By Alex O’Hara
In scenario that would be perfect for a film script, Taika Waititi has just 12 days to raise over $63,000 so he can release his movie Boy in the United States.
Using the funding website Kickstarter, the Kiwi director has already raised $23,000 of the $90,000 he needs to get the movie released.
“Putting the film out there and getting people to see it is actually very expensive, so a typical Hollywood film would possibly spend up to the same budget of what the film cost to make on advertising,” says Waititi.
Despite raking in over nine million dollars so far, Boy has not generated enough money to promote the film in America and internet piracy is making it increasingly tough for movies to make money.
“The DVD business which was the default way of earning money is shrinking and shrinking and disappearing for reasons we all know, and the downloading process has not evolved in a way that will earn money,” says Lindsay Shelton, former New Zealand Film Commission marketing director.
Ms Shelton says if anyone can break into the American market, though, Waititi can.
“I think Taika’s the most innovative marketer I know. He has great charm and charisma and while I’ve never heard of anyone in New Zealand doing this before, I really congratulate him in trying to do it,” says Ms Shelton.
And with only 12 days to raise over $63,000, trying is the only thing left to do.
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