Fact: People kill themselves because of financial distress. Some speculate that the Great Recession led to more than 10,000 suicides. (Please, please, please!; if you’re not feeling right, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255.)
Playing With FIRE
Did you know that there is a documentary coming out in early 2019 about the FIRE movement? It’s called Playing With FIRE. Here’s the trailer:
I just got back from a blogger conference called FinCon. While at the conference, I went to a panel discussion with cast members from the movie:
The most profound words came from Scott Rieckens (producer) and Travis Shakespeare (director). They both mentioned that folks working on the movie had been influenced by it. Scott talked about a lighting guy who enthusiastically announced that he had paid off his school loans. Travis spoke about an editor who, after watching parts of the movie, texted a friend with this:
I’ve got to get my shit together.
And these examples are why this movie is important. Even if you’re not interested in financial independence or retiring early, this movie will be a call to action for many to get their financial lives together.
How You Can Help
The Playing With FIRE folks need help to finish the film. And by help, I mean money:
Risks: The single biggest risk we currently face is lack of funding. We have the product nearly ready to ship. It’s so close. It’s going to cost close to $40,000 to finish editing, motion graphics, coloring, mixing, and prepping the film for release. We’ve been on or under budget on the entire film up to this point and decided early on to devote a considerable amount of resources to the production of the film. Without a great story, post-production didn’t matter. We also chose to future-proof the film and shoot 5K footage. This is not your average documentary. We had always planned to use crowdfunding to get us over the finish line in post-production. We’ve put ourselves at risk by assuming the existing FIRE community would be excited about this film and come to our aid to support us when we need it most. It remains to be seen whether we overshot our assumptions. Plus, we had originally planned to use the power of the community to help us share the film. If that doesn’t take hold like we plan, we may need to spend additional funds to expand our reach.
They’ve started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds. And if you contribute, you’ll get some sweet swag*:
I pledged $100 and hope that you’ll consider throwing some money their way too: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/firedoc/playing-with-fire-the-documentary/
And if you don’t want to (or can’t) toss them some coin, don’t be shy about spreading the word. Remember those 10,000 that killed themselves the last time the stock market got whacked? Financial literacy is the answer and Playing With FIRE may just be the catalyst that one of your friends or family members needs to turn their financial ship around.
Join the 10s who have signed up already!
Subscribing will improve your life in incredible ways*.
*Only if your life is pretty bad to begin with.
Thanks to you for highlighting this documentary with your audience, the panel in Orlando was one of the highlights of FINCON for me.
And it was really awesome meeting you and Mindy – thanks for your generosity and time!
The trailer of the documentary looked pretty good. Rooting for the guys to get the funding sorted via kickstarter. Glad to read that it already, even before being done, influenced people in a good way. That is sweet!
It’s exciting that people are hopping on the bandwagon! I’ll definitely look into their project a bit more and then see if I’ll send some money their way. Hope to hear more about Fin Con!
Looks like a decent documentary/drama. I know it’s part of making an interesting film, but the trailer makes the guy’s financial independence seem like a real uncertain thing. If he’s properly prepared financially it shouldn’t be uncertain.
Too much emotional anxiety around what amounts to simple math. Not a fan of that, but I still hope their kickstarter works out.
Mr. Tako recently posted…The Cash Flow Engine — Why Real Investors Don’t Need The Market To Build Wealth
If it had no drama, it would be boring…
Nice ( Throws $10 at the project )
This is exactly the kind of thing that NEEDs to be taught in schools in … Home Economics.
#yep
And thanks for throwing 10 bones their way!
I absolutely LOVE documentaries. Love them. Total documentary nerd. I am so glad that there’s finally a relatable, inspiring FIRE/finance doc being introduced to a space that sorely needs it. While I can’t promise that I can donate to the Kickstarter, I will certainly share it via social media and my blog. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do to get the word out.
The 76K Project recently posted…September 2018 In Review: Budget, Savings, and Debt Payments
Thanks 76 Project! And yeah, this one is gonna be really well done. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
Can’t wait to see Playing With Fire come to fruition. I’ve pledged $100 to them as well. I’ll definitely share this post to help spread the word.
Thanks Richie! That’s pretty awesome of you!
I’m in. What did you pledge to get math that shit up? That is awesome
Looks like you have to pledge $75 to get the stickers; “Stick to it” level…
I have a bunch from FinCon. If our paths cross, remind me and I’ll hook you up.
Thank you! Happy to give to a great cause.
This is SO worth throwing them some coin. Thanks for sharing. I’ll match yer hunnerd…
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I met Scott at last year’s PopUp. Definitely a worthwhile project. Matched your $100. Looking forward to the documentary.
Thanks for raising awareness, on this project. I forgot this thing was in the works. I’ll consider contributing – especially when you relate it to the suicide epidemic. Too much is at stake with the Wall Street Clowns at the wheel.
Threw money in the pot! I met them at the Ecuador Chautauqua last year – nice folks. Be interesting to see the final result. Right now I mostly send people to MMM’s WDS video first… if that intrigues them, then I send the list of my favorite bloggers (including this weird dinosaur dude).
I thought the trailer was kind of funny… started out like a Wall Street or Tech espionage thriller – I thought an asteroid or something was going to come crashing on screen.
Like you guys, I returned from FinCon jazzed about this and donated on Monday. I had already heard of the film from ChooseFI podcasts, but meeting the movie makers in person and hearing the impact it is having on their staff was a great example of the possibilities of this having a really big effect on the public at large.
It was great to meet you and Mindy in person. You are both so generous with your time and your partying too!
Susan, it was awesome meeting you too! Also, thanks for donating to the cause!
I’m in for $100, as well. I got chills watching the trailer (twice!) on the big screen at FinCon and again with my wife when we got home. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
Cheers!
-PoF
CAN”T WAIT TO WATCH THIS! Thanks for helping to spread the word…this has the potential to change a lot of people’s lives.
I watched the trailer several times already. I also the documentary from the Minimalists. I’m glad they were part of this film and it’s a great synergy. Really hope to be able to see this film online. Even if the film can get on to YT Red, I’d be excited to watch it!
I know this is old, but whenever referencing suicides please include a link and phone number to a suicide prevention hotline. You never know if your article is what someone will find.
1-800-273-8255
I just updated the post. Thank you for mentioning this.