07/11/2011

For British filmmaker Simon Cox, getting his dream sci-fi feature Kaleidoscope Man funded has so far remained just that, a dream. The filmmaker has now taken an unusual funding step to get his film off the ground.

Besides numerous television credits, Cox directed the well-received feature Driven in 1998. Kaleidoscope Man, a story about the survival of mankind when aliens come to earth, came close to getting funded several times, but fell through at the last moment.

Cox says, “Financing a feature film in the traditional sense is like building a house of cards, one simple knock and it’s all over. There really has to be an easier way to get a film financed.”

Cox hit upon an unusual solution – to make a fundraising film. Discover Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon is an 82-minute DVD documentary that celebrates the life of England’s greatest playwright. The film is already being sold in Stratford-upon-Avon, in the gift shops, hotels and in the actual houses Shakespeare was associated with, including his birthplace. Cox plans to sell the DVD across the world and hopes to use the proceeds to fund his sci-fi film, with a view to begin shooting in Summer 2012. True Blood actor Stephen Moyer (photo) is attached to star.

“It’s been my passion for years and I just have to get it made. I know people will love it and will get behind me with this,” says Cox.

He adds, “Imagine how different the world would be if George Lucas couldn’t get Star Wars off the ground, or the Beatles couldn’t get a record deal. Now I’m not comparing myself to them, but I just might have the next big thing, so if I don’t give it a go, we’ll never know!”