ReelChanges generates money for filmmakers and journalists with important stories to tell.
If you are a documentary filmmaker with a project that needs support or attention, please read this FAQ and our Guidelines for Filmmakers and then, if you believe you qualify, please submit your project description and trailer to our site.
Following you'll find our initial FAQ that explains the basics for how this site works. If you have more detailed questions, please send an email to [email protected]. We'll do our best to get back to you as quickly as possible.
FAQ | General
What is ReelChanges.org?
ReelChanges.org facilitates public micro-financing of quality-screened documentary projects.
Is ReelChanges.org a for-profit business?
No. ReelChanges.org is owned and operated by the Center for Media Change, Inc., a 501c3, non-profit organization based in Palo Alto, California. Donations made to individual documentary projects through this website are fully tax-deductible.
What is the mission of the Center for Media Change, Inc.?
The mission of the Center for Media Change, Inc. is to improve our culture by enabling the creation and distribution of more high-quality documentaries.
In addition to documentary makers, what other groups or organizations can use ReelChanges.org to build support and raise money for their high-quality journalism projects?
ReelChanges is currently accepting applications from existing media organizations, including commercial broadcasting networks and stations, public television networks and stations, Internet broadcasting stations, radio networks and stations, commercial publishers and others interested in operating their own "Showcase" on ReelChanges.org, which is essentially a channel. ReelChanges Showcase operators are responsible for the content in their showcase and receive 100 percent of the proceeds. For information on applying for a ReelChanges.org showcase please email [email protected].
FAQ | For documentary filmmakers
Can anyone submit a documentary project to ReelChanges.org?
Yes. Anyone can submit a documentary project to ReelChanges.org. However, submitted projects must be reviewed and approved by ReelChanges.org before they are published on the site.
How can a filmmaker ensure best possible screening quality of the uploaded video?
ReelChanges tries it best to ensure a high screening quality of the video uploaded by a filmmaker. However in certain cases, if for any reason, the screening quality is not good, we suggest you to export the original high resolution- high quality video "without altering the original aspect ratio". While doing so, please consider the following specifications:
Resolution: 560x315 (for 16:9 aspect ratio) or 640x480 (for a 4:3 aspect ratio)
Format: Flash Video (.flv) or AVI (Non-DivX), MPG, MPEG, MP4 and MOV
Video bit rate: 800k or the best one supported by the software used
Audio sampling frequency: 44100 Hertz
Audio bit rate: 32k
ReelChanges.org publishes only "quality-screened" documentary projects. What does that mean?
ReelChanges.org exists to support high-quality documentary projects. In order to advance the mission of the organization, ReelChanges.org evaluates documentary submissions on four general criteria:
- The documentary project must make a contribution to cultural or artistic or educational expression.
- The documentary project must follow 501c3 legal requirements that prohibit partisan advocacy related to specific local, state or federal legislative actions or elections.
- The project must have experienced and capable leadership and/or equivalent mentoring or institutional support. ReelChanges.org makes an assessment of the professional qualifications of the documentary producer and/or project personnel. This assessment includes a review of a combination of factors including the professional qualifications, associations, affiliations and experience of the documentary maker(s) and/or their team and/or current professional references, such as letters of support from instructors at film and media arts instructional institutions, as well as the status of the project at the time it is submitted. Preference is given to applicants with strong professional qualifications and track records, as well as to projects that are already in production. To the degree possible, ReelChanges.org seeks to protect the public from making contributions to projects that are not fully and accurately described or if there are reasons to doubt the project will be completed as promised.
- The project as described must adhere to the accepted professional standards consistent with ethical journalism, including fairness, accuracy and the avoidance of undisclosed conflicts of interest.
Does ReelChanges.org publish all submitted documentary projects?
No. ReelChanges.org will not publish project submissions if they:
- Fail to make a contribution to cultural or artistic or educational expression.
- Advocate or oppose candidates or positions in specific elections.
- Promote or incite hate or bigotry or if they are pornographic, legally obscene or propagandistic.
ReelChanges.org will also not publish submitted projects that lack sufficient professional leadership and/or support to ensure a reasonable likelihood the project will be completed as described. The project applicants that are rejected will be given the specific reasons for the rejection and have the opportunity to resubmit their project after a six-week waiting period, unless special arrangements are approved by the site editor.
How much does ReelChanges.org charge documentary makers to use this service?
ReelChanges.org offers its online project display and fundraising services free of charge, including no commissions on funds raised, for all documentary projects accepted for posting on our site before December 31, 2008. We hope and are working to extend our "no-commissions or charges" policy to filmmakers beyond that time. Our goal is to empower documentary makers, not exploit them.
How Does ReelChanges process payments and how much does that cost?
ReelChanges.org uses Google Merchant to process credit card payments. All major credit cards are accepted. Google Merchant has agreed to waive the usual credit card transaction processing fees for qualified non-profit organizations such as ReelChanges.org until Jan. 1, 2009. That means there are currently ZERO transaction fees. 100 percent of every donation goes directly to the documentary project that generated the donation. No application fees, no commissions, no transaction fees. ReelChanges is also working to eliminate or reduce credit card transaction processing fees after Google Merchant's current program ends next year, or get them subsidized in some way if we possibly can. We will post details about those arrangements as soon as they are available.
How often will ReelChanges.org pass financial contributions on to the owners of individual documentary projects?
ReelChanges.org will make payments in the full amounts it has received for each documentary project on its site, less any financial transaction processing fees imposed by third party credit card transaction processors, every 90 days for every project that has accumulated more than $750 in donations during that period.
What is a ReelChanges screen credit?
ReelChanges.org's mission is to create and nurture relationships between high-quality documentary makers and the general public. To advance that goal, ReelChanges.org enables qualified documentary filmmakers to receive tax-deductible online contributions with zero deductions or commissions in exchange for providing a screen credit in at least one version of their finished film to all donors who give at least $10. This ReelChanges screen credit does not have to appear in all versions of the finished film and may instead appear in the ReelChanges' cut of the finished film available for purchase through this website as a DVD or download or in any other version available through any other channel.
ReelChanges requires documentary filmmakers to give a Standard Screen Credit to everyone who contributes more than $10. What is a ReelChanges Standard Screen Credit?
ReelChanges Standard Screen Credits appear in at least one version of the DVD of the finished film and/or in a digital download of the finished film and on the project's associated ReelChange's project webpage. The associated ReelChanges.org project webpage must be credited in all versions of the finished film.
What is a Premium Screen Credit?
Premium Screen Credits are offered at the discretion of the documentary producer and appear in all versions of the film, including when broadcast.
How will I keep track of the screen credits I am required to include?
ReelChanges.org will maintain and provide electronic text copies of appropriate screen credits pertaining to your contributors that can easily be cut and pasted as needed.
How will ReelChanges.org guarantee that documentary projects are made as promised?
The ReelChanges.org editorial team makes every reasonable effort it can to ensure that only serious and clearly described projects with a high likelihood of completion appear on the ReelChanges.org website. ReelChanges.org offers no warranty or guarantee to donors related to the completion of any film or project. Filmmakers are encouraged, when practical, to offer completion bonding insurance as and if available from third-party sources.
The growth and future success of ReelChanges.org and its new people-powered media model depends on the development of trusting and productive relationships between donors who want to support the documentary arts and able and responsible practitioners of those arts. ReelChanges.org will continue to experiment with a variety of methods to create, develop, enhance and deepen those relationships.
How long will it take after I apply to find out whether my application to list my project on ReelChanges.org has or has not been accepted?
We make every effort to notify applicants as quickly as possible but please allow up to two weeks for this process.
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FAQ | For people who support documentary projects
Are donations to specific documentary projects tax-deductible?
Yes. All donations to the specific documentary projects featured on this site and to any other features on this site are tax deductible contributions to a qualified 501c3 non-profit organization as allowed under U.S. federal law.
How can I purchase a copy of the finished film that I am supporting?
Donors will be contacted by filmmakers when projects are completed. We also encourage filmmakers to post progress reports on their ReelChanges project display page.
When can I purchase my copy of the finished film?
Please check the information on production timelines provided for each project. Documentary projects often do not adhere to exact production schedules but producers are encouraged to inform donors of any unanticipated delays and film release schedule revisions.
All donors who give at least $10 to a film project get a ReelChanges Screen Credit. What is a ReelChanges Screen Credit?
A ReelChanges Standard Screen Credit is one that appears in at least one DVD or download version of the finished film and on the film's associated ReelChanges project page. All donors who give at least $10 receive a Standard ReelChanges Screen Credit.
Premium Screen Credits appear in all versions of the film, including when broadcast, and are offered at the discretion of the individual film producer as indicated in each project description.
In addition, donors may also be offered other special benefits at the discretion of each individual documentary producer including the ability to underwrite specific documentary production activities.
How will tax deductible donations be documented?
Donors to ReelChanges.org will receive an email that lists the date and amount of their tax deductible contribution along with the other related information for tax filing purposes. This information is also available on the Google Checkout account that is opened or used for each donor to ReelChanges.
If a project is published on the ReelChanges.org site, does that mean I can fully trust, 100 percent, that if I make a donation the project will be made on time and exactly as described?
The editorial team at ReelChanges.org makes every reasonable effort it can to ensure that only serious and clearly described projects with a high likelihood of completion appear on this website. ReelChanges.org offers no warranty or guarantee related to the completion of any film or project. In some cases, certain projects may offer completion bonding or insurance to donors from a third-party source.
The growth and future success of ReelChanges.org and its new people-powered media model hinges on the development of trusting and productive relationships between donors who want to support the documentary arts and able and responsible practitioners of those arts. ReelChanges.org will continue to experiment with a variety of methods to create, develop, enhance and deepen those relationships.
For additional information before submitting a project, please see our Guidelines for Filmmakers
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General Information
ReelChanges.org is the pioneering application of technology developed and owned by ReelChanges, LLC, the audience-funded media platform provider™. For more information about ReelChanges, LLC, including for platform-related questions or inquiries, please visit www.reelchanges.com or contact [email protected]
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