What’s the story, Angelo?
It’s insane to even want to make a movie…so call me crazy. With whatever you do in life, you must build on your past success. I’ve made no-budget films and I’ve made films with $10,000 to $100,000 of my own dough...
Now, I want to make something bigger and more badass!
In 2010, I got into the "Screenwriter's zone" and went on a writing marathon. I completed two 119 page feature film screenplays in one month and one of those scripts later evolved into "A Perfect Weapon." It was written like an adaptation of a Tom Clancy novel, to be directed by Michael Mann for the silver screen. Ha!
"A PERFECT WEAPON" is about a disgraced US Marshal who is mysteriously reinstated to track down an escaped convict with ties to terrorist organizations, but he learns the hard way that some people -- maybe even the CIA -- will do anything to keep him from accomplishing his mission.
In 2012, #PerfectWeapon became the most-viewed project on the Juntobox Films web site, which is chaired by none other than Forest Whitaker. A member of Juntobox Films’ development team even said my project was “very sexy.”
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In the past, ALL of my films have been funded mostly out of my own pockets, but “A Perfect Weapon” is super badass and much bigger than any project I've ever make. $200K is a good start. I'd have enough to start shooting, and find production partners to obtain more money to make the kind of film I want.
After my filmmaker friend Sujewa Ekanayake told me about several successful, celebrity-driven crowdfunding campaigns I thought, "Maybe the fans are ready for a true unknown, up-and-coming indie filmmaker to step up to the plate with a strong project and cast attached."
SPEAKING OF CAST...
![Shey vs Femi - A PERFECT WEAPON]( "Shey vs Femi - A PERFECT WEAPON")
I'm excited that Alimi Ballard from the hit TV show "Numb3rs" agreed to take the lead role! After Alimi read the script he responded with a single Twitter message to me saying, "Weapon is F*CKEN BADASS!"
And pinch me to make sure I'm not dreaming; the lovely Tehmina Sunny, rising star of the critically acclaimed Ben Affleck-directed film "Argo" and "Children of Men" read the part of the female lead, Femi, loved it and understood every nuance of the character. She "got" it!
The main cast is rounded out by the amazingly talented journeyman actor from television's "Crossing Jordan," Mr. Ravi Kapoor.
And for all you sci-fi/fantasy fans, hold onto your unicorns... I'm conversing with the lovely Jessica Duffy from the indie sci-fi fantasy film phenom "INK" for a pivotal role in my movie.
Okay, enough background material. What's the movie about?
In "A Perfect Weapon" Shey is a US Marshal with a weakness for women and the good looks and charm to get into a lot of trouble. Suspended indefinitely for fraternization, Shey is reinstated to track down Femi, an escaped Indian/Nigerian criminal. Shey, is an expert, intuitive tracker, but as he gets closer to finding coquettish Femi he learns disturbing things about her past in war-torn areas of East India, Africa and the Middle East. Shey is drawn into the mysteries surrounding Femi, even to the point of sexual obsession, but he begins to suspect that both she and he are pawns in a deadly game that someone very powerful doesn't want him to win.
The result is a thrilling pursuit wrapped in a dangerous international conspiracy, with action and sexual tension so obsessive the lines between fiction and reality blur.
![A PERFECT WEAPON - Alimi Ballard]( "A PERFECT WEAPON - Alimi Ballard")
PERFECT WEAPON TEAM: MUSIC, LOOK AND FEEL
My last film, “Resurrection of Serious Rogers” had an original score by the award-winning composer, Jon Pierre. I’m bringing Jon back to make a daunting score that fuses percussive African beats with the melodious sounds of Indian music. I've also asked my composer friends Terry Reed (@Taoxproductions) and Tzuriel Kastel (@audiowizard25) to compose two guest-spots to underscore the theme.
My friend, James Rhodimer has agreed to shoot the film. Jim shot and was cinematographer for my last film, "Resurrection of Serious Rogers.” His list of DP credits is long and deep; he’s an Art Director by trade, a photographer, a professional videographer, and he's a huge fan of French noir films by auteurs Renoir, Truffaut, and Godard. Jim’s skills will add the right "dark and suspenseful" touch to the project. Jim is extremely well-versed in the micro-budget arena and his setups are ridiculously fast. Kevin Huie, a loyal friend and the hardest working AD in Southern California will join me. We've worked on seven films together. My Line Producer, Paul Barrett knows the North Carolina film scene like the back of his hand and my production designer, Reed Johns is an incredbly talented professional who is capable of transforming small budgets into major production value.
![A PERFECT WEAPON]( "A PERFECT WEAPON")
“Surround yourself with people who believe in you.” - Brian Koslow
Your donation and support will be the truest testament of belief in the project, in the team, and, in me. Simply put, YOU will be the reason this movie gets. That is what’s great about crowdfunding: The FANS DECIDE. I can post my IMDB credits and awards from now until the zombie apocalypse, but ultimately you have to believe that this project is worthy, and if funded, that it WILL get made.
![A PERFECT WEAPON - Tehmina Sunny]( "A PERFECT WEAPON - Tehmina Sunny")
HOW DO YOU BECOME A SUPPORTER?
To become one of my SUPPORTERS, just click on the button thingy to the right of the video. Indiegogo will ask for your pledge, which reward you want, and how you want to sign up. Oh, sign-up is easy; you can even do it through Facebook – BOOM!
It's time to LEVEL UP. Remember, $200K is JUST THE BEGINNING for this project. With a good financial foundation I'd have enough to start shooting and go to my potential production partners FOR MORE MONEY. With your support and encouragement, maybe I won't need anyone else. we'll even set a new record here on Indiegogo and beat Shamar Moore's ass!
Remember you're not just donating, you're becoming part of a community of movie-goers and indiefilm supporters...AND you're getting some really cool perks for your commitment. I'm particularly proud of the Kiss Hug Five Entertainment logo designs that will grace our T-shirts. Logos were made by my Twitter friend and graphic artist, Tabitha (@TabithaKristen).
![Kiss Hug Five Logos]( "Kiss Hug Five Logos")
The rest is a walk in the park: get insurance, locations, hire persons, feed them, act, direct, act again, re-direct, make contingency plans, and bring your film editor and composer lots of chocolate chip cookies!
Below is a rough breakdown of how money will be used on this project.
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"I don’t have a lot of money…but I do have a particular set of skills."
In ten years of indie filmmaking, I have never gone this far with a project and not finish. I will battle the demigods of old and the demagogues of new. I am Shaft’s baby cousin. I am a badass. I am Superfly TNT... the Guns of Navarone…wait, that’s a different movie. Listen, I just want to make a movie that YOU can be proud to put your name on.
The joy of independent filmmaking is that nothing ever comes together as planned, but ultimately, with hard work, resourcefulness and faith, it DOES eventually come together. I can guarantee that our adventure will be awesomely memorable.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT.
