Wanted: 50,000 angels for collective film

[KiwiCoromandel]

They say too many cooks spoil the broth, but do 50,000 filmmakers spoil the movie?

A writer and filmmaker, Matt Hanson, is hoping the answer is no, as his latest project - dubbed Swarm of Angels - hopes to draw on the collective efforts of at least 50,000 people to create the world's first internet-funded, crewed and distributed feature film.

The budget for the film is £1 million ($2.47 million) and is based on the assumption that the project can sign up 50,000 members who are each willing to pay £25 to be a part of the project.

Hanson refers to the project's members as "angels".

"You can contribute to cinema and internet history by becoming an angel," reads the project's website.

"Your involvement helps us get closer to completing this pioneering film project. Subscribe because you are passionate about film, about doing things differently and experiencing new types of entertainment."

For their money, contributors can have a say on what's included in the script, as well as other important creative decisions. The entire collaboration process will take place over the project's online discussion board.

The project is currently in "phase two", having recently passed the 700 member mark. Hanson is convinced he will be able to bring this number up to 50,000 without issue.

"Fifty thousand people is a drop in the ocean online. The internet has made it easy for people to come together easily to help make something happen," he said.

But Hanson is quick to distinguish his project from other collaborative content efforts.

"Unlike user-generated content, the director [Hanson] drives the process and vision of the project, and members get to guide and input into the creative process along the way. For example, a collaborative script doesn't mean everyone edits it with equal weight, but everyone has the option to submit material to it, which then gets filtered and either rejected or accepted," he said.

Swarm of Angels is a non-commercial venture that uses the Creative Commons licence, so anything it produces can be downloaded, shared and modified for free.

"Any profit from licensing commercial use gets rolled into the next Swarm of Angels production," Hanson said.

The script is still in its early stages, but hints on the website suggest it's likely "to be thriller-based with soft sci-fi elements".

Hanson says his freedom from the shackles of commercial interests will result in a far stronger film.

"This model actually enables a filmmaker's vision free from commercial and studio interference more than a commercial model," he said.

"In that respect it is more conducive to singular creative visions than traditional filmmaking models. Individuals are supporting a filmmaker's vision, and strengthening it, not diluting it."

To aid him in the creative process, Hanson has signed on a number of well-known "advisers". These include the sci-fi writer Cory Doctorow, the cult comic book writer Warren Ellis and the digital film pioneer Tommy Pallotta.

"Finally, a way to be an angel for a film production that doesn't act like the devil - a way to make movies without reeking of entertainment industry evil. That's why I'm proud to support this project as a contributor and an adviser," said Doctorow in a testimonial posted on the website.

A band, The Kleptones, have signed on to develop the film's soundtrack.

The project's website is at http://www.aswarmofangels.com.

source:AP

image:Swarmpress Pool:Proposed POSTER available soon for A SWARM OF ANGELS... From an Emily Forgot design...