Independent Distribution Project: 'The Tunnel'

[Ace]

Here's a film project I'm involved in (as online director & E.P) called "The Tunnel", which I have previously mentioned in another thread. It's a special film project in that it has attracted some attention (especially here in the Australia) regarding its distribution method and fundraising platform.

The plan is to raise the movie’s cash budget of $135,000 by selling each frame of the finished film online for $1. (The idea is that a 90-minute film consists of 135,000 individual frames) And once completed, we're releasing it entirely online, FREE via Bit Torrent. (It's currently in post production, so its close).

So far, over 25,000 frames have been sold. And counting. http://www.thetunnelmovie.net/frametally.php

It sounds nuts. But the most significant thing about this project is what it means for independent film-making - It's already attracted interest from some majors, and in what seems to be an unprecedented position, they're actually talking openly (but cautiously) about embracing torrent networks as a legitimate platform for film distribution and marketing. In tandem with traditional distribution methods.

The ramifications of this model for indie film is yet to be seen, but I truly believe that if you create a quality product worthy of its respective audience, and give people the option to pay, they will. With the current state of distribution and marketing for independent films and the proliferation of popular ways to download media, there's never been a better time to put this theory into practice. And many are already doing so.

Here's brief synopsis of 'The Tunnel':

"An investigation into a government cover-up leads to a network of abandoned train tunnels deep beneath the heart of Sydney. As a journalist and her crew hunt for the story it quickly becomes clear the story is hunting them.”

Directed by Cannes winning director, Carlo Ledesma, The film is docudrama style shot from the perspective of the news crew as they are chased through The Tunnels (as found footage) inter-cut with interviews of surviving crew members. One of our leading men, Steve Davis who plays the camera-man is an actual news Cameraman so what you see from his POV in the film is actually him DP'ing. The interview shots are all RED.

Link to watch the Trailer and read more about the project: The Tunnel Movie.


And here's the current poster below. It consists of the names of the first 1000 frame owners of the film...

[Corrado Silveri]

I saw the site, saw the trailer, and bought two frames.

:-)

[Ace]

Awesome. Thanks Corrado :)

[albert rudnicki]

10 more frames
Good luck !

Albert

[Tobias Straka]

2 seconds are mine! Good luck guys! :)

[David Mullen ASC]

In the U.S. don't you run into the SEC laws regarding investments if you ask people to put money into a movie if that money is not a donation, but instead, a promise of financial return?

[Elsie N]

In the U.S. don't you run into the SEC laws regarding investments if you ask people to put money into a movie if that money is not a donation, but instead, a promise of financial return?

David,

I wonder if buying "frames" might not be a way around that? Been a long time since I've been involved in what you refer to, but I think there are a number of investors (8 or 16?... come to mind) that can be involved before registering with the SEC comes into play.

[Steven-Marc C.]

In the U.S. don't you run into the SEC laws regarding investments if you ask people to put money into a movie if that money is not a donation, but instead, a promise of financial return?

From what I understood, in this case, there is no promise of financial return (unless your frame number turns up in their raffle, which would give you 1%). So it is in essence a donation. :)

[Ace]

Albert, Tobias and Elsie, you guys rock! Thank you for participating and the support!

In the U.S. don't you run into the SEC laws regarding investments if you ask people to put money into a movie if that money is not a donation, but instead, a promise of financial return?

Hi David,

The laws are the same here in OZ too. The frame purchases aren't actually a promise of financial return, rather that we're just selecting one lucky frame buyer out of the thousands of frame owners in the end to receive a 1% share in the profits of the film. It's more of a gesture of thanks I suppose.

Cheers,
Ace

[Chris Luker]

Also bought a frame.
Nice idea!!