I have received several questions from potential backers asking how their donations for The Price will be utilized and how we chose the specific amount, so I thought it might be helpful to explain how that number was reached.
The budget for completing this film was based on calculating the costs involved in the following areas: creating all of the high-end 3D models (including characters, sets and environments); writing, recording and producing and original musical soundtrack; all of the post production (which is virtually the entire movie in this case: all of the rendering, complex compositing and animation in every scene, special effects, color grading, editing and sound design work); a modest budget for shooting an exclusive interview with Mr. Gaiman at his home (transportation, small video crew); hardware and software allotments; and a small legal fees budget.
In addition, I factored in the 5% fee that goes to Kickstarter, as well as up to 5% that goes to Amazon (for using their payment system, which can process international contributions). I also calculated for the Kickstarter-recommended 15% allotment used for reward fulfillment … and that is how I determined the final amount you see on the project page.
The cost would be significantly higher if I were animating the film in a more traditional way, requiring models designed and rigged to be animated, paying for the animators themselves and greatly compounding render times, data management and quality issues. I will do a large portion of the post production myself, and am partnering with professionals that I have worked with before and whose abilities I can rely upon.
I hope that helps shed some light on how these wonderful pledges are going to allow me to put all of the pieces in place to realize the vision I’ve had for going on 5 years now. Speaking of time, we’ve got a week left, and the response is continuing to grow rapidly, so please keep doing everything you can to share The Price with others!!!
Let me start out by saying I appreciate what you are doing. The project looks good. I have the same questions as all the others who emailed you regarding the budget. I can’t say that this post answered those questions. From what I can tell the costs involved are:
* Your time.
* A composers time, assuming the composer isn’t you.
* New powerful computers to speed render time.
* Voice actors.
* Lawyers.
I think that if you want to meet your goal you should bust out a spreadsheet and put together a more detailed budget. If you already have such a spreadsheet you should share it.
PS Your comment form is using white text on a white background … probably why I’m the first to comment.
I got less money inside my pockets than an african starving child. But I hope you get enough money for the movie. Its a wonderfull idea.
Hey Chris….I hate having to see people like yourself, who are obviously truly passionate about what they do (and might I add, truly gifted), having to practically beg for money. Your short video already screams ‘WOW’ factor and it would be such a shame to see the deadline pass without achieving your [small] capital raising. I just hope someone honest comes along to make your dream (and our reality) come to life without wanting a ‘pound of flesh’ for their investment. More often than not, money can deliver far more benefits than just profit – it can deliver happiness, enchantment, wisdom or encourage imagination. All the best…..can’t wait to see the final product. JP
BTW…….and so what if the ‘creator’ has to pay them self a modest wage for their time! Like what’s a guy supposed to do? Starve while making a masterpiece? To think how many masterpieces were lost to starving artists and musicians.
JP
LOVE this story! Had forgotten till Miss Kitty reminded me on Mr. Gaiman’s Neverwhere site. I came, I pledged, then I watched. Fantastic JOB! Can’t wait to see it!
P.S. I saw where I needed to increase my donation which I did. Sending you this note per your request. Good Luck!
Christopher,
A hearty congratulations on your successful start to a wonderful project!
You picked quite a story and I’m excited to see it come to life.
I would be more than happy to extend some help your way as I missed your
kickstarter submission and would like to help in any way I can.
Would a full page announcement/ad for your project be of use for you in getting the
word out to the rest of the comic and non-comic world? Please feel free to contact me as I would be glad to assist you in anyway possible.
You can see some of our recent work on our website at http://www.samsoncomics.com
as well as on Kickstarter where we are humbly offering our latest project, Tool & Die,
at….http://kck.st/9PKXmC.
I’d be interested in hearing what you think about our project as well.
Congratulations again and all the best to you on your passionate endeavour!
I look forward to speaking with you very soon!
Sincerely,
Peter Caravette
PS…my email address is peter@samsoncomics.com