“I have always depended upon the kindness of strangers.” – A Streetcar Named Desire

Last year, I was approached by my friend Sabina, about a project that she was wanting to film. Ever industrious and pro-active, she had created a fund-raising campaign through the site Indie-a-go-go.

I sent what pocket change I could spare… but I didn’t really get it.

Earlier this year, my friend Jeanne was producing a short film, “Gone Elvis.” She and the film’s creator/director, David Newhoff, had launched a campaign through Kickstarter. Again, I gave what I could… and I still didn’t get it.

Now, I do.

Ten days ago, I launched my own Kickstarter campaign in an effort to fund episodes 1 – 3 of my gothic film-noir web-series, “They Live Among Us,” and I have been touched – and at times a little overwhelmed – by the kindness of strangers.

If you haven’t crowd-funded a project, you should. It’s a win-win situation. Here’s how it works:

1. Visit a crowd-funding site
2. Find a project you believe in
3. Send the project some ka-ching
4. Spread the word to family and friends
5. Sit back and watch the magic happen

It’s a win-win situation. You get to support another’s vision, and some campaigns begin at as little as one dollar.

I’ve seen projects raise a few hundred dollars; I’ve seen them raise tens of thousands. I’ve watched time and again as they don’t just meet goal – they exceed it. The crowd-funders get it. It’s all about support – cheering people to the finish line. It’s about community.

I think Blake would have loved Kickstarter. It’s so very Save the Cat.

I’ve been contacted by complete strangers from the far reaches of the globe, each of them wanting to help in some way. Money, services… they are there to help me realize my dream. It’s comforting, when the voices in my head threaten to grow too loud, to know that there are people out there who care. About my project. About my vision. About me.

Now, for a little pimping:

Top Ten Reasons to Crowdfund My Project:

10. Your liver will thank you when you send me your beer money.

9. Your Twitter feed will be absent of my annoying pleads for support.

8. That jarful of change makes your tabletop look cluttered.

7. Admit it. You’re dying to see if I can really write.

6. Go vegan. Your body will thank you when you send me your meat money.

5. It’s cheaper than porn.

4. You, too, can be a producer.

3. An advance read of Episode 1.

2. It’s way cheaper than porn.

1. Oh, behave. Just do it. You don’t want to make a grown Princess cry, do you?

Now, go write.

HRH, Princess Scribe