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Most films don’t tap into moviegoer wallets until they reach theaters. But Blue Like Jazz, an adaptation of Donald Miller’s faith-based book, waged a 30-day campaign that raised $346,000 from 4,495 supporters. That allowed the film to overcome a budget shortfall and begin production yesterday in Nashville. Marshall Allman (True Blood) plays the lead role of Miller, Tania Raymonde (Lost) and Justin Welborn (The Crazies) also star. Steve Taylor is directing. The dough was raised through Kickstarter.com, and the flm’s backers claim it’s the largest crowd-sourced creative project ever. The book is about the author’s spiritual journey and the donation campaign started when the author blogged that the movie version of his book would be placed on indefinite hold because an investor fell out for $250,000. Two fans, Zach Prichard and Jonathan Frazier, created a grassroots save-the-film campaign by launching Savebluelikejazz.com. One of the film’s backers agreed to match the amount raised if it got to $125,000. That backer will match the $346,000. That gives the filmmakers an extra $450,000 that will be used for extra shooting days. The total budget of the film is $1 million. These donors won’t get their money back, but there were other incentives. The director has personally called around 300 of the donors so far, and between shots, will be logging phone time until he completes over 1000 thank you calls. Many donors will receive “associate producer” credit, which could mean the end credit roll will be longer than usual. But the filmmakers said the donors saved the movie.
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“The total budget is under $5 million”….
I was following this film on Kickstarter because I’ve used the site before to raise funds for a very low-budget project. I assumed BLUE LIKE JAZZ was under a million dollars. Certainly the filmmakers could have found a way to make this film for 3 or 4 million?
Right, because it’s so much easier to make a movie for 4 mil than <1.
Having made four films under 1 million I can say, yes, it certainly is.
He meant real movies.*
*if you’re Fleck and Bodden I apologize
way to devalue the title of Associate Producer. Some of us have to work to claim that position instead of merely cutting a check
I agree with Frank. Donors are no more Associate Producers than they are co-directors.
Somehow I doubt filmmakers desperate to just get their movie made care much about your ego.
Yeah, most have to have to make it through dentist’s school first…
Most producing credits are nonsense. It’s okay, dude.
Right, because those of us cutting checks don’t actually work? I work just as hard and probably make a hell of a lot less money than any titled Hollywood associate producer. Why is my work less valuable than yours? If I choose to use some of the money that I earned to support a movie that I want to see made, and wouldn’t be made otherwise, I am helping to produce it. Jeez.
ha! nice fake outrage over the “prestigious” Associate Producer credit…
In the great words of David Mamet: “What’s an associate producer credit?” “It’s what you give to your secretary instead of a raise.” Give me a break, Frank.
@ Frank Tien: People’s contribution to a film, be it financial or human, have merit. Why belittle others who are unwilling or unable to emulate your efforts?
Ugh. This book was so disappointing. Pretentious, self serving, and a flat out lie in some parts. The only redeeming chapter was the one where the author goes to a local liberal arts college, and opens a confessional, but instead of seeking confessions from strangers, he instead confesses his own failures to them. Lots of books deserve to be made into movies, this isn’t one of them.
I actually loved the book, but agree it’s an odd choice for a movie. There’s nothing resembling a filmic narrative in there. Hopefully they’ll prove me wrong and have a good take on it, but I’m worried.
Dear Frank -
Regardless of what you think of the Associate Producer title, it played a part in encouraging people to give to the film. It was an idea that worked, and worked well.
If my money helps a producer get the job done – then heck yes, I’m an associate.
Quit crying about it.
Cash, clearly a few thousand fans disagreed with you. The only reason this movie is being made is that the book touched countless lives. I’m sorry Blue Like Jazz didn’t affect you in the way it did many others, but again, it’s clear Miller struck a chord with many of us. And who knows…maybe you’ll enjoy the movie more than the book if you choose to check it out!
Speaking for myself (as a donor to the project), my donation wasn’t made to be given a “title” as Associate Producer or to be included in the credits. I gave and thousands of others also because I believe in the project and the filmmakers.
wow, some rather testy (and a bit envious) folks here.
The book was excellent. I realize that is my opinion, but I get to say my opinion here.
The whole “Assoc Producer” thing can easily be resolved in a quick reference check, and lets just see what it ends up taking to make this film, money-wise, before jumping down everyone’s throats.
Goodness. I’d say this gives some hope to others who may have plans for a film but can’t get conventional investor backing. Maybe even one of you on this comment list someday will use this approach to make your own film.
I’m willing to bet that many of the films that never get made are as good as many of the ones chosen by the critics as great films.
You are all sounding a lot like people from publishing companies trying to pooh-pooh authors who independently publish. It’s another option.
Awesome book!
I find it disturbing of all the negative comments. The greatest part about this piece is that regular people made this possible. People who wanted to see this movie made, and believed in the movie donated from their own money to see it happen. This is changing Hollywood, don’t be surprised if sooner or later this is a common thing for the movie industry.
You should read A Million Miles in A Thousand Years, which talks about the process of turning the book into a screenplay. The movie is not simply about what Don Miller’s experiences in Ble Like Jazz. Also, calling someone’s story lies is quite the claim. Care to back it up?
I love the book, as well as his other ones. I love what Donald Miller stands for. Funny thing to read all the controversy over a movie raising it’s necessary funds.
If it were a civil rights movement, animal welfare, or some other “cause” (believe me, I support all 3) no one would ever question the support raised.
Once I read A Million Miles in A Thousand Years, I couldn’t wait for the movie. More than a movie, it is a dream & I value that more than anything.
I have followed the campaign and don’t think I was ever promised to be categorized as anything other than a donor.
Truly, you won’t please all the people all the time, but there are enough people pleased by this to make sure it happens.
You’ve never seen a statue erected for a critic. They probably don’t donate money to make sure their movies are produced either! Being a single mom of a fatherless son for 17 yrs., this story needs to be portrayed. I salute the donors!
kudos to BLJ!
The book doesn’t have a story arc, and for that reason the movie script differs significantly from the book. Miller documented much of that process in his latest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.
Basically “Eat Pray Love” for Christian dudes…expect boffo box office.
Yeah it matters about Associate Producer. Because there were still schmucks out there whom you could convince to take it. Not any more.
Two points from someone speaking as someone who’s gonna be credited as an “Associate Producer” on the movie: (1) Clearly the title is intended to be a joke. If you were familiar with Steve Taylor’s other work, you’d realize that he has a pretty good sense of humor, and this is precisely the thing that would tickle his funny bone. And of course, he’d expect everyone with that “title” to get the joke as well. (2) Don and Steve have said that when they were putting together the Kickstarter site, they had no expectation of it actually working. I get the impression they were mostly were just trying to humor Zach and Jonathan. Consequently, I have to imagine that they pulled the “Associate Producer” title out of their . . . well, let’s just say I’m gonna wash my hands when I get mine. But here’s what I really want to know: are all of our names gonna get into IMDB?
I want my BLJ MUG!
First of all, I say… BRAVO! But what I don’t understand is how you were able to have so many investors on one project. I have raised money for films, one million and under, and was always understood that this “mass investment” technique of fund raising was against “the rules” of the SEC (Security and Exchange Commission). Would love someone connected to answer how this was possible. As for the person knocking the Assoc Producer Credit… I would have to guess… has never raised money for a film.