A COUPLE who want to make an independent film here in the Isle of Man are still hoping to get their project off the ground if sufficient funding can be raised.
Elizabeth Arends, whose parents live on the sea front in Douglas, and boyfriend Richard Sanderson launched a funding bid for the film on the internet website Kickstarter.
They hoped to raise £12,000 to make their film Longtails, based on a screenplay by Alex Hamilton which was to be filmed in Derby Square using as much Manx talent as possible.
‘Unfortunately we didn’t meet our target on Kickstarter. We did really well raising £6,100 however, as we didn’t meet our target we didn’t receive a penny and nobody was charged,’ Ms Arends said.
But she said they were so encouraged by the support they had re-launched on their own website instead – {http://www.longtails.co.uk|www.longtails.co.uk}
Supporters can pledge money to support the film and claim a variety of rewards in return. Possible donations start at about £1 with higher pledges bringing rewards, for instance a £10 pledge, gets a download of the completed film and for £750 you can be an extra.
‘All the money will go directly into making the film, and we won’t be paying out a massive 10 per cent to Kickstarter if we make our target.
‘Our plan is to lower costs as much as possible, by looking at equipment we can possibly get cheaper and things we can make and create rather than buy, and hopefully we will gain the same if not more interest on our website.
‘We have also launched an Investors section where people can buy shares in the company so hopefully that will generate interest too.’
If all goes according to plan, they will shoot the film in mid February.
‘We are both very determined and just believe this is a great starting point.
‘The island is so beautiful and we have had so many positive responses from the Equity Branch for Actors, media facilities and people wishing us luck that this could just be the start for creating exciting new independent films,’ she said.
Ms Arends said they planned to hold auditions in the island and look for cast and crew.
For more details see their website or email {mailto:movie@longtails.co.uk|movie(at)longtails.co.uk}
‘It would be nice to give people the chance to be involved,’ she said.
