- 01
Gifts, not investments
A backing is a voluntary gift towards a goal. Nothing is sold, no ownership changes hands and no return is promised. Backers support a person; you keep control.
- 02
Why milestones still matter
Without contracts, Backers rely on transparency. You post proof for each milestone so they can review your progress and choose to support your dream directly with confidence.
- 03
What you owe Backers
Honesty: a true story, proof for each milestone and updates in chat. Not profits or repayment. Because Backers can pay milestone by milestone, they only send further support as you prove progress.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to review the proof, ask for more info, and decide whether to keep supporting your next milestone.
0% commission — direct gifts, nothing taken
Backers pay exactly what they choose directly through your payment methods. cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you keep what is sent. Any refunds or disputes are handled directly between you, the Backer and your payment provider.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a music video dream with a goal of $8,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
$1,600 · 20%
Approve treatment and storyboard
Post the visual treatment, storyboard frames and shot schedule showing how the planned scenes follow the track.
Milestone 2
$3,600 · 45%
Film performance and scenes
Share dated set photographs, a completed shot log and brief playback clips demonstrating the main shoot is finished.
Milestone 3
$2,000 · 25%
Edit and finish visuals
Post an edit excerpt, colour comparison frames and an effects checklist showing the planned visual finish is complete.
Milestone 4
$800 · 10%
Deliver final video files
Share the final preview, export details and thumbnail artwork showing the completed video and its delivery formats.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a music video dream in Denver, shown in USD. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
$8,000
- Crew and direction$2,400 · 30%
- Locations and equipment$2,800 · 35%
- Editing and visual effects$2,000 · 25%
- Styling and delivery$800 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- $8,000
- 0% platform commission
- −$1,200
- You receive
- $6,800
Risks to plan for
- R1
Concept outgrows the shoot
Too many locations or setups can make a short shoot impractical. Match the storyboard to available hours and include a simpler version of complex scenes before committing the production budget.
- R2
Performance coverage is thin
Missing angles or uneven lip sync can limit the edit. Rehearse to the final track, build a coverage checklist and reserve shooting time for clean full-song performance takes at each key setup.
- R3
Effects take too long
A visual idea may require more compositing than expected. Test one representative effects shot in pre-production and cap the number of complex shots before setting the post-production milestone.
Questions and answers
Do I have to pay Backers back?
No. Backers send gifts directly to your own payment account. cohero never holds funds or reverses payments; any dispute or refund request is handled between you and the Backer through your payment provider.
Does the song need to be finished before I fund the video?
A final recording makes timings, lip sync and edit decisions much easier to plan. If the audio is still changing, resolve it before the shoot milestone and show Backers a treatment built around the version you intend to use.
Can I make a strong plan with only one filming location?
Yes. Use the treatment to show how lighting, framing, performance and simple set changes create variety. A single-location plan should still account for setup time, equipment needs and enough coverage for the full track.
Ready when you are
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