PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / The Film Fund, a pioneering platform known for supporting independent filmmakers, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative poised to transform the way films are financed. The initiative, called Unknown Movie, introduces a bold approach to equity crowdfunding, offering filmmakers and screenwriters not just a shot at getting their work produced but an actual ownership stake in the final production.
The Film Fund has built its reputation by making the film funding process more accessible to emerging and independent filmmakers. However, Unknown Movie is set to take things a step further by allowing screenwriters to have both creative and financial control over the projects they submit. As part of the submission process, each screenwriter invests $100 alongside their screenplay submission. This fee, however, is not a mere entry cost-it's an investment, granting the submitter a stake in the movie, even if their screenplay is not selected for production.
This fresh approach to crowdfunding signals a radical departure from the traditional models of film financing and contests, where entrants often receive little more than exposure or a one-time prize. Unknown Movie is different-whether your script is selected or not, you are an investor in the project, a part of its creative and financial ecosystem.
Redefining Crowdfunding in Filmmaking
The creator of The Film Fund, Thomas Verdi, shared his motivation behind this new model: "After years of being asked if we're going to get into the feature film world, I've launched Unknown Movie, which is a unique take on equity crowdfunding. It's not a contest. Each person who submits a screenplay with their $100 submission fee, which is really an investment, gets ownership in the film we end up producing. It's an entirely new way to engage with the creative process while having a financial interest in its success."
In the world of independent film, financing has always been one of the largest barriers to entry. Aspiring filmmakers and writers often find themselves either competing for limited funds through grants or chasing big studios for backing, with the latter often resulting in creative compromises. Unknown Movie seeks to dismantle this barrier by giving every screenwriter the chance to be both a creative force and a financial partner in the final product.
This unique crowdfunding model allows participants to become part of the film's journey, from its inception through production, and eventually to the box office (or streaming platform). By turning submission fees into investments, The Film Fund is ensuring that those who believe in the film's success can benefit from it financially.
The Power of ProducerScore: The Tech Behind the Innovation
At the heart of Unknown Movie lies another innovation-the use of ProducerScore, a patent-pending software created by The Film Fund's founder, Thomas Verdi to evaluate submitted screenplays. Unlike conventional script evaluation processes, which can be subjective and inconsistent, ProducerScore uses a data-driven approach to assess the creative and commercial viability of each script.
Thomas Verdi explains, "We developed ProducerScore to use the industry-standard Evaluation Criteria to evaluate the screenplays. ProducerScore has been extensively trained on studying real data, in the form of historical box-office performance of firms' actual screenplays, so that it knows what elements contribute to a financially successful film. In addition to this, ProducerScore's real selling point is that it can evaluate thousands of screenplays at the same time so, a studio (or Unknown Movie) sitting on a stack of screenplays can narrow down which they want to pursue based on real date- in a matter of minutes."
By combining quantitative data with insights into narrative structure, originality, and marketability, ProducerScore is intended to ensure that the best stories rise to the top while offering a fairer assessment process for all submissions. The Film Fund has already filed patent applications for the software, and it is expected to be a key tool in ensuring that Unknown Movie produces films with both creative and financial promise.
The use of ProducerScore further reinforces The Film Fund's commitment to using technology to modernize and democratize the filmmaking process. As more filmmakers seek alternative routes to break into the industry, this innovation provides a much-needed mechanism to evaluate a script's potential in an unbiased way, allowing previously overlooked stories to find their voice.
Fostering a New Ecosystem for Filmmakers
Through this dual approach-equity crowdfunding and technology-driven evaluation-Unknown Movie is set to create a thriving ecosystem for independent filmmakers. The benefits extend far beyond those whose scripts are selected. Every participant who submits a screenplay with their investment has a stake in the film's success, fostering a sense of shared ownership and collaboration.
Traditionally, filmmakers have had to rely on large studios or private investors to finance their projects, often at the expense of their creative freedom. In many cases, filmmakers are forced to compromise their vision in order to secure funding, and screenwriters rarely see any financial rewards beyond the initial sale of their script.
With Unknown Movie, filmmakers and screenwriters alike can be directly involved in the financial and creative outcomes of the project. This initiative empowers creators by ensuring they maintain an interest in the project's success from start to finish. Whether their screenplay is selected or not, submitters have the opportunity to benefit financially from the project they helped launch, thus creating a collaborative network of filmmakers all invested in the same goal.
A New Path for Independent Films
Unknown Movie offers an unprecedented opportunity for screenwriters and filmmakers to break into the feature film industry in a meaningful way. For those who have long been frustrated by the barriers to entry, this initiative provides a new route to achieving their filmmaking dreams.
By leveraging both financial backing and the innovative ProducerScore software, Unknown Movie allows films to be produced based on their merit rather than relying solely on traditional financing or subjective decision-making. The Film Fund's commitment to empowering filmmakers and redefining the industry is evident in this new model, which merges creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship in a way that hasn't been done before.
About The Film Fund
The Film Fund was founded with the mission of making film financing more accessible to independent filmmakers. By streamlining the funding process, the platform has helped countless filmmakers secure the resources they need to bring their projects to life. Now, with the launch of Unknown Movie, The Film Fund is extending its reach into feature films, providing a path for screenwriters and filmmakers to contribute creatively and financially to their projects.
For more information about Unknown Movie and details on how to submit your screenplay, visit Unknown Movie's website.
Contact Information:
Unknown Movie
Thomas Verdi
[email protected]
SOURCE: Unknown Movie