How You Can Get Involved in ‘God-umentaries’

WP Films, the studio behind the popular and sometimes controversial “God-umentaries” Finger of God, Father of Lights, and Holy Ghost, have never been afraid to try new things. They were one of the first to embrace the concept of turning churches into movie theaters, taking their films on tours around the world to packed churches, sometimes with many thousands of people in attendance. They perfected the use of Kickstarter, a popular crowdfunding platform, to finance their tours and films, with Holy Ghost raising more money on Kickstarter than any faith-based film in history. And now they are launching Legacy, which founder Darren Wilson is claiming could be a major turning point in the way media is both created and consumed.

The concept behind Legacy is fairly simple. Core fans from around the world pay a yearly fee designed to fund new projects for WP to create. In return, they receive access to everything WP has made, and will also receive new films and projects before anyone else. They’ll be taken behind the scenes in unprecedented ways while WP works on new movies and television shows, and will have a front row seat to the making of countless projects.

“If it stopped there, it wouldn’t be much different from current crowdfunding,” says Wilson. “But with Legacy, the real game changer is in the community aspect. Not only will we be able to talk to you about what we’re doing, but you’ll be able to talk to us and, even better, you’ll be able to talk to each other.” To this end, WP has built a closed community that will unite thousands of like-minded Christians around the world under a shared vision that God is loving, powerful and cares deeply for each and every one of them. “This is going to the major separator between Legacy and all other crowdfunding platforms,” Wilson continues. “Not only does it give us way more flexibility to communicate back and forth with our fanbase, but it provides a place for our fanbase to find each other to discuss questions, provide encouragement, give prayer support and really allow iron to sharpen iron.”

Darren and WP Films CEO Braden Heckman are both quick to point out the other obvious benefit of something like Legacy. “The great struggle of every production company is always, how are we going to pay for all the new content we want to make?” Heckman says. “To give your core fanbase the opportunity to come alongside you and not only consistently help fund your projects, but also have a personal stake in what you’re doing, is one of the most exciting things ever for us. With Kickstarter, it’s always one project and then you’re left behind. With Legacy, we’re truly blurring the lines between fans and family. We want you with us, not just for this one project, but for the whole journey and many, many projects.”

Legacy has just launched, but initially is only open to the first 500 who sign up. “We currently have a waiting list of thousands,” Heckman points out, “and they all signed up before they (or we) even knew the fullness of what this was going to be. It just goes to show how passionate people are for what we do, and also how hungry they are to get behind a vision.” The initial limitation is designed for WP to be able to work out any kinks on the website, as they are known for their high standards in customer care. More spots will be opened up soon, and WP is expecting a vibrant, engaged community numbering in the thousands by the end of the year.

“We’ve always viewed ourselves as pioneers in a way,” Wilson finishes. “Just because something’s always been done a certain way doesn’t make it the only way. When you’re making movies about God, I guess it comes with the territory that you’re going to be pushed in new, creative directions. I’m just excited that for the first time ever, an audience is going to be able to directly fund the things they want, then participate in the making of those things in a community atmosphere. It’s going to make the making of these things so much more enjoyable for us, and way more rewarding for them.”

To find out more or to add your name to the waiting list for Legacy, visit wpfilms.co/legacy.