I think it's brilliant. For a variety of reasons: First, you lose the legacy financing model to make an independent (sub-$10M) movie. So you not only get to ma

I think it's brilliant. For a variety of reasons: First, you lose the legacy financing model to make an independent (sub-$10M) movie. So you not only get to make your feature, but you get to keep all worldwide distribution rights. You're already winning. Second, you make the status quo a part of the movie-making process. Something that has always been very "private" for filmmakers and "exclusive." Or at least that's what Hollywood has had the world believing for the past century. Even today when you visit a set (from experience in developing software for these guys) the entire on-set dynamic is a very closed system. People just don't want outsiders there. So Braff is changing this by allowing people to visit set, interact with the picture, be extras, get credits, even offering a role in the movie. Three, this and Veronica Mars are changing shifting the paradigm for getting a movie funded. Sure - there's a lot of risk. These guys might not even make it, but if they plan right, budget accordingly, and have professionals involved (which I will assume they do) - they will make the movie. So I foresee a lof of indies going this route. I agree with others that NOT having a digital copy / DVD for an $X dollar donation is a bad thing. But it makes sense why he doesn't want to do it. (He can, he's just not doing it because he wants to make more money on domestic and international traditional distribution deals). BUT eventually, this model will shit away from the traditional way films are sold/distributed. If an owner of a project can raise MORE money to individual buyers (funders) vs. a 5-year distribution deal - than he/she will give up the rights and traditional distributors will be put out of business (no more movies for them, all online). So again, I think this is the start of many more indies funding this way. It's pretty brilliant, they are already at $1.25M and will exceed the target 100%.