CoinDesk Report:
Source Material: EthereumFilm
Adapted by: Web3 Sniffing Observation, CoinDesk
Ethereum was conceived in 2013 by the young and visionary programmer Vitalik Buterin. Inspired by the blockchain technology behind Bitcoin, he envisioned a platform not only for digital currencies. With the assistance of a skilled team, he developed Ethereum, which was publicly released in 2015. Vitalik Buterin was henceforth hailed as the father of Ethereum and also known affectionately as “V God”.
The Ethereum created by Vitalik is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform with smart contract functionality. Its native token ETH ranks as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, and Ethereum stands as one of the most widely used blockchains today.
After three years of filming and production, the Ethereum documentary “Vitalik: The Ethereum Story” is finally set to debut this year. Originally titled “Ethereum: The Infinite Garden,” the name was derived from the Ethereum Foundation but was abandoned to prevent community confusion, given its status as an independent film.
This Ethereum-themed documentary is independently produced by Optimist, with producer Carrie Weprin and co-directors Zach Ingrasci and Chris Temple. Linda Xie, founder of Scalar Capital and former Coinbase product manager, serves as an advisor. Funding for the production came from 1035.96 ETH raised from the community via Mirror in 2021.
The release schedule for the documentary “Vitalik: The Ethereum Story” has been announced as follows:
– Phase 1: Teaser trailer released on July 23rd
– Phase 2: On-chain ticket presale starts on July 26th
– Phase 3: Global release on September 18th
– Phase 4: Extended theatrical showings in fall 2024
– Phase 5: Mainstream streaming premiere in winter 2024/2025
This special documentary focuses on the human and core technological aspects behind Ethereum, targeting community members, cryptocurrency enthusiasts, and skeptics alike. It aims to provide viewers with a deep understanding of Ethereum’s founder and the narrative behind the platform, showcasing its revolutionary development and impact. Here’s an overview of the film’s creation:
The Future of Film Distribution: The Power of Decentralization
Film distribution has long been controlled by a few powerful intermediaries, leaving creators with little control over their work’s dissemination and profitability. However, the emergence of blockchain technology and the rise of the Ethereum community present a unique opportunity to disrupt this fragmented system. By leveraging on-chain financing and self-distribution, we can fundamentally change the financing, distribution, and viewing experience of films.
Over the past five years, we’ve witnessed massive media conglomerate mergers that severely limit distribution opportunities and narrow the types of content produced and distributed. Creators and audiences are at the mercy of these media giants, whose business models favor certain types and algorithms, leading to echo chambers of information. We miss out on stories that could expose us to new ideas and perspectives.
Inspired by the spirit of Ethereum, we propose a new distribution model for films that encompasses a diverse series of documentaries about Ethereum and our flagship movie, “Vitalik: The Ethereum Story.” This isn’t just a documentary project; it’s a bold experiment driven by the community.
By harnessing the power of cryptocurrencies, we integrate trailers, supplementary content, and ticketing into a model that allows direct community engagement with the film. This model supports the decentralized release of “Vitalik: The Ethereum Story” globally in theaters and on traditional streaming platforms. This is your chance to become more than just a viewer. Every click, share, and ticket purchased helps build a new world of decentralized film distribution.
A Letter to the Ethereum Community:
In 2021, on a sunny day in Marin County, Morgan Bell first introduced us to Vitalik Buterin. Vitalik, with a 40L backpack slung over his shoulder, cracked “dad jokes” while typing his latest blog post on Verkle trees. Despite his pivotal role in the crypto revolution, we were struck by Vitalik’s approachable demeanor. He shattered the stereotypical images of “crypto bros” and “egotistical founders” often portrayed in mainstream media.
As we delved deeper into the Ethereum ecosystem, more surprises awaited us. In the weeks following our meeting with Vitalik, we met the remarkable Shixin, who became our reliable guide to exploring this unique and wondrous ecosystem. Quickly, we immersed ourselves in this field and launched a pplpleasr NFT crowdfunding campaign with Denis and his Mirror.xyz team. Within just 51 hours, we raised 1035.96 ETH, with Leorad.eth, PleasrDAO, and Mariano Conti ranking among our top supporters.
The film industry quickly took notice of this unconventional approach, allowing us to bring Steve Jang, Time Studios, and Big Beach into our fold. This incredible support enabled us to produce a completely independent film, free from pressures to sensationalize stories imposed by major media companies. We began filming and questioning, with the Ethereum community and our crowdfunding supporters continually guiding our learning process.
Over three years of filming, our cameras witnessed history unfold: the NFT craze, a war overturning the world order, scandals toppling villains, and the most ambitious software upgrades ever. During the rollercoaster years of 2021-2023, the Ethereum community faced severe tests of growth. Through chaos and challenges, Vitalik remained a steadfast anchor, committed to the vision of an open internet accessible to all.
Initially planned as a documentary about Ethereum, our journey led us to larger goals.
“Vitalik: The Ethereum Story” is the centerpiece of our “Ethereum Story” series about the human and emotional aspects behind the technology. This film is suitable for community members, the curious about cryptocurrency, and skeptics alike. We acknowledge that this film cannot capture the entire story of Ethereum—the ecosystem is too diverse and vast to cover in a single movie. However, viewing the community through Vitalik’s perspective can make this story more approachable and human.
This film is at the heart of our “Ethereum Story” series. Other stories will be shorter and more digestible, guiding viewers into the core of the community. You’ll learn about the history of generative art, experience the democratic power of ConstitutionDAO, revisit the launch of GitcoinDAO, witness the innovation of Uniswap, and much more.
Through our Mirror crowdfunding, we experienced firsthand the immense power of decentralization. As the film industry undergoes its own transformation, we aim to leverage this community-driven technology to distribute our work. In collaboration with teams like Zora, Bonfire, and Base, we’ve decided to empower people rather than major distributors, offering this film and the entire series on-chain.
Creating trailers, tickets, and supplementary content not only unlocks viewing access but also supports the decentralized self-distribution of this feature-length documentary on global theater and streaming platforms, making it accessible not only to those within the crypto space but to the wider world. Join us and witness this three-year journey unfold. This story chronicles the journey of Ethereum through the eyes of those dedicated to preserving its vitality and ongoing evolution.
