Humanizing Crypto: ‘Vitalik: An Ethereum Story’
Filmmakers Zach Ingrasci and Chris Temple were in the midst of creating another documentary when they conceived the idea for ‘Vitalik: An Ethereum Story’. Their journey not only resulted in a deeper, more personal look at the world of cryptocurrency but also served as a practical example of crypto’s potential in filmmaking.
The filmmaking process often begins with a vision that evolves as production progresses. Ingrasci and Temple experienced this firsthand while making ‘This Is Not Financial Advice’, a documentary that took an unexpected turn during production. Their initial desire to interview Vitalik Buterin led to a deeper connection with the Ethereum community and ultimately inspired a new project.
“We wanted to interview Vitalik Buterin,” Ingrasci recalled. “As soon as we met him, we were inspired by his unique form of tech optimism and how he broke stereotypes we’d had of the crypto space.” Buterin’s humility, humor, and commitment to decentralization resonated with the filmmakers, prompting them to create a piece about him or the Ethereum community.
Innovative Crowdfunding
Ingrasci and Temple, though not crypto-native filmmakers, were drawn to the technology and its community applications. They launched a non-fungible token (NFT) crowdfunding campaign, raising nearly $2 million in 50 hours. This allowed them to maintain creative control and ownership of their film.
“It was an amazing opportunity to spend over two years following Vitalik — a global nomad — all around the world,” Temple said. The filmmakers traveled to Ukraine, Montenegro, Toronto, and Colombia, gaining insight into Buterin’s life and values. They also spoke with his family and Ethereum community members to create a comprehensive portrait.
The filmmakers aimed to create a documentary accessible to mainstream audiences, translating Ethereum’s values into relatable terms. Early screenings revealed that viewers connected with Buterin’s likable and inspiring personality, creating an entry point to understand more abstract crypto concepts.
“Vitalik is our human hook, our human story about someone who is going to surprise you, break your stereotypes about crypto, and leave you a little more excited than you thought you would be after watching this film,” Ingrasci explained.
A New Use Case for Crypto
The documentary showcases Buterin’s childhood creativity, including building an imaginary world for bunnies at age seven. This anecdote illustrates his vision for Ethereum as a new world being built. The film highlights Ethereum’s real-world utility, such as during the Ukraine war when crypto enabled quick financial support to the military.
The filmmakers’ use of crypto-native tools in distribution demonstrates blockchain’s potential in the film industry. They crowdfunded through Mirror, released a trailer via Zora, and had an early onchain release on Bonfire. This approach allowed them to maintain creative control and fund marketing efforts.
“We’ve actually used crypto for a lot of elements in the distribution process for this film, which is exciting because the documentary space is broken,” Ingrasci noted. The decentralized release reached 24 countries and 30 cities simultaneously, showcasing the technology’s capabilities.
The documentary not only humanizes Vitalik Buterin but also demonstrates crypto’s practical applications. As Ingrasci said, “If the goal is to be able to make a film you can send to your mom… so I think we did that.” The film shows how technology can improve lives when used thoughtfully, making it a compelling narrative beyond the crypto sphere.
