Biracy Watch

Sellsumers - the next entrepreneurial wave?

2010-04-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across an article headline that used a term I was unfamiliar with: 'Sellsumers'. It caught my attention - the opening paragraph reads thusly: "In Trendwatching.com’s latest briefing report, the independent trend observation firm believes it has spotted a new trend. It claims that during these recessionary times, many ordinary consumers will increasingly become a new class of

SoKap is accepting projects!

2010-04-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Great news for film makers and indeed, creative projects everywhere! Listed on SoKap co-founder Dave Geertz's blog today: "The Biracy Project and its technology platform SoKap is now ready to begin working with other producers of media. Our platform is moving to its next stage of BETA development and we are looking for films (features and/or shorts), transmedia projects, graphic novels, gamers,

The SoKap Survey for Creative People

2010-03-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

The SoKap platform designers are looking for ways to ensure that the platform they create matches the needs of its users. So if you're a creative-type, looking for a way to start getting attention and funding for your project, head here and fill out this short survey.

Dave Geertz Answers Questions From Lucy Temple

2010-03-07T16:49:00.000-08:00

Screenwriter Lucy Temple has asked some excellent questions of Biracy CEO Dave Geertz, which he answers in a short video. I've summed up the q&a period here, but I do recommend watching the video for more details on each question. 1. What happens if you don't reach your minimum financial goal? A budget of $500,000 is the required minimum goal to actually begin the movie. The ideal goal is to

A video explaining how Crowdfunding works in The Biracy Project

2010-02-28T16:56:00.000-08:00

A new video from the Biracy gang explaining what crowdfunding is (and ISN'T) and how it is applied to the various membership models.

Screenwriting Contest about to Begin!!

2010-02-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

Have you written a science fiction screenplay that's gathering mothballs instead of getting made into a kick ass film? Here's your chance: from March 1-31, 2010, the biracy project is accepting completed scripts. The winning script will go down in history as the first film made using the SoKap funding model, oh, and the scriptwriter will get money... and glory. So brush off those scripts and

Live Event: March 10, 2010 in Winnipeg, Canada

2010-02-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

The National Screen Institute of Canada have invited Jon Reiss & David Geertz to host a panel discussion on film marketing, distribution & finance in the digital age. The venue is to be confirmed, but you can learn more about on this facebook page.

SciFi Brainstorming

2010-02-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

Checking out the Biracy facebook page, I'm loving all the science fiction terminology being thrown around as they ramp us up. I'm a big fan of the sci fi genre. I love its capacity for representing life with alternate histories and/or outcomes. Just for fun I'm going copy some of the listed terms in here: Dystopian self assembling molecular ram teleportation spacetime contiuum Lorentzian

Ross L Pruden writes up an interview with Dave Geertz about Crowdfunding

2010-02-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

Check out this great article that gets into the nitty gritty of the SoKap crowdfunding model and how it is being applied to the Biracy project. Clearly Mr Pruden decided that Biracy has the right attitude and a successful approach because he makes the statement that he too has now taken up a membership.

Liz Hover of the National Screen Institute interviews Dave Geertz

2010-02-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

Want to hear exactly what Biracy is about directly from one of the founders? Listen to this great interview. Liz asks Dave where the idea came from and why it is so revolutionary and why he's excited about it.

So what is SoKap?

2010-02-01T17:43:00.000-08:00

It says everywhere that the Biracy Project is a pilot project. But for what and who cares? According to the blurb on the Biracy site, it is the first film project to engage the unique funding model of the SoKap platform. SoKap stands for Social Kapitalist, a cute play on capitalism, which at some level we're all into whether we like it or not. It builds on the belief that everyone who puts

Production Feed #5 - About the Collaborative Process

2010-01-12T17:08:00.000-08:00

The fifth video from the biracy team is a talk with Jason Bourque and Dave Geertz about collaborating with the 'crowd' (the members). Much of this discussion has come about as a result of communication sent to Dave about the idea of this involvement of the crowd in the creative process. Jason points out that as a director, his role is often collaborative; with the actors, the writers, the crew.

Promo of a film directed by Jason Bourque

2010-01-12T16:45:00.000-08:00

Just cruising Jason's facebook profile and watching some of the trailers for work he's already done. I was mightily impressed with a recent project, a documentary called 'Shadow Company' that he co-directed with Nick Bicanic. Great trailer, and a really excellent journalistic angle. Check it out here: And you can get a copy of the DVD here.

Summary of Weekly Q&A #1 with Dave Geertz of Biracy

2010-01-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

This Question and Answer video session was extremely helpful for me. It is no suprise that as a start up, the Biracy team faces a multitude of priorities clamouring for immediate attention. Using the video format to respond directly to salient questions is a great way of getting the right information out there and clearly indicating that the team are indeed listening to what members and critics

Meet the Composer - Alain Mayrand

2010-01-07T10:26:00.001-08:00

Members are introduced to the very talented composer Alain Mayrand in biracy production feed #4. See the full interview in the members only section of biracy.com. Here's the trailer to tempt you:

Director Jason Bourque Announced

2010-01-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

Biracy production feed #3 is posted on the members section of biracy.com Here is the trailer, to whet your appetite: Jason is introduced as the director of the first biracy project film as he talks with founder Dave Geertz about his passion for the genre of science fiction. More info about Jason's accomplishments can be found on imdb, here. If you're on facebook you can check out his page

Calling all questions!

2010-01-05T23:30:00.000-08:00

Just posted on facebook is a request: "Send in any questions regarding the project by tomorrow and we'll answer them in our latest video feed" If you're part of the facebook group, you can just message directly there. Otherwise, click here to go to the contact page.

And the genre is..... Sci Fi

2010-01-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

I've just sat down and watched a slew of the production feeds on the biracy site and I'm excited to find out that the genre will be sci-fi. I love science fiction. I love it's capacity for projecting alternate realities. It can be totally escapist and fun, or it can be hardline and sobering. I love it when it is cheesy, and when it is totally believable. The first biracy project film will be

A Biracy Event - Live!

2010-01-04T22:51:00.000-08:00

Anyone in Vancouver who wants to know more about this project? Mark January 11, 2010 7:30pm on your calendars Location: The Electric Avenue Building Theater 933 Hornby St Vancouver, British Columbia v6z 3g4 Canada Topic: An Introduction to the emerging world of crowdfunding, crowdsourcing and audience building for indie films. Web details here

Biracy Invitation Codes

2010-01-03T21:49:00.000-08:00

So how does one get involved in this project? Well there's this neat little hook that the founders have developed. You have to know someone. Or at least someone's code. It's not as pretentious as knowing someone to get into the hottest nightclub.. this is about rewarding people for promoting this project. The massive popularity of social networking indicates that people are indeed telling

The Crowdfunding Concept isn't new...

2010-01-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

So it's new to me. But then I've never personally had to consider raising millions of dollars to complete something. A few not-so-in-depth probes online have shown me that this capital-raising method is not only successful, it is being used for some very interesting projects. Such as journalism: US company Spot.us has developed a site for collecting contributions that would fund artciles to

Who else is talking Biracy?

2010-01-03T20:39:00.000-08:00

Seems only sensible to check out what others have to say about this project. I've said I'm keen. Here are a few others (some with much more industry awareness than I) who support: 21 Great Free Thinkers of Indie Film By Ted Hope Published: December 28, 2009 Crowdfunding Indie Film: Biracy (Case Study) By Lisa Temple Published: January 1, 2010 Biracy - It's a Revolution in Film Funding! By

What it's all about: The Biracy Manifesto and Press Release

2010-01-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

From the Biracy Project's website: And here is the Press Release, officially announcing what this is all about!

Why Am I Blogging Here?

2010-01-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

So, let's get this part clear. I am an average gal. I don't work in film, or its financing industry. I'm an architectural illustrator by trade, a frustrated artist by nature, and I dream of one day building my own home. Why do I say this? Well, I hope it gives scope as to why this project excites me. You see I like films - I like seeing them in the theatre, and I LOVE curling up at home