California Deathrock book Kickstarter - BTS video of gothic punk photo shoots

[AmeliaG]

I'd like to share a BTS video of me shooting with you all. It was edited together for a California Deathrock book Kickstarter project I am working on. I had to overcome a huge spasm of shyness to actually make the thing, so now I want folks to see it. (I know I get shy over the oddest assortment of situations. Like speaking a foreign language in front of English-speakers also freaks me out.)

I hope some of you might be interested in the book (explanation of Kickstarter aspect below). Anyway, please enjoy my little video.



I am optimistic and grateful that the book project is already at 91% of its funding goal in pledges. Because the book is a Kickstarter project, this means that it only gets published if it meets its funding goal. Which, of course, I deeply hope it does.

If the project meets its goal, everyone who pledges now to back the book will get charged around June 7 when the funding period ends. Amazon does the Kickstarter processing, so it is super easy to get set up, if you have ever gotten anything from Amazon.

More about the book project and my philosophy on this sort of photography over on the Kickstarter site.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Nice video, Amelia!

Congratulations!

You are now an official backer of California Deathrock Book.

I better get my autographed copy, damn it!!! (Menacing Deathrock voice)

One of my PA's plays bass in a Misfits cover band, Plan 9 from Berkeley (Porn star Annie Cruz and another model I work with are the go-go dancers, and Annie's BF is the lead singer in this Plan 9 video):



Good luck with getting your project fully funded!



ADG

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Nice video, Amelia!





I better get my autographed copy, damn it!!! (Menacing Deathrock voice)

One of my PA's plays bass in a Misfits cover band, Plan 9 from Berkeley (Porn star Annie Cruz and another model I work with are the go-go dancers, and Annie's BF is the lead singer in this Plan 9 video):



Good luck with getting your project fully funded!



ADG

Thank you!!! 95% funded now I will sign that book with any obscenity you like in the inscription I bow to Menacing Deathrock Voice.

Your PA's band looks like a fun show. The only Misfits covers band I've seen was the Michael Graves-fronted Misfits.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by AmeliaG

Thank you!!! 95% funded now I will sign that book with any obscenity you like in the inscription I bow to Menacing Deathrock Voice.

Your PA's band looks like a fun show. The only Misfits covers band I've seen was the Michael Graves-fronted Misfits.

My pleasure!

Both Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only have jammed with Plan 9, and said they do a really good show...



I wanted to book Plan 9 to play at a Rock the Ball show a few years ago, but it was decided that the band's sound might be to extreme for the adult industry conference attendees...oh well!



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[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

My pleasure!

Both Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only have jammed with Plan 9, and said they do a really good show...



I wanted to book Plan 9 to play at a Rock the Ball show a few years ago, but it was decided that the band's sound might be to extreme for the adult industry conference attendees...oh well!



ADG

Can't get much more seal of approval than that I wanna go to a webmaster event with that as the music.

[loreen]

Good luck, Amelia!
I enjoyed the video

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Any idea how many copies you will be printing (may be of interest for anyone considering to advertise in your book)?





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[candyflip]

Only $35 to go and you're funded. Congrats.

[myjah]

Amelia, the video is great! The book sounds very interesting -great job

[SleazyDream]

sounds like a cool project, not sure about the market for it though...

is your typical client in the market for a book?

honestly, I don't know enough about your demographic to say......

[NaughtyRob]

Awesome stuff.

[rhon23]

Looks good Amelia. I am pretty sure you have shot people I know.

[benoitlc666]

Still rocking I see Amelia! Nice work

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Congrats! Looks like you hit your Kickstarter target goal.

What happens to the money if people still (want to) donate? (Idk cuz' you were my first Kickstarter project.)

Can we see any more sample pix?

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[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by loreen

Good luck, Amelia!
I enjoyed the video

Thanks I had to really force myself to make it, but then I was all happy I did.

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by SleazyDream

sounds like a cool project, not sure about the market for it though...

is your typical client in the market for a book?

honestly, I don't know enough about your demographic to say......

It's no surprise that this idiot has no clue how Kickstarter works.

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Any idea how many copies you will be printing (may be of interest for anyone considering to advertise in your book)?





ADG

Kickstarter is one of those internet things which turns business models inside-out, so I don't really know how many copies it will be until closer to the end of the funding period. In addition to consumer copies, I'll be sending copies to Rolling Stone and Tattoo Savage and every other magazine like that I've worked for over the years, so that should increase useful exposure for related adverts.

I'm contemplating doing an ebook version for distro as well, which will of course include all advert pages. I've had previous projects go through iTunes and Nook and Kobo and all, but this one is kind of a different sort of thing. Do you think the ebook thing makes sense?

[Tofu]

This is way awesome! I've always been a fan of Amelia & Forrest. You cats are unique and shoot quality content! I hope this comes to fruition.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by AmeliaG

Kickstarter is one of those internet things which turns business models inside-out, so I don't really know how many copies it will be until closer to the end of the funding period. In addition to consumer copies, I'll be sending copies to Rolling Stone and Tattoo Savage and every other magazine like that I've worked for over the years, so that should increase useful exposure for related adverts.

I'm contemplating doing an ebook version for distro as well, which will of course include all advert pages. I've had previous projects go through iTunes and Nook and Kobo and all, but this one is kind of a different sort of thing. Do you think the ebook thing makes sense?

Honestly, I am not knowledgeable about such things. I'm strictly a net guy here (for now anyway, so inspire me).

At first guess, I would say delay online release and do two press junkets and promo periods (more PR, and hopefully move the print version while it is hot via your first PR wave - killer teaser/video on the site which will later host the entire version online, etc).

Many people like to collect print copies of such books, either to commemorate a time, or cuz it is just kickass to pick-up and hold in their hands (I'm old fashioned that way).

Anyway, I would consult with Dave Perry, Christine Kessler, Perry Gallagher, or one of the established hardcover fetish photographers, and see what they have to say. I would imagine they are fairly approachable, and may be happy to point you in the right direction based upon their experience (met some of them and they were cool people, and openly shared tips and advice - I love to fucking ask questions).

I know I have friends that do wedding photography that get killer deals on incredible bound books printed on nice paper.

The ebook concept sounds like a viable channel too. Low overhead either way.

Well, again, good luck, and can't wait to see the fruits of your labor...

<insert Plan 9 video here>

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[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Forgot to add...thanks for the info about the copies being sent to various media outlets such as Rolling Stone for further distribution. May have to upgrade to an ad before the deadline.

I'm starting to like some of the features of Kickstarter. Have to look into crowd funding more. I hope it remains a viable option for funding and underwriting creative projects and ventures.

Keep us posted on your experience(s).



ADG

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by SleazyDream

sounds like a cool project, not sure about the market for it though...

is your typical client in the market for a book?

honestly, I don't know enough about your demographic to say......

Well, back in the print magazine days before the internet, I had a lot of magazine distributors (and even printers, like it was any of their business) tell me that there was no market for "weird people having sex" and turned out there were folks who were pretty interested in that.

Kickstarter is more for art projects than businesses though. I'd have to look up the exact numbers, but I spent mad amounts of dough on film for shooting this body of work before digital got good enough. Definitely an art project.

So I'm really looking at it from the artistic perspective of wanting the work to be seen, wanting it to get a lot of press when it comes out, wanting as many people as possible to see it.

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by candyflip

Only $35 to go and you're funded. Congrats.

104% now. I am so happy the book is definitely happening! Now the only questions are if I can make it thicker and distro it more places.

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by myjah

Amelia, the video is great! The book sounds very interesting -great job

Thank you :-)

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by rhon23

Looks good Amelia. I am pretty sure you have shot people I know.

Odds are in favor of it :-) The contact sheets in the video are a small percentage of what I'll be going through for this project, but if you pause it on those, you'll probably recognize some faces. Now you just have to tell where the bodies are buried

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by NaughtyRob

Awesome stuff.

Thanks

[CaptainHowdy]

Lil' bump for AmeliaG ...

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by benoitlc666

Still rocking I see Amelia! Nice work

I try Nice chatting with you!

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Congrats! Looks like you hit your Kickstarter target goal.

What happens to the money if people still (want to) donate? (Idk cuz' you were my first Kickstarter project.)

Can we see any more sample pix?

ADG

Ha, ha, and thanks 110% funded now. Just a lil more and I'm upgrading the paper.

I didn't know the answer to the question, as the stuff I backed has finished funding, so I read more of the Kickstarter FAQ today. Trying to have this also be an opportunity to just learn more about crowdfunding.

Apparently the answer is: Visit the project page and click “Manage Your Pledge.” Enter a new amount in the pledge amount box.

[Mutt]

I don't understand this quote from your Kickstarter page. You are photographers and webmasters - what do you mean you can't work on the computer?

"We can't work on the computer like we used to, so we'll need some graphics help processing the most recent digital images."

[AmeliaG]

So it occurs to me that I might have some sites I could run a banner for this on. Here are some itty bitty additional pics on a banner:

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by AmeliaG

Ha, ha, and thanks 110% funded now. Just a lil more and I'm upgrading the paper.

I didn't know the answer to the question, as the stuff I backed has finished funding, so I read more of the Kickstarter FAQ today. Trying to have this also be an opportunity to just learn more about crowdfunding.

Apparently the answer is: Visit the project page and click ?Manage Your Pledge.? Enter a new amount in the pledge amount box.

Okay, thanks!

BTW, ran into my PA buddy from Plan 9 at a cosplay convention this weekend. He was costumed as a Power Ranger, so I did not recognize him, until after we shot the photo and he said, "Wussup Dick?" (my stage name), which freaked me out at first since I didn't know who it was talking to me...





ADG

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Okay, thanks!

BTW, ran into my PA buddy from Plan 9 at a cosplay convention this weekend. He was costumed as a Power Ranger, so I did not recognize him, until after we shot the photo and he said, "Wussup Dick?" (my stage name), which freaked me out at first since I didn't know who it was talking to me...





ADG

The Power Rangers are on to you!

Edit: And do Power Ranger get the hot babes or what?

[AmeliaG]

Some press about the project on XBiz:

SpookyCash Photographers Launch Deathrock Book Pledge Drive

Some press about the project on AVN:

Amelia G and Forrest Black Kickstart 'California Deathrock'

Thanks, guys!

[SykkBoy]

Originally Posted by AmeliaG

Can't get much more seal of approval than that I wanna go to a webmaster event with that as the music.

Another vote for something like that

[JFK]

Originally Posted by CaptainHowdy

Lil' bump for AmeliaG ...

and another

[smutnut]

Cool, stuff. I was going to try and take advantage of kickstarter a couple times but haven't yet needed it. Think it is one of the most useful resources for artists I've seen in years.

[AmeliaG]

I started editing film yesterday. I had to hunt all over for my grease art pencils to mark the contact sheets. Found a neurological pinwheel in pencil drawer. No idea how/when that got there.

111% funded with just a few days left to go. I hope it gets a little more funding and I'll definitely be able to do hardcover and a few more pages.

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by smutnut

Cool, stuff. I was going to try and take advantage of kickstarter a couple times but haven't yet needed it. Think it is one of the most useful resources for artists I've seen in years.

Definitely. For an art project like this, Kickstarter is really perfect. One of the many things I like about it is that, having the project 120+% funded beforehand, I won't feel as guilty about how much time I will devote to putting the book together. Doing it as a Kickstarter, also keeps me solid on the scope in a way which so far has been really nice for creativity.

[Jman]

Hey Amelia, how is the project coming along?

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by Jman

Hey Amelia, how is the project coming along?

Going on two years already, bump...



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[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Going on two years already, bump...



ADG

I suck, I know. Please shoot me over your current address and T-shirt size on Kickstarter.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by AmeliaG

I suck, I know. Please shoot me over your current address and T-shirt size on Kickstarter.

Same address and size as on my original order.

Was just wondering what was up since I just had another crowdfunding project go bust on me after long delays (but less than yours).



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