Interesting. I have a friend who would probably offer to look at the list, keeping 80% (a guesstimate) of what he collects, assuming he’s free to collect via whatever means he chooses.
Huh?? Do you think filmmakers routinely use their own money to make films? Maybe at the bottom of the industry, one does. But for someone who in the industry, getting investors is the normal course of action. He’s just using the modern method. And why do you think he’s targeting poor people? Rich people can contribute to crowdfunding too, yah?
I have a hard enough time asking family members or close friends for financial help. There is no way, no how, that I would even consider asking strangers or tangential acquaintances. If a stranger or acquaintance did ask for such help, and I was in a position that I was able to give it, I would base my decision on whether to do so or not on whether I was willing for it to be a gift.
I don’t have any problem with what Nimoy’s son is doing, on the assumption that the backers will get a copy of the film or other pre-defined recompense. That puts it in the realm of just another business transaction, not a request for a favor.
I lost my job due to a business closure shortly after my husband died (yeah, it was a GREAT year :() and I was in a tight spot while waiting for probate to complete, for unemployment to kick in, etc. I did accept an offer by a friend to spot me one month’s mortgage. Oh, how I hated doing that. I felt full of shame. And what’s worse, he refused to let me pay it back once all the various funds had been released and I had the money. I sent him checks periodically, each returned uncashed. I left cash at his house once. He returned that, too. I know he was merely trying to be a super good friend, but the more he refused the pay back, the worse I felt. It got to the point where I actively resented him for helping me and got quite snappish with him a time or two. It largely blew over, but we’re not the friends we once were and it was all over that loan.
After that experience, I’d really hesitate to borrow money from a friend again. Not so much for the effect it would have on them, as the effect it would have on me.
I’ve always been someone that was quick to give a loan to family and close friends if they needed it, and never expected (although graciously accepted) pay back. And you bet that if you paid me back, I’d loan to you again with no qualms. If you didn’t, I’d have to be thoroughly convinced that you needed it pretty desperately, or I wouldn’t offer.
So go get investors. I know about that - I work in a not for profit so I know about getting sponsors. I don’t just crowdfund, and yes, I do judge.
And I can say what I want. If you are going to open it for donations, you also have to deal with judgment!