Applying for Grants — The Ultimate CRAP SHOOT!

This month I just applied for web series funding through an organization called the Independent Producers Fund (IPF) in Canada. This is a grant that helps Independent film companies balance their budgets for productions. The 4 episode block that I’m pitching is the next chapter to my web series saga “The Fursona Files” entitled CLOWN TALES. This installment follows the perspective of Casper the Clown, a disgruntled child entertainment veteran, as he tries to save his business from chapter 11, find love, and discover his true calling of becoming a podcast radio host star…

The Fursona Files is a web series about finding your identity set in the world of Furries, Bronies, Clowns, Cosplay Participants, and Social Media celebrities. The first chapter — “A Dinosaur’s Tale” is currently available as a free subscription on our web site while it starts its festival run this May at the TOWEBFEST in Toronto. The ultimate goal for this show is to pitch it as a 30-minute comedy series for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Comedy Network, or Cable TV. In the mean time we are trying to get the world aware of us by producing episodic stories of supporting characters in the universe and build out the supporting cast while we work on attaching the right actress for the lead role. Clown Tales is the introduction to Casper the Clown, a pivotal supporting character in the series. I love the idea of being able to focus on a new perspective each episode block, and build out The Fursona Files universe and potentially create a break out character. Casper could be the one! I ultimately am trying to create a brand with this web series so we have more chances to succeed as a production. This is my approach to all my projects and helps me really understand my story that much more. I’m hoping you could support us by checking out the official IPF teaser above, give your feedback with a comment and like, and help us achieve some great analytics for our grant submission this month by sharing with your friends and colleagues. This is a real grass roots type campaign… essentially we have one month to PR our concept with a 2-minute teaser through YouTube. The goal is to try and get our viewership and likes in a good place to qualify for PHASE TWO of the competition in April. Since March 1st we have hit 10k in viewership, which is a great start and with your help we hope to get the numbers higher.. More details to come later this month! Fingers crossed..

So why apply? It’s important to get yourself out there in the funding circles. A lot of the groups in Canada know one another in the industry so people do remember when names and companies keep popping up on their funding radars. It’s also a great first step in understanding how pitch your project.

That being said… Grants should never be looked at more then GRAVY to an already tasty feast your creating. Don’t let grants be your crutch to being a story teller. It’s important as a producer, writer, and director to make it happen no matter what. Passion will take you all the way in some context of your dream if you let it. Until next time.. I wish you luck on whatever your pursuit might be. Cheers!