We need to raise $20,000 to produce the film. We have secured additional financing through various scandinavian funds (free speech org, local film commission, etc.), and with a successful kickstarter even more such backing is likely. This means that for every $ you donate, we stand a good chance of getting additional $ from film funds. Sweet!

Our goal is to get the film completed by the latter half of 2016, show the film at limited theatrical screenings around the world, and have it ready for public broadcast early 2017. We need money for:


THE FILM

In March 2010, we raised $30K through Norwegian film funds. With that funding, we interviewed a selection of people connected to the filesharing- and net-neutrality debate, and completed research and development. Now in 2015 we need your help so we can embark on an epic tour to finish the film and hopefully save the internet!

BITS & BYTES is a feature length documentary film that explores the economic and cultural benefits of the free Internet. The film presents viewpoints from hackers, politicians, artists, filesharers, philanthropists, industry CEOs and professors.


HERE'S THE PROBLEM

Recent years has seen an explosive interest in closing down the free and open structure of the Internet. As distribution of all forms of media content is gradually pushed online, increase in economic interest follows. We are now approaching a crossroads. If the big cooperations and its political peers is allowed to control the Internet, it might rapidly loose its function as a world wide collaborative web. The diversity of the Internet is what makes it valuable. Had it not been for the millions of small contributors, there would be no big online companies: No bits, no bytes.

On the other hand copyright infringement, the potential for terrorists and criminals to communicate anonymously and more makes the question at hand extremely complex.

Is increased surveillance and restriction of your internet the way to go? Perhaps it is the only way to facilitate a sustainable market and safe community. Millions of people seem to disagree, but what is the solution?

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LINKS

Facebook | Twitter

http://www.bitsandbytesmovie.com

WHY WE ARE MAKING THIS FILM

To live and experience first hand the development of the internet is something that may be envied for thousands of years. We might be watching the first baby steps of humanity entering a new stage, so let us nurture the net, not destroy it. We are making this film to help push awareness of the issues the net has gone through and is going through. Too often do we take for granted what we have. Can we afford to repeat the mistakes done with previous communications platforms, allowing monopolisation of cable and phone lines?


FILM GOALS

• Complete filming by July 2016.

• Release behind the scenes shorts of our travels from production while filming.

• Pre-premiere release to our backers and distribute rewards shortly after.

• Distribute film online.

• Release a selection of in-depth/'uncut' interviews to the public within 6 months after premiere.

WHAT WE NEED

We need to raise $20,000 to produce the film. We have secured additional financing through various scandinavian funds (free speech org, local film commission, etc.), and with a successful kickstarter even more such backing is likely. This means that for every $ you donate, we stand a good chance of getting additional $ from film funds. Sweet!

Our goal is to get the film completed by the latter half of 2016, show the film at limited theatrical screenings around the world, and have it ready for public broadcast early 2017. We need money for:

1. Production - Travelling is expensive. So is film equipment, but we have that covered.

2. Post production - To have proessional color correction and sound mixing is an essential part of a good documentary. We are shooting this film for 4K delivery. It would be sad not to have equally good sound. We need funding to have our film professionally mixed for television and theatrical release.

3. Musical Score - We need funding to produce an epic original score with both live orchestral and electronic elements. Composer pending. Hollywood-class composers and Topof the charts-producers have hinted at interest and possibiblity of doingit very cheap (to their standards). Exact decision pending.

4. Archival Footage - We must pay for archival news footage to use in the film. This is a very expensive process and we need your help to get it done.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

- Share the project in sosial media
In order for this project to be successful we are counting on your help to share this project on as many social media platforms as you can. We urge the use of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Google Plus, Tumblr, Reddit, email, or just tell people about us! Please post daily or weekly about our project so all your friends know about us!


WHY DO WE NEED MORE MONEY?

A common question is, why do you need more money when you already have funding? The answer is, the Internet is complicated, and movies are expensive to make. The project has grown beyond what we had originally anticipated by interviewing more people and exploring issues that we had never thought of. In this process we alsogot in touch with a whole new world of people and stories that simply must be captured on camera.

We initialy thought to do about 20 interviews – which is generally a few more than the average for a documentary, but as the scope of this film exanded, we will be doing close to 50 interviews. This is necessary to get the most complete unbiased opinion of this story, and it is of the utmost importance that this story be told truthfully and that all sides of the issue get to represent their view in a proper manner.

The choice was made early on to make a first class documentary film, rather than a second class film that doesn't cover all the issues.


REWARDS

We have tried to provide a simple selection of donation tiers to choose from. Choose from a digital download with no strings attached, to physical copies of the film, a poster, t-shirt, and more.



THANK YOU – A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

I began the journey of this film when a former known hacker gave a guided tour through the dark web with all its good and bad sides.

As research and development progressed, I have been fortunate to meet welcoming, helpful people, whether they be well-versed politicians, activists, famous and not-so-famous entertainers, unfortunate law-suit victims or anonymous hackers (or lawyers!). They have all met us with respect, a welcoming smile, and a mind set on sharing their beliefs and helping us delve further into the issue by referencing us to friends and colleagues.

So I want to say thanks to everyone we have interviewed so far. Especially Zac Shaw, John-Peery Barlow, Joel Tenenbaum and prof. Charles Nesson of Harvard who gave a lot of time and effort to help us make the trailer.

Also, thank you for visiting this Kickstarter page. I hope you have the opportunity to contribute and see our film later