Filmmakers, Stop Making Horrible Crowdfunding Pitch Videos by Emily Best (Seed&Spark Founder / CEO)

[@erwickdsouza]

6 months ago, I watched this video and implemented it. 5 months ago, our campaign successfully raised 150% of our crowdfunding goal.

[@DSLRguide]

brilliant! love to hear this stuff being talked about in a real and honest way!

[@QCSkits]

+DSLRguide love your videos mate

[@AP-lw4rw]

@@QCSkits what are you doing here mate hahaha!

[@Tracydot3]

Great advice! After 5 takes of trying out the sitting down and talking pitch, I knew that would not work and I have to SHOW what I'm capable of. You're right, if you can't make an attention-grabbing 90 seconds, you're not ready for a feature. This was so helpful!

[@anthonylaudati]

SERIOUSLY, what does Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, etc., do that I can't do by simply creating a "Donate" page on my own website? From what I've seen these crowdfunding sites do NOTHING to attract funds to your project other than having it listed. You do all the work and then they take their cut.

[@Experiencetheedit]

I think there is a lot to be said about the mindset you have going into a crowdfunding campaign. Resilience, the willingness and ability to adapt, and an unwavering belief in the success of he project are super important. Half way through our campaign we had only raised about 6,000 out of 45,000. We decided to create a new video with some major changes and redoubled our campaigning efforts reaching out to schools to do presentations and radio shows that might get us some publicity. Its possible to come back!

[@JITProductions]

I wouldn't tell anyone not to make their movie but I might tell them not to expect crowd funding if they suck at it to begin with... just food for thought. Start small, learn your craft, hone your skills (if you have any) and it will eventually come together. I never referred to myself as a filmmaker until others began to.

[@filmcourage]

Jon Edwards Thanks for the comment Jon. How long have you been filmmaking?

[@JITProductions]

Professionally since 2003, my background is in electrical & electronics and is varied from pro-audio, industrial controls to broadcast. Still make a living in electronics as well as filmmaking.

[@JITProductions]

BTW - I appreciate the work you folks are doing as well as Emily's.

[@maggiewei2142]

I got a good chuckle out of her blooper reel! Great points

[@Experiencetheedit]

This is so true! Our biggest goal was to make a video that made people feel just a little bit of what our feature film would feel like.

[@Solveiga555]

Spot on, girl! I could never understand why people are making videos of ‘talking’ heads; so boring, banal and flat. In my opinion the teaser video has to WOW your backers, it is your ‘face’ that represents the quality of your actual film. When I shot mine, I opted for a Nike/ Adidas type commercial style (because the film is about football). Made a dynamic edit, and a pro sound designer/ masterer is currently working on sound design. We’re doing a professional colour grading simultaneously; fingers crossed to have a great start with our crowdfunding campaign :P

[@PostColorGear]

I love this video for the way that it ends. And it's 100% right. Yeah, I know. You're passionate. You WANT to make your little script into this big movie that people enjoy. But yeah, if you cant pull off a 90 second pitch video, even with the help of others, my confidence level in an actual movie is next to none.

[@MohamadOmarALBosaty]

Yeah, all people talk about crowdfunding products as a life time sharing opportunity, but when it comes to Films, really your film has to be there for me to see it and to back it up....

[@IamTheBuckethead]

Absolutely. This is why I haven't launched my crowdfunding campaign yet. I'm working on this type of thing.

[@notaboutmetv]

I just have to tell you how helpful and amazing your videos are! Thank you!

[@NickKeomahavongOfficial]

Wow! This video is AMAZING. Great practical content. I will incorporate this into my pitch video.

[@RaineWheat]

I really like her. Everyone should have a BFF like her.

[@ThomasTulak]

At least my pitch video had good sound. (he-said-to-himself-quietly-while-standing-in-the-corner)

[@NatalieMarte]

I feel attacked in this video 😂😂Literally everything she said not to do, I did

[@AndyGrover]

this isn't really about WHY so many filmmakers make bad videos, it's about what they do wrong and how they could be doing it better, no?

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for your feedback Andy. It made us rethink the title. Do you like the new one better? What would you title the video?

[@AndyGrover]

Film Courage perfect! :-)

[@nickolasdrewnitski483]

lubit nelza nenavidet

[@joaocardoletto]

This was direct to the point, I love it. I think it also works for story pitch in general, not only crowdfunding.

[@rauleduardo2653]

Really great information. And the fact that it's out of focus proves the point in a dramatic way.

[@janellec1406]

I saw a pitch video exactly like the one she described, and that girl raised over 30K and got her film into sundance.

[@emilybest6556]

Janelle C So here's the thing: if you have a network already, or a friends and family community with big resources, sometimes the pitch video doesn't really matter. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make better pitch videos! I think of crowdfunding as an entire storytelling means unto itself. And maybe if she'd made a really kick ass pitch video she'd have raised double that. Also, the point of crowdfunding is to build the audience that will sustain you and show up for distribution. I'd love to know if the filmmaker made money on the back end! That would be important information for a further case study.

[@Frankie2012channel]

+Janelle C Good for that person You can always FIND an exception to the rule. EMILY is still 100% right. All of my own crowdfunding campaigns went past their goals (137% and 206% of goals) because I did what Emily was pointing out. Show, don't tell. Pitch competency as well as idea. No one wants to fund someone with great ideas and NO skills to achieve it. Talking about how great something is doesn't thrill folks, showing that you will do something great along with them is what gets them motivated. :)

[@IsaiahCorey]

This needs to be seen by every filmmaker.

[@emilybest6556]

Isaiah Corey Thanks Isaiah. Next time I will also make sure to include some examples of great videos I've seen!

[@CinematicTechnologies]

She makes some great points, but why does she seem a bit angry to me? Maybe it's just her passion flaring up, lol.

[@davevids7541]

That was my thought. She seemed annoyed, as if people should just automatically know what good salesmanship is. Sites she realize she's talking to a group of artists, and not a group of products, or business majors?

[@emilybest6556]

DaveVids Hey guys- just passionate, not angry. Although sometimes it *is* funny when our whole industry is "show not tell" but then we make a pitch video and it becomes "tell not show." I only had a few minutes to communicate the ideas so I chose to try to be engaging over careful. I hope it was at least useful!

[@Planetrefactor]

+DaveVids Her point was "show not tell", something that is taught to every artist in every medium in grade school. I also find it really ironic that a storyteller, especially a visual storyteller like a filmmaker, chooses to try to sell anything by simply saying what it is. When we watch commercials on television, they are generally these lifestyle shots showing what it's like to have the product. It's an invitation to the target audience to join in on the community forming around the product. Even Tim Schafer's kickstarter for Double Fine, full of talking at the camera, told a story and showed a lot of personality and fun. Like, honestly. Honestly. When selling a product, pitching a film, writing a book, when did we decide that a kickstarter video is supposed to be devoid of fun? Isn't it also a video? It's not just a video pitching your product, it's pitching you! The idea of you, the energy you have. Somewhere in that crazy brain is the origin of the film you're trying to get people to watch. I actually really like the way Emily put it. Frankly, if someone feels threatened by the passion and frustration she shows in this video, then I'm not sure filmmaking is the best route for them. Art is a passionate thing, and if you want to make films...find that excitement within yourself and display it in your kickstarter. Or don't.

[@codenametrixie]

+Alexander Mason She does make some good points. The thing is, you're asking people for their hard-earned (or hard-inherited) cash. If you think you can get away with asking for their money without actually ASKING for it, you're kidding yourself. You want to inspire them to feel confident that there is someone on the project who is the lead and that THAT person is sincere and committed to their project. YES, you should show evidence of your capability but someone on the team is going to have get in front of that camera and succinctly and earnestly pitch the project. I've seen pitch videos that did not have a project lead - some had no person in the video at all - just some footage or CGI graphics and title cards asking for cash. It's a human being that's going to (hopefully) give you their money. There better be a human being on the other end doing the asking and making the connection.

[@RoamingOne]

She makes some good points however her insight about asking for "donations" is a little off in my opinion. The designation of 501(c) refers to non-profit, tax deductible charities, not the donation itself, while "donation" by definition means an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution. Which sort of implys you should expect nothing in return other than a thank you.

[@FreddyBaggett]

She is dead-on correct! First of all i'm not sure why they call it crowd funding, it should have been called friend funding, because without your friends on Facebook to launch the campaign, your going to raise zero! Do a little experiment for yourself and I will prove this to you. Put together your sales pitch to raise money for your Indie film. Go ahead and launch that experimental campaign on kickstarter, but DO NOT include your Facebook, twitter or other social media sites you are associated with. I would be amazed if you could raise $100 within 30 days without utilizing your social media contacts. I don't believe there are people surfing kickstarter in the masses looking to invest their money into Indie films. There is one exception, if you are making a documentary that directly affects that persons life, like a particular health problem, human rights, or animal rights type of film. Those types of films could trigger someone to give to support your project... it has to trigger an emotion!

[@MikePriceLife]

This was very helpful because I was finding it boring to write it exactly as she said.

[@QuasarEffect]

Someone is very self-aware. Good points though.

[@KIBODO-FR]

This talk is amazing, we are doing our crowdfunding video, hope to get it right

[@BabyScreenwriter]

I love this! This advice is going to change my fundraising game going forward

[@Impfm1]

How can we contribute to DANGER IN DOWNTOWN LA? Sounds like a great film!

[@maxxout202]

THIS HELPED ME ALOT BY HER EXAMPLE

[@andrewwallis6215]

This is so true...if you can't make a decent pitch video, what on earth is your movie going to be like? I've contributed to several campaigns, but the ones with poor videos just turn me right off. Some film makers think that people should give them their hard-earned cash, without showing any evidence of integrity or commiment themselves. The world owes no-one a living.

[@cinemar]

She's unhinged.

[@IncrediblyDaniel]

She's so right! Thanks for the tips!

[@ErikThureson]

Nicely done! Keep up the good work!

[@4rjohny5]

THIS is so important to see, thank u for sharing that : )

[@Photographicelements]

This is so hysterical & so SO true!

[@universalindierec]

I LOVE THIS. You've just helped me to avoid making this kind of video.

[@papermaker5093]

ha ha ha...... 3:13. "For no money at all you can hve this cannon 5d... WHERE? tell me where to get a cannon 5D for NO MONEY AT ALL... My first video was on a Phone, - response, - bad my second video was ona camcorder - response - bad My third video cost me money i dont have - Cannon 5D

[@SkintSNIPER262]

whould a 45 second ad work for show when your pitching about a full length Movie?

[@GodzillaSr]

think of it as shooting the "logline" in 90 seconds

[@emilybest6556]

***** Yes, exactly what Godzilla said. You have to be able to effectively communicate the WHY of your project to help the audience understand their place in your world before the film is made.

[@davestang5454]

Emily makes some very good instructive points,however,her presentation is not very good. If she is going to sell her point about the right way to attract people to a project she should emulate that in her presentation,which she doesn't Shaking your head back and forth in a "no gesture",even while you are trying to convince people in the positive,does not send a clear message. Neither does looking angry,stressed or "preachy". Filmmaking at the micro/low level should be FUN. There is not one ounce of "fun" or enjoyment in anything Emily projects on-camera. Is her claim about not telling but showing even accurate? It is half-accurate and the commercial industry proves that I am right. Telling in small doses is just as effective as showing. One is not better than the other. They compliment each other. No campaign is one size fits all and no single strategy is THE strategy. This is not to disparage Emily or her message,which is on the whole an intelligent analysis.The simple truth is that "what not to do" presentations are not very constructive. What TO DO actually helps the filmmaker much more.

[@chrisk2734]

Dave Stang stop mansplaining!

[@Leitrims]

She's not selling anything. She's giving advice in an interview. Not at all the same. And her advice is spot on here.

[@vazak11]

Harsh but fair points!

[@gregoryquarles4887]

I immediately (from the look on her face one micro second before answering) realized that she is in love with giving opportunity..... and then people blow it all to hell. ! Best training video ever.

[@vinaypandit2607]

Most people have good ideas but they often lack the skills, resources or connections to take them to the next level. So we created Ecosystem - a bubble of energy with all the missing elements they need, access to industry experts, a named contact, interaction with peers, connections to prospective customers, somewhere to make partnerships and even raise money. Are you interested ?

[@daniellebee9]

This is a really useful perspective!

[@india_and_world_23]

I after eight years was imagining to get crowdfunding for a movie.. after watching this video.. crowdfunding for a movie is a myth only handful people get luck.. no more campaign to get movie funds😂

[@quickdraws-films]

this was perfect. thank you

[@brocktherockme]

Hi Emily, what microphone do you use?? The sound quality of your video's is exceptional.

[@Frankie2012channel]

+brocktherock.me She has a Lav microphone on. Any of the good brands will work. Also the sound guy was 'futzing' with her sound when she spoke about crap sound. That 'joke' by the sound guy was actually ANNOYING. When people talk about crap sound on a pitch video, they're talking about ON camera Microphones recording people sitting in hollow sounding rooms. Totally amateur sound mistakes like that. :)

[@Balkanrunner]

Thank you

[@syberjedi1999]

This is awesome. Thank you. :-)

[@robpastore]

Where was this girl when #kickstarter started ?

[@emilybest6556]

rob pastore Rob, I was still producing theater in NYC. I made my first movie the year KS started, and was inspired to start my own platform when we discovered that a WishList model (the one we now use at Seed&Spark) was highly effective at building audience engagement long term.

[@yessicalepe6649]

Oops, I already started my video by talking and putting the teaser in the middle of the video.

[@NewFocusFilms]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Emily Best! Preach it, girl!!!

[@DenaDarvish]

Emily Best for Best Director!

[@garypylant3299]

Please call me... Your hired... Gary

[@terrancemasemola3518]

lol, she speaks the truth and gives valid points! she's quite funny too!!

[@vinaypandit2607]

Most people have good ideas but they often lack the skills, resources or connections to take them to the next level. So we created Ecosystem - a bubble of energy with all the missing elements they need, access to industry experts, a named contact, interaction with peers, connections to prospective customers, somewhere to make partnerships and even raise money. Are you interested ?

[@SeguinLife]

Amen sister!

[@josephwmiller2]

OH GOD MAKE THAT BLOOPER PITCH STOP

[@otmanalami6621]

true

[@vinaypandit2607]

Most people have good ideas but they often lack the skills, resources or connections to take them to the next level. So we created Ecosystem - a bubble of energy with all the missing elements they need, access to industry experts, a named contact, interaction with peers, connections to prospective customers, somewhere to make partnerships and even raise money. Are you interested ?

[@HattieKhan]

I agree, there are too many rubbish movies! Get a proper job would be actors, you’re no good! That’s why you're not in real movies

[@epiccomics8070]

is our one that is going to feature shia lebouef good?

[@JayVBear45]

Should have shown ACTUAL badly pitched videos instead of JUST talking about mistakes and fixes. A great book came out several years ago called something like The Worst Websites on the WWW and How To Avoid Making One. It had LOTS of illustrations and pictures with explanations of what was wrong with them and how to make them better. Remember that tired old but true "saw" a picture is worth a ...

[@theJayParikh]

So you are slapping all the broke indie filmmakers who can't afford to shoot single scene before getting money ! well, you should have found better way to pitch your company's idea.... I had same crowdfunding pitch , raised 3000$ and my film was so high quality and winning best short film awards in film festivals.... ! If you want filmmakers like us to join you, stop slapping us and find better ways to promote yourself... Be nice to your community. I am not a person who cares about such online videos BUT i felt i should at least bounce back when it comes to my community and for the people like me.. Good Luck emily... !

[@olegushakov5074]

+Jay Parikh there's four festivals in the world which counts. Whining about money is a part of job, but S&S is not about money

[@Frankie2012channel]

+Jay Parikh Get offended easily? :) Her points are valid. Every artist should concentrate on recognizing what is wrong and fix it. She is not slamming creative ideas or content. She is slamming the horrible videos with crap sound that are just a person sitting on a couch lecturing you. YOU were successful in your pitch? Then YOU did something that others did not. probably showed talent or skill set that others did not. Her points are valid to MOST of the crowdfunding videos out there, not all.

[@NatalieMarte]

I know you wrote this 3 years ago lol but RIGHT. I made a campaign and my video turned out exactly how she said it shouldn't be done but the issue is I need the money FIRST so I can be able to make a good short film

[@herbpalmerjr5562]

Thank you, for the great information, finished my film in 2018 and ran out of money for marketing, GOD is making me launch it now The Pay Attention Film #payattentionfilm BE BLESSED

[@prowe1982]

I think I just fell in love.

[@marioluxxor]

THIS WAS AMAZINNNGGG... FUNNY-SMART GIRL.

[@wd675]

LOL...very funny, but very accurate!

[@TheGeoDaddy]

Luv Her!!! This gal is BRUTAL and deservedly so!!! 😂🤣😅

[@chuckscott4661]

Get over yourself, Emily.

[@PorchLightProductions]

She seems SOOOOooooo condesending.

[@CoolCatholicArt]

Hahaha! Great video, thanks

[@nguyenkhuong1082]

informative

[@andrew_puente]

Yo. I love her.

[@davidgray2805]

Valley girl overload

[@papermaker5093]

so basically what you are saying quite obviously, is if you need $4000 then you need to spend $3000 of money that you DON'T have on making a film, just because thats the way it works. i have been trying to get a business crowd funded for 1 week no, I don't have money to spend on a big video, i just scrimped and scraped all i had to get this one done,..(£50) but because i dont have thousands to burn on a video, i am not good enough to run a business. Sorry this is absolute rubbish Especially when i have business ready to go.. and cant go because i dont have the funding. I cant get loans because i don't have collateral.. God my entire ownership consists of a cupboard, bed, and clothing, and a 39 pound digital camcorder, and a computer.. Tell me where am i to get the money to make a pro video.?

[@cralwar]

am i going to hand you money for promises?? things don't fall from the sky, i didn't have vacations or spending money for 6 years now, everything i have goes to my gear, the good news after that time investing all of my money in my craft and working to get experience, i now can afford to go on vacations and continue to build my business, You have to spend money to make money.

[@kennyboston8556]

Venting with those in your field is a start, because hopefully those who have already been through it can give you some good solid advice

[@mikeypic]

I was so inspired by this that I started a crowdfunding campaign...I hope we did you proud Emily! igg.me/at/TTBTTmovie/x/175984

[@maxxout202]

LMAOO

[@DLVRYDRYVR]

Bwahahhahaha

[@marvona3531]

👍✳️👍✳️👍😃

[@kibbwiki5478]

I really like this chick. Very smart and cute but she probably hates men IRL so that sucks