It is the great caveat of most attempts to turn art into a profession–be it as a photographer, painter, writer, or actor, it might be easy love what you do…but getting paid for it is a completely different story. That is when the true creativity arises. Brian Pickard, a filmmaker from Vermont has demonstrated this through his unique approach to funding his latest project. The writer and producer of Slayers is securing his budget in advance by allowing private investors like you and me to donate. As a donor, you can earn your spot in the credits of the film, and other perks like gaining special access to behind the scenes of the website, advance copies of the film, and input on casting and other decisions. There are graduated levels that correspond to different donation amounts. Each level will earn you a different title, be it associate producer, producer, or executive producer, and a different level of access. Watch the trailer for Slayers:

Pickard, who was born and raised in Maine before attending college in Vermont, realized as someone active in theater, that working on speculation of profits to be shared upon a film’s purported success, is not a comfortable way for most people to make a living. To counteract that, Pickard developed his idea for filmmaking through community involvement.