BJ movie 2 - needs a final push

[sergiocornaga]

Withdrew from lurk mode to add a small contribution!

[m0ds]

Thanks Sergio!

Just a little update to say the film is underway and looking great, Grundy has performed his first stunt, Snarky has worn a very appealing costume, and everyone else is mucking in with their support. We have 22 scenes to shoot here and as of right now we are pretty much on track. Watch this space!

Thanks again for all your contributions. We all watched BJ1 together last night which was fun. Now, dinner time. Cat has cooked us pasta, NOM! Laters!

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Sounds most excellent.

Now if only we could combine Ben Jordan and UFO Watch! ^_^

[m0ds]

As you may be aware, this project has been on the go since ProgZ made that post above on Aug 4th 2010. It's by far become the biggest freeware* project I've dealt with, spent over 700 hours working on it, that includes filming, editing and everything in-between. I was very lucky to raise $400 to go and shoot in Italy, so many thanks to all the contributors, and also a special thanks to JetXL who helped fund some later shoots.

It's roughly at 95% complete, but I've reached a rut. It has two possibilities at this point: It could be finished up and online within the fortnight, but that's going to require a bit more funding, or, it will have to wait until next year sometime, because the amount of hours needed and the cost of some of the remaining tasks is too great for me right now, and as grateful as I am for everyone who put something in - that $400 is long gone.

So I'd like some ideas or opinions, it's going to need another 2-300 dollars to get it finished up and in a presentable state. For a 78 minute movie, I'd like to think that those figures are reasonable, but what do you think? Keeping in mind this is AGS' first feature film, how should I go about this?

a) Another kickstarter to meet those final funds
b) Wait a few months until I have the money myself to finish it
c) Ask close friends to help fund the final stage?
d) Release it unfinished and just admit defeat
e) Release it in its current state and let people decide if they want it finished via a few more funds

One important part of these final funds is for a couple of PC troubles I'm having but can't afford to rectify, the largest being the HD with all the project files on is currently out of operation. But there's also one final scene to shoot which needs some petrol and prop costs covered, and of course, there's a good 50 hours or so left of post-production.

Ideas and opinions are most welcome. I've done everything possible to avoid it needing further funding (hence why you haven't seen it for a good 2 years) but that time has come to an end. It didn't reach its goal initially, and looking back, I wish I had made it about a $2000 campaign due to the work involved. I am mentally and physically beaten by the amount of work this movie has required - yes, that is no-ones fault but my own But I don't want it to go to waste. As I said before, it won't 'never exist', but without any more funds it'll just have to be delayed another half year. If people aren't particularly bothered about seeing it then that isn't a problem, but I know some are keen to have a watch and in the same way I WANT to have it out in a week or so.

Ideas, motivational messages - anything would be good right now. I'm extremely pleased with it, and even have something epic to announce once this one is out, but yeah, just struggling with this last bit. I honestly could spend another 2 years making it better, but it's time to wrap it up, that either comes at a small cost now or another wait. I've put in personal funds into things that have been needed yet not specifically direct funding of film elements, for example, getting a new car (helped go to locations), new PC (helped edit it), etc etc. And of course all the help I've received from my acting companions, team members and AGSers who have been roped into the production - their efforts are priceless. Comments appreciated

Trailer:

[embed=640,360]<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DlC3WfnqqaU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/embed]

The first 20 mins (early edition, watch on youtube to see the video comments)

[embed=640,360]<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FDYich3ei-g?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/embed]

* Meaning it'll be free to watch

PS All perks from the previous campaign will still be met, don't worry! No problems there.

[Khris]

Nice, is that Deepak Chopra at the end? wtf.

[m0ds]

Nice, is that Deepak Chopra at the end? wtf.

Hm, some random Sky News video audio...but it could be! I've added the first 20 mins video that I put on YT a little while ago above. I'm going to run a new campaign, and try and convince the people from my town who are constantly asking me where the movie is to put some goddamn money into it.

It is of course, also open to AGSers:

http://www.indiegogo.com/bjmd
(IndieGoGo doesn't allow campaigns under $500, so that's where it's set, but doesn't need to reach that amount)

[m0ds]

Thanks to an Anon contributor (and a less anonymous one!) the target is in sight - great to know a couple of people are interested in seeing the production Just $95 from the proposed target!

If you'd care to help please head on over to http://www.indiegogo.com/bjmd

Furthermore, the targets for 2 announcements have been met, so I guess I better give them

Announcement #1. Depending on the interest in BJ:MD, I intend to have 2 more Ben Jordan movies made over the next five years. The first one, hopefully by 2014 will be the final part of "my" trilogy. Filmed in a similar style to Chateau and upcoming BJ:MD, using AGS folks & friends for cast, and a riveting location as always. It'll be free to watch, it'll return to follow the same style as Chateau meaning it will focus entirely on Ben, as BJ:MD is two stories intertwined. This production however is completely dependent on interest and will require medium funding as I hope to film it away from Mittens, when those involved can concentrate purely on filming a Ben Jordan movie. Estimated budget - $3-5000

Announcement #2. The big one! Depending on the interest in BJ:MD and the above production, Ben Jordan could hit the silver screen in the next five years. If a KS campaign can fund a game production, it can certainly form a basis for a Hollywood movie. And before I die, I'd like to give it a shot, pulling in all the talent I have contacts with, and of course (with Francisco's permission) using an IP that's already established and enjoyed by many. Discussions have already begun on this one. Whether it reaches the silver screen or not is another matter, but the idea is to write a brand new, fresh and completely independent to my trilogy BJ movie - one that kids and families can enjoy. Ben would of course still be played by Gonzalez

But what makes this one interesting is this: With a successful campaign, it will be written by a Hollywood screenwriter. SS Wilson, who co-wrote Tremors, Batteries Not Included and Short Circuit (and Wild Wild West) has agreed to write the movie. He'll work on creating a self-contained storyline, turn Ben into a likeable on-screen character and such (and fear not the original creator will be involved in that process!). Mr Wilson is game for it. Also, I'll be hiring a composer and orchestra to provide the soundtrack for this one - quite possibly the London Symphony Orchestra if we reach our goals. I've also got an expert film editor and production team ready and waiting for the chance to film it. If the budget is met, we'll also get a well known actor or two on board (I really want Christopher Lloyd to play Ben's grandfather, hehe). However, this is a big bucks production, estimated budget $300-500k. Though that's actually lower than some KS game campaigns going round at the moment.

All this depends on whether BJ:MD gets finished or not, whether there's still interest in Ben Jordan in a few years and of course a hundred other things (such as the success of Screen 7 and what kind of funds I can put into it). Of course both those projects stretch beyond the realms of just AGS, and naturally if there isn't much interest, won't come to light. But thanks to the support behind getting BJ:MD finished, I thought I'd write about these possible future projects now. In the meantime, please help me/us finish this one!!

Thanks for reading!