Crowdsourced Anime Licensing
Hoshizora Kiseki © CoMix Wave Inc.
Check out New Voice Productions (since defunct), a company that’s looking to license anime via fan support. Here’s how it works: they announce a planned anime license, along with the cost. Fans donate cash, which will be refunded if the license doesn’t go through. If the company gets to its target donation amount within the specified time frame, the anime gets licensed.
Their first attempt is with Hoshizora Kiseki, a short that looks not unlike Voices of a Distant Star, and was similarly made almost entirely by one guy. New Voice plans to release a $10 DVD for the 27-minute film.
I’ve already donated $50. Here’s a great way to support the industry, and at basically no risk. Go for it!
Update: On 24 June 2010, I received a refund of my money. New Voice Productions removed all information about the Hoshizura Kiseki license attempt from its website, and now only hosts one blog post with a logo contest. I am somewhat confused. I thought the 60 days hadn’t yet expired, but I could be mistaken.
I don’t know anything about the group or Dakota Smith, the person who runs it. I’m not saying anything bad about them, but it’s worth saying: there’s no risk…as long as you trust that the person running the show is being honest.
Again, I have no reason to think that they aren’t being honest (it was a bit tough to come up with a whois for the domain since it’s .co.cc, but my eventual results showed that it’s registered to what appears to be a pen name of Dakota Smith), but as always, it’s important to temper one’s willingness to fling money at the internet with some caution
gia
22 Jun 10 at 1:04 am
That’s . . . that’s really interesting. Of course this particular attempt may or may not succeed, but the idea is fascinating.
moritheil
22 Jun 10 at 1:22 am
moritheil: Ain’t it, though?
Brent
23 Jun 10 at 6:59 pm
Well, that was fun while it lasted. Hopefully NVP (or a better organized/funded group) can resurrect this idea in the future.
Joe
27 Jun 10 at 2:32 am