Zach Braff Funds 'Garden State' Follow-Up Through Kickstarter

Anita Li2013-04-29 02:28:48 UTC

Zach Braff is the latest celebrity to successfully fund a film through Kickstarter.

The Scrubs actor raised $2 million in three days to fund a follow-up to his 2004 film, Garden State, according to the Associated Press. Currently, more than 30,000 backers pledged over $2.1 million to Braff's Wish I Was Here, with 25 days left in the campaign.

The actor said he was inspired to turn to Kickstarter after seeing fans flock to the crowdfunding platform to back a Veronica Mars movie.

"After I saw the incredible way Veronica Mars fans rallied around Kristen Bell and her show's creator Rob Thomas, I couldn't help but think ... maybe there is a new way to finance smaller, personal films that didn't involve signing away all your artistic control," Braff wrote on Kickstarter.

Braff added that signing a "typical financing deal" would mean sacrificing a lot to create the film.

Wish I Was Here is about Aidan Bloom (Braff), a struggling actor, father and husband who is searching for his identity. After Bloom can no longer afford to finance his kids' private-school education, he attempts to home-school them, and finds himself in the process.

Rewards for backers include t-shirts, signed posters and tickets to advance film screenings. Those who pledge $10,000 or more get the unique opportunity to be a cast member.

Despite the success that Braff and the Veronica Mars team have seen with Kickstarter, not every celeb has had luck with the platform. Alice Cooper, the godfather of shock rock, failed to fund his project; it ended on April 19 after reaching just over 25% of its $200,000 goal.

Do you plan to back Braff's latest film? Sound off in the comments, below.

Image courtesy of Kickstarter, Zach Braff

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9 Great Apps and Gadgets to Help Your Garden Grow

Camille Bautista2013-04-05 10:45:40 -0700

We weren't all born with green thumbs. For those of us that need a little help, technology can be our saving grace when it comes to gardening.

Whether you've never picked up a shovel or have a blooming back yard, we've rounded up a collection of great apps and gadgets to help you grow a garden. Some apps serve as a digital catalog for your favorite flowers, while others recommend seeds and equipment for beginners.

For those who prefer virtual greenery, you can tend to your plants on screen, or have tech do all the work for you with smart flower pots like Click & Grow or Wi-Fi sensors that monitor your soil stats.

Check out our gallery of garden gadgets and let us know in the comments if you use other apps or devices.

Image courtesy of Flickr, antonychammond

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Click and Grow Smart Garden Seeks Seed Money on Kickstarter

Andrea Smith2013-03-27 20:01:03 UTC

Click and Grow, the Smart Garden that uses sensors to help you grow plants, is turning to Kickstarter for seed money for version 2.0. If funded, the new Smart Herb Garden will let you grow three plants at once, a step up from the single plant versions offered now.

Although some gardeners were born to grow beautiful plants with a little water and a lot of sun, others need a boost. Click and Grow provides that, with sensors and software. When the first version came out, founder Mattias Lepp told Mashable all you need to do is add water and batteries. Technology takes care of the rest.

The starter pack for the Smart Herb Garden arrives with seeds for basil, thyme and lemon balm. Refill cartridges containing plant seeds for mini tomatoes, chili peppers, peppermint, and a variety of lettuce, among others, are also available.

You don't have to worry about killing these plants — the smart garden will make sure they always have enough light and water. Just plug the garden into an outlet, add water and the device handles the rest.

One improvement in the new version is a built-in LED light that provides a more natural-looking light that's also safe for young eyes, according to the company. Since it uses only 6 watts of energy, running the Smart Herb Garden should only cost around $5 a year.

The Smart Herb Garden is expected to retail for $79 once fully funded, so people who pledge $39 on Kickstarter will get their Smart Garden at a discount. The company is looking to raise $75,000 with an estimated ship date of September.

Check out the company's Kickstarter page and let us know how you would use technology to help make your garden grow.

Image courtesy of Click and Grow

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