figure out if/when/where we may have met each other before.
Also, Amber Benson is producing an all female crewed film called “Uggs for Gazaâ€. I’ve always tried to read/support FenCon’s Guests of Honor – and though I own and read her books, this was another way to remind myself that I DO have a Radio-TV-Film degree that I should be doing something with. And helping promote women in film/television? That’s not a bad thing.
So if you’ve ever wanted to have a piece of the film maker action – you know, besides things like the stunning success of Veronica Mars consider backing stuff like these films. No, you won’t necessarily get a producer credit – which is what some of the hue and cry is about with fan-funded films – unless you donate big enough. Its’ not the traditional way of funding a film, but for something that might not make it otherwise? Or if you really love haikus – one of Pike’s incentives – this is a way to be part of the filmmaking process without having to be a Warren Buffet or know a Nigerian Prince.
I can’t wait to see what happens with these films and these filmmakers. You never know what could happen – Devin Pike could be the next Joss Whedon. And Amber Benson could become the next Jerry Bruckheimer (he’s a producer right?) – and you can say you helped them when… And that’s kind of fun.