Question 1

What is SCYTHE?

Accepted Answer

Scythe is a highly emotional, female-driven, psychological thriller, comparable to Halloween and Silence of the Lambs for their empowered female characters, and Split for its dramatic realism.

Question 2

That’s great…but what actually IS a scythe?

Accepted Answer

You know the Grim Reaper?
You know the tool that he has?
That’s a SCYTHE.

Question 3

Why is this film different from any other psychological thriller or horror film?

Accepted Answer

It’s good.

Question 4

Try again, Jim."

Accepted Answer

Gotcha.  When I first came up with the idea of making a psychological thriller/horror film, and after doing a LOT of research I was surprised to find two things:
1) horror films are REALLY bad. They are shot poorly, they are acted poorly, they are directed poorly. And
2) Despite all this: They make A LOT of money. At least they used to.
There is a website out there that lists the top 50 horror film cliques that annoy fans. These films lately haven’t been doing well. Fans are tired of them.
Part of my research led me to Horror Film Facebook groups and I ask people within those groups what they wanted to see in a psychological thriller/horror film. And they said the same thing: QUALITY. Good acting, good characters they can follow and root for, a good story, a good villain, and above all, good scares that draw you into the film. Fear, intensity,  and suspense, not a bunch of blood and guts.
So I wrote a script that focused on all these positive elements, and here we are.

Question 5

So your film focuses on quality. Is it original?

Accepted Answer

We are not reinventing the wheel. We are taking the platform and formula of psychological thrillers/horror films, and adding the quality characters, story, and attributes that audiences want. We will build on what has been doing historically well and making it better.
We will make a psychological thriller/horror the way it SHOULD be made. The way an audience WANTS to see it. And most importantly, they way they will PAY to see it.

Question 6

I’ve never invested in a film before, what does that entail?"

Accepted Answer

Once you’ve decided to invest, we will send you a Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) which describes in detail the risks and the goal of distribution, and we will send you a contract. Upon execution of the contract, we would need to receive the funds. You can send the funds through a bank wire, money order or check.

Question 7

Okay, what’s a PPM?"

Accepted Answer

It’s a 30 page legal document with a detailed premise of your investment in the project. It protects you as an investor and us as an LLC.

Question 8

Wait. Did you say risk?

Accepted Answer

Filmmaking is a risky investment. It’s a risk like any investment, where the possibility exists that you might not receive a return on your investment.
But, the reason why I am making a psychological thriller/horror film is it is the LEAST risky of all the genres, and the BEST possibility to make a return on your investment.

Question 9

Are you putting any of your own money into this film?

Accepted Answer

YES I AM. I, Jim, am putting in $50,000 of my own money into the film. That’s how much I believe in what I am doing. Most investors want to know what I have at stake, what I am risking, and do I have any “skin in the game?” I absolutely do.
Truthfully, I have financed all of my short films as of now, and if I had the funds, I would finance this entire film myself. The rest of my investors were interested parties like yourself, who decided to join me in making this film.

Question 10

Ahh. That does gives me confidence. Okay, so what is the minimum and maximum amount I can invest?"

Accepted Answer

The minimum amount you can invest is $2500.
The maximum amount you can invest is $50,000

Question 11

So, if I invest $2,500, I will own 1% of Scythe?"

Accepted Answer

Yes, that is correct.

Question 12

Is that 1% of whatever it makes, from any place, like TV, DVD, streaming?"

Accepted Answer

That is correct.

Question 13

Why so generous?

Accepted Answer

That goes back to the risk factor. If we’re both risking, we both should be rewarded.

Question 14

Jim $2,500 is not a lot of money. What happens if you raise more than $100,000?"

Accepted Answer

Great question! And a good problem to have! The budget of our film is $250,000. And we can absolutely shoot a quality film for that budget. However, our SAG contract (called the Ultra Low Budget contract) which allows low budget independent filmmakers to utilize quality union actors for a nominal fee, has a cap and room to rise to $250,000. We have $150,000. Which means we could technically raise $100,000 and maintain our current contract level. To go beyond $250,000 means we would have to pay the actors more.
As an investor, if we are receiving offers for more money, we will contact you and ask you if you would like us to accept more money, or offer you other options.

Question 15

Okay. So what kind of return of investment is expected on this project?

Accepted Answer

Optimistic Perspective – We achieve theatrical distribution.
$800,000 - $1,000,000
Realistic Perspective – We achieve streaming distribution through a Netflix-like platform and sales in international countries 
$250,000 - $400,000
Pessimistic Perspective – We achieve basic distribution through video on demand.
$25,0000 - $50,000

Question 16

Excellent. So, what’s the plan? After I have invested, what happens?"

Accepted Answer

Once the film is fully funded, which should be early August, we will be in pre-production, with production or filming commencing in October. This timeline has the potential to shift based on when funding is fully completed. In the event, funding is not 100% realized prior to August, principle photography would shift to the winter.
Filming will last 25 days, with potential pickup of shots later in the fall.
From initial principle photography, presenting a completed product can take anywhere from six months to a year. This is standard, even for studio sized budgeted films, what with editing the film, composing, sound mixing and designing and adding color correction to the film.
Once the film is complete, we will screen the film at a red carpet event to show what your investment has paid for.
Then, we will acquire a sale agent who will begin the process of seeking distribution, and getting us your initial investment back and a return on your investment.

Question 17

What is the deadline to invest?

Accepted Answer

In order to make our October 2021 deadline, we would need the funds by August 1st.

Question 18

And how often will I get notified about the progress of the project?

Accepted Answer

You will be emailed quarterly (if not more often) with updates as we film, edit, release and distribute the film.

Investing Details

Introduction

A Little About Myself

Risk Factors

The Ask

What Is SCYTHE?

Sales & Distribution

Summary

RSVP