Up in the Air Productions has turned to Internet sensation Kickstarter to fund the upcoming season of the show, which airs on public television. The production company is seeking $500,000 to start production. The fundraising campaign runs through Sept. 7 and is an all-or-nothing proposition: If the goal of $500,000 is not met then no funding is received.
Contributions can be made starting at $1. Donors receive prizes for contributions starting at $25. Various levels of contribution include the inclusion of a donor’s name in the credits, limited-edition apparel, and the opportunity to visit the set during filming or even appear in an episode as an extra.
Producer Bert Brander tells Trains News Wire that after administrative and fixed costs it will have about $35,000 to produce each of the 13 episodes. While that seems like a lot, he says, it will have to cover travel expenses for six crew members as they follow the Gramlings and their steam locomotives across the country, as well as the post-production process for each episode.
Brander says he is hoping for a licensing deal with American Public Television, the distribution arm of the public television network, that will allow for free distribution of the program to stations in all 50 states for up to two years. This distribution method makes the Kickstarter program even more important, he adds.
For more information, or to make a contribution, go to www.kickstarter.com.
No one comments?
Seems interesting. However, none of the offerings would include a copy of either season on any format.
This show is not airing in my area.
Free licensing for two years doesn't pay for the production, so what's the motivation in giving it away to public TV if it prevents recovering the production expenses? How did the first season get made?