Tag: Kickstarter

PSAs

Are Your Parents Crazier Than Hers? Probably Not.

Go Jules Go

It might be possible.

It might be possible to be more excited than I am right now.

But I doubt it.

Chipmunks, the internet is about to get EVEN COOLER. Marlene Rhein, or Myra, from the blog, My Parents Are Crazier Than Yours, is planning a [fictionalized] web series based on her life. If you’ve not read her blog, please trust that this is like finding out Halloween was extended an extra day. Or seven.

After a lotta bad luck in the job arena, Myra, a talented and accomplished filmmaker, had to move back in with her parents. At 40. One peek at her web series preview or this story will give you an idea of what she’s dealing with.

In order to get this fantastic project off the ground this October, she needs help. That’s where Kickstarter comes in; Kickstarter is a web site that helps artists raise money and give back to their supporters with fun incentives like swag or even cameo appearances.

Myra quickly met her initial goal of $8,000, but actually needs about $11,000 to properly fund the pilot and pay her staff their normal rates, which she’d really like to do. (Kickstarter won’t pay out if you don’t meet your goal, which is why she set a lower target.)

If you’re not sure you want to get involved, please check out the pilot preview nonetheless, because it’s THAT GOOD. And if you can’t swing a donation, your enthusiasm and support are just as appreciated, by both Myra and me.

Myra’s even letting me do some Production Assistant work! Did I mention I couldn’t be any more excited? Yeah. Life is good. Even with crazy parents.

You can also follow Myra on Twitter or Facebook.

If you filmed a web series based on your life, what would you call it and who would you want to play you?

P.S. – The latest ‘stache glasses giveaway ends at 12 MIDNIGHT EST today, August 31st. Click here to enter.

All photos on this post owned by My Parents Are Crazier Than Yours and posted here with permission.

Music, PSAs, Uncategorized

The Anti-Guilty Pleasure

Go Jules Go
The gloriously talented Charlene Kaye. (Photo credit: http://4.bp.blogspot.com)

I’ve been mulling this topic over for a while. I’m sure, given that you’ve memorized all of my posts, you can recall my first (and only) Public Service Announcement. “Is that the anti-guilty pleasure?” I’ve wondered. “Charitable acts? Something you feel good about liking/doing? Or is it something that brings you displeasure? Like dieting.”

I’m pretty sure it’s the former. (And as a [self-proclaimed] subject matter expert, let’s just go with what I think.)

To that end, I’d like to talk about Kickstarter! It’s kind of the coolest thing ever. I had no idea what it was until a musician I adore, Charlene Kaye, started sending out Tweets about backing her next album. Kickstarter, according to their home page, is ‘a new way to fund and follow creativity.’ It’s very similar to how you might support someone in a charity walk, minus the depressing statistics and self-righteousness. Each artist has their own page where they can include background info, videos and details about what you’ll receive depending on how much you donate to their next/current project.

This week, thanks to 342 backers, Charlene reached her 30k goal (she hit her original 20k goal so quickly she upped the ante) and I’m going to make out like a bandit! I get an advanced autographed copy of that album I helped fund, for starters, along with a host of other goodies, like an exclusive mp3 and sticker/button set, the value of which certainly exceeds the $35 I donated.

The greatest reward, of course, is knowing I helped a struggling/up-and-coming artist get by without having to resort to things like prostitution. Or waitressing. And when they hit it big, I can take some of the credit! (Okay, so maybe there’s a little self-righteousness in this after all.)

I’d love to hear about any of your Kickstarter (or similar) experiences, as well as your thoughts on the anti-guilty pleasure!

Now please, enjoy a live performance of the title track of Charlene Kaye’s next album, Animal Love: