Crowdfunding Video Production Workshop In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES - May 1, 2014 - PRLog -- Crowdfunding campaigns are more successful if they include video. That's the advice from crowdfunding experts, instructors, and the founders of the world’s most popular crowdfunding platforms. "If you’re like us, the first thing you do when visiting a project page is click play," writes Kickstarter on the how-to portion of its website.  "Projects with videos succeed at a much higher rate than those without (50% vs. 30%)," Kickstarter reports.

Danae Ringelmann, founder of IndieGoGo, has said in an interview, "People want to fund people, not just ideas, so it’s important for campaign owners to tell people why their project is important and about the impact that it will make on the world. A video is a great way to do this and on average, campaigns with videos raise 114% more money than those without them."

Coming in June, a one-day workshop at General Asssembly LA, in the heart of Santa Monica’s ‘Silicon Beach,’ will address the needs of crowdfunders who need to create a compelling video in support of their campaign. Workshop participants will develop ideas for their video, write a script, and deliver a crowdfunding appeal on camera. Lee Schneider, founder of Digital Fundraising School, and an instructor for the University of Southern California, will lead the intensive one-day workshop in crowdfunding video production. A representative from IndieGoGo will be on site to coach participants through the process. Production resources will be available, including a camera crew, set, professional lighting and editing support.

Crowdfunding is rapidly becoming a funding powerhouse, allowing media makers, entrepreneurs, startups and social change advocates to get backing for their ideas, put their film and video media into production and raise funding for community and global projects. More than a $1 billion has been raised on Kickstarter, with hundreds of millions also raised on platforms like IndieGoGo, Razoo, Rockethub and GoFundMe.

Many crowdfunders may face major hurdles when creating a video, however. They may lack equipment, production skills, or a good location for interviews.

"Crowdfunding videos are a breed apart," says Lee Schneider. "These sorts of videos aren't movie trailers and they aren't TED talks. They need to address the specific needs of their audience and speak to the contributor."

More information about the workshop can be found at Digital Fundraising School: http://www.digitalfundraisingschool.com/crowdfunding-vide...

More Information about Lee Schneider, Workshop Leader

Lee Schneider is a film and television producer with nearly 30 years experience in creative media making. He founded Digital Fundraising School to help media makers, designers, entrepreneurs, tech visionaries, and social change makers become better crowdfunders. He teaches media literacy and crowdfunding for USC's School of Architecture, where is he a faculty member.

More Information about Alisa Cordesius, Cause Manager at IndieGoGo

Alisa Cordesius is a UCLA alum (Class of 2009) and currently works at IndieGoGo, the world’s largest and democratic crowdfunding platform today. As Cause Vertical Manager, Alisa leads IndieGoGo’s university-driven and cause-related crowdfunding partnerships. Professionally, Alisa has worked with several international development and social entrepreneurial nonprofits including Mercy Corps, Counterpart International, and the San Francisco Parks Alliance. With an MPA in Non-profit Management from NYU Wagner School of Public Service, Alisa identifies and supports opportunities to bring the value of crowdfunding to educational communities worldwide.