Month: June 2019

June 6th was my last posting on this humble platform, and in the last few weeks, I’ve certainly put every fibre of my being through the mill.

I’d be fibbing if I said it wasn’t largely exhilarating, and it’s allowed me to reposition the line I can push myself to. Something it did do was reinforce my initial feelings on undertaking crowdfunding. Either you have the knack for it, or you’re like me, and very blessed to have family, friends, colleagues, and a few very generous ‘anonymous’ donors 😂

There is a flair, skill and know-how involved in hugely successful crowdfunding and I displayed little of those traits.

The campaign ended at 9:00am BST on Saturday 22nd June, and I’d never felt so much relief. Not because we’d hit or exceeded our target (more on that later) but because I’d no longer need to post, repost, share or think of ‘creative’ ways to point people towards the crowdfund or navigate specific, probing questions asked outside of the public domain. It’s also the most public I’ve been so far with something that means so much to me (since casually and quietly confirming my relationship status on New Years Eve 🤣) so my antennae was up relating to mutterings or murmurings.

Fortunately, I took on board the very helpful feedback and advice I received in the early stages of the campaign and in the end we did raise awareness and raised £810 (or $1,032)

On the surface, 54% of £1,500 looks like a middling return on the mental and physical investment, but that projected amount was the higher of two budgets we made, and even after Indiegogo take what they take from the campaign, we are still over the lower budget to make the film. So no disappointment on our side.

That being said, I think I’m going to give crowdfunding a swerve going forward. Hopefully the quality of the finished film opens a few funding doors in future as well as gets the message across.

Now the preparation for production is kicking up a gear, let’s see how much hair I’m left with 😂

To follow the progress of the film, please Like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GIGDGO/

Thank you for reading.

Last Friday, on a reasonably pleasant day, the fire alarm sounded and those that were in the office, headed down to our designated rendezvous points. After being accounted for (and knowing that it takes a little while to eventually get everyone back inside), my colleagues and I took the opportunity to walk through the nearest park, where the paths are winding and the animals are well trained, and unusually interactive for London.

At this point, it’s important to stress that I’ve had a largely distant relationship with our four-legged and winged companions over the years, having never owned a pet and regularly chased by other people’s as a youngster. But surely feeding squirrels was not going to be the biggest challenge I faced that day.

I mean, I was also navigating messages from those I am working with on the upcoming film, so placing nuts in my hands (-behave, you lot 🙄) and inviting an animal to take from me should have provided a nice contrast.

It should have, but I didn’t count on the pigeons nearby, who flew over to my open palm and decided to nearly engage in a tussle with the squirrel.

All that was missing were boxing gloves and a referee 🥊

The ensuring melee caused the squirrel to nearly fall off my hand, and use its claws to try and hold on, and causing a tiny puncture in my palm. Needless to say, the scene caused some amusement around me.

It wasn’t till I got back to the office and washed blood off my hands that I realised the crafty pigeon had used its claws to scratch the back of my same hand in 2 places 🤦🏿‍♂️

So yes, my distant relationship with animals continues, but what does this have to do with my writing?

Nothing whatsoever, but it’ll elicit either sympathy or amusement 😂

Thank you for reading…