AN INDEPENDENT television producer from Moldova is adopting an unusual way to raise funds for his next venture – by knocking on doors and asking people to invest.
Dorin Todosi wants cash in order to produce a documentary about the “dehumanising” aspects of migration, and to hear from “the real, warm, breathing human beings” who have Irish migration stories to tell.
Todosi said he decided to press doorbells across Ireland because he wants to make the process just as important as the result.
“By telling people what we are going to do, they start to think about it even if they cannot contribute,” he explained. Todosi will use this unique method of fundraising to illustrate to other potential backers that there is a strong social support for this type of televisual narrative.
“By pitching the idea to ordinary people, I am networking and researching every day,” he said. “As I knock on doors in villages and towns across Ireland I am getting great feedback to add to the proposals.”
With a background in journalism, television production and presenting on national television in his home country, as well as experience working for Moldova’s Impact Media Agency producing programmes about civil society and the democratisation of Moldovan life, Todosi feels he is well placed to bring Irish migration stories to the screen.
“One of the biggest problems in migration can be the dehumanisation of the people,” he said. “Loss of jobs and reduction of resources will put migration into the economical arena, probably negatively. “We must attempt to address this situation and talk about the people in the centre of the temporary political struggle.”
Even though media production costs have come down in recent years, Todosi insisted that he wants to keep the quality as high as possible and is hoping to raise in the region of €7,000, with a significant portion already raised.
After selling advertising and media space in Romania, Todosi said he knows how to hustle for money, but that it is not just for commercial gain.
He added that he will be meeting broadcasters at the end of September to “discuss possible formats and the schedules to see if there is a place in the strands”. Anyone wanting to become a mini movie mogul can contact Dorin Todosi at dtodosi@ impact.md.
