Are you ready to say YES to the power of your own voice?
Hi! I’m Melissa Center - an actress, award-winning filmmaker, and crowdfunding expert who has helped creatives raise over $1.6M for their independent films, plays, and albums.
I created “Center Yourself Crowdfunding” in order to help storytellers, especially women, Jewish Queens, queer artists and our allies, raise funds on our own terms because too often we are sidelined. It’s time we center ourselves - both in terms of taking up space and in terms of coming into alignment to do our most expansive work.
Hell yeah!
Here is a small sampling of projects I have supported:
DO I HAVE TO CROWDFUND?!
No, you don’t HAVE to. However, if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to wait for grants that may or may not exist / come through, or be beholden to gatekeepers in order to produce your art.
Crowdfunding is the best way to raise the funds you need in the most efficient amount of time, REPRESENT YOUR OWN VOICE, build an EXCEPTIONAL AUDIENCE for your project, and become a CONFIDENT, CREATIVE FORCE.
BUT IT FEELS CRINGE!
Believe me, I’ve #BeenThere! Asking for the support you need (and deserve) can feel daunting, overwhelming, and sometimes cringey. You’ve probably heard countless stories of campaigns that were a total catastrophe / living nightmare. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY! Not if you have the right PROCESS.
By CENTERING YOURSELF, you will move from ANXIOUS to UNSTOPPABLE.
But don’t take MY word for it. Check out my former clients’:
“In a world of people constantly trying to sell you their services (most of them overpromising and underdelivering), Melissa Center is, by far, the real deal. We worked together on my album campaign and she had my back all the way. This is a woman who goes above and beyond to make sure her clients succeed. The only reason you might not reach or surpass your goal if you hire her is if you refuse to get out of your own way. And she'll help you with that, too.”
- Aliza Hava
“Melissa helped me find the ability and the power within myself, and a small army of friends and colleagues who once asked, helped raise me up to make what seemed impossible possible.”
- Amy Krause
"Melissa Center's thorough knowledge of crowdfunding strategies and tactics generates results. She seamlessly balances the logistical with the emotional. Melissa deeply listens to the filmmaker's needs and the story's reason for being and provides a step-by-step plan complete with timelines and templates."
Moitri Ghosh
“I went from - I want to do this thing but I feel terrified, to oh my god oh my god like people are giving and they're giving a lot!”
- Cristina Wolf
“It makes me feel like I can believe in myself now…”
-Josie Bray
"It felt fun like we were in a class that we wanted to be in….”
- Salisha Thomas
INSPIRING!
YOU TOO can go from feeling you are falling with no net to claiming your space in the world.
So who is Melissa Center, really?
As I mentioned above, I am an actor, award-winning creator, and yes - crowdfunding expert. My acting work has spanned from roles on This is Us (NBC), Grey's Anatomy (ABC), & Masters of Sex (SHO), to a tour of A Chorus Line to Sex with Strangers at the Hollywood Fringe. As a creator I am most known for telling bold, visceral women’s stories. My short-film, R.V, about the threat to women’s reproductive rights, reached half a million people online and was recognized by international festivals & conferences. My one-woman show, “Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal” received global media attention & will be debuting in New York City in 2024.
My foray into crowdfunding began with a web series called Missed Connections Live way back with web series were a novel thing to do. I was considered a pioneer in the space, and a member of the original WGAe Digital Caucus. The success of that project propelled me to co-write, produce, star in (and crowdfund) my feature film debut - All I Want (Amazon Prime, TubiTV, Roku, Vudu). Through the crowdfunding of this film, I learned WHAT NEVER EVER TO DO AGAIN!!! So I hired the one and only Justin Giddings, AKA “The Kickstarter Guy,” to teach me the ropes.
After raising 155% of my goal for “Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal” during the height of the Global Pandemic, many people wanted to know how I pulled it off, and if I could help them. The rest is history. I have supported artists in raising over $1M for their art. In the process, I have learned the specific needs we women have in advocating for ourselves and asking for what we need.
I have also been attuned to the catastrophic rise in antisemitism around the world. As such, I am inspired to ensure Jewish women’s stories continue to be told. Because empathy matters.
OK NOW WHAT?!
There are a few ways for you to work with me:
ONE-ON-ONE COACHING: The VIP Experience
I will simultaneously hold your hand and fan your flame.
I will be your grounding force to guide you calmly, clearly, & confidently through my FEARLESS FUNDING FORMULA:
OMG I feel like I can BREATHE now!
Awesome. That’s exactly right.
**I only take on 2 VIP CLIENTS a month**
CLICK TO APPLY:
What if I can’t wait?
THE DIY COURSE: Crowdfunding Made Simple
Learn the FEARLESS FUNDING FORMULA on your own time!
This course breaks down every single step of the process through a combination of videos (you will see a lot of my face), worksheets, checklists, & templates.
You will have the exact information you need to prepare and launch your own campaign including:
How much do I raise?
What platform do I choose?
How long should my campaign be?
And more…
SIGN ME UP:
Help meeeeee…..!
CENTER YOURSELF A LA CARTE CONSULTING:
Perhaps you have a crowdfunding strategy on lock, but want to craft the most effective PITCH VIDEO.
Perhaps you are an ACTOR seeking career advice.
Or a WRITER seeking notes.
Or a non-showbiz person seeking to improve your storytelling for marketing or fundraising purposes.
Or you just want to pick my brain.
