Welcome to the Fund This column! Each week, we’ll look at a planned web series or other online video project currently in search of funding on crowdfunding sites. We’ll tell you what the series is all about and explain why it is worth your money. Do you have a project that’s currently being crowdfunded? Contact us to let us know and we may feature it in upcoming installments and check out previous installments right here.
Project Name: Vermin
Asking For: $30,000 on Kickstarter
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Amount Raised Thus Far (At Time Of Post): $12,722
Days Remaining In Campaign (At Time Of Post): 24
Description: Despite all his rage, the main character of a new web series is still just a rat in a cage. Fearless Comedy Productions and The Puppet Forge are seeking funds for Vermin, a puppet-based web series about a group of lab rats.
Vermin‘s central figure is Ralph, a highly-intelligent rat who gets promoted to a middle management position. Upon receiving his promotion, Ralph “starts noticing things that everyone else seems oblivious to.” In addition to his rat compatriots, who will be piloted by puppeteers, Ralph also has a human companion, which is where one of Vermin‘s biggest draws comes into play. In order to bring a familiar voice (or at least a familiar voice) to their series, producer Gordon Smuder and writer Tim Wick have “kidnapped” Trace Beaulieu; the former Mystery Science 3000 cast member will portray Ralph’s human boss.
Creator Bio: The Puppet Forge was one of Kickstarter’s earliest users. In 2010, it raised more than $8,000 to fund a Halloween special for its previous series, Transylvania Television. Fearless Comedy Productions has launched its own arsenal of projects, many of which can be viewed on its YouTube channel.
Best Perk: For $40 you can be listed in the credits as a “Laboratory Assistant.” Creepy laugh not included.
Why You Should Fund It: The Vermin team has termed its Kickstarter push a relaunch, since it previously launched a campaign in April and came close (but not quite all the way) to reaching its goal. Clearly, the support is there, and given The Puppet Forge’s whimsical designs, its not hard to see where interest in Vermin comes from. Beaulieu, who as the voice of Crow T. Robot was an integral part of MST3K’s earliest (and best) seasons, and his decision to come on board will allow Vermin to generate even more excitement.
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