Lucky Charms Needed for Irish Filmmaker

Irish filmmaker calling on the wee people for funding help

NOTE TO READERS: Lessons Learned. This funding project (Harmonica Blues, below) came up short, no pun about the wee people intended. I learned a lot from the experience, and I believe that with my other projects:

1- I will ask for a larger amount to fund the project. We asked for too little. People are more likely to be a part of something larger than their day-to-day lives. I don't mean raising super huge amounts of money, but a respectful amount.

2- I will have more marketing collaborators involved in marketing a film with posters, trailers and other promotional material at least one year before the funding drive begins. 

3- I will do more research along the way in terms of learning what people are looking for in a movie in which they can participate. Mostly, people who give money want to be a part of the FUN. This is their ticket to get into a fun project, where they might even get to name a character, suggest a story line or come up with a fabulous "movie line", even a tag line. And even get a film credit for it. 

4. Next, I think it's important to focus on the film's story, not just the script.  What is the vision for the film? Why make it?  A script is an evolving document, a blueprint on paper, while the story cuts through to the heart. The story is beyond the words of actors, it is the feeling people get when they hear a story.  Message: Serve the story not the script.

5. Lastly, too often in the film world there is the race to have a hot writer, a hot acting talent, or a hot script to raise money. Well, inflated hype does not serve the story. And besides, who knows what the f**k is  "hot" is anymore. Stick to the fundamental of making a story the best it can be. Focus on what is real, not crowd funding hype. (Sure, a measure of promotion is needed and it can be clever, but the craft of telling a story has to be there. ) 
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When I am not writing this blog, I am working on several screenplays and pitches scattered here and there across the known universe. Recently I got word from Alan Walsh, a gifted Irish director, who tells me that Harmonica Blues, the script we'd been working on as co-writers the past three years, is now ready for production.

With a polished script in hand, a veteran crew, and a superb cast we're now ready. All that's needed is funding and the clock is ticking. The funding cycle ends just six days before St. Patrick's Day.

Walsh intends to raise the money from "crowd funding", a venture now common among independent filmmakers who have watched traditional sources of film funding dry up in the wake of austerity measures. 

As of this writing, there are 20+ days to raise the money. 

As a co-writer on Harmonica Blues, I am keen to see these actors in roles I helped create. After working with them on paper, I crave to see them come alive on film. 

I invite you to take a look at the Fundit film project for Harmonica Blues.

You will see a brief description of the story along with a short promotional trailer.

This is not just a film, this is an entertaining collective work from people who have put it all on the line to make their dreams come true.

We appreciate your support.