In June 2013, I released a film for free on YouTube entitled "Pixels and Polygons: An Indie Game Developer Story". Inspired by "Indie Game: The Movie", it was about my journey to the PAX East expo in Boston, MA and the annals of being an independent games developer with little money and big hopes.
After releasing that film; I became interested in doing another film, but on a much larger topic, and one very close to me. I started pre-production on "Pixel Poetry: The Case For Videogames As Art" in late October 2013.
The film will serve as an open discussion and an exposé on the topic of videogames as art, as well as other controversial topics on games, including violent behavior relating to it, and the permeation of a culture important to all of us. I will travel and speak with artists and people of all types, from game developers, to actors, musicians, painters, sculpturists, and more to get a definitive opinion about the transcendence of art through technology and the effects of videogame culture.
Our most inclusive reward is only... $1. That's right, any amount all the way down to a dollar will have their picture or a picture of their artwork on the main poster for the film, which can be seen above in preview form. Show your appreciation of gaming culture by taking a picture of yourself doing anything gamerly! Show us your collections, you in cosplay, ANYTHING! If you are an artist, show us your work! We'll put everyone on the poster.. and yes, again.. for only a $1. That means everyone gets in on this.
The $20 reward get this poster printed, and
We also have some other amazing rewards for our contributors in this campaign! With your donations to the film, you can receive some awesome things like extra content, early releases, YOUR OWN recorded opinions in the bonus film exclusives, posters, DVD's, premiere screening invitations, and even ORIGINAL paintings by the artist Joe Worley. These are some really special rewards that offer value to our wonderful contributors, and instead of just giving you a film credit, thanks, and pat on the back, you'll have something you can see, feel, and/or have a part in to reward you for your invaluable support.
Highlighted rewards(Click links to view) -
$500 - Invitation to premiere screening(location TBA in U.S.A.) and/or YOUR OWN recorded opinions about games as art included with the film as exclusive footage.
$1000 - Unique, original SMALL form painting from Joe Worleys gallery. Sizes, measurements and materials can be found by clicking the info button in bottom right corner of images found HERE.
$5000 - Unique, original LARGE form painting from Joe Worleys gallery. Sizes, measurements and materials can be found by clicking the info button in bottom right corner of images found HERE.
Check out the right side for the rundown on all of the things we're offering!
*All physical rewards will be furnished and shipped immediately after the campaign closes. Time rewards are received is based on the order of which they are claimed, plus any time needed to furnish or manufacture rewards. Any digital content for each tier will be delivered when released. Choice of painting will be done on a first come, first served basis for each tier. Contributors will be tracked and contacted in order IMMEDIATELY following contribution to lock in their choice of painting. DO NOT CONTACT US, WE WILL CONTACT YOU. If contributor is not satisfied with remaining selection, they may rescind contribution if desired. Available paintings will be updated as campaign progresses and contributions are made.
FOR FULL DISCLOSURE AND INFORMATION ON HOW ALL REWARDS ARE FURNISHED AND RECEIVED, PLEASE VISIT HERE - www.pixelpoetrymovie.com
These are only some of the great interviewees we have lined up for the film, with many more to be added as the campaign progresses! Go follow them on Twitter and keep up with them!
When I created my first film, I did it completely cost free. I produced and edited almost all the video and audio with a little help from contributors. The tradeoff for this was that my equipment was subpar, and that left viewers with shaky, grainy picture, and pretty bad audio. Fortunately, that added to the personal feel of the project, but for this production, quality is a must. The funds received will go toward these things, with met stretch goals allowing things like international interviewees, high end editing and mastering, localization, and more!
The initial campaign is set up as a staged funding effort. As I continually promote and show progress for the film during production, I hope to gain a wider audience to contribute to another funding effort unless the stretch goals for this one are met, in which case I will have what I need to create this film.
My intention with this film is simple - to clarify and bring understanding to topics often debated but mostly left in limbo, or blown out of proportion to levels of misunderstanding that leave a bad omen for all of us as gamers.
These topics affect all of us as lovers of games and the culture, and they need to be talked about as we evolve as a society of understanding.
Since the rise of indie games in recent years, gaming has penetrated the many layers of of multimedia all the way to the underground. These topics have come up in many conversations between industry and non-industry types, been shown on major media, and have become a part of our everyday lives. Convincing a non-gamer is usually a thought provoking endeavor. They say if we just consider everything art, it loses it's value. They say that videogames are to blame for some of the most violent atrocities committed. They say gamers are a lazy group. These are all parts of discerning issues I intend to address in the film, and that is why I feel it is important to take the topic to a wider audience and stand our ground.
There are many, many ways one can help me in making this film possible and this campaign to fund it a success:
The easiest way is to spread the word. Simply share the project on your Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest - email people, tell your friends and co-workers, anything that can help the films social presence. Use IndieGoGo's share tools or just ask your friends to look up Pixel Poetry Movie to find it on YouTube and here. Every bit helps.
Want to interview me, write about the film, or have me on your podcast? I have plenty to say about the film and many other things in the games industry. I can talk about my successes and failures, funny stories, and much more. I'm a fun interview, I promise. :)
In this and many industries, networking is king. If you know anyone at all who might be a part of a publisher, distributor, tv network, youtube channel, or any form of notable media that can help our endeavors, I would love to speak with them!
This is not only an important topic to my own heart, but to many developers and artists around the world. I hope you will support me in making this much more known.
Looking for more information?Check the project
FAQ
This will help buy one of those ever so essential beverages that keeps me working on the film through the night and cutting into sleep I should probably be getting. It will also add your name to our giant "wall of thanks" on the website. This alone is a prestigious honor.
Estimated Shipping
July 2014
1 claimed
Film + Bonus Content
$10 USD
Nothing unlucky about this one. You'll get the digital edition of the film, plus access to bonus content upon release. That means more footage of crazy kids like David Eddings doing the ClapTrap voice for you! Don't be superstitious now...
Estimated Shipping
July 2014
8 claimed
Film + Bonus Content EARLY
$20 USD
Everyone likes to brag that they saw a cool movie before their friends did. You'll get the digital film + the extra content 3 weeks before release, delivered personally to you via an email from the director! Now, when that one dude in your group who thinks he's too cool says he doesn't care, you'll know he'll be full of crap.
Estimated Shipping
June 2014
0 claimed
The Historian Reward!
$40 USD
How about a little gamer history? Along with the early release of the film, you'll be getting a nice, 11"x30" poster showing a history of videogame console controllers over the years, signed by the director! This is something you can proudly hang on your wall and show others that you're not just a gamer, you're also a historian!
Be sure to check out a preview of the poster under the rewards section of the campaign page!
Estimated Shipping
June 2014
1 claimed
The Gap!
$100 USD
No messing around here. We jumped from $40 to $100 because you have a little extra and want something awesome. Check this out. You'll get the everything above, 2 different posters and a DVD hardcopy signed by the director, and - a personal caricature drawn of you and signed by the great artist Joe Worley. These things flew like hotcakes at PAX last year, so you gotta get in on that action. And we'll add you to the special thanks list in the film credits, because well... you're special.
Estimated Shipping
June 2014
0 out of 200 of claimed
The Invitational Package!
$500 USD
That's right. I want you to feel important. Because someone who donated $500 to this film should feel important. Like.. private screening important. You come around to my town(Wichita, KS), and come watch the film before everyone else at this private screening. I'll make you popcorn and everything. Plus, you'll get all the above goodies in the mix too. Can't make the trip? Well record us a video of your opinions and we'll add it to the bonus content for all to see! See, we can work it out :D
Estimated Shipping
June 2014
0 out of 20 of claimed
The Pixel Package!
$1,000 USD
That private screening for $500 contribution, you see that? I mean, not only will you get to see the film before anyone else, but you'll get a gift pack from us with posters, games, whatever we can think of to make you happy. You damn well deserve it. You'll also get a signed, unique SMALL painting of your choice from the gallery of Joe Worley. These are original artworks reserved for our most prestigious contributors. Check them out through the links under the rewards section of the campaign.
Estimated Shipping
June 2014
0 out of 6 of claimed
The Fine Artist Award!
$5,000 USD
Why is this the fine artist award? Because I assume if you have $5000 to donate to this film project, you must be a connoisseur of fine art and have great taste in wine. For this graciously large donation, our artist Joe Worley will ship one of his original and unique LARGE form artworks to you. Check them out through the links under the rewards section of the campaign.
The easiest way is to spread the word. Simply share the project on your Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest - email people, tell your friends and co-workers, anything that can help the films social presence. Use IndieGoGo's share tools or just ask your friends to look up Pixel Poetry Movie to find it on YouTube and here. Every bit helps.
