Whoopi Goldberg has been talking about making a documentary feature on the life of pioneering comedian Moms Mabley for at least 2 years now, and it looks like she's reached the tail-end of the production phase (I didn't even know that she'd begun), interestingly taking to the web to raise funds to complete the film.
Whoopi has set up a Kickstarter page for the project (titled I Got Somethin' To Tell You), asking fans to help her fund the project. How much does she need? $65,000.
A quote from Whoopi from the campaign:
"Moms Mabley was a pioneer in the comedy world and this documentary will showcase her talent and pay homage to a woman who is still relevant today. … Moms helped shape the idea that comedy could make a political and social statement and still be hilarious. She's one of my role models and her comedy is still poignant today. This documentary will delve into the comedy of Mabley, as well as help define her significance through clips, old photographs, television show appearances and interviews, conducted by me with famous and influential people who either knew and worked with Moms or were inspired by her."
In return for those who contribute, she's offering rewards that include signed photos, personalized thank-you cards, and a mention in the DVD credits on the lower end of the contribution scale; but if you give the top amount ($10,000) you'll get dinner for you and a guest with Whoopi at a restaurant of her choosing in New York City.
The campaign's goal is to raise the $65,000 by July 26. Thus far, as of this posting, she's raised just over $7,000.
The very first thought that came to me when I first heard about this campaign earlier today was: couldn't she have come up with the additional $65,000 in finishing funds (really not a lot of money for someone in her position I don't think) herself, or reached out to her wealthy friends for assistance – especially in light of what I referred to in a previous post as "Kickstarter Fatigue."
Or is this all really just part of the film's early marketing and audience awareness campaign?
I wonder what percentage that $65,000 is of the film's total budget, and if she'd consider audiences investing in the film (as opposed to donating) so that they'd really feel like they're part of the project, and will, in essence, be part owners of the finished work, which would mean a stake (no matter of small) in its profits. Which some may be more enthusiastic about than a signed photo, or thank-you card.
Your thoughts on all that?
