Potts Creates Online Campaign for His First Indie Feature Film

Two years ago, I wrote a post celebrating the DIY spirit of independent filmmaking by taking a look at the forthcoming debut feature-length project, Firecracker, from actor and director Andrew Lee Potts’ Keychain Productions in co-production with Empire Studios. The film, set on Bonfire Night in the U.K., is about the aftermath of a heist that goes terribly wrong, challenging everything from the emotional strength to the survival skills of the main characters.

The film has since been released on several streaming services, including Amazon Prime, and Google Play, is getting attention from both fans and critics.  In addition, it is currently nominated for National Film Awards for “Best Thriller” and “Best Picture” alongside movies like Saltburn and Bob Marley: One Love.

The UK-based National Film Awards were created in 1999 as a way to “support, mentor and promote” filmmakers other talent in the industry via festivals, workshops and more in both the United States and Europe. This year marks their 10 annual awards event on July 3. Winners rely on votes by via memberships.

I love both the horror and science fiction genres, so Potts has been someone who has always popped up on my watch list. He’s also gained a pretty large fan-following for those who loved his breakout roles in series like the Syfy network’s Alice and BBC’s Primeval. 

He is also a genuinely nice guy, and extreme hard worker, something I appreciated from someone in any field of the performing or visual arts.

Currently, Potts is still grinding away to get more and more people to discover his company’s film and the efforts of his fellow creatives. One of the ways he has been funding the marketing projects is through his own sort crowdfunding “Hot Seat” campaign.

Potts is offering those who donate 60£ (about $75) or more to the campaign, a 30-minute one-on-one Zoom session for fans to talk to him about anything they want (within reason, of course), along with a signed photo sent anywhere in the world.

Potts does offer online screen acting coaching, as well as making appearances via the convention route, but his Hot Seat offerings are a more personal casual experience for fans, with costs going directly to his work. That’s a very DIY approach to creating funding for your project, and I would think indie artists of all disciplines could find that admirable. Potts will be offering this personal Q&A for a few more weeks, giving fans some time to make a donation and set up a session at their convenience.

Even while he is still working like made with his marketing strategies for Firecracker, Potts is also developing his next thriller heist film, DIVIDED, set in the future London. He is also still landing acting roles well-known series like The Witcher and The Crown, as well as taking on two very different vampire roles in independent films making the film festival circuit Drained and Bogieville.

When it comes to the mainstream feature films and series, we often hear about the importance of fans supporting the project, and this often include films that already have the backing from some deep pockets both inside and outside of the industry.

For indie filmmakers, the support from moviegoers and fans is even more important, because they are, more than anything, doing it for the love of the craft and the love of the fans. That alone, makes these films something worth checking.

Those interested in donating to Potts’s campaign can do so via his official website or andrewleeposts.com.uk or follow him on Instagram at pottsandrewlee. Film lovers can also vote Potts’ film by signing up for a free membership to the National Film Academy.