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Arts·Group Chat

How fans transformed Code 8 from a short film into a Netflix franchise

Canadian cousins and actors Stephen and Robbie Amell join Elamin to talk about the success of their film, Code 8 and how the fan-funded feature led to their new Netflix film, Code 8: Part II.

Robbie and Stephen Amell talk about how the success of their fan funded movie Code 8 led to Code 8: Part II

CBC Arts ·
Code 8 Part II. (L to R) Sirena Gulamgaus as Pavani, Robbie Amell as Connor in Code 8 Part II.
Code 8 Part II. (L to R) Sirena Gulamgaus as Pavani, Robbie Amell as Connor in Code 8 Part II. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024 (Courtesy of Netflix)

If there's one thing Hollywood loves, it's an underdog story. A group of young, talented people, who take a chance on themselves when no one else will.

In 2016, cousins Robbie and Stephen Amell released a short film called Code 8, which was intended to be a teaser for a future feature length film. Robbie and Stephen launched an Indiegogo fundraising campaign that same year for $200,000. In a month, their campaign had exceeded its goal, reaching $2.4 million. Code 8, the film, was released in December of 2019. The movie was released on Netflix in April of 2020 and made it into the Top 10, gaining the Amell brothers legions of loyal fans.

Robbie and Stephen's gamble paid off because Netflix acquired the rights to the sequel. Code 8: Part II comes out today.

You may not be able to crowdfund and you may not hit that sweet spot in terms of social media and access to a fan base, but you can still do it in a better way, in a more convenient way. You still do have the opportunity to produce your own content.

For the full discussion, plus how why women led films have reached a decade long low, listen and follow the Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud podcast on your favourite podcast player.

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