Thanks to your support, Berlin-based director Gregory David King will have a home away from home during the two months he will spend in New Zealand working on his film, U.F.O. The New Zealand Film Commission-funded film, produced by Mhairead Connor, follows nine-year-old Brains as he searches for a way to find his real family in outer space. Sounds like something we can all relate to…

The filming has been going strong, but Mhairead took the time to give us a bit of feedback on their crowdfunding experience:

What did you like about PledgeMe?
A great way to reach supporters and make new ones. You’re building audiences as well as funds!

How did you find the experience?
Nerve racking but awesome! The interface was pretty straightforward.

Any tips for newbies?
Reach out to all your networks. You have more than you think.

I say crowdfunding, you say:
Thank God!

For more information click here.

Producer Charlotte Larsen’s Life. After. will be featuring in Bats 2013 Season. The support of 43 pledgers means the show will have extra publicity, not to mention some sweet costumes and props. You go pledgers! Life. After. depicts the unconventional story of two sisters, Stella (Liz Kirkman) and Maya (Anita Ross), as they handle being on different ends of life and death, while residing in the same flat. One as a ghost, and one in grieving. We can’t wait to see it!

This is the second PledgeMe success for Liz, who crowdfunded an amazing trip to the United Kingdom and Europe to receive vocal training with world class professionals. Check out it out here.

Here’s what Charlotte had to say about her crowdfunding experience.

What did you like about PledgeMe?
Anyone can do it!

How did you find the experience?
Great! Nerve wracking near the end to see if we didn’t make target it was a close finish!

Any tips for newbies?
Push even if you think your audience is bored of seeing your 500th Facebook post about it.

I say crowdfunding, you say:
Awesome!

To top it all off, actresses Anita Ross and Liz Kirkman shared the PledgeMe love in the image at the top, thanks guys

Yes. That’s the boy band. Yikes! Fortunately our success stories are way better! Including:

Speed stacker Kaleb Rongokea will be representing New Zealand at the Speed Stacking World Championships in Florida, U.S.A. We are SO stoked for our 236th success.

Congratulations to Sam Matthews! The Nepal Infant Incubator doco project has reached its target goal to film a documentary on the country’s healthcare system. Well done pledgers!

The Bring (Food Forest) Andy to Auckland campaign has exceeded its target. Mother Nature will be delighted Big Love right back at ya James.

Dynamic music duo Into the East = PledgeMe success. We can’t wait to hear what ‘Fight From the Inside’ sounds like (and eat some of those cheese rolls).

PledgeMe success ‘My Friend is a Superhero’ will see 1000 copies of the children’s book printed, 500 of which will be distributed to low-decile schools across the country! We think you guys are superheroes..

One of PledgeMe’s latest projects is by up-and-coming label, Surface Too Deep. The swimwear brand formed by aspiring fashion designers, Sarah Jane and Esther, offers adventurous textiles, inspired by the whimsical nature of friends in the summertime. A perfect excuse to hit the beach in this drought. Surface Too Deep’s ‘The Amazing Adventures of Bonnie and Belle Summer ’13/14 collection has been given the opportunity to showcase at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia. The Massey University designers are already over halfway to funding their Australian fashion debut. We’re definitely excited for them! Check it out here.

Surface Too Deep’s Sarah Jane answered a few questions for us.

What inspired you to become fashion designers?
I don’t think we can remember the exact point where the path of designer came up but we’re both pretty obsessed with hand crafts, textiles, prints and intricate shapes within fabric.

Who are people you especially admire in the fashion industry?
There are so many inspirational people for different reasons – Alexander McQueen RIP – Love his dark edge, Grace Coddington – the greatest stylist who has ever lived, Bill Cunningham – a man who can sum up a trend in 24 pics and nail it in words, Cybele who has taught us so much, past tutors esp. Gen Packer, Deb Cumming and Vince! And fellow designers who are out there living the dream and making it happen.

What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
Hmmm, I guess it’s really important to be offering things that are different and that make women feel good about themselves. We seriously love seeing someone try a piece on and loving their body in our swimsuit. That part is pretty amazing

What is your favourite part of conceptualizing a design?
Getting inspiration from something random – following the idea through and seeing it come to life. The shoot is definitely our favourite part – getting to style the magic and play around with props etc. It is super hard work and we’re usually totally exhausted at the end of the day but it’s always soooo exciting.

What’s your favourite item of clothing (current or past)?
Our Surface too Deep swimmers of course!

Is there anything else you would like to say about yourselves?
Esther just wants to say she loves animals – especially Kipper (That’s my dog)

How did you find out about crowdfunding?
Through a friend who has had massive success through this type of crowd funding so we searched for one that applied to us.

Volunteer teacher Leilana Quinger surpassed her $1000 target to provide books, school supplies and sport equipment to the Rainbow Academy, based in Bengal, India. And there’s still 42 days left! Ay Carumba!

This warm-hearted project shows the effect that NZ crowdfunding can have on the world. One pledger commented on Quinger’s PledgeMe page, ‘You are the good of the world. Thank you for making it easy for me to help’.

Check out Books of Rainbow’s PledgeMe page here, or visit the Rainbow Academy Tumblr page.

Are you all for the eradication of poverty in Asia-Pacific? Then P3 Foundation will definitely float your boat. And no, it’s not a game console! The youth-managed New Zealand charity is dead keen on spreading the love throughout the Victoria University campus. The organisation’s recent PledgeMe success will go towards marketing materials and getting the P3 word on the streets of Wellington. Woohoo!

Here’s what our 213th PledgeMe success, P3 Foundation member Sarah, thought about crowdfunding:

What did you like about PledgeMe?

I love how PledgeMe has created such a supportive and accessible way to crowdfund and to make great new kiwi projects a reality.The friendly and approachable staff were full of great tips to get you started, and we had a lot of fun thinking up funky rewards for our pledgers.

How did you find the experience?

Excellent. It was a very smooth process with easy to understand instructions and supportive emails.

Any tips for newbies?

Make sure you put more than enough rewards on offer, you don’t want anyone disappointed if their favourite one has run out.

I say crowdfunding, you say:

Give it a go! Turn that idea into a reality.

For more info, check out their project page here.