"I Am the Doorway"

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Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
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I didn't know (or did not remember) if there is a thread/board for Dollar Baby projects, so I came here to ask a question about this story. Just read an item that said this tale is being adapted into a film, and that there is a crowd-funding initiative set up to raise, I believe it was, $15,000. I was curious if this was indeed a Dollar Baby, or if the rights were acquired in the traditional Hollywood manner. Maybe Bev (moderator, if you wouldn't mind, please tag him for me; I figured this out the other day, now I can't seem to do so; please remove this parenthetical, as well; thanks) might know?

If this is a Dollar Baby project, is it allowable in all cases to crowd-fund those, or does one have to get special permission to engage that funding mechanism as well as the adaptation? (I'm not saying this crowd-funding page is not legitimate, I assume it is, I was just wondering if this is okay to do whenever permission to adapt a story is given.)
 

Tery

Say hello to my fishy buddy
Moderator
Apr 12, 2006
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Bremerton, Washington, United States
Crowd funding is not allowed for a Dollar Baby. I was going to do just that for "My Pretty Pony" but Uncle Stevie's legal folks put the kibbosh on it. Because a copy of the project is pretty much required for those who donate, they said that breaks part of the DB agreement. That put my production in limbo.

If they are crowd funding for "I Am The Doorway," it's not a Dollar Baby.
 

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
Thanks Tery for that reply; I wasn't sure about that for the Dollar-Baby deals. Makes sense. Did you ever end up doing the project?

It's funny, after I read your post, I realized I hadn't actually checked out the entire crowd-funding page. After reading through it, it says it is a non-commercial project. I wonder if King is allowing just this particular project to go through like this. Interesting in terms of what you said, the rewards don't seem to be linked to a copy of the movie (except for one that has clips). Maybe King is allowing this now for Dollar-Baby and/or Dollar-Baby-type deals? Whatever the case, I wish the filmmakers the best on this.

Did you ever end up making that film, Tery? Have you made any other Dollar Baby short films?
 

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
No. Still on hold. :(

Hopefully you will get to make it someday, Tery. (Just as an aside: I would love to see someone make a short animated adaptation of the little spider story that is found within the "Gray Matter" tale; it would make a great Dollar Baby.)

By the way, I just realized I never put the link in for the campaign in case anyone wants to see it (although it obviously could have been looked up). For everyone's convenience:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/i-am-the-doorway-from-stephen-king-s-story#/

It really looks like a Dollar Baby, but I guess it can't be. One thought: King actually should perhaps consider allowing at least some crowd-funding of the shorts only because it might help to promote his back catalog and bring on new fans. However, I definitely see the other side. Have to ask Ms. Mod about this.

A great story to adapt, I have to say. I'll have to re-read it.
 

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
Tery, I asked Ms. Mod about this, and apparently the rules are different now. Asking for crowd-sourced donations is okay but it is restricted to only the amount needed to make the film (there may be other restrictions as well). I guess there is an FAQ somewhere that details this; you may also need to get approval to do it (i.e., let them know exactly how you plan to raise money). You still cannot give a copy of the project as a reward for donating, but I noticed the guy running this "I Am The Doorway" film is giving out clips of the movie, which I assume is allowed (but I would double check on that, though). Thought you might like to know in case you'd like to give a Dollar Baby another go. Just check with whoever is in charge of that for all the information. Best of luck!
 
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