Renowned filmmaker Randall Miller is embarking on a unique and innovative project to finance his latest film venture, “Bottle Shock: The Animated Film.” Miller, best known for directing movies such as “Bottle Shock” and the ill-fated “Midnight Rider,” is now turning to decentralized methods, specifically crypto funding, to bring his vision to life.
Miller’s production company, Unclaimed Freight, has joined forces with Funded, a crypto fundraising platform that allows individuals to buy equity stakes in projects through NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). The plan is to allow holders of “Bottle Shock” NFTs to participate in the animated film’s profits based on their investment size.
This crypto-funded reboot of “Bottle Shock” will be an animated recreation of the original film’s cast and sets, featuring singalongs to famous songs from the ’70s and ’80s. Although Miller is not directing the animated film himself, he is producing the project alongside filmmaker and animator Michael Davis.
As an independent filmmaker, Miller sees this decentralized approach as an exciting opportunity to bring his creative vision to life with the support and enthusiasm of an engaged audience. By allowing fans and investors to be part of the funding process, Miller believes it could revolutionize the film industry.
While other film and television projects have also explored using NFTs to raise production budgets, some have faced scrutiny from regulators. The recent enforcement action by the US Securities and Exchange Commission against “Stoner Cats” highlighted the need for projects to adhere to securities regulations.
Despite this, Miller remains undeterred, stating that they are treating NFT holders as investors, even if they can’t technically be called investors. Their goal is to raise $1.5 million worth of Ethereum to compensate the film’s creators, original actors, and voice actors for the reuse of their voices.
Nevertheless, there are certain challenges in recontextualizing performances, particularly for actors who have passed away. Alan Rickman, who starred in the original “Bottle Shock” and is fondly remembered for his role as Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” films, will be featured in the animated reboot through the use of archived audio. However, a different artist will provide the singing voice for his character.
Miller is confident that “Bottle Shock: The Animated Film” will not only recover its production budget but also attract the attention of streaming platforms such as Amazon or Hulu. If not, the film will be submitted to film festivals to generate positive buzz before attempting to secure a streaming deal.
Funded operates on an “all or nothing” crowdfunding model, meaning projects must meet their fundraising goals within 30 days. If the target is not reached, all funds raised are automatically reimbursed to backers to protect their investment.
“Bottle Shock: The Animated Musical” began its fundraising campaign on the Funded platform recently. While it’s currently in the early stages, with just 0.036 ETH (approximately $57) raised, Miller is optimistic that curiosity will drive interest and support for his unconventional project.
By exploring decentralized funding methods and engaging with crypto enthusiasts, Randall Miller aims to fund his artistic endeavors and create a truly unique film experience. The success of “Bottle Shock: The Animated Film” could pave the way for future independent filmmakers to revolutionize film financing in the digital age.
