We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on June 28, 2012.

Why?

Update #12 · Jun 16, 2012 · comment

People ask why? Why do you have to do this Kickstarter thing to get The Winding Stream done? Why isn’t the money just there to make this film? Isn’t this just like some weird arts “bake sale”?

I’ve asked myself these questions a lot. 

The short answer is that things are different now. How films get funded, how they get distributed and viewed. I hope it doesn’t sound immodest to say that I’ve been making films for 30 years and have a reputable track record in my field and I’m shocked at how hard this has been. Of course, with the changes, the expenses to make a film have not changed all that significantly. But the upfront money to pay those expenses is gone. Hard costs like archival footage and photos are still there. Footage costs can average about $2500 a minute (and we have at least 10 minutes of archival footage in the cut now). Music rights? Don’t even ask.

And as I say all this, I admit that we’ve been one of the luckier projects. We’ve received funds from some of the remaining grantors standing. For example, last summer we were honored to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. It’s a real feather in our cap to have been selected by this prestigious funder. But because of serious cutbacks, the NEA could only give a fraction of what they wanted to provide. 

Things are shifting. Now Kickstarter holds a very prominent place in the arts funding ecosystem. And even though at times it may seem like a crazy reality game show (“Will they make their goal?”) the truth is for anyone seriously making independent films these days, it’s not only a place of possibility for funding, Kickstarter is a place we must go to to complete our work. 

Here’s an interesting article about the role Kickstarter is playing for projects like ours. It outlines the realities rather nicely, I think.

http://gigaom.com/2012/02/27/kickstarter-is-a-crowdsourced-endowment-for-the-arts/

We have 11 days left to our Kickstarter campaign and $23,000 still to raise. We won’t get any money if we don’t reach our goal.  

We know that you've already been supportive. But if anyone you know is on the fence about donating because of the "Why?" question, maybe sharing this update with them will help. Please remind them that no matter the amount, it all helps.

Crowdfunding shows that people care about a film’s subject enough to pay something for it. 

The Winding Stream is our American roots music story. 

Thanks for everything you’ve all done for us to get us this far. 

With your help, we can make it! 

Beth and The Winding Stream Team

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$53,503
pledged of $50,000 goal
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Funding period
May 2, 2012 - Jun 28, 2012

  • Pledge $5 or more

    49 backers

    Your name on the Carter-Cash Honor Roll on The Winding Stream website.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    56 backers

    Specially-designed Carter digital "wallpaper" for your computer, as well as your name in the Carter-Cash Honor Roll on our website.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $25 or more

    69 backers

    A Winding Stream sticker, as well as the Carter digital "wallpaper" and your name on the website Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $30 or more

    28 backers All gone!

    A special gift courtesy of John Carter and Laura Cash, this reward is a First Day cover of the US Postal Service's Carter Family stamp, postmarked from Nashvillle on September 25, 1993 and featuring June and Johnny's return address. We only have a very limited number of these. Plus you get all the rewards below that: name on the website Honor Roll, digital "wallpaper" and Winding Stream sticker.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $45 or more

    25 backers

    A beautiful giclee print of the Carter Family signed by our friend and graphic novel artist David Lasky. David's work has an evocative, vintage feel. You'll also get your name on the website Honor Roll, Carter "digital wallpaper" and a Winding Stream sticker. [NOTE: David's full-length Carter Family graphic novel, "Don't Forget This Song" will be released soon by Abrams Publishing!]

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    60 backers

    A DVD copy of Beth Harrington's music documentary, Welcome to the Club - The Women of Rockabilly, as well as a Winding Stream sticker, Carter digital "wallpaper" and your name on the website Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $55 or more

    14 backers

    NEW REWARD: For this donation, You get a DVD copy of Beth Harrington's music documentary, Welcome to the Club - The Women of Rockabilly, and a copy of this DVD on the pioneering women of rock 'n' roll is donated to the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, OR Plus you also get a Winding Stream sticker, Carter digital "wallpaper" and your name on the website Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    34 backers

    A special edition hand-numbered screen-printed Winding Stream movie poster, as well as the sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
  • Pledge $150 or more

    45 backers Limited (5 of 50 left)

    On Monday, August 27 from 5 to 7 PM, we're pleased to be hosting an exclusive reception honoring Rosanne Cash and Tara Cash Schwoebel. The lovely Cash sisters have graciously agreed to meet with a group of Winding Stream supporters at a beautiful Portland, Oregon location (TBA). There will be drinks and hors d'oeuvres, clips from the film, gift bags, and other surprises. And best of all Rosanne and Tara will share their thoughts on their family's musical legacy. The event will be limited to 50 people so we think it will be a relaxed and intimate evening of conversation and reminiscence. This reward also includes items from the previous levels - your name on the honor roll, Winding Stream digital wallpaper, sticker, special edition movie poster and a Welcome to the Club DVD, narrated by Rosanne Cash. [Please note that the event will take place in Portland, Oregon and while our backers from other locations are welcome to pledge we cannot provide transportation.]

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $200 or more

    10 backers

    A copy of the upcoming Winding Stream companion book, as well as the special edition movie poster, sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $500 or more

    3 backers

    Two tickets to the Boston premiere and after-party (transportation and accommodations not included) and your name in the credit roll thank yous, as well as the special edition poster, companion book, sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $500 or more

    4 backers

    Two tickets to the Portland, OR premiere and after-party (transportation and accommodations not included) and your name in the credit roll thank yous, as well as the special edition poster, companion book, sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $500 or more

    4 backers

    Two tickets to the LA premiere and after-party (transportation and accommodations not included) and your name in the credit roll thank yous, as well as the special edition poster, companion ebook, sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $500 or more

    2 backers

    Two tickets to the NYC premiere and after-party (transportation and accommodations not included) and your name in the credit roll thank yous, as well as the special edition poster, companion book, sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $525 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    Do well by doing good! For the person who pledges this amount, a deserving girl will get a scholarship to this summer's Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, Oregon. Plus two tickets to the premiere and after-party of your choice in either Portland, LA, Boston or NYC (transportation and accommodations not included) and your name in the credit roll thank yous, as well as the special edition poster, companion book, sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    2 backers

    The opportunity to serve as a rough cut advisor to the film! We will connect you with a site where you can view the film when we get to rough cut stage and get your input! You'll receive an Editorial Consultant credit in the finished film, as well as two tickets to your choice of premiere and after-party (transportation and accommodations not included), the special edition poster, companion book, sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll. [NOTE: This credit implies no financial stake in the film nor editorial control.]

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $2,000 or more

    0 backers

    A private screening for you and your friends of The Winding Stream at your own home (or location of your arranging) with Beth Harrington in attendance, as well as a chance to serve as Editorial Consultant to the film, two tickets to your choice of premiere and after-party (transportation and accommodations not included), the special edition poster, companion book, sticker, "wallpaper" and name on the Honor Roll.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $10,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)

    All of the above (your choice of premiere) and a three night trip for two to the Carter Family Fold with filmmaker Beth Harrington as your guide. See where the story happened. Hear live music at The Carter Family Fold. See A.P. Carter's cabin. Visit the Carter Museum. Meet the people of Maces Springs, Virginia. [Transportation not included, but hotel and meals will be covered.]

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013