Opinions about Crowd Sourcing Anime

[bhl88]

(couldn't put this in Upcoming Series since it's not a series yet)

Kick-Heart

Originally Posted by Kick-Heart

During the mid 80’s and 90’s Japanese animation directors, such as Mamoru Oshii, pioneered a new era of animation. Their films inspired animation fans around the world, including many well known Hollywood film directors.

Recently in Japan, its been very difficult for the next generation of innovators to create more artistically driven projects-- mainly because of the economic situation in Japan. Most of the focus has been put on creating projects that carry less risk-- such as remakes of older animation projects or well-known established properties.

So we had an idea: What if we use Kickstarter as a platform to connect the fans across the globe who want to see cutting-edge animation, with highly skilled anime directors? By using crowdfunding to help support and promote these talented directors, we can enable them to push the boundaries of anime to inspire others to innovate alongside them.

This is a bit of an experiment for us, and we are trying to see if is possible to make these types of artistically driven films with the help of crowd-funding. If this goes well, we would definitely like to pursue more projects like this in the future.

So what do you think of this method of funding (I have some doubts that it can be used for funding larger projects [the ones in TV] unless it can be done in part [ex: 50% funded by production and 50% done by crowdsourcing])?

[NoemiChan]

The hard part is how to convince potential funders to actual open their wallet to a project they don't know whether they will like it or not.

But I think $1 wouldn't hurt ones budget.....

[bhl88]

Well they have put up videos and design and wrote the premise, so won't that count as well?

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by bhl88

(couldn't put this in Upcoming Series since it's not a series yet)

Kick-Heart



So what do you think of this method of funding (I have some doubts that it can be used for funding larger projects [the ones in TV] unless it can be done in part [ex: 50% funded by production and 50% done by crowdsourcing])?

Only if you don't mind losing money.

[NoemiChan]

Originally Posted by bhl88

Well they have put up videos and design and wrote the premise, so won't that count as well?

I see. Then I pray for the best.

[Marcus H.]

The problem is not about the decision of donating $1 to the project. It's about how the anime would be welcomed by the very people who donated. If this project doesn't turn out to be as good as it was hyped about, then it would undermine the success of projects that follow the same formula.

For me, how the story is presented comes as a bit hipsterish, and thus, is an instant turn-off.

[NoemiChan]

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

The problem is not about the decision of donating $1 to the project. It's about how the anime would be welcomed by the very people who donated. If this project doesn't turn out to be as good as it was hyped about, then it would undermine the success of projects that follow the same formula.

For me, how the story is presented comes as a bit hipsterish, and thus, is an instant turn-off.

If it were funding for a sequel of FMP, I'll donate instantly....

[bhl88]

This one is still an experiment though (they are checking how successful it is before they consider crowd sourcing)

But that's the cons of crowd sourcing. If the show sucks, then most likely people would be wary of donating.

Originally Posted by GenjiChan

If it were funding for a sequel of FMP, I'll donate instantly....

I'd donate to Nanoha or Madoka (a better sequel than StrikerS).

[NoemiChan]

Originally Posted by bhl88

But that's the cons of crowd sourcing. If the show sucks, then most likely people would be wary of donating.

A little spoiling about the plot would be either good or bad....

[bhl88]

Originally Posted by GenjiChan

A little spoiling about the plot would be either good or bad....

Like this?
Kick-Heart is a love story between Romeo, a successful pro-wrestler, and Juliet, a nun who lives a secret double-life as a female pro-wrestler. Romeo's secret is that he enjoys taking a beating in the ring, while Juliet feels invigorated when facing her opponents as a wrestler. When the two meet in the ring, the fireworks fly. Their story is set in the colorful backdrop of the professional wrestling world. Will Juliet reveal her true identity to the one she loves? Will Romeo be able to share his secret to the world?

The film is directed by one of Japan's most innovative and original animation directors, Masaaki Yuasa.

[NoemiChan]

Originally Posted by bhl88

Like this?
Kick-Heart is a love story between Romeo, a successful pro-wrestler, and Juliet, a nun who lives a secret double-life as a female pro-wrestler. Romeo's secret is that he enjoys taking a beating in the ring, while Juliet feels invigorated when facing her opponents as a wrestler. When the two meet in the ring, the fireworks fly. Their story is set in the colorful backdrop of the professional wrestling world. Will Juliet reveal her true identity to the one she loves? Will Romeo be able to share his secret to the world?

The film is directed by one of Japan's most innovative and original animation directors, Masaaki Yuasa.

The Ending?

[bhl88]

That's just the intro to the plot.

[NoemiChan]

Originally Posted by bhl88

That's just the intro to the plot.

* closes wallet.

I see....

[bhl88]

It's only an experimental plot XD

[TinyRedLeaf]

I see this as an innovative idea that deserves to be supported. At first glance, it doesn't seem that donors are expected to part with a lot of money, so even if the project does bomb, donors won't really lose much. Or rather, they stand to lose only as much as they chose to donate.

As for the project's premise, of course it should be something cutting edge and well out there on the fringe. If the team stuck with a "sure-fire" hit, then what's the point of the whole idea? The project members might as well stick with the same formula that sells mainstream anime. You know, more of the moe that everyone apparently hates.

[Random32]

I would definitely donate. 4kUSD towards getting Katawa Shoujo animated by KyoAni! Anyone? Please!

Anyways...

I think this would actually result in MORE adaptations rather than new original works. I'm much more likely to put money toward something that I have some idea of how it's going to turn out instead of something more unknown like an original work.

From the "FMP Sequel" etc comments here, I think most people agree.

As for the project's premise, of course it should be something cutting edge and well out there on the fringe. If the team stuck with a "sure-fire" hit, then what's the point of the whole idea? The project members might as well stick with the same formula that sells mainstream anime. You know, more of the moe that everyone apparently hates.

I think there will be more variety, not original variety, but adaptations that are risky to do (e.g. more FMP), might have a higher chance of getting animated since its being paid for in advance.

[bhl88]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

I see this as an innovative idea that deserves to be supported. At first glance, it doesn't seem that donors are expected to part with a lot of money, so even if the project does bomb, donors won't really lose much. Or rather, they stand to lose only as much as they chose to donate.

As for the project's premise, of course it should be something cutting edge and well out there on the fringe. If the team stuck with a "sure-fire" hit, then what's the point of the whole idea? The project members might as well stick with the same formula that sells mainstream anime. You know, more of the moe that everyone apparently hates.

Or the designs can fool you, ex: Madoka

[Marcus H.]

I would definitely donate. 4kUSD towards getting Katawa Shoujo animated by KyoAni! Anyone? Please!

I'd prefer P.A. Works for their awesome imagery and scenery porn. (Second place probably goes to SHAFT for every more imagery.)

I think this would actually result in MORE adaptations rather than new original works. I'm much more likely to put money toward something that I have some idea of how it's going to turn out instead of something more unknown like an original work.

I dunno what to say to this. Of course, this can help the production teams by predicting which series would be liked by fan based on donations, but the production process itself shouldn't rely exclusively on donations.

This may fail as an exclusive way to get budget, but it may end up doing a completely different approach.

[bhl88]

Or a collab: KyoAni x SHAFT x P.A. Works. KyoAni's moe faces, SHAFT's direction and P.A. works scenery porn

Goal of 175k has been reached.

[Triple_R]

It's an interesting concept.

But like TRL said, for it to work, it has to be pretty cutting-edge, and at least somewhat different from what one could consider "conventional anime".


Ultimately, this is the sort of thing that will sink or swim depending on how it's first two or three significant efforts go. If it produces a couple reasonably profitable and well-received anime, then yeah, it could start a very nice wave.

I wouldn't want it to replace the current system entirely though, as I wouldn't want the anime industry to turn into something like an endless telethon asking for support.