This is a small spender request of 32,500 USDT.

For Google Docs version. Original discussion

Problem statement: 

Game developers hate crypto and are are filled with negative sentiments around the industry, and yet gaming has frequently led the adoption of new technologies. Polkadot needs game developers.

Goal: Educate non-crypto-native game developers on the benefits and challenges of blockchain gaming through an honest and accessible documentary featuring Polkadot ecosystem tech and teams and organically onboarding curious developers into our ecosystem.

TLDR;
— The Documentary is already done.
— It's been ENTIRELY self funded, including international flights, hotels, etc.
— 2.5 months of Full Time work was spent. Significant opportunity cost to complete and edit was done in good faith.
— The documentary targets Gaming Developers curious about blockchain but are often skeptical about blockchain. By acknowledging both negatives and positives, it comes across as honest rather than an ad campaign.
— Cost request is half the cost of a normal documentary because I'm a polkadot enthusiast.
— Cost per included team increases my risk several thousand each and at least a week+ of effort. To include more teams, funding assurance would be required before more personal risk is taken on.
— Other prominent teams may have failed to accept inclusion.
— The Marketing Bounting 2.0 was newly approved, and is not even set up yet and cannot cover this proposal.

Short Summary:

Most gaming devs have an inherent bias against blockchain, and yet they suffer from significant challenges that could be solved by polkadot's infrastructure.

By creating a piece that both criticizes and applauds, without using overwhelming blockchain concepts but rather human stories and experiences, this documentary can be a source for creating balanced and informed decisions on the use of blockchain in gaming.

If approved, in addition to full rights and branding, Polkadot distribution partners such as Dot Play, Kusamarian, and Distractive will promote and drive attention towards this documentary.

Full proposal:

Introduction

The documentary aims to provide a professionally produced, deep yet accessible educational piece about Gaming on Blockchain. The work has already been completed.

It juxtaposes normal individuals with Web3 specialists, asking relevant questions such as, “Do people care?” and, “Why does it matter?” while acknowledging the advantages and challenges blockchain development faces.

A teaser for private viewing can be found here: https://youtu.be/_7GJN38hjCc

**
Why now?**

Gaming on Polkadot is picking up momentum in both a professional and organic way. Mythical is actually here (finally :)), on Polkadot, with an immediate impact.

The DFF supported Dot Play's gaming vertical BD team, and the community chose HEROIC to wear the Polkadot flag in e-sports and gaming.

This documentary on gaming comes at perfect timing to complement this momentum.

By providing different points of view into the space, it showcases both the depth of our ecosystem and the developers’ passion for their craft,

It is titled broadly to be easily discoverable, but the content emphasizes Polkadot’s ecosystem, featuring live interviews with 3 different Polkadot native teams and several other participants.

This documentary will be particularly useful to onboarding indie developers who are curious about blockchain due to their own traditional industry challenges, as this topic is also covered within the documentary.

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The documentary will be published in partnership with Dot Play and The Kusamarian. The promotion will be supported by the Distractive and Social Media Team (Evan). To that end:

Dot Play

• Will act as a publisher of the documentary
• Promote on its channels, network, and through its onboarded influencers
• Contribute $5,000 for marketing, content creation, and final editing

The Kusamarian

• Will act as co-publisher and marketing for the documentary
• Promote on the YouTube channels, edit and advertise shorts
• Manage the ad spend for Twitter ads and YouTube

Distractive

• Will act as PR agency for the documentary
• Publish news of its debut on long-form crypto news channels (up to $2500 budget)
• Prepare a social media campaign for the Polkadot channel
• Prepare spaces hosted on Polkadot on Gaming on Polkadot (on the day of the launch)

Ajuna Network

• Promotional partner and contributor to the documentary
• Contribute $1000 in Youtube ads

Evrloot

• Promotional partner and contributor to the documentary
• Contribute $1000 in Youtube ads

Regensburg Gamedev Community

• Promotional partner and contributor to the documentary
• Will feature the documentary to their indie developer community and on their social channels

By emphasizing tech and transparency, indie developers can receive objective information as they begin their research, and they will naturally onboard to Polkadot without any inherent negative bias often found in broader crypto and mainstream narratives.

The active work took 2.5 months, and it included arranging, filming, and editing 3.5 TB of raw data.

 “I [Pnin] have always preferred to let my work speak for itself, and asking for funding before delivery for experimental work has never felt right to me. Therefore, cost and opportunity risk was taken personally, including things such as international flights, hotels, specialized equipment, etc.

“Though this is not a Kusamarian-funded project, the Kusamarian, Dot Play, Evrloot, Distractive, and Ajuna teams have provided insight, support, and promise of using their distribution channels upon release.”

Background

For reference, I (Pnin) am an Internationally Awarded photographer who has worked professionally in photography for several years. I am also a long-standing reporter for the Kusamarian with extensive experience and networks within the ecosystem, specifically on gaming and NFTs.

Concerning videography, I have exhibited my films in International film festivals in the past (Israel, Canada, etc), and have often supported myself through videography.

For reference, standard rates for documentaries vary, with industry budgeting recommendations around $2000-4000 per finished minute.

I’ve priced the request to a more accessible $1200 per finished minute as I worked entirely solo on this project.

**
Cost Breakdown**

• Work done ($25,000)

  • 10% Pre-Production (Research, Outlining, Coms and Arrangements, Casting)

  • 40% Production (Directing, Producing, Filming)

  • 50% Editing (Sound, Color grading, Cutting, Storytelling, Visual Support, FX, Asset Acquisition)

• Traveling and equipment (~$5,000)

  • Travel (International Flights, Train/Bus, Taxi)
  • Food and Hotels (3/4th of Cost was minimized by Social Network utilization)
  • Equipment (Sound/Storage+HDD/Tripod)

• Finishing Edits ($2,500)

  • Will be used to fund external editors to cut and create shorts, promos, highlights, and trailers
  • Finalizing Documentary w/ Branding Assets

Total Ask: $32,500 USDT

Interviewees

1. Street interviews (Story Hook)
2. Evrloot (a grassroots, relatable story)
3. Ajuna (tech and the importance of blockchain)
4. Team Step and Astar (challenges of blockchain)
5. Celrage (a non-crypto indie developer’s perspective)

What I’m delivering

If funding is obtained, the Documentary will brand, acknowledge, and grant Polkadot and partners credit for creative direction, financial support, management, legal representation, and marketing/distribution.

All high-res finished material and source material, as requested, will be handed over to affiliated editors and marketing teams upon request with full cooperation in creating future teasers and promotional material.

Distribution channel order and strategy will be discussed between partners for strongest impact.

Backlinks, description, and resources will all be directed towards Polkadot, Dot Play, and Partners.