6Qs with E.E. Cassidy of We Are the Mods @ Florida Film Fest

Many of you have asked for more interviews and case studies.  For the next three days IndieGoGo will be at the Florida Film Festival and hunting down filmmakers to share their 6Qs.  Check in each day for more:

Q1:  Can you tell us about your film.  What were the goals for the project?

EC: We are the Mods is a feature film; a teen drama about a girl who befriends a Mod girl.  It premiered at the Florida Film festival an my goal is to play at as many festivals as possible. I made the film because it is a movie I wanted to see.  As a first time director I thought I could handle the budget and emotional scope.

Q2:  How are you identifying, targeting, and building your audience?

EC: Our audience is made up of scooter and mod enthusiasts, styles from the ‘60s, ‘80s and early ‘90s.  It also has a lesbian subtext, so I am hoping to reach the gay audience.  I am reaching out to my audience through social media sites such as MySpace, Facebook, IndieGoGo, as well as cross-linking and networking with mod and scooter enthusiasts’ community sites.

Q3:  What role has the Internet and social media played in your DIWO (Do-It-With-Others) filmmaking? 

EC: The internet is very important for networking and publicizing the film.  I have been very lucky to have many scooter and mod fans find my site and reach out to me.  I have taken advantage of those opportunities to increase my fan base both off-line and on-line.  Another key tactic is to keep building my email list as much as possible.  It’s important to try to reach out consistently to keep your email list up to date.

Q4:  What tools or tactics would you recommend to other filmmaker for fundraising or promotion?

EC:  Knowing your audience is very important.  Maintaining an online presence like Facebook and Myspace is essential, as well as your email lists.  Cross-linking and networking with other fan interest sites is crucial.

Q5:  What was the budget for your film?  Can you tell us about any creative techniques for fundraising?

EC: The film costs about the price of a German Sedan.  Funding came through a combination of credit card debt, and friend and family investments.

Q6:  What is your plan for distribution?  Do you have a plan for self distribution?

EC:  We are talking to GLBT distributing companies and I am thinking about self-distribution; making DVDs and selling them off the website.  I am going to scooter events and planning to sell DVDs there. But I do not want to be the person with the trunk selling the DVDs at events.