“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” – Walt Disney
It shouldn’t have happened.
With just a few hours remaining to secure the last $2000 needed to meet the fundraising goal to get my newest feature film off the ground, it wasn’t looking good.
But as the hours ticked away, a steady stream of new pledges and increased donations tipped the scale in the affirmative direction. And just like that, the campaign ended with 134 backers contributing 101% of the fundraising goal.
And here’s the kicker… I’ve had people contact me after the Kickstarter campaign ended to ask if it’s too late to contribute. Kind hearted, generous folks are still showing support. Thanks be to God for showing that through Him there is no impossible.
I’ve been asked multiple times what it felt like to reach the goal in the manner I reached it. Was my head still spinning? Had I come down from the adrenaline high I was on?
Truth be told, the adrenaline was contained and my head was only spinning as it normally does in the hours after school when my kids are hyped up on whatever it is that turns them into monsters that time of day.
With the Kickstarter campaign moving along as slowly as it was the first several weeks, I had resigned to the idea that the ends may not have been as important as the means. All along, I felt convicted that $8000 was the amount to ask for. Believe me, I wanted to lower it to make it more attainable, but I had a serenity about me that assured me $8000 was the amount for which to reach.
When it looked unattainable, I assumed God wanted me to go through the process for reasons beyond securing the finances. Maybe it was the connections I’d make through the campaign or announcing to the public I was going to do this project or just a reminder that I cannot do things on my own.
And it was all those things.
Plus the money.
So I got that going for me. Which is nice.
Apologies to Bill Murray.
Anyway… I was really at peace with whatever would come about from the whole Kickstarter experience. Coming up short of the goal would have been a huge setback, but it wouldn’t have killed the project. Maybe just delayed it a year or two. As it is, now I’m hopeful I can move into production in the summer of 2013 which was the hope all along. Still no guarantees, but with money to pay my lawyer and put into marketing and meetings and oh-so-many other expenses, I’m ready to shift into the next gear.
Walt Disney really did accomplish the impossible in his relatively short life in this world. He may not have attributed his successes to the One I know was responsible, but Disney set a good example nonetheless – go out and DO something. Don’t wait until somebody else gives you permission. The more impossible those around you say something is, the more rewarding it will be to prove them all wrong.
At least I know for sure there are 134* people out there who believe I can accomplish the impossible. I thank God for each and every one of them.
* Though 134 backers are listed on Kickstarter, many of those backers are couples or families, so I know the number of supporters is greater than 134. Plus, the handful of angels who have given money after the Kickstarter campaign ended. And there were a few people who found non-monetary ways to show support. I just thought it sounded good to put a number in that delineation, in spite of the slight manipulation. Maybe there’s a political career ahead for me…
