1. Pre-sell DVD sets of a season 2, Kickstarter-style<p>--- No money moves unless goal is met<p>--- Donor receives box set if donation is at least $40<p>2. Upon XYZ pre-sales, commence season production<p>3. Collect revenue from advertising, as usual, during season run<p>4. Produce DVD sets of season 2<p>5. Send a set to all donors<p>6. Collect a bit more revenue from new, fringe fans who will also buy DVD sets
This is exactly what incorporations were initially built for.<p>5 local businessmen want to build a ferry across the river. Nobody can afford it, or the risk. They all think it will benefit their community, their businesses, and maybe bring in a few bucks.<p>So they buy "shares", sharing the costs and the benefits.<p>I'd consider putting some cash towards a Whedon-backed production company, and then buy the DVD (though being an Aussie, I'm not sure if I can buy US shares). He might gain or lose money, I don't really care - it would be worth the risk just to see what he does.
$40? As long as Joss and the original cast are on board I'll happily pay $100, maybe even $200, even if it's only another half season. Just promise not to start this project before Castle has stopped being good, since I love Nathan in that as well.
I wonder if there is a germ of an idea here. Crowdfunded TV shows (or movies). Somebody proposes an idea for a TV show, gets some talent on board who sign up if it gets X amount of cash, people vote with cash donations (maybe with signed merchandise and other goodies).<p>Maybe Kickstarter could do it, if not might be a startup in there.
Fringe has become the last series I truly enjoy watching these days.<p>I'd definitely be in for $40 if there was a good chance for another 13 episodes of Firefly.<p>They should maybe use WePay for the largest collective payment ever?
Given that Nathan Fillion doesn't even know the site exists and the actual people behind it refuse to reveal their identities, I wouldn't trust this site as far as I could throw it.<p>The simple fact of the matter: If Joss wanted to do this, he would do it, and have a much easier time promoting it than these people will (did anybody see the profits from "Dr. Horrible"?). And Firefly with Nathan Fillion the only returning cast or crew member isn't what the fans want. But right now, Nathan is doing other things and Joss is doing other things, and that's their choice. If this isn't a scam, it's a poorly thought-out plan.
I think it's important to note that no one, at any time, has talked about <i>new</i> Firefly episodes. This is just about distributing the existing series.