“Auror’s Tale” – the fan funded event that NEVER happened. Who is to blame?

by · November 18, 2013

In May 2012, MuggleNet announced a new fan-made film project that looked incredibly promising to us, as fans of Harry Potter, and to the rest of Potter fans around the world. In fact, it looked so good that the fans donated their hard-earned money to a Kickstarter goal for the film series to be made in full. On July 6, 2012, the goal was reached and even surpassed, which amounted to a total funding of a whopping $20,000.

So what is the status of this project today? And more importantly, WHERE ARE THE FANS’ DONATIONS?

Background: Auror’s Tale was a film project to be produced and directed by Leo Kei Angelos of Red Phoenix Pictures. The story would tell the tale of Aurors battling against the forces of evil in New York City’s Dark Magic underworld. The NYC Department of Magical Law Enforcement was the only line of defense, and this film series would follow those tales and adventures with the magic-centric flow of the Potter series. On May 14, 2012, MuggleNet was given an exclusive feature clip, and the fans approved.

Today: Since this release, we have heard virtually nothing from the director nor Red Phoenix Pictures, yet all of this money was raised by the dedicated fans of Potter. As generous fans of MuggleNet and the Harry Potter series, this editor wants to know the full story of where the funds went and where this film project is today.

Do we even need Kickstarter? This fandom can produce amazing projects without asking the fans for a single dime. Look at the incredible film that was released exclusively on MuggleNet back in September of 2012 by Sunnymeade Films titled Battle of Hogwarts. The film depicts the battles of May 2, 1998, away from the spotlight of Ron, Harry, and Hermione in the remote areas of Hogwarts. It was funded entirely by the great people who created this film and is STILL available for fans to watch on YouTube.

Is Kickstarter to blame? Once the financial goal is achieved, how is the money disbursed to ensure that the promises of the Kickstarter campaign hold their value and virtue to those who donated? As the world’s #1 Harry Potter fansite, should we help promote fan projects or turn our heads and deny the fans from what could, and should be, legitimate projects because of a loss of trust due to this Auror’s Tale film series?

Let us know how you feel about this in the comments below and on social media. The fans want answers, and they deserve them NOW!