Kickstarter+Guidelines

UNIV 391: KICKSTARTER-eque Video

Assignment: create a 3-5 minute project proposal justifying why your solution should be backed.

In the past, if you wanted to fund a project or a cause, you had two options: 1) appeal to a small niche of interested investors or 2) write a grant. Thanks to the open source movement, we now have a third option: crowdsourcing. In 2012 platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Crowdrise and a whole list of other sites raised over $2.7 billion for projects and initiatives.

Here are some guidelines for the structure of your video:

Check out this kickstarter for a good example of a successful campaign and then do some exploring of your own on kickstarter, or see aquaponics from 2016 or any other videos from past classes. When your video is done, post it to your website. We will have a viewing and bring in some short film specialists to critique and determine which is most effective at communicating the need.
 * Introduce the team involved with the project.
 * Tell the story behind your project.
 * Share a timeline for how you plan to complete your project.
 * Include your budget — even if it’s just a rough one. A budget is proof that you’ve planned ahead.
 * Most importantly, have fun with it!
 * What problem are you trying to solve?
 * What are you creating? Is it a physical product? A center for learning? An empowerment tool? A poverty alleviating strategy?
 * Why should people care?
 * Share any progress you’ve made so far.
 * What stage are you in?
 * What are the risks and challenges the project faces?
 * And what qualifies you to overcome them?
 * Be open and honest about whatever you’re still trying to sort out.