Results tagged “pledge”

Ken S. Kotch is a professional photographer with Type I diabetes.  Over the last 23 years, he's been told he can't do a lot of things because of it.  With his project, Broken Pancreas, Kotch will show us all that he is perfectly capable of doing anything he wants.

The goal is to photograph at least 25 people with diabetes doing things they're not supposed to do. Each piece will also be accompanied by personal stories.  Lined up so far are a lobster fisherman, cycling team full of diabetics and a high risk Obstetrician (who also happens to be pregnant).

These people are all over the country, hence the need for a KickStarter project.  Ken needs our help to pay for the travel expenses.  That's not so much to ask, is it?  Especially with a goal of only $7,500.

I'm hoping you're as excited as I am to see this one get completed.  So skip your cappuccino or whatever that daily vice is and give your pennies to the Broken Pancreas project.  Be a pal?

Of course, as with every KickStarter, you get a little something in return.  Head on over to the page and see for yourself. 

This week we're going to go a little different. There's so many great projects out there that need our help I figured I'd give you a small handful to choose from.  Just click and pledge!  Have a great Tuesday, punks!

What if there were cracks in reality and we could be pulled through into total darkness?  That's the idea behind the latest horror in progress, Absentia,  by award winning writer/director Mike Flanagan (Oculus).

If you've followed me for awhile, you probably already know I have a soft spot for the horror genre. I particularly enjoy films like this that don't rely on gore and guts to get the chill across, but instead prey on our psychological fears. 

Absentia relates itself to films like  The Exorcist and Session 9 where the viewer really gets to know the characters involved and the threat often goes unseen. "After all, what you DON'T see is always scarier than what you DO...."

So, why the KickStarter?  Well, every independent film needs a little help of course.  The money this one earns (goal of $15,000) will go towards securing additional capital from investors and also used to begin principal photography. 

As always, you get a little something in return for your pledges.  Donate just $5 and receive exclusive reports from the set as they go through pre-production to the release.  $10 and you get the reports plus photos, footage and film progresses.  $100 gets all of that plus credit in the closing titles, a signed copy of the script, a signed DVD of the film, copy of the score and a DVD of Oculus.  

There's way more (get a walk on role in the movie!) so be sure to check out the KickStarter page and definitely watch the video they put together for the project.  I loved it.

You want to be happy right?  Well that's PlayLab's goal with all of their projects including "Peep Show." 

This week's Kick Starter is art after my heart.  With the goal of making people smile how could you not get behind it?

Peep Show is a large metal sculpture set in a vacant store front windows in Norfolk, VA.  (You can view them until July 1). The sculpture is made up of 12 pyramid shapes with holes to look inside and see something you "normally wouldn't see."  What's inside isn't revealed so I guess if you're in the area, you'll just have to go see for yourself (and let me know!). 

As you can imagine, putting up Peep Show wasn't cheap and they need a little cash to keep their projects moving.  Hence the Kick Starter project. 

If you give a little cash you get a little something in return as usual. Head over and pledge as little as $1 or as much as $2,000 to help them reach their $1,200 goal and then some.

You don't have to take my word for it though. Go to the project page and view the video.  How can you not love these guys?

Theater is a big part of my life, so whenever I get a chance to help a project here on A&D, I jump on it.  Double bonus, this week's Kick Starter project happens to be run by a friend of mine!

Have you ever heard of Michael McClure's "The Beard"? It caused quite a stir in San Fransisco back in the 60s.  McClure, a big name in the beat poetry scene, created this scandalous work around Jean Harlow and Billy the Kid.  After 5 performances, the actors were arrested for "lewd and dissolute conduct." 

My friend and founder of Silent Bugler Productions, Kristyn R. Smith, is bringing the work back to the stage this summer at the Deity Supperclub.  Every production needs a little helping hand and that's what this Kick Starter is for.

The $3,000 goal will help pay for licensing fees, materials, rehearsal space, etc.  As usual, you get a little something in return.

Pledge $20 and get a poster, fake beard and $5 off the ticket price.  $50 gets you a ticket and all of the above. $200 gets you into the opening night party, 2 tickets and all of the above.

There's nothing I love more than bringing a little scandal to the stage.  My professor and mentor once told me it's just important to get people riled up as it is to make them laugh or cry.  The point is to make an impact.  I think Kristyn is on the right track.

Art meets science in theater.That alone is enough to get my attention and that's what this week's Kick Starter, (a)Symmetry Cycle, is all about.

Working in theater all these years, I know what it takes to get a production up and running. I also know what it means to be so in love with a project that it just has to work, no matter what and have helped put up plays on $100 budgets.  It's great to know there's something like Kick Starter out there now to help give us that extra boost.

So I intentionally set out to find a theater production in need of cash today and man, am I excited to share this one with you.

(a)Symmetry Cycle is the brainchild of Chicago playwright Chelsea Marcantel. As she says in her video, she loves people and that's what she writes about.  This time she's taking that love to a whole new level by involving the science of human interaction, relationships, etc. in three brand new plays: Numbfeel, Dumbspeak and Blindsight.

From the Kick Starter page: "The cycle as a whole will be an exploration of the interaction of science and free will, molecules and decisions, in human lives and relationships. A fusion of science and theatre, (a)Symmetry Cycle will follow the classic cycle structure of creation -- destruction -- rebirth as viewed through the lenses of biology, chemistry, and neuroscience, respectively."

So, lets get down to the nitty gritty.  If you pledge $25 or more, you get yourself a t-shirt or tote and a ticket to the show. $100 gets you the same, plus another ticket and a copy of the plays. $150 and you get all of the above, plus two tickets and artwork signed by the entire cast. 

And of course, as always, the most important you thing you receive is knowing you helped bring someones dream to life.  I mean, what sweeter payoff is there? 

How many times have you wanted to take a class, but you couldn't afford it? Trade School based in NYC has found a solution and wants to continue doing so, with your help.

At Trade School, students actually barter for their classes while specialists teach for basic items.  Some classes were taught for pairs of shoes, food, mixed CDs, etc.  Classes taught ranged from scrabble strategy to grant writing.  Apparently there was even a ghost hunting class!

The first run of Trade School saw over 800 participants and 76 classes.  The response was so outstanding that, naturally, they want to do it again.  Lucky for me since I missed it the first time!

There's only one little problem, not everything can be taken care of with barter.  They need some non salvageable materials and want to be able to pay someone to coordinate the classes, schedule and maintenance of the space. 

Their goal? $9,000 by June 27.  Pledge $15 and get a credit in the "Funders" section of their website with a personal link.  $100 or more and get a unique recipe from chef and trade school teacher Athena Kokoronis.  $5,000 and you get a dinner party with the same chef. And of course the doozie.  $10,000 and they'll be your personal creative consultants for 3 years.  (There's loads of other pledge options too. As low as $1, so head on over!)

Honestly, I don't think I should have to say very much about this. The idea of trading knowledge for goods is a brilliant one.  I, and so many people I know, simply can't afford to take classes (and I've been desperate for a photography lighting class by the way) and Trade School makes it possible for us to get our learn on.

Hey crafters, Etsyers,artists and makers of all kinds; this week's Kick Starter, Homespun: Modern Handmade, is right up your alley.

The creators of the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange, a bi-annual indie craft fair, are looking to make a genuine brick and mortar shop for all things handmade called Homespun.

The goal of Homespun is spectacular. They plan to provide a space for artists to promote, sell and learn with a special workshop area. They'll teach everything from crafting techniques to business development skills. 

The goal?  Turning hobbyists like you and me into professionals.  Now that's a undertaking.

They're only asking $3,000 to help get started. The money raised will be used towards tables and seating for the workshop area (handmade of course!), shelving, supplies, a kitchenette and if all goes well,  other little things like a handmade sign, displays, etc. 

So what do you get for your pledge, besides the awesome knowledge that you helped out a great cause?  Well $52 gets you a free class at the new store, plus a few extra little fun things like a Homespun t-shirt.  $121 gets you and a friend invited to the grand opening party. $1,111 and you'll receive unlimited workshops for 5 years and $3,003 gets you a workspace dedicated in your name.

As usual though, you can pledge as low as $5.  So if you're an artist or art lover who believes in promoting the handmade, then skip that Latte and give it to Homespun.  I'm sure you'll be glad you did.

Pledge to this week's featured Kick Starter and help an artist keep a long term promise to his mother.

How can you resist this one?  Rick Pierce made a promise to his mom when he was 16 that he would take care of her 1972 Super Beetle as he grew up.  So far, he's managed to do so.  However, as you can imagine, over the years it's gone from old to older to just not workin' anymore.

I'm sure you've guessed by now what this Kick Starter is asking for, but I'll tell you anyway.  Rick wants to get the ol' clunker back up and running again and that takes a good chunk change. 

$2,000 is the goal and (as with every Kick Starter) you get a little something depending on how much you pledge.  You can get a couple fun little things for $10 and under, but the real prizes (besides knowing you helped out of course) start at $50+. 

Pierce is a graphic designer and he will design an advertisement for you at $50, design a logo for $100, album cover or letterhead package for $250 or an entire site for $500 (limited to 10 people).  So basically, you're not just helping a guy's dreams come true, you're getting an insane deal on some professional graphic design for your brand/site. 

Dude.

FYI, before you wonder if he's planning to sell the car or anything like that, check out the Kick Starter page for some FAQ. The short of it, he's gonna keep it for his family and pass it on to the next generation.

Follow Up on past featured Kick Starters:

• Shaker Love still needs your help. 41% funded - 22 days to go
• My Best Khaki Pants - Success!
• Bit Parts Photographs - Success!
• Noon Design Studio - Success!
• Sound Through Sight - Success!
• Artist - Pandhandler Partnership Success!
  

This Kick Starter aims to answer a question in my own mind: What exactly is the current state of music and the music industry?

Tom Williams (writer), Sarah Mulligan (photographer) and Rahawa Haile (filmmaker) are gearing up for a "Gonzo" road trip across the country to seek out answers.  They plan to to talk to bands (small and large), record store clerks, venue owners, label managers and of course, the fans. 

So why now? Why try to understand the music industry in 2010? As they note on their Kick Starter page, every decade has been defined by a genre, but after the decline of the major music industry in the '00s (labels collapsing) and the underground scene becoming a little less underground (internet!), the possibilities for the next decade are truly endless.

Your pledges will help them publish a book they intend on writing after their trip to NYC, Richmond, Chapel Hill, Athens (GA), New Orleans, Austin (SXSW Fest), Monterrey (Mexico) and Nashville.  Plus a little towards food, gas and other amenities along the way. 

All they ask is $1400 to cover the cost and they're nearly there, but there's only 16 days left to pledge.  And as always, if you give a little, you get a little.  Give $5 and get a postcard from the road, give $15 and receive a signed paperback copy of the book and for $1000 they'll personally drive to your house to interview you for the book!

Of course, there are loads of other options so head over to the Kick Starter page and see for yourself! 

This week's Kick Starter is a woman after my own heart. It's always been a dream of mine to travel the U.S. and Janeen McCrae (aka thenoodleator) is doing just that.

Janeen is an Australian living in New York City who's about to go on a very long bike ride (with her bike "Precious)" on the TransAmerica trail.   That's 4,262 miles.

Four thousand two hundred sixty-two miles!

I know, I'm out of breath just thinking about it too.

So where do you come in?  She wants to share her adventures with us by writing a book "My Best Khaki Pants" (of course!).  The money you give will be put towards printing and shipping costs.  A small portion will go towards a special "Feed Station Reward" where she'll document food she eats along the way.

Janeen will actually be paying for the trip itself out of her own pocket.

By the way, in case you're curious what the title of the book means: "In the U.S., it's pronounced 'cacky'. And where I'm from, cacky means sh*tty, and pants means underwear. Thus rendering the sentence "I'm going to wear my best khaki pants" fantastically awesome."

Pledges start at $3 bucks so why not give that coffee money you were going to spend today?

Of course, I don't know if you've heard the rumors, but NYC living is kinda on the small side, so she simply can't bring all of her little friends.

Her goal is $5,000. You can pledge as low as $1, but $10 gets you a pair of shakers! 

Oh, and don't forget to check out the video on the project page and the Shaker Love Tumblr that includes photos and shaker narratives.