Mike86

Paying for something to be made themselves and profits being made from that I don't have a problem with. I get that they're in business to make money like anyone else. It more bothers me that they ask for money from fans to help make films and also when the final product is released and make money off of other people's money. It's not like a film like this is that risky or should really cost so much where it's a gamble for the studios to fund it and just feels like they want a cash grab but they don't want to pay for it.

Plus considering fans don't really get anything for their contributions in most cases. If they at least gave a free copy of the film on Blu-ray or DVD when it came out that would at least be something but a lot of the ones I see you either get nothing or you get something only if you make a considerably large contribution.

fumanstan

Well obviously it is risky, else guys like the Weinstein's wouldn't have turned down Kevin Smith. I guess still don't see why the concept bothers you; people that back these things know what they're getting in to, so its not like they're getting shammed. In the end, I just don't think it's as easy to get a movie made as you think it is, but we'll just have to disagree on that I guess.

As far as fans getting nothing...

I haven't seen this to be the case at all. As far as movies go, Veronica Mars or Braff's movie included tiers that had things like a copy of the script, a soundtrack, a screening, behind the scenes looks, etc. Whether those are worth the money is obviously up to the backer.

Mike86

I don't think it's easy for films to be made just that in a case with a guy like Kevin Smith he has a pretty proven track record. The studios should know what to expect so unless he's asking for some outrageous budget I don't see how it can be that risky for them. To me it's a lot different with something like say Veronica Mars The Movie. The show had an audience but was it really something the studio would make a lot off of? probably not. So in a case like that Kickstarter makes total sense. It's not like Clerks is some obscure franchise and Kevin Smith is some up and comer though. So unless the budget he wants is crazy or the Weinstein's have ridiculous expectations on what they expect it to make I don't see how it's that risky.

superdeluxe

Get Nothing? I think most kickstarters at the very least by the 25-50$ reward tier you get a copy of the movie.

Spike Lee you get a signed copy of the DVD at 50, he has a ton of rewards many include signed sheets/posters from his movies/t-shirts at the lower levels

Veronica Mars you get the dvd at 50, at 35 you get a t-shirt and digital copy of the movie.

Mike86

Okay I guess I was wrong about that aspect. I must be thinking of something else or am just mistaken.

Drexl

I'm not sure if that option is available to Smith though. He doesn't have any credibility as an actor, and I don't think his screenplays would be in much demand if he's not directing them (or if he IS directing, for that matter).

Crocker Jarmen

I'm sure Smith could raise enough fund in a couple weeks doing donkey shows.

dan30oly

I'm in!

fumanstan

Well all we have to go on is that the Weinstein's supposedly passed on a 6 million dollar budget for the movie, so to me that seems to show it's not easy.

Why So Blu?

Clerks II was made for 5 million and it made about 28 million worldwide.

My Other Self

So then what's their excuse?

Is it possible at this point for another studio to pick up the tab ala Dumb & Dumber To?

Why So Blu?

Don't know but they made 5 times their budget in the states alone. They are greedy enough to believe that if they fork over 6 million for Clerks 3 then it should make 50 million or some shit.

Personally, Clerks 3 would be in line with Clerks 2. Only the KS nerds and fanboys of the View Askew universe would even give a shit.

Hazel Motes

Harvey could offer a million reasons why he passed on Clerks III, but at the end of the day, something tells me this is why he passed:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AnCYGSMxWzk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Brack

Harvey passed on funding it; he would still distribute it though.

hanshotfirst1138

And I'm sure he'd hack it up while he's at it.

Shannon Nutt

Smith's films just don't make much money...none of the major studios (and most of the second-tier ones) are going to finance a film for something they'll be lucky to get their money back on. Better to throw $6 million at an unknown director and gamble than to give it to Smith and know you're not going to get much of a return.

Brack

To be fair, for the most part, his movies haven't been made for the masses. They also have had some bad release dates as well. Was Cop Out ever going to make much money? Bruce Willis hasn't really opened a movie on his name alone except for Die Hard sequels in a long time. It's not like Tracy Morgan was ever going to help open the movie either. Jersey Girl was more of a victim of Gigli than anything. Zack and Miri was never going to be a huge hit due to its title. I never thought Red State would make any money, and it didn't. I get why studios won't get behind Smith, but it's not like he's box office poison.

My Other Self

Yes, but films in the View Askewnaverse tend to find life on cable and video so the studios make money eventually, it's just not all at the box office.

GuessWho

I don't get the hubbub.

Kevin Smith is FINE with the Weinsteins not paying for Clerks III.

See for yourself. At the 49:30-minute mark he says they're not paying for it, but have offered to distribute it. Seems happy enough about the arrangement in the video, and he's actually GLAD they're not paying so he can do what he wants, so why the fuss now?

<iframe src="http://new.livestream.com/accounts/9116901/events/3153234/videos/55760968/player?autoPlay=false&height=360&mute=false&width=640" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

godzilla rules

I think, from what I see at least, it's just another excuse for Smith NOT to make the movie. I know that I sound like a broken record, but it seems like when the movie starts getting closer to becoming a reality, Smith changes course. I understand that this time it was not his fault, but the game is getting old just the same. All any of us want is for Smith to make the fucking movie.

Ranger

I'm down for another one. It'd be fun to watch them work a cell phone store.

"My phone is not working."
"OK. Lemme see."
(pretends to work on phone)
"Ah, it works now. Next!"

Michael Corvin

So Smith pisses off all the studio bigwigs with his Red State stunt and now can't get funding for a movie? What a shocking twist!

Abob Teff

What was the Red State stunt?

Brack

I'm curious too. Just that the movie exists?

Obi-Wanma

He held a fake auction for distribution rights at the Sundance screening, and then told all the potential distributors who had come to see it that he didn't need them and he was distributing it himself.