The Riddle : A film made with public funding!

SEEKING SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND WELL WISHERS!

Dear friends

Greetings.

I am a filmmaker, media activist and festival director currently based in Chennai. I have made 18 documentaries so far including SHIT, SERUPPU, NOTES FROM THE CREMATORIUM, RADIATION STORIES (3 PART SERIES), MERCURY IN THE MIST AND THODARUM NEETHI KOLAIGAL. My films have won many awards, were and are screened at many festivals, screenings, workshops and film schools.

I conduct film screenings, film festivals and film workshops regularly as well.

To know more about my films and my work please visit: http://amudhanrp.blogspot.in

I have always made documentaries using public money. 50% of the expenses will be contributed by the friends and well wishers. 50% of the contribution will be from me which includes equipment (camera, editing set up), physical work, cinematography, editing and direction.

This mode has helped to me make films the way I wanted to and on the topic or issues that I chose. I believed/ believe in taking the films to the public directly and to screen them - which I have done to all my films consistently.

Profit making has never been a motivation behind my films. I wanted to make films, screen them as much possible, or distribute as much as possible.

I have never applied for any funding from any private or public institution. It has been my choice.

Now I am making my feature film. It is called  "The Riddle". It is about 3 men and their sexualities.

The film will give an inside view of men's secret sex world which is filled with frustration, anxiety, insecurity and jealousy. Through the process we can understand and discuss men's hangover and hypocrisy about sexuality. It will help us to problematise and deconstruct the myths and mysteries that surround masculinities.

I would like to raise money for the film (approximately Rs.40 lakh/ 80,000 US dollars) from the public. I would like to request my friends and well wishers to support the film.

You can send a cheque or a Demand Draft (R.Amudhan payable at Madurai), or you can deposit in my bank account (R.Amudhan, Indian Overseas Bank; 21330 0000 11705) or you can contribute through the website (www.theriddlefilm.com) or through crowd funding platforms (Indiegogo or by contributing in person with cash.

The minimum amount can be Rs.500  (10 US dollars). The maximum amount can be Rs. 5000 (100 US dollars).

Whatever money raised for the film will be used under the following headings:

1) Script writing (consultancy, research, dialogues)

2) Pre production ( casting, location, rehearsal, teasers)

3) Production (shooting: rent of equipment, remuneration for the crew and cast, costumes, set, travel, food, stay, location rents,

4) Post production (editing, sound design, digital intermediate)

The money raised for the film will be accounted and displayed in the website (www.theriddlefilm.com) for the public.

We will aim to release the film across the country.

The profit that we earn from the film will be used to make more such low budget, engaging and challenging films.

Amudhan R.P.
Director/producer
The Riddle

Shooting plan!

Our feature film "The Riddle" will be shot in 3 cities.

It is about 3 men.

A will be set in Chennai.

B will be set in Hyderabad.

C will be set in Bangalore.


Pedestrian Pictures, Bangalore has come forward to co produce the Bangalore portion of the film.

Amudhan R.P.
Director/producer
The Riddle

Why Crowd Funding?

Why crowd funding?

There are many ways to raise money for a film. You can pool in your personal money either from your savings or by selling your property. You can take a loan from a bank or a government or private financier. You can go for an institutional funding from a corporate company or a government. You can approach a producer or a production company who can produce the film.

Going to the public for contribution is a tough, prolonged and labored but a democratic method. It is also a political statement.

Firstly the filmmaker starts talking about the project while raising the money from the public. A discussion is initiated on the theme even before the film is being made. After all, discussion is the aim behind making the film.

Secondly the filmmaker who chooses the crowd funding method for fund raising becomes independent of any corporate or government funding which has got its own agenda. You may agree or disagree with the agenda. But the filmmaker has not become part of any campaign voluntarily or involuntarily.

Thirdly the filmmaker's artistic freedom is respected in this crowd funding method, where it is the creative drive of the filmmaker is the only force that operates behind the film. It is the filmmaker who decides the theme, form, cast and crew of the film.

Fourthly all of us become the joint producers of the film by contributing to the film. It is like a community coming together to build a house or to cut a tank or to organize a festival. Any community activity is welcome in this acute privatized and "liberalized" ambiance which allows us to think and plan a process together.


Finally, this crowd funding method allows and gives space to anyone who aspires to make films or to do anything constructively irrespective of their background, or connections or limitations! This method is a tried and tested one where all of us can take part creatively and constructively.

Welcome to crowd funding!

Amudhan R.P.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-riddle/x/3874825