Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

Calgary filmmaker Todd Kipp launches a $15,000 fundraising campaign for his new film, "Computer Potato," on HelpersUnite (www.HelpersUnite.com).

(Calgary, Canada) Calgary-based writer and filmmaker Todd Kipp already has the time, talent, cast and crew for his upcoming short film, “Computer Potato,” the story of a lonely young man who longs to connect – both figuratively and literally – in the outside world. All Kipp needs now is the funding.

To bring this project to life, Kipp and his crew have posted a campaign on HelpersUnite (www.helpersunite.com), a new crowdfunding platform that connects artists, entrepreneurs, and charitable organizations with supporters who are compelled to contribute their time, talents, and funding to help reach a common goal. Launched in September 2011, HelpersUnite also features other creative fundraising projects for documentaries, demo recordings, theater, cooking programs and more.

Through a six-week campaign, Kipp and his filmmaking team are working to raise $15,000 to pay for equipment rentals, location fees, bus rental for a pivotal scene, cast and crew fees, insurance, permits and parking. In exchange for contributions, Kipp is offering prizes like DVDs, screening tickets, producer credits, and even a speaking role.

“The essence of this film is the need to interact and communicate with one another, so it's fitting that we as filmmakers are reaching out to the community, trying to raise the funding through small donations that add up to make this project possible,” says Kipp.

“We've already submitted for six grants and we've been turned down by all six. The competition for these limited funds is tough. We've found support in people donating time, locations, props, equipment, and food for the cast and crew, but some tangible items still need to be paid for in hard cash."

Kipp has been working in the film industry for eight years. His last film, "Blue-Eyed Boy," is currently making it into festivals and screens at the Edmonton International Film Festival on October 1st, and Slamberta in Calgary on October 2nd, 2011.

A unique twist on crowdfunding, HelpersUnite requires that filmmakers, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs who are raising funds for creative projects pledge a portion of their proceeds to a charity they select. This philosophy holds a strong appeal for Kipp, who has pledged five percent of contributions to benefit the White Buffalo Calf Woman’s Society in South Dakota, and another five percent to Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society, a women's shelter in Calgary, Canada.

“What drew me to HelpersUnite as a crowdfunding platform was this idea of donating some of the money raised to a charity of our choosing,” says Kipp. “We chose two Native American women's shelters because the help they give is so vital to these marginalized groups.”

"Todd has this great balance between a creative spirit and a generous heart," says Luan Cox, CEO and co-founder of HelpersUnite.com parent company GoodWorldCreations. “HelpersUnite plays an exciting role in helping creative projects and charities succeed.”

GoodWorldCreations was founded in early 2011 and specializes in leveraging complex, state-of-the art web and social technology to help make the world a better place. Its flagship platform, HelpersUnite.com, is the first-ever platform to combine fundraising for creative and business ventures with charitable giving and online event ticketing.

Resources:

http://www.helpersunite.com/projects/20-computer-potato

http://blueeyedboy.ca