SPECIAL NOTE TO PRE-BETA USERS OF THE REELCHANGES.ORG WEBSITE
This site is still under construction. We are, however, partially open for business as we work to aggregate high-quality documentary projects seeking support, in anticipation of our site launch later this year.
Nonetheless, Welcome!
We're eager to know what you think. And if you are a documentary filmmaker with a project that needs support or attention, please consider submitting it to our site.
Following you'll find our initial FAQ that explains the basics for how this site will work. 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.
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.
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 three 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.
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 or legally obscene.
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 plans to offer this service free of charge, including no commissions on funds raised, for all documentary projects accepted for posting on this site during our first year of operations. We hope and are working to extend this "no-commissions or charges" policy beyond that time. Our goal is to empower documentary makers not exploit them. We are currently working to determine the exact payment processing methods used and may not be able to avoid passing along transaction fees charged by financial intermediaries, such as credit card companies. The exact details of the financial transaction costs associated with accepting donations on this site will be determined before the site launches, all project owners will be notified of those exact terms, and any documentaries loaded onto the site before then can be withdrawn from the site, at the discretion of the owner, at any time for any reason.
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 parties, every 90 days for every project that has accumulated more than $750 in donations during that period.
If my project is accepted for publication on ReelChanges.org, what am I required to give donors in exchange for their donations?
ReelChanges.org’s mission is to create and deepen relationships between high-quality documentary makers and the general public. As such, ReelChanges.org requires that documentary makers give all donors a screen credit in exchange for their donations. Documentary makers can offer two levels of screen credit, the first category, Standard Credit, is mandatory, and the second category is optional:
- Standard Screen Credits are required for every contribution of at least $10. Standard Screen Credits appear in at least one version of the DVD of the finished film and/or in the digital download of the finished film and on the associated project page on the ReelChanges.org website. The associated ReelChanges.org project page must be credited in all versions of the finished film.
- Premium Screen Credits are offered at the discretion of the documentary producer and appear in all versions of the film, including if/when broadcast.
Filmmakers are also required to provide a digital download or a DVD of the finished film to all donors who contribute at least $10 and request a copy.
Why should I offer an advance copy of my finished film for $10?
The overall goal is to create a relationship with people willing to make a financial contribution to your project. Filmmakers will have many opportunities assisted by ReelChanges.org to offer your donors additional opportunities to provide support to your project as you move forward. ReelChanges.org’s policy of requiring a $10 contribution level and the promise of a copy of the finished film in exchange is designed to maximize a filmmaker’s chances of building public support for their project.
Will I be required to offer copies of my films to others for $10 after they are finished?
No. Once your film is finished you are free to market it any way you desire.
How will I keep track of all the screen credits I am required to include?
ReelChanges.org will maintain and provide electronic text copies of all 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 form 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.
When will ReelChanges.org officially launch?
ReelChanges.org is currently in pre-beta mode aggregating high-quality projects in preparation for its full version 1.00 site releases on or about early summer, 2008.
Can donors make tax-deductible contributions to projects on this site before the site enables online contributions later this year?
Yes. ReelChanges.org can accept financial contributions on behalf of projects listed on this site before the site becomes fully operational. Please contact your reelchange.org editor for details after your project has been accepted.
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FAQ | For people who support documentary projects
How can I get a copy of the finished film that I am supporting?
When you make your donation to a specific project you will be given the opportunity to make an advance purchase of the finished film for $10 per copy.
When will I receive my copy of the finished film?
Please check the information on production timelines provided for each project. Documentary producers are expected to inform donors of any unanticipated delays and film release schedule revisions.
In addition to the finished film, what else do I get in exchange for my donation?
All donors get screen credit in the finished documentary film(s) they support as follows:
- Standard Screen Credits appear in the downloaded and/or DVD versions of the finished film
- Premium Screen Credits appear in all versions of the film, including when/if broadcast.
In addition, donors may also be offered other special benefits, including invitations, products, communications and opportunities at the discretion of each individual documentary producer.
Are donations to specific documentary projects tax-deductible?
Yes. All donations over $10 to the specific documentary projects featured on this site are tax deductible contributions to a qualified 501c3 non-profit organization.
Why is the first $10 of my donation not tax-deductible?
The first $10 of each donation constitutes the fair market value of the copy of the finished film you will receive upon completion and is not tax-deductible under federal law. All amounts over $10 are tax deductible. If you elect NOT to receive a copy of the finished film when you make your donation, the entire amount of your donation, including the first $10, is tax deductible.
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.
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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End ReelChanges.org FAQ version 1.0
