Popular YouTube network Rooster Teeth has launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund its first movie, “Lazer Team.” It is a science-fiction comedy about set years after reported contact between earth and an alien civilization.
Science-fiction is a popular genre at Rooster Teeth, the Austin, Tex.-based production company that made “Red vs. Blue,” a popular web series it claims is the web’s longest-running show. The company operates an eponymous channel that boasts more than 5 million subscribers and 2 billion views.
See video: Don Cheadle Crowdfunding His Miles Davis Film Via Indiegogo Campaign
“We’ve always been movie guys,” Rooster Teeth founder Burnie Burns, who created “Red vs. Blue,” said in the video explaining the campaign. When he first met Matt Hullum, his long-time producing partner and Rooster Teeth’s current CEO, their goal was to make a film.
Web video came first, but a lot of web-first companies and creators are experimenting with feature-length projects. YouTube stars Grace Helbig, Hannah Hart and Mamrie Hart made “Camp Takota,” while AwesomenessTV is making a movie with Vine stars Nash Grier and Cameron Dallas.
Rooster Teeth has set a goal of $650,000 for the campaign, though like all crowdfunders, the company hopes fans will pony up even more. [Update: Fans contributed more than $300,000 within the first few hours.] The money will be spent on visual effects, talent and shooting locations, among other needs.
