Cartoon capers promise return on investment

A YORKSHIRE film production company is seeking funding for its first movie through an innovative dedicated website and membership scheme.

BackmyMovie.co.uk members will get the opportunity own a unique collectable cell from the animated film ‘The Phobes’ along with a copy of the finished DVD and a monthly newsletter for a minimum £35 membership fee.

There are also spin-off products planned for the future as well as competitions on the website offering winners the opportunity to take part in the film as a voice-over for a character or even adding a character to the cast.

The idea is the brainchild of Goole training consultant Anthony Hall, who is aiming to raise around half a million pounds from the website towards the £7 to10m needed to complete the project.

Mr Hall, who runs Amicus Learning and is executive producer, said that the film is aimed at parents and carers of young children who have phobias about every day items or events.

The movie features seven animated characters who overcome their fears and phobias through storylines aimed at the family entertainment market.

The father of three was inspired to create the characters after his six-year-pld daughter overcame a morbid fear of water. Fortunately after receiving the help she needed she is now recovered and is even taking swimming lessons.

The company is hoping to work with Anxiety UK, the charity dedicated to supporting people with anxieties and phobias and to help raise awareness of the consequences of suffering from the anxieties of everyday items, objects and activities.

Mr Hall said that he hadn’t gone down the traditional bank-funding route for two reasons: “Firstly in these credit-crunch times this is not a good time to ask banks for money, but secondly and most importantly, I want to keep control and to give something back to those people who are committed to the success.

“I am hoping to attract members who actually believe in the film and the good it can do for the thousands of young people who suffer from phobias and anxieties about everyday things.”

He added that he got the website idea from the myfootballclub.co.uk success, where membership costs £35 a year but the member does not receive anything.

However, Mr Hall said that interest from corporate members for the project would be welcomed.

There are also discounts available on future merchandise for those who register an interest but cannot afford to pay anything.

If the movie fails to get funding – virtually all the money raised from members will be returned to them, so there is almost no risk involved.

It’s not the first time that Mr Hall has come up with a self-help cartoon character. He previously created the ‘Learning Monster’ to help children with their numeracy and literacy skills.

The concept is now being developed in partnership with Calon TV, which specialises in producing animation and live-action content for television.