In the past few years, we've seen all kinds crowdfunded projects, from coffee roasters to forlorn lovers on different continents, we've seen it all. The great thing about this style of fundraising is that there is always a new project to be created and a new person (or people, or group) who are asking for your help to make their dreams a reality. We've rounded up the most promising projects in Denton right now and had a quick chat with the project creators. Take a look at their projects, count up your spare change, and see if any of the projects below are worthy of your hard-earned dollars.
Ben and Jade Chessman are a couple of long time Denton-dwellers who have to desire to give back to the earth and the community through farming. Ben and Jade have worked hard over the past couple of years to make their farming dreams a reality. In the age of GMO's and giant food suppliers, this is a tangible way for them to become closer with their community and really grow deeper roots. When asked about why they started Jubilee Farm Jade responded, "We know that we are not here on earth, merely to satiate our own desires and so this has led us both to want to return the blessings we have received in our lifetime, farming is a practical and beautiful way to do just that."
"We wanted to put our cards on the table and show that we believe in this thing and that's it's worth the gamble. We know that Kickstarter is unusual in that, if you don't raise every dollar to meet your goal, then you get nothing of the pledges. To us, it's not about the money, it's about the project at hand. Every pledge made is a piece of the puzzle toward the greater goal, of taking our farm to the next level so that we can feed more than just ourselves. At this point, we have everything on the line and have invested to our maximum capacity because we believe that our aim is worth it and want others to, in
a way, make the same vote of confidence in what we are doing."
Being fully funded would help Jubilee farm to purchase the farm equipment they need to grow their farm enough to serve a larger consumer base. They also hope to have the funds to hire a farm hand so that they can expand their current lot.
Eric Daino's Solo Album
According to Eric, this solo album was inspired by a desire to get back to the roots of ska music. His full time group The Holophonics plays a more modern take on the ska punk sound and he saw an opportunity to focus on the aspects of the genre that made it iconic in the 60's and 80's. Eric told us, "I want these songs to make people get up and dance, sing along, and stand up for what they believe in." Kickstarter is the crowdfunding method of choice for Eric because this really is an all or nothing situation - he can't afford to get this CD pressed without the full amount.
Happy Jack's Treehouse
The UNT Short Film Club has grown exponentially in the last few years, and has put out some really quality work. Members Zach Gonzales, Robert Tagliaferro and Matthew Spellings have gotten together to create a short film called Happy Jack's Treehouse, a short film about three inmates on death row voice acting on a children's cartoon. They knew they wouldn't be able to accomplish what their goal with the meager $300 budget they had been given. In an email about the project, Matthew Spelling told us that being fully funded, or over funded, would help provided props, costumes, craft services, equipment rentals and anything else they would need to make their short film dreams become a reality.
North Texas Now goes to Nashville
North Texas Now is a regular part of the ntTV programming that is vying to take their show on the road in the hopes of winning big and bringing home an award.
According to North Texas Now, "We decided to go to Nashville, TN because it really captures the southern culture we Texans share but with a twist. Nashville is one of the most visited cities in the U.S. and we want to capture why. North Texas Now has always kept our viewers up to date on all the latest happenings in the area. Only now, we are expanding. An 11 hour drive may be a challenge, but not impossible. It's certainly closer than L.A., Miami, New York City and other major cities."