ExperienceFandom.com (New Product Offering)

[Tim Martin]

Hi Everyone,

I don't post here a lot, but many of the members know me in real life. I decided I didn't want to hijack the thread relating to Biracy and thought it would be better to post about we are doing separately.

We have launched the first project under our experiential entertainment business model. The idea is to create an interactive web-based experience relating to a real life situation many people are interested in, but may not get to experience personally. We have started with film, because it is our in house expertise. We feel the model will work for music, just as well.

The goal is to grow a paid membership of film fanatics, who will have the ability to watch as the film is made, interact with cast & crew, provide feedback on the entire filmmaking process, enter contests to win prizes and then every member will walk away with a limited addition copy of the DVD and a copy of the graphic novel (film is comic related).

It is part reality television, part education. But, live and interactive.

We priced membership at $19.95 - one-time fee.

You can find out info about the project at ExperienceFandom.com

Any and all feedback would be appreciated. This is a new business model to us (and we think in general) and it would be great to hear everyone's thoughts.

Cheers,

Tim

[Martin Weiss]

Tim,

First off, this is a real name forum. Take contact Jason at landmine dot tv. At the same address you can also inquire about a reduser sponsorship, which is what would be needed if you want to advertise here on reduser.

From a business perspective I wonder how a one-time fee works in the long term; at some point the market will be saturated. I know a couple of very good shareware programs that died an unnecessary death simply because all the target audience had bought it and the developer had promised lifetime free upgrades.

If you had something like a buck or two per month as a recurring fee, it would make entry easier, and easen your cashflow.

But then again, I am just a camerman :)

[Tim Martin]

Hi Martin,

I've put in the request for the name change. Just so everyone knows full name is Tim Martin.

I would not sponsor on RedUser because anyone working in the industry is not even close ot our demographic. Why would you pay to experience something you're living.

I was actually posting because like many other industry professionals, in the new world of media, we are trying to find new markets and new products. I was hoping more for a discussion relating to it as a business model than looking for people here to sign up.

I agree with the one-time fee to a recurring model structure, but that is why we designed it as a product relating to a single project that has a specific lifespan - instead of a membership that gives you access to every project.

[Mark Collins]

It's interesting. I'm a film student so the idea intrigues me. However, I'm not too sure on it. From a directing standpoint, though it's good to have feedback and such, having a ton of people telling you what to do, even moreso than usual, would be a pain in the ass.

I'll probably give this a try as it allows me the opportunity to see how professional feature film sets work, whilst allowing me to concentrate on my school projects at the same time.

Just a question though: where is the being developed and shot? I know it's still in PrePro, but it's just out of curiosity

[Tim Martin]

It looks like Toronto, but Vancouver, Montreal and New York are all on the table.

[John Nouel]

Now this is really different. Don't compare this project with Biracy (because it really isn't)

As I see it, is not really a "Pay for the film, make descicions for the film, make money with the film and refer to people" deal but more like "Buy a original DVD, graphic Novel and a Live exclusive behind the scenes content as the filming progresses"

Is very smart. It makes more sense and if it grows, you could see a future where you pay for the DVD before the movie films, but you secure a good movie.

Its brilliant actually. Copyright that idea. Imaging FOX o WB doing this? How easy. They would offer a monthly fee and you could see the live behind the scenes and interviews, forum director and cast feedback (just like they do it for free with the series blogs and online content), and in exchange a DVD for the movie (Though they are so cheap that I see them doing this a just offering the exclusives online, without dvd).

If fandom would like another Superman movie. And this grows with this kind of thinking. Well, fandom could secure a "good writer" or a "good casting", or at least that the movie be made and not cancelled by the studio.

My best wishes for this project.

[Tim Martin]

Copyright that idea.

We actually started the process, but discovered that shortly you will not be able to copyright a business model. Supreme Court ruling for Canada / USA are supposed to be announced in the coming months that will change current copyright laws. We have a year to start the process from first announcing it publicly, so if something changes we will.

BIG PS* I am not a lawyer and am only reiterating what was explained to me by my lawyer. If you have questions about copyright hire a lawyer.

[R. Gonzales]

In my opinion, it is just a matter of time before a model like Fandom takes hold. Once it does it may (at least in Canada) threaten the status quo. Just think, No more Telefilm handouts or meddling or dictating what kind of movie you should write shoot or produce. No big brother dictating to you who should shoot or direct your films because they hold the purse. :smile5:

This project got my thumbs up :thumbup1:. And I think the big money guys here up north need to take a closer look at this and invest heavily as we need to wean ourselves off government handouts. Time to be like our brothers down south and believe in something!

Respectfully

[David Slater]

Cool idea Tim
I am assuming your shooting on a RED right?

Is it open to anyone worldwide or only us up in Canada.

[Tim Martin]

Hi David,

The past couple of music videos I've directed were shot with the Red and it is the camera I'm currently planning to shoot the feature with, but 6 months is a long time to predict where camera technology will be. I can tell you that we will be shooting Fandom on whatever camera makes the most sense for the story we are trying to tell.

Also, membership is open to the world.

Cheers,

Tim

[Joe G.]

I think the fundamental flaw with these approaches is that the only "film fanatics" would be the filmmakers themselves. Anyone joining is going to expect more out of it than they put into it. You're going to have lots of people with $19.95 in credit (their own money) minus whatever fees disappear.

I just don't see it generating investment. You can prove me wrong though. I'm all ears.

PS.

THAT SAID--

Check this idea.

What IF the general public could be enticed to invest $0.99 each in a "pre-download" of a micro-budget film? A $1 risk to maybe get a film at the end of it?

The public has been conditioned for instant gratification, but hell anyone who invests a buck can be guaranteed a PRODUCER CREDIT (by the thousands) right? It's just some type at the end of the film. They can have value added investment in the project, receive photos, script, blog posts from the set, the filmmakers, etc. All for a dollar?

"I'd buy that for a dollar!"
-Robocop

[Tim Martin]

I think you are mistaking our model for crowdfunding.

We are trying to offer a new form of entertainment - we've coined it as experiential entertainment. Watch it made, participate in the process, own a product.

Our membership fee is allowing a user to buy a product - DVD, Graphic Novel & access to behind the scenes material. We have integrated crowdsourcing opportunities into the experience to heighten the level of members involvement in the process. Open casting call, search for a PA, design the poster contest, create the official theme song, etc.

We actually played around with the idea of having it be low cost and offering it to a larger group of people. It was decided that we would want to cap the membership and offer a very complete product offering.

I should make it clear that $19.95 does not go towards a credit system or account of any kind. When you join you have bought a product.

[Mark Collins]

I think you are mistaking our model for crowdfunding.

We are trying to offer a new form of entertainment - we've coined it as experiential entertainment. Watch it made, participate in the process, own a product.

Our membership fee is allowing a user to buy a product - DVD, Graphic Novel & access to behind the scenes material. We have integrated crowdsourcing opportunities into the experience to heighten the level of members involvement in the process. Open casting call, search for a PA, design the poster contest, create the official theme song, etc.

We actually played around with the idea of having it be low cost and offering it to a larger group of people. It was decided that we would want to cap the membership and offer a very complete product offering.

I should make it clear that $19.95 does not go towards a credit system or account of any kind. When you join you have bought a product.

So, here's a question for you then. If the $19.95 goes towards contest and such and providing an entire behind the scenes experience, would it also be viable to have said paying people be able to do a set visit or have the option of coming on set in a minor role, such as a production assistant?

[Tim Martin]

would it also be viable to have said paying people be able to do a set visit or have the option of coming on set in a minor role, such as a production assistant?

Hi Mark,

We have already built in opportunities for major roles into the membership experience. Every member will have the ability to upload an application video to become the film's official PA. One member will be selected and offered a paying job on the feature film, as well as flight and accommodations. The PA will also keep a daily blog of his or her experience on set.

Obviously, becoming a member and befriending different department heads will also increase the likelihood of an invite to set.

[Mark Collins]

Sounds like a good plan to me then Tim. I'll probably be signing up as soon as I can.

[Joe G.]

"It was decided that we would want to cap the membership and offer a very complete product offering. "

You've heard the term "mass entertainment?"

[Tim Martin]

Hi Joe,

I'm assuming that you're talking about trying to reach the largest audience (correct me if I'm wrong). The problem with $0.99 is the economics of it. For someone to deliver a high quality feature product for download (did this earlier this year for a music DVD release) the file size will rest just under 2 GB. The cost to provide that file for download will be about $0.35.

The problem comes with how many attempts you give a user. Most suppliers of anything that includes a digital download will provide at least 5 opportunities to download. Someone loses the file, they disconnect without completing the download, etc. You can quickly get to a point where you have spent more than $.99 to delivery the file. The format of $.99 sales work really well with music, ebooks, iphone apps, etc. because the file size is usually contained to under 100 mb.

Do you think that more people would be inclined to spend $3.99 for a pre-sale download?

Cheers,

Tim

[Joe G.]

$3.99?

No.

$1.99.

Maybe.

The two buck producer credit could catch on. These are for slightly risky, quality untested, potentially sucky micro-budget films. Anything over 2 bucks is pushing it.

[Tim Martin]

$3.99?
Anything over 2 bucks is pushing it.

I completely agree, the issue is with what you supply. And at what point does a credit become useless. What if had 100 000 people sign up for $2? Would the credits just be 20 minutes long?