Thanks to you, our campaign has been successful! You can still help make this movie - please donate: http://tinyurl.com/c7qgz59
A MOVIE AND A LAUNCHPAD
The Yes Men Are Revolting is a funny, action-packed adventure. With the environment on the brink of collapse, we ask a pressing question: at a time when corporate forces have bought and sold democracy, how can we effect real change? Our answer: get every viewer involved in the struggle.
The Yes Men Are Revolting completes a trilogy of funny feature docs we started a decade ago. In our first film, The Yes Men (2004), we posed as spokespeople for the World Trade Organization, acting out comedic vigilante justice against the elite. In The Yes Men Fix the World (2009), we delivered a bunch of hard-hitting, hilarious stunts that show why we must change our corporations-first system, and what’s in store if we don’t. The Yes Men Are Revolting will be even more jam-packed with screwball comedy, nail-biting suspense, nasty stings, and informative documentary. It'll also have a gripping personal storyline the first two films lacked—as well as a human-staffed platform to convert viewer enthusiasm into direct action, letting everyone join in the fun and contribute to the movement for change.
We're hatching our most ambitious plan ever: a human-staffed platform to help every inspired viewer of our film—or anyone at all—get involved. Our “Action Switchboard” taps our 100,000-person database, as well as some much bigger lists, to create fun, meaningful, movement-building projects around the issues we all care about.This is a plan that invites everyone to join us in revolt. But we need your help now to get the movie and the Switchboard off the ground.
WHY KICKSTARTER?
For the last four years we’ve worked with dozens of groups on infiltrations, impersonations, and mass actions to try to make a difference. Check out the video on this page for a little taste! After the part where we ask for your support, you’ll see a scene where we hold a press conference pretending to be from the US Chamber of Commerce (big-money lobbyists who spend hundreds of millions blocking and dismantling environment, labor, housing, and health laws). The press conference goes well, and the Chamber’s real PR guy even shows up—comedic vigilante justice at its best.
But as we continued pulling off actions like the one against the Chamber, the Obama years rolled by, and as money's chokehold on democracy got tighter, we got more frantic. We even took it out on each other, and our “band” almost split up. But then, a sequence of unbelievable global uprisings, from Tahrir Square to Occupy Wall Street, got us excited about the idea of a global revolution–and we began to realize that we can do it too. Then, energized by our involvement with the Occupy movement, we came to realize our true role in social change.
When our first movie came out, studios and television networks were paying pretty well—but then the the market for indie films went into freefall.
Today, we're really in a pinch. Corporate sponsorship, of course, is right out. So we're turning to you. The money we raise will go towards paying for a few more shoots and a couple more actions around the globe. We also need money to pay for editors, equipment, archival footage, legal counsel, and all the technical work it takes to get a movie finished and into the world. Finally, we'll need funds for "outreach," mainly the creation and staffing of the Action Switchboard, a way to plug inspired viewers into ongoing projects and help generate new ones. It'll come out at the same time as the film.
If you kick in now, you can join in this steamy synergy. Hurry!
HOW DOES KICKSTARTER WORK?
Kickstarter is a way to “crowdsource” fundraising. In the absence of real funding for films or activist platforms, it enables a lot of people to give what they can in order to make good things happen—which is a bit like how social movements work, sort of.
MAKE A DONATION TO THE FILM AND YOU GET A REWARD. Choose the amount you’d like to donate and the gift you’d like. When funding is completed, you will be charged for your pledge and we will send rewards.
IF WE DON’T MEET OUR GOAL, WE DON’T GET ANY OF THE MONEY. That’s right, even if we’re $10 short of our goal, we won’t get a dime. That’s why we need you to kick in!
THE TEAM
Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno (the Yes Men) (directors)The Yes Men are an activist duo known for their outrageous satirical interventions at business events, on the internet, television, and in the streets. Their award-winning documentaries, The Yes Men and The Yes Men Fix the World--official selections at Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, and SXSW, and broadcast on HBO and many international TV outlets--chronicle the their mind-blowing pranks that expose and publicize vital issues at critical times. They have authored several books, lectured internationally on art and social change, and are founders of the Yes Lab, an educational organization devoted to training next-generation activists.
Laura is a director/producer of the documentary The Light in Her Eyes, which premiered at IDFA, and was broadcast on the series POV on PBS. She recently co-wrote PBS documentary California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown. Nix produced the festival hit The Yes Men Fix the World. Her nonfiction work has been shown on HBO, IFC, and the History Channel. She is the writer/director/producer of the narrative feature The Politics of Fur, which played in over 70 film festivals internationally and won numerous awards including the Grand Jury Prize at Outfest.
Adam McKay (executive producer)
McKay is a writer, director, and producer whose credits include Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, The Other Guys, and The Campaign. His upcoming projects include Undroppable, a documentary that tackles the dropout rate in our schools, and Anchorman 2. McKay is a former head writer of SNL and one of the founding members of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Other credits include writing for Michael Moore's show The Awful Truth and co-founding the comedy website Funny or Die with Will Ferrell. McKay also produces HBO's hit comedy series Eastbound and Down, now in its fourth season, through his and Ferrell’s company, Gary Sanchez Productions. In 2009 he took to the stage, directing the Tony nominated Broadway show You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush.
Geraud collaborated on narrative films such as The Great Debaters by Denzel Washington, Conviction by Tony Goldwyn, and Brothers by Jim Sheridan. His narrative and documentary work has been shown in festivals like Sundance (The Adventures of Power, 2008), Telluride (The Road of the Little Song, 2003) and Toronto International where From the Sky Down, directed by Davis Guggenheim, opened the festival in 2011. He recently edited the adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s Big Sur, directed by Michael Polish, and a piece for the Obama campaign directed by Davis Guggenheim.
Kurt Engfehr (editor)Kurt is best known for his work as editor/co-producer on two of Michael Moore's films, the Oscar-winning Bowling for Columbine, which also won the American Cinema Editors award for best documentary editing, and the Cannes Palme d'Or winning Fahrenheit 9/11.In addition to his collaborations with Moore, Kurt co-directed The Yes Men Fix the World, which aired on HBO, and Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, a humorous doc about weight loss and self-realization that was released theatrically in 2011 and has become an online sensation, seen by over 4 million people.
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
I WISH I COULD DO MORE...
You can! Encourage your friends to donate. Sign up to our mailing list (www.theyesmenarerevolting.com), and share that link on your Facebook profile and Twitter feed. "Like" us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@theyesmen), and tell the world that the Yes Men are revolting - and so are you!
FAQ
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Amazon Payments is the only payment option on Kickstarter. You can donate to us through You Pay, although it won't go towards our fundraising goal on Kickstarter. But we understand if you want to go this route. Click below to make a donation.
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First we need to finish it. Our plan is for release in the fall of 2013. We will send you updates on progress as we go, and then we will send you the movie reward when it is commercially available, which could even be much later than next fall. But your other rewards will be sent to you much sooner, as they are ready. Thank you so much for your support and patience!
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Yes, two of them - they are delightful, successful, and award-winning. "The Yes Men" and "The Yes Men Fix the World" were official selections at Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, and SXSW, and broadcast on HBO and many international TV outlets. Following its theatrical run, "The Yes Men Fix the World" became an online sensation, beating out "Toy Story 3" in number of p2p downloads in its first weekend (precisely our goal all along), and it’s been downloaded over two million times. Watch it here: http://vodo.net/theyesmen
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Share this project your friends, family, frenemies, and foes! Tell them that you support it, and they should too.
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheYesMenAreRevolting
Join our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/384178228323645/
Follow us on Twitter: @theyesmen
Tweet about us. Mash up these or make your own:
Check out the #revolting new film @theYesMen are launching on Kickstarter! http://kck.st/TD9hY9
Help the Yes Men get their #revolting movie off the ground http://kck.st/TD9hY9
@theyesmen, I can’t wait to get my secret decoder ring! http://kck.st/TD9hY9
@theyesmen have #revolting news! http://kck.st/TD9hY9
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The Yes Men
- First created · 31 backed
- Mike Bonanno 1008 friends
- Website: theyesmenarerevolting.com
Pledge $1 or more
260 backersMovements are made of many people giving even a little - your buck is worth more than its value in solidarity vibes!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $10 or more
512 backersFeel-Good Pack: Unlimited virtual hugs and high-fives from Mike and Andy using our web-based video Huggerator™ and access to password-protected preview scenes before the movie is released.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $35 or more
417 backersSecret Decoder Ring: Our precious USB ring is loaded with media, tools, and your access code to becoming an agent in the Yes Net, unlocking special communications we send in the future, including videos and action plans that invite you to join in the fun. In addition to your code, the ring contains an agent-induction video, “Beautiful Trouble” ebook, and addictively fun video games from Molleindustria, including the banned iPhone game PhoneStory.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $20 to ship outside the USPledge $50 or more
295 backersBy popular demand: the Digital Delivery Pack for backers who don't want to pay international shipping costs. You get the digital download version of the Secret Decoder Ring contents, and "The Yes Men Are Revolting" movie digital download, plus the other rewards above.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $50 or more
233 backersRevolting Digital Pack: "The Yes Men Are Revolting" movie digital download (when released), plus all of the above including decoder ring.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $20 to ship outside the USPledge $75 or more
99 backersYes Men DVD Pack: "The Yes Men are Revolting" DVD and digital download (when released), and “The Yes Men Fix the World” DVD (our last film), plus all of the above including decoder ring.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $20 to ship outside the USPledge $100 or more
231 backersRevolting T-Shirt Pack: "The Yes Men are Revolting" official T-shirt, plus all of the above, including DVDs, backer listing, digital download, and decoder ring.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $25 to ship outside the USPledge $150 or more
75 backersYes Men Toolbox Pack: All of the above, including DVDs, backer listing, digital download, decoder ring, movies, and shirt - plus the print edition of “Beautiful Trouble”, the ultimate manual for creative activism, signed by the Yes Men!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $50 to ship outside the USPledge $250 or more
22 backersYes Men Super PAC: Our original fake newspapers! Special editions of the New York Times and New York Post (held by Andy and Mike in picture at left), signed by the Yes Men. Plus all the above, including decoder ring, backer listing, signed book, shirt, and movies.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $75 to ship outside the USPledge $500 or more
27 backersMega Fan Pack: “Citizen Producer” credit in the end credits of the film AND signed copies of the first Yes Men book (out of print) and the “Keep it Slick” Yes Men activity book. Plus everything above, including ring, backer listing, shirt, movies, signed newspapers.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $150 to ship outside the USPledge $1,000 or more
3 backersChat with the Yes Men Pack: A personal video call with Andy or Mike -- get their input on your project, brainstorm, or just berate them! Plus all the above, including ring, Citizen Producer credit, signed Beautiful Trouble book, two signed Yes Men books, shirt, movies, signed newspapers.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Add $150 to ship outside the USPledge $3,000 or more
2 backers Limited (13 of 15 left)A limited-edition, signed, and numbered archival silkscreen print of one McRevolutionary (50x70cm, gallery priced at $3,750, seen at left). Plus phone call, Citizen Producer credit, ring, book, shirt, movies, and Mega Pack.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Add $200 to ship outside the USPledge $5,000 or more
0 backers“Financial sector cleanup” mop costume from the film! Plus everything above, including the Mega Fan Pack, Citizen Producer credit, call with Mike or Andy, decoder ring, movies, shirt, books, and more!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Add $200 to ship outside the USPledge $7,500 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)Crowd Placement - make a gratuitous, exclusive appearance in the film, in which you interact with Mike and Andy through the magic of the movies! plus everything in the Mega Fan Pack including the Citizen Producer credit, call with Andy or Mike, decoder ring, movies, shirt, books, and more! (Transportation to the location and lodging not included.)
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Add $200 to ship outside the USPledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)OPTION A: Limited-edition set of all six signed archival silkscreen prints McRevolutionaries (50x70cm, gallery priced at $18,000), plus everything in the Mega Fan Pack including the Citizen Producer credit, call with Mike or Andy, decoder ring, movies, shirt, books, and more!
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backersOPTION B: Sailing excursion with the Yes Men. Yes, you heard us: yachts are for the 1%, but wind-powered sailing is for anyone. Of course, Andy doesn’t have his own boat, but as a sailing teacher in a community waterfront organization, he can take you out for a day of irony on the waters surrounding the financial capital of the world. Plus everything in the Mega Fan Pack including the Citizen Producer credit, decoder ring, movies, shirt, books, and more! (Transportation to New York City and lodging not included.)
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backersOPTION C: Creative Activism workshop! The Yes Lab will conduct its action-packed media-hijacking crash course for you and comrades, with consultation and support throughout the process of devising and executing your own Yes Men style action. Plus everything in the Mega Fan Pack, Citizen Producer credit, decoder ring, movies, shirt, books, and more! (Transportation to New York City and lodging not included.)
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)OPTION D: Weather climate change and say goodbye to boredom with your own Yes Men Survivaball, the rare collectible costume from our last movie. Plus everything in the Mega Fan Pack including the Citizen Producer credit, call with Andy or Mike, decoder ring, movies, shirt, books, and more!
Estimated delivery: May 2013
