Hi everyone,
I’m developing my third short film, What Are The Odds, and for the first time, I’m considering crowdfunding as a potential route to finance it.
I want to be upfront about something:
I don’t have an existing audience or social media following to leverage. No built-in base to convert — which is my biggest concern right now.
This project is a bit specific in how I’m approaching it. It’s originally conceived as a feature, and the short is something I want to create as a proof of concept — to test tone, character, and execution before expanding it into a full-length film.
Logline:
An autistic man with a brilliant mind for patterns and probability is forced into an unpredictable, deeply human situation that challenges his need for control.
I’d really appreciate honest, practical insights from people who’ve been through this process:
- Is crowdfunding even viable without an audience, or is that a non-starter?
- If it is possible, what actually drives success in that case — concept, pitch video, outreach strategy?
- Which platforms are genuinely effective for short films right now (Kickstarter vs Indiegogo vs others)?
- How much groundwork is realistically needed before launching (email lists, partnerships, outreach, etc.)?
- What are the biggest mistakes first-time filmmakers make when they underestimate the process?
- How demanding is it day-to-day while the campaign is live?
- And after the campaign — what challenges or obligations tend to catch people off guard?
I’m not approaching this as a quick funding solution — more as a serious learning curve, and I want to understand whether this is the right path before committing to it.
Would really value detailed experiences, especially from those who’ve done this for narrative shorts or proof-of-concept work.
Thanks in advance.
