Loading Docs Launchpad Lifts Off With Crowdfunding Campaign

Loading Docs Launchpad Lifts Off With Crowdfunding Campaign

4 February, 2014

February will be a nerve-wracking month for ten local filmmakers as they embark on crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for the production of a documentary film as part of New Zealand short documentary initiative Loading Docs.

With support from the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Air’s Ignite Digital Media Fund, Loading Docs is an ambitious launchpad for local documentary shorts that supports the funding, production and online distribution of innovative three-minute documentary shorts.

Promotion for the films begins with the month-long crowdfunding campaign on pledgeme.co.nz beginning on February 3rd, which provides filmmakers with a platform to reach out to audiences even before production has begun.

"Loading Docs presented an exciting opportunity to bring to life a short animation-based documentary idea of mine. I like the one-to-one relationship a filmmaker can have with their audience when sharing their work online. The Loading Doc's format and crowd-funding approach brings this relationship full circle and allows me to share a particularly personal story within the online community," says Loading Docs filmmaker Joel Kefali.

Joel is an acclaimed art director, filmmaker, TV commercials director and music video director most notably winning best music video for Lorde Royals.

Developing a strong relationship with their audience and promoting their work online is now an essential aspect of filmmaking, and each Loading Docs filmmaker has their own micro-site on LoadingDocs.net to promote their film:

“Loading docs offers the opportunity to help me make a small story that I am passionate about telling. What's unique about Loading Docs is their interest in social media, publicity and distribution, as well as the final film. As an independent filmmaker/ producer it's hard enough making the films, let alone thinking about the publicity and distribution side of things. I'm impressed with Loading Doc’s foresight in helping filmmakers engage with an audience through social media and getting their work seen locally and internationally”, says Loading Docs filmmaker Zoe McIntosh.

Zoe is an award winning film, documentary and commercial director well known for her unique approach to portraying characters from the fringes of society.

Online distribution is also an important opportunity for filmmakers to explore, and an aspect of Loading Docs that has excited filmmakers:

“I was attracted to Loading Docs because the short documentary is a format that feels really relevant right now. I watch at least a couple a short docs every week on various blogs and websites. This format is accessible to not only view but also to approach as a filmmaker - short and focused,” says Loading Docs filmmaker Alex Sutherland.

Alex is a renowned commercials director and founder of company Thick As Thieves.

The ten films produced under the Loading Docs banner represent an array of local documentary making talent and an eclectic range of subjects, all united by the theme of ‘home’.

Each filmmaking team will run their own crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMe with a $2,000 funding goal. Filmmakers have taken a creative approach to creating campaigns with unique rewards such as a personalised tā moko design or an invitation to an exclusive film premiere, hangi and party at Whakarae Marae for supporters of the film, The Road to Whakarae. Director Alex Sutherland has made a personal commitment to grow a mullet to support his film, The Jump,while pledgers to Queer Selfies, have the chance to have a personal YouTube video tribute made by one of New Zealand’s most popular Drag Queens or Drag Kings.

The Loading Docs crowdfunding campaigns kick off today on PledgeMe www.pledgeme.co.nz/collabs/14

Find out more about the filmmakers and their PledgeMe campaigns at http://www.loadingdocs.net

The Films

Dans (Director Joel Kefali, Producer Amber Easby) animates an elderly Turkish migrant’s recollections of his early days as a refugee in Aotearoa at the legendary Orange Ballroom.

In The Road to Whakarae (Producer/Director Tim Worrall and Aaron Smart) a Tūhoe kaumatua sings his family back to their kāinga in the Urewera ranges.

Stop/Go offers an intimate look at the humble kiwi Stop/Go road contractor and the epic environment that he calls home.

Homing (Director Andrew Scott) takes us on a summery domestic journey in sound and image presented in a single, continuous shot.

The Jump (Director Alex Sutherland, Producer Rebekah Kelly) plunges into the untold story of theorigins of Bungy jumping and its unsung creator Chris Sigglekow.

Living like a King (Director Zoe McIntosh) is a portrait of one of Christchurch's oldest Streeties (aka Cowboy) and his unexpected taste of what it’s like to live like a King.

Today (Producer/Director Prisca Bouchet & Nick Mayow) enters a rest home in South Auckland to provide access to a world many New Zealander’s call home.

Queer Selfies (Director Robyn Paterson, Producer Paula Boock) shows that coming out is one thing, coming home is another.

Wayne (Director Kirsty Griffin) invites us into the world of a man with profound intellectual disabilities making a go of living an independent life in a home of his own for the first time.

Loading Docs is a groundbreaking initiative to fund, create and distribute 3-minute New Zealand documentary shorts based on the theme of ‘home’. Loading Docs has been made with the support of The New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Air’s Ignite Digital Media Fund.

For more information visit www.loadingdocs.net

ENDS

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