Peter Young Writes For You

This column was originally published in the Central Western Daily on Tuesday 9th July 2013.

Have you got $10* burning a hole in your pocket? Well, here are a few exciting crowdfunding ventures that could do with your dosh. Best of all, they come with some sweet rewards too.

Great Scott!! It’s hard to believe that Back to the Future will be celebrating its 30^th anniversary in October 2015. Filmmaker Jason Aron has big plans for a documentary examining the cultural impact of Robert Zemeckis’ franchise which spawned three films and launched Michael J. Fox to motion picture stardom. Back in Time will premiere at the We’re Going Back celebration to be staged in Hollywood in 2 years time. For $10 you’ll assist with raising the $33 120 required for the project and receive a digital download in HD of the final film. Think of it as buying yourself a little present and sending it forward to 2015. How’s that for time travel? Of course, if you have a spare $4000 lying around you can earn yourself an executive producer’s credit on the documentary. You’ll find this project on kickstarter.com.

Artist Clint Cure in Melbourne wants to produce an unauthorised comic book biography of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. Why? Who cares? It’s Peter Jackson with all his hobbitty goodness in comic book form. Cure began his animation career with Walt Disney Studios in Sydney and needs a measly $250 to get his project off the ground. For $10, you’ll get a printed copy of the comic delivered to your door, signed by the artist. You can support this project on pozible.com.

I bet you’ve never heard of actor Jesse Heiman, but I also bet you have seen his work. Jesse is one of the most prolific extras working in Hollywood today and you’ll catch glimpses of him in Old School, Catch Me If You Can, American Pie, Spider-Man, The Social Network and the TV series Chuck, amongst many others. With his rotund figure, curly hair and glasses, he’s pretty hard to miss once you know his face. Magic Happens Productions, based in LA, are hoping to make a feature length documentary, Jessie Heiman: World’s Greatest Extra, which will follow a year in the life of the actor. For $10, you’ll contribute towards the $65 000 budget for principal photography and get acknowledged with a shout out on twitter and facebook, plus gain access to the exclusive production blog. If getting officially listed on IMDb is a priority for you, $10 000 will make you an executive producer. This project is on kickstarter.com.

Lastly, Brisbanite Robin Bristow has invented a set of useful kitchen funnels. Bigmouth Funnels pack flat and unlike standard funnels, have a wide mouth that allows you to refill almost anything. With several design awards under his belt, Robin is seeking $5000 to fund a new manufacturing process. For just $10, you’ll get a small and large funnel sent to you, and help an Australian designer on pozible.com.