You know, there was a time when it was illegal, and fairly immoral, to offer to give a person a role in a film only after they paid you for that role.  I don’t know when, where, or why this process changed. But, look at all the films that are seeking financing on crowd funding platforms like GoFundMe and indiegogo and it goes on all the time.
 
I don’t know if there’s really anything wrong in that process. I mean, so many people come to Hollywood seeking the dream of being in a film. Then, they pay tons of money to get headshots, they pay to take acting classes, they dream of getting an agent, but none of that guarantees them a role in a film. The funding sites do, however. So???
 
I know, way back in the way back when, when Don Jackson and I were casting films all the time, we had these offices in North Hollywood, and we were just deluged with people coming at us all the time wanting a role in a film. Some felt they really deserved it. But, I won’t get into that. At least not right now. Sometimes, before we had even decided if we were going to cast a person or not, they would ask, “How much does it pay?” Our (joking) response would always be, “How much are you going to pay us to put you in a film?”
 
The funding websites are an interesting tool. I know some people who have raised a lot of money to make their movie on them. I’ve also encountered a few who have set up a page just to get the money and run. Personally, I’ve put some money into people’s films that I did not personally know and that was the last I heard from them. I’ve also put some financing into projects that did become very real. So, it’s a crap shoot. …And, I’ve watched as some established filmmakers put up a page and got next to nothing? So, what is the formula?
 
People come at me sometimes, questioning why don’t I put up a page to get money to finance another film like, Max Hell Frog Warrior, Samurai Vampire Bikers from Hell, Roller Blade Seven, and the like. But, I have long understood the paradox of Zen Filmmaking. Ask yourself, “Would you give me any money to make a film?” My guess is, probably not. And, if you would be willing to give me some money to make a film, would it be enough to actually make that movie?

…Sure, some of you may like to watch the films. Some of you may even make money by writings about and criticizing the films. But, are you willing to give me money to make the films?

I mean, authors have even written chapters in books about my film and me. Same with Don. So???
 
Speaking of Don… Don Jackson, my Zen Filmmaking brother, was a very different person than I. He came from an era in filmmaking of that is what people did, seek out financing. Then, once you get it, you shoot the movie. I’ve never been about that, however. I’ve never asked anyone for a dime to shoot my films. I have worked with some people who have happily supplied their time, their talent, their locations, and stuff like that. But, that was a mutual creative effort. And, I was very thankful for their contribution.
 
But, getting back to Don, I’m sure he would have loved the crowd funding era, where people paid to be credited as a producer, a cast member, a whatever…
 
I don’t know, it’s an interesting ballgame. A game with only the most fluctuant of rules. Yeah, getting free money must be nice—money to make that film you want to make. Give a person a screen credit, give them a role in the film, sure whatever. Why not? But, who really has the money to make that difference—that money and is willing to give it to someone else? As established as I am, I really doubt anyone would flock to any crowd funding page I would set up. But, to all you people out there who have suggested it, thanks for thinking about me!