Back in September of last year, we reported that Kevin Smith would be making his hockey movie next if he didn’t get the necessary funding in order to move ahead with his long-in-the-works horror movie, “Red State.” This sentiment hasn’t changed, as Smith will begin working on the hockey film “Hit Somebody” (named after a wry Warren Zevon song) later this year.
However, luckily, thanks to the suggestion of a fan via Twitter, Smith has begun developing a new method for gathering otherwise non-existent funds for “Red State” in the form of an online donation website. Smith hopes that his fans will help fund the film from their own pockets in exchange for a spot in the film’s credits. But evidently, it’s not as easy as it sounds.
“We’re kind of creating this website. We’re seeing if it works to set up and collect donations. But it became a weird tax nightmare, though…It sounded like such an easy thing online…but now there’s lots of checks and balances to make sure we can do it, but if that’s the case, I would be into it, and I’ll match it. Whatever you raise on line, like fuck it, you put it up, I’ll put it up,” Smith said in an recent interview with CINSSU.
Smith seems confident that with his fans’ help the ’70s styled horror movie will undoubtedly be made. With the general demographic that Smith appeals to, it’s hard to imagine that his fanbase will be able to afford donating a considerable amount of sufficient funds. But with strength of fanboys in numbers and the films purported “peanuts” budget, who knows what could happen. A sincere best of luck to him and a sincere: we hope it ends up looking better than “Cop Out” currently does. — Jon Davies
Warren Zevon – “Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)”
Kevin Smith, man. I don't know. That guy is about as big of a money grubbing whore as there is in this business. He charges for his messageboard. He charges. For his messageboard! So when I hear this news, it irks me a little. Kevin Smith has the money to make Red State. He doesn't need anyone's financial help. If he believes in the movie, then pull a Mel Gibson and fund the thing himself. Just the fact that he's asking for "donations" and not an "investment" (where they can get a return on their money), just makes his seem even more slimey. I mean, if they donate a million dollars and he gets the movie made, then they have to pay him again to SEE the movie…come on man. How does he not get called out on this stuff more?
For the record, Kevin Smith charges for his message board because the was tired of trolls at his website. The couple bucks it costs to join is just to keep the trash out.
Also, according to the podcast he does with his friend/producer Scott Mosier, he originally planned on treating it more like "investments" rather than donations, working out a system where people would get a their money back plus a little extra. Certainly could have changed and been too much of a planning nightmare to be feasible, but just sayin'.
I just think it's convenient that he always has these excuses. He charges to keep out the trolls, though banning the IP addresses of trolls isn't that difficult. He wanted it to be investments, but couldn't figure out a way so now it's just donations.
I only bring it up because he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt. He so clearly milks his fans for money at every opportunity, that when he says stuff like "I'm keeping out the trolls," it's hard to believe him.
I was hoping he'd done Cop Out for a big pay day so he could make Red State. Guess not.
this is pathetic!
Kevin smith came on the scene more than 15 yrs ago. He was handed the WonkaStein golden ticket. No one can claims he's spent the last decade and a half making misunderstood masterpieces.
Kevin smith is the quintessential 'right place right time' guy. if Clerks came out two years later no one would've given a shit about him.
you want donations?
there are a million burgeoning filmmakers out there who deserve a shot that didn't have harvey weinstein funding their projects and ignoring the fact that they were sliding further back with every film. (seriously, post Chasing Amy what do you look at with pride? Brief chunks of Dogma? Your Ostentatious 'envelope-pushing' in Clerks 2? The fact that 'Zack&Miri' was somehow the marketing departments fault? Way to take the high road on that by the way. It clearly couldn't be that people were "aware" of your movie. It just wasn't funny, new, or interesting.)
Now Mr. Smith goes around giving talks, selling dvds OF HIS SPEECHES, whats the production budget on those buddy? Can't be very high. And you're talking about your life, you're not a stand-up comedian generating material.
Use that money to fund the movie that you haven't stopped talking about for what feels like five years.
Or possibly have an ounce of confidence in your new movie.
Clearly you wouldn't attach yourself to a piece of shit project (not counting the ones you have written) . If someone is to 'donate' to you as an artist then clearly they should have faith that your new film will speak for itself and get you all the funding you need.
What's it called again?
Cop Out?
I'm sorry. You can ignore all of this. Poor poor kevin smith needs all the help he can get.
Hollywood has never even given him a chance to make a successful movie.
Kevin Smith has his fans, and they keep shelling out for his crap… it dazzles me. I can understand being a fan, say, in 1997, but its 2010 dudes. Kevin Smith is not funny anymore, he's not an interesting filmmaker, and he basically has nothing to contribute to pop culture anymore. He should retire. The dude is over. "Dogma" sucked. "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" sucked. "Jersey Girl" sucked. "Clerks 2" sucked. "Zack and Miri" sucked. How many chances does this guy get? I guess older people pushing 40 still find this guy funny.
Kevin Smith stabbed my dog in the balls!