Nerv with Ryan Williams (Mushrooms, Mycology, and Mycelium)

In Part 2, Ryan talked with Andy, about "Making A Living Doing What You Love," and how Andy launched the XOXO Festival.  The next XOXO is coming up in September, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. and you can register/view the speakers: http://2014.xoxofest.com/ Dan HarmonHank Green, and Kevin Kelly.  (You can listen to Ryan and Earwolf CEO Jeff Ullrich, talk about Kevin Kelly's inspiring  1,000 True Fans article on Episode 7 of the Influencer Economy).

Andy chats about how a theme of the XOXO conference is about "going independent" as a creator, and how it is difficult to go independent, often the pros outweigh the cons. When someone by-passes publishers in the book/gaming/board gaming/movies world (all creative industries), it can be incredible to see how far people's ideas can go.  

Ryan asked Andy about creating projects online (Kickstarter or otherwise), without having a large (pre-existing) fan following, and how one goes about that.  Or if it's even possible.  Andy said creators with free-standing ideas that are high concept can often succeed, if you tap into a subject that people care about.  

Andy sites Indie Game the Movie as a great example of a project where you don't need a pre-existing fan-base to get off the ground.  By inviting people into the story& engaging people through the creative process, you can build a base in the process, like the creators of Indie Game did.  (You can listen to Ryan chat with VHX Founder Jamie Wilkinson about Indie Game the Movie on Episode # 8.

 

On this podcast you’ll learn:

  • The story of Upcoming.org: the launch, acquisition and re-birth
  • How to leverage the power of Kickstarter
  • How to run successful Kickstarter campaigns (Andy’s projects as examples)
  • How Kickstarter was founded
  • What the XOXO conference is all about (you should sign-up for updates: http://2014.xoxofest.com
  • How awesome the internet is and can be for givers
  • How to "go independent" and by-pass publishers as a creator
  • How Indie Game the Movie, built-up a fan-base and launched a movie with a large (pre-existing) following
  • How board games were re-vitalized via crowdfunding 

 

Andy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/waxpancake

Sign-up for updates on the XLXL Festival: http://2014.xoxofest.com

Sign-up for the re-launch of Upcoming.org: http://upcoming.org

Direct download: AndyBaio_XOXO_EP2.mp3
Category:technology -- posted at: 8:33pm PST

Ryan spoke with Michael Goldfine, producer of the ultra-successful film, Camp Takota.  The summer camp comedy movie, Camp Takota stars YouTubers Grace  Helbig, Hannah Hart and Mamrie Hart.  The film was distributed exclusively online, and turned a profit within four days of its release.  It is an online film juggernaut based on the passion of their Takota Nation fan base. 

 

Michael’s company Rockstream Studios, produced the film, where it was #3 on the indie film iTunes charts, behind major studio films like Dallas Buyers Club and 12 Years a Slave.  Ryan and Michael talked about the dilemma that every person creating in media faces:  Do I go traditional or exclusively digital?  He elected for digital only, and the film was a massive success – without any initial mainstream attention.  It was independently financed, distributed, and marketed.In this episode you’ll learn:

 

 

·      The benefits of releasing your movie, book, music album exclusively on digital platforms. 

·      How to persist in business when you keep talking to people who say “no, no, no”

·      How to launch a film or idea, without mainstream press

·      How to create your ideas in film, and break into the film industry

·      How to create a new business and distribution model for your passion projects

 

Website:  http://camptakota.com

Tumblr:  http://camptakotathemovie.tumblr.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CampTakota

Direct download: MichaelGFINAL.mp3
Category:technology -- posted at: 2:44pm PST

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