New Projects, More Persistence: A Journey in Film Fundraising

by Alyssa Gangaram, Filmmaker and VPG Contributor

“There is nothing wrong with being seen trying.” That quote changed the way I viewed my work. I used to be a faceless artist posting sporadically on Instagram, but all that had to change when I set out on the huge endeavor of making an animated short film.

A couple of years ago, I met Ashley, and we immediately connected, creating books and many designs together. Now, I’m directing my first animated short, "Children of Light.”

This film changed the way I had to operate—from being behind the camera to now, in front of it. None of it was comfortable, and soon an even larger challenge arose: funding, or the lack of it. I knew I wanted to collaborate with a team of skilled and professional artists to create this. So, after some research, I looked at crowdfunding with determination.

Persistence in completing projects is one thing I learned by working closely with Ashley and other creative leaders. I began my Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for “Children of Light” with that in mind. The month was a blur of many things: editing and filming reels, meeting many local supporters, speaking at in-person events about the project, and more.

I didn’t know that making “Children of Light” would mean continually walking into unfamiliar territory, publicly posting progress, and pitching the project along the way. It became a consistent pattern of “if this must be the next step in the journey, ok, I’ll take that step."

Deciding to crowdfund for the short film came down to this: I either stay static in comfort and never know what this project could be… or face the unknown to change, regardless of the outcome. It was time to walk away from what was familiar.

The campaign began, and soon it was fully funded.

When you pursue something out of your comfort zone, remember that your ideas deserve care and investment. The first to believe in it must be you. So, continue cultivating your next project and invest your time, confidence, and persistence in it. Who knows where it will go, the people it may encourage, and the lives it may impact? You can only find out if you try.