Independent Filmmakers Launch Crowd Funding Organization

New York, NY, October 12, 2010 (Washington Bangla Radio / PRWEB) With the growing fundraising trend for filmmaking in full effect, three independent filmmakers today announced the launch of The Independent Collective (TIC) – an organization that offers visual and performing artists a crowd funding system fueled by donations. Intended to inspire anyone with an interest in entertainment, TIC will facilitate fundraising for artistic projects by connecting individuals, companies and non-profit organizations that will allow TIC’s members the opportunity to develop various projects in the arts that they cannot afford or maintain easily on their own.
TIC will kick-off their slate of projects with the feature film TINY DANCER, written by scribe Jayce Bartok who also penned THE CAKE EATERS starring Kristen Stewart, Aaron Stanford and Bruce Dern. TINY DANCER is an indie drama about a former prima ballerina who after having her baby wants to break back into her former dance Company, but must decide between her family and the art she loves. In the tradition of THE RED SHOES and TURNING POINT, TINY DANCER aspires to be the film that reinvents ballet for this new century. Elizabeth Berkley (The L Word, The First Wives Club) has expressed interest in starring as Lauren Drake, the lead in TINY DANCER.

“Understanding there has been a shift in the traditional financing model for independent films, it was logical to turn to crowd funding as a means of financial support,” said Jayce Bartok, thespian, screenwriter and co-founder of The Independent Collective. “Our objective with The Independent Collective is to connect with individuals who have an interest in entertainment in a way that builds expertise among artists and enthusiasts. After the production of TINY DANCER, our goal is to present a slate of projects in the visual and performing arts to our community of members and donors.”

Giving fans and supporters everywhere even more reason to make donations, TINY DANCER is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization. Contributions on behalf of TINY DANCER made payable to the NYFA are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Contributors to TINY DANCER will gain membership to TIC and member benefits.

In addition, to raise awareness for TINY DANCER, TIC will be hosting a fundraising costume party on October 28, 2010 at New York City’s hot spot, Lolita. The event will be hosted by two-time, Tony Award nominee, Daphne Rubin Vega who is best known for originating the role of Mimi in "Rent".

At the center of TIC will be the featured-packed website – TheIndependentCollective.com – where individuals wanting to actively contribute to the production of TINY DANCER are invited to join and donate by selecting one of the tiers which begin at $20. The website will provide members regular updates on TINY DANCER through blog posts, including production updates, behind-the-scenes videos during production and interviews with cast members.

To learn more about The Independent Collective, visit its website or follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter.

Based in New York and Los Angeles, The Independent Collective (TIC) is a community of individuals dedicated to bringing artistic projects to fruition. TIC was founded in 2010 by partners Jayce Bartok and Tiffany Bartok of Vinyl Foote Productions, and Bryan deCastro of BDC Communications. For more information, visit www.theindependentcollective.com.
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