Month: April 2025

A few bangs for your bucks

Maximum Z comedy, community, crowdfunding, determination, filmmaking, perseverance, persistence, producer, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, thriller, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The crowdfunding for my short film SHECKY continues. We’re closing in on 30%, and doing what I can to keep those numbers climbing.

Every dollar raised goes into the costs involved with making this film, and there are different amounts you can donate. Each tier has its own reward as a thank you for donating.

(and if the names seem a bit odd, just think “showbiz”. It’s part of the story)

$10 – Stage Door Johnny

Social media shoutout of your total awesomeness & onscreen thanks expressing my eternal gratitude

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$25 – What, And Give Up Show Biz?

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, and your name as “Member of the Chorus” on a Paradise Theater poster

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$50 – Road Company

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, your name & your vaudeville act on a Paradise poster

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$75 – Rising Star

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, your name & your act as headliner on a Paradise poster

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$100 – Presenting…

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, your name on the Paradise marquee, a pdf of the film’s poster, a copy of the script

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$250 – In The Spotlight

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, a video of Shecky telling you a joke, poster, script

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$500 – Stage Manager

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, joke video, poster, script, digital copy of the film

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$1000 – Publicity Agent

everything above & onscreen credit as “Patron of the Arts – Silver Circle” + 1 ticket to screening (if possible), full-service script notes

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$2500 – Mr./Ms. First Nighter

everything above, onscreen credit as “Patron of the Arts – Gold Circle”, 2 tickets to screening, script notes, interviewed on The Creative Writing Life podcast

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$5000 – Box Office Smash

Everything & above, onscreen credit as “Patron of the Arts – Diamond Circle”, 1 ticket to a screening at a film festival, script notes, podcast interview, short film consultation

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This is a project that’s been a long time coming, so I sincerely hope you’ll be willing to chip in to help make it happen.

Can’t go wrong with a little originality

Maximum Z comedy, concept, creativity, crowdfunding, determination, independent films, perseverance, persistence, producer, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, thriller, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The crowdfunding effort for my short film has passed the 25% mark. On one level that is FANTASTIC, but there’s still that remaining 75% with about six weeks to go. That means my extensive efforts and outreach will continue.

It’s the only way to make this happen.

It’s great to have so many supporters step up. More than a few have commented on how much they love the concept, along with a handful who’ve asked to read the script – and liked that as well.

One of the recurring comments has been how this would be a great example of independent film. In all honesty, I never thought of it that way. I just wanted to write and make a short film that other people could enjoy. Mostly for the experience of doing it, but also for the satisfaction of having something I can show the world and say “I wrote that”.

But what it really comes down to – a bunch of creative types making a film based on an original idea.

Hopefully that’s what’ll happen. Fingers remain, as always, firmly crossed.

And please donate if you can at the link above. Thanks!

No choice but to be determined

Maximum Z community, crowdfunding, determination, film, perseverance, persistence, producer, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films , , , , , , , , , , ,

The crowdfunding for my short film project continues…

**Still plenty of opportunities & tier rewards for donating!**

And it is quite the mountain to climb. Almost comparable to writing a script.

Almost.

With a script, everything is under your control. You are the one determining what happens, what the characters say, and so on.

Raising the funds to make a film based on that script? The only thing under your control about that is how much effort you put into getting those funds.

In theory, the more you work and the more effort you put in, the more likely you are to succeed.

Again – in theory.

You can push what you’re selling all you want, but it only works if they’re willing to pay.

To paraphrase one supportive donor – “Crowdfunding is a full-time job. You EARN that money.”

You certainly do. When they say every little bit helps, they’re not kidding.

I’ve begun reaching out to members of my network of creatives – writers, filmmakers, and industry-adjacent – to ask about chipping in if they can.

Responses so far – not too bad.

I also realize that times are tough, especially in this business. Things haven’t fully recovered since the strikes, and lots of folks are out of work. The last thing I want is for somebody to feel bad for not being able to donate. I’m just happy to have the support.

Even if all you can do is repost the link, that’s great too. The more eyes I can get on this, the better.

We’ve made some good progress since the campaign started, and there’s no sign of letting up.

As the days count down, I’ll be doing everything I can to see this through.

Hey kids! Let’s put on a show!

Maximum Z community, crowdfunding, directing, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films , , , , , ,

It gives me a huge thrill to announce that the crowdfunding campaign to make my short film is now up and running.

I wrote the script a couple of years ago with the intention of actually making it, with myself in the director’s chair.

That didn’t work out.

Met with a potential director with some lofty ideas.

That didn’t work out either.

Connected with another director I already knew as a writer. She was very eager to take it on. To say she’s been a godsend helping steer me in the right direction is putting it mildly.

Which brings us to now.

We’re hoping to raise $15,000 by June 1st. This will cover everything involved with production, as well as compensating the cast and crew.

Every little bit helps, so if you can contribute, any amount is greatly appreciated. If that’s not an option, just helping spread the word around is also great.

I’m really proud of this script, and very confident it will make for a very entertaining short.

Probably safe to say I’ll be a bit stressed over the next two months, so bear with me.