Q1 – Name of Your Grant
Inside the Sandbox
Q2 – Total Grant Amount in USD ($)
$55,000 USD
Q3 – Evaluation Factor – Specific
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Project Features:
- Feature-Length Production: A premium documentary with a runtime of 45 minutes to 1 hour, capturing the soul of The Sandbox.
- The Origin & Motive: Exploring the 10-year journey of Sebastien Borget and Arthur Madrid, focusing on their early struggles, their pivot to Web3, and their personal mission to empower creators.
The Power of Founder Documentaries: Historically, long-form storytelling has been the most effective tool for global community building and brand legacy. High-profile examples include:
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Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates (Netflix): Reached millions globally, humanizing a tech titan and shifting public perception toward his mission.
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Becoming Warren Buffett (HBO): Garnered massive engagement by revealing the personal philosophy behind the wealth, building immense trust with investors.
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The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley: While a different tone, it demonstrated how documentary film can dominate global conversation for months.
- SANDchain & Innovation: Providing a clear narrative on the creation of SANDchain, its progress to date, and how it serves as the financial backbone for the future of the Metaverse.
- Alpha Evolution: Showcasing the technical breakthroughs of Alpha Seasons 5 and 6 (new movement mechanics) and what these updates mean for the long-term roadmap.
- Professional Brand Identity: Conducting professional photoshoots with the founders to create high-end flyers, cinematic thumbnails, and promotional designs for the film’s rollout.
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Objectives:
- Documentary Excellence: Produce a high-quality, 45-60 minute film that serves as the definitive historical record of The Sandbox for builders, investors, and the general public.
- Human Connection: Humanize the founders to build deep trust within the community, modeling the film after prestigious documentaries like Inside Bill’s Brain.
- Massive Digital Visibility: Reach a minimum of 1,000,000 views on YouTube and generate over 1,000,000 impressions across X, TikTok, and Instagram through 50+ promotional short-form clips.
- Ecosystem Education: Simplify the benefits of SANDchain and new Alpha features to onboard the next wave of creators and LAND owners.
Q4 – Evaluation Factor – Measurable Milestones
- Milestone 1 – Planning, Logistics & Research (25%) $13,750
- Coordinate with The Sandbox team to secure filming dates with Sebastien Borget and Arthur Madrid.
- Finalize script treatment focusing on the origin story, struggles, SANDchain, and Alpha seasons.
- Secure travel visas and book flights for the 3-person production crew ($1,700 per person).
- Launch pre-production teasers on social media to build initial community buzz.
- Milestone 2 – Global Production & Founder Photoshoot (25%) $13,750
- Travel from Nigeria to the founders’ locations for principal photography.
- Conduct in-depth, cinematic interviews covering the motive, challenges, and future vision.
- Execute a professional photoshoot with founders for high-end promotional flyers and thumbnails.
- Capture B-roll footage of the team and the technology behind the Metaverse.
- Milestone 3 – Post-Production & Marketing Assets (25%) $13,750
- Edit the feature-length documentary (45–60 minutes) including sound design and color grading.
- Create 50+ short-form clips (Shorts/Reels/TikToks) from the interview highlights.
- Finalize all promotional designs, flyers, and digital assets for the global premiere.
- Release the official 2-minute cinematic trailer.
- Milestone 4 – Premiere, Ad Campaign & Growth (25%) $13,750
- Host the global premiere of Inside the Sandbox on YouTube and X.
- Launch a $10,000 paid advertising campaign across social media platforms.
- Execute the rollout of the 50+ short-form clips over 60 days.
- Achieve and report on the target of 1,000,000 views and 1,000,000 impressions.
Q5 – Evaluation Factor – Accountable
Primary Contact:
Richard Essang Abasi — Filmmaker | Creative Director | Sandbox DAO Contributor.
With a background in high-end creative directing and filmmaking, I specialize in telling the human stories behind the most innovative technologies in Web3. I have a proven track record of delivering high-impact visual content that resonates with global audiences.
- Latest Work: Watch my latest film here
- Founder Interview Credibility: Watch my recent interview with Jesse Pollak (Founder of Base): Watch Highlight
- Previous Sandbox Grant: Successfully completed Application #44: NIA - The Onchain Journey.
- Website: WWW.RICHARDESSANGABASI.COM
- Twitter/X: Richard Essang
- Instagram: kingmessang
- YouTube: @kingmessang
Q6 – Evaluation Factor – Realistic Impact on The Sandbox Ecosystem
Inside the Sandbox provides the emotional and historical context needed to turn casual players into long-term believers. By showcasing the founders’ grit, the utility of SANDchain, and the excitement of Alpha 5 & 6 to over 1 million people, we increase brand equity and attract the next generation of builders to the ecosystem.
Q7 – Evaluation Factor – Timely Timeline
- Month 1 (Milestone 1) – Planning & Logistics: Visa processing, flight bookings, scripting, and initial social media teasers to engage the DAO.
- Month 2 (Milestone 2) – Principal Photography: International travel for the 3-person crew, founder interviews, B-roll capture, and professional photoshoots.
- Month 3 (Milestone 3) – Post-Production: Full-scale editing of the 45-60 minute film, creation of the 50+ shorts, and release of the official trailer.
- Month 4 (Milestone 4 & 5) – Premiere & Impact: Global film launch, execution of the $10k ad campaign, view-count monitoring, and final impact report to the DAO.
Budget Summary ($55,000)
- Travel (3 Crew): $5,100 (Flights) + $3,900 (Logistics/Visas) = $9,000
- Production & Photography: $13,000
- Post-Production (45-60 min film + 50 Shorts): $15,000
- Marketing & Ad Spend (Targeting 1M views): $10,000
- Project Management & Admin: $8,000
How did you hear about the Sandbox DAO Grants Program?
I’m a community member and previous grantee.