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'Corner Gas' Movie Definitely Happening: Kickstarter Campaign Goal Reached

'Corner Gas' Movie Definitely Happening
CTV

We're all going to be heading back to Dog River!

The "Corner Gas: The Movie" Kickstarter campaign has reached 100 percent of its initial goal in just one day, Prairie Pants Distribution has confirmed.

Launched yesterday, the 30-day campaign to promote fan engagement and raise funds for once-in-a-lifetime fan rewards and experiences surpassed its initial goal at 9:26 a.m. ET with 723 fans worldwide pledging $100,000 to be part of movie-making history.

Support came from around the world; dozens of countries contributed, including Canada, the US, UK, Europe, Australia and as far afield as Oman, India, China, and Kyrgyzstan.

"The way people have responded to this show has been blowing me away since that first episode. I thought nothing the fans could do would surprise me anymore. But to reach a month long target in one day is beyond incredible. 'Corner Gas' fans blow my mind yet again," said creator/star/writer and executive producer Brent Butt.

"This campaign has put us directly in touch with fans across Canada and around the world. We are so thankful for their support and are looking forward to engaging with them during production and all the way to the release of the movie coming to theatres, then TV, then DVD this holiday season," said Virginia Thompson, executive producer.

As of this writing, the campaign has reached 842 backers and is 125 percent over its initial goal. The first backer was a Canadian -- Maaike de Lint from Toronto. Jack Wheat from Kentucky provided the lucky pledge that pushed the campaign past $100,000. To date, backers have pledged up to $6000. Some of the rewards purchased include:

  • For $6000, one backer purchased a brief speaking role in the movie
  • For $2500, 10 backers purchased the opportunity to play a background role in the movie
  • For $1500, six backers purchased a VIP set visit and opportunity to meet the cast
  • For $750, three backers purchased the opportunity to provide the first and last name of a character in the movie
  • For $750, one backer purchased a personalized voice message from Brent Butt

Continuing through to June 18, the campaign’s next goal is to raise additional funds to enhance special and visual effects in the production, fly the cast to Cineplex premieres across Canada, create a behind-the-scenes documentary for the DVD, and maintain the "Corner Gas" set in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, as a tourist destination for one year.

Backers can obtain entry to the "Corner Gas" Backers’ Club, an exclusive, online, all-access backstage pass where they will receive video messages from the cast and crew, interviews with fans that visit the set, the latest behind-the-scenes updates, photos, and footage - from the cast reunion, to the making-of process, to red carpet premieres.

"Corner Gas: The Movie" begins production in Saskatchewan on June 23, 2014. The 90-minute feature film will be delivered to Canadians as a national event on multiple screens. The first-ever release strategy of its kind, the film will open with a Cineplex exclusive theatrical debut followed by premieres on The Movie Network, CTV, and The Comedy Network, complemented by a special collector’s edition DVD available for purchase before the holidays.

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