Funding an Independent Documentary

The independent documentary I Didn't Do It that focuses on Kevin Curtis, the Mississippian who was accused of sending ricin to President Obama and other government officials, seeks donations to finish the last stage of production.

Still shot of the documentary's protagonist Paul Kevin Curtis that is currently being used to promote the film.

With only 32 days left in the production's campaigning, the producers of Velvet Ditch Production are thinking of creative ways to encourage people to donate funds that will contribute to the completion of their documentary, I Didn't Do It. 

One of the main campaigning tactics is the awards that are given to each benefactor of a certain fixed amount of money.  Benefactors are eligible to receive rewards when they donate any amount from $5 to $5000.  A list of items that could be won includes but is not limited to: shirts, valuable memorabilia, acting lessons, portraits, and original paintings.  

Other tactics I Didn't Do It filmmakers are using are social media based.  I Didn't Do It has a very active Facebook page that has over a thousand likes, and people share their posts about fundraising everyday. 

Current college freshman Kelsie Luke commented on the effectiveness of the Facebook page by saying, "I personally have a few friends on Facebook that have been following the film's production for quite some time, and the posts and reposts they have made about the subject is how I even know anything about I Didn't Do It."

Director Melanie Addington outside of Fox News

 Another way I Didn't Do It is reaching out to potential benefactors is by reaching out through news media.  Melanie Addington, the director and a producer of the project, has even appeared on several news' networks in Memphis such as Fox News and Action News 5.  Along with spreading the news about the documentary through broadcast media, Addington has also been involved with interviews for online news and radio. 

When talking about the documentary's concept, the plot can easily sell itself.  I Didn't Do It meets the appeal of local residents because it is a recent, true story about a heartbreaking story that took place in north Mississippi. 

In the spring of last year, many events began to take place around the same time that shocked people in our area and nationwide.  An elephant was shot, but not killed, in north Mississippi, the traumatic Boston Bombing occurred and a man from Mississippi sent ricin letters to high ranked political officials, including President Obama.  Paul Kevin Curtis was charged for the latter was taken into custody with what turned out to be no solid evidence.  Curtis was a man known for doing Elvis impersonations.  The idea of an Elvis impersonator trying to kill the president put a spark in news rooms nationwide, and people around the world quickly became aware of who Curtis was.  Curtis was later found to have been set up by J. Everett Dutschke.  Even though he was found innocent, the things he went through still continue to bring him struggles today.

Attorney Hal Neilson (left), Curtis (center), and attorney Christi McCoy (right) being interviewed after winning the trial.

First Q&A with Laura Warner, one of the five producers for the documentary I Didn't Do It and the assistant director: conducted by Montana Byrd

Producers Addington (left)  and Warner (right) on set of I Didn't Do It.

MB: How did you get involved with this project?

LW: I got involved with the project because my film partner Melanie Addington called me and wanted to know if I'd be interested in doing a documentary on Paul Kevin Curtis.  We did some investigating ... we went to Kevin, talked about the idea, and he interested.

MB: So you have been involved since the beginning?

LW: Yes, we have been working on this documentary for about a year now.

MB: What is your job in this project?

LW: I am a producer and the assistant director.

MB: If you reach your set goal, how long will it take for the documentary to be released to the public?

LW: We are filming are last day of the shot on Easter Sunday then we are going into post production.  I believe post production might take up to four months if we get our funds.

MB: Why is this movie worth watching?

LW: This documentary changed people's lives and because this tragedy could happen to anyone.

MB: Finally, where can people donate and how are the donations being spent?

LW: We are doing a fund raiser on Indiegogo, and because we have to obtain the rights to the news footage and also pay an editor and someone to do the score.

I Didn't Do It Still has to raise 87% of its funds.  You can donate here.