Short Summary

Hello!  My name is Max and I am a film lover and filmmaker.  I have made dozens, maybe hundreds of short videos over the years, and recently a feature film called The Third Person (it's title is still on the marquee at the Dobie Theater, where it premiered, for those of you who live in Austin).  All of these projects have been made without any real budget.  Some people even like them. 

My most recent and most beloved short, Blade Roller, I likewise made for somewhere around $300 (and the help of friends), always with the intention of expanding it into a feature, but never having the financing.  The epic Austin based band SURVIVE, graciously allowed me to use their music.  Watching this short will give you the best idea of whether this project interests you. and also whether this amount of money will benefit my work.  I made it, so I could show it to you and demonstrate my passion and vision for this project.

Here it is!

Now with hard-won script in hand, I am ready to turn this art video short, into a full fledged feature blockbuster.  That's right, BLOCKBUSTER.

A little bit about the story:

In a near future society, the world is nearer environmental calamity than they even know.  Zeke is just an average rollerblading kid with a preternatural talent for the saxophone.  Everything changes one night when he and his gang witness an alien landing in the city.  When Zeke nears the creature, a telepathic, eerilly saxophonic bond is formed, and the corrupt government will stop at nothing to silence them both.  With the help of his newfound friend and neuroscience enthusiast, Topaz, and his long lost Native American uncle, Zeke must unravel the mystery of his musical connection to the rollerblading alien, and the message it has for the world.

 This is why I'm coming to you.  In the past I have saved money by doing it all myself, and having friends help out of kindness, for which I am grateful.  But to bring this project to the caliber which I believe it deserves, I am hiring a talented cast and crew drawn from here in Austin as well as out of state to make this happen.  Obviously, they need to be compensated fairly for their work.  There are a host of other expenses associated with making a film.

What We Need

I want to emphasize that while I'm aware my financing goal for this project is meager, almost laughable for a feature film, I believe it can be done.

The number one expense on this project is crew and cast.  I want the people working on this to be passionate and involved, and not have to donate their time and talent.  And I want there to be enough crew so that each member is not strained to the limit.  15 days at between 50 and 100 a day for a revolving team of up to 20.  With food expenses, we are already at close to 10,000.  And these are very modest rates.

My DP needs the appropriate tools to make this movie look good.  This includes camera package, grip and electric.  Some can be borrowed, others must be rented.

Production Design, Locations, Costumes.  This is the future, and there is an alien, and it will require creative use of resources to make it believably so.  The look of the movie is preeminently important to me.  Think Miami Vice meets The X-Files.

Transportation, post-production, festival submission.  The list goes on.

What If:

While I anticipate exceeding my goal fantastically, in the unfortunate event that this project is not fully funded, and certain pending grants do not come through, the show must go on.  As much as it pains me to do so, I will adapt this project to the budget it is afforded.  If it means less shoot days, so be it.  But I will not sacrifice the quality of the product in order to reach a feature run time.  And you will still receive your perks.  That's how much I care about getting this thing made.

The Impact

I can't tell you how much I appreciate you lending a hand in this movie!  I think your contribution will go so very far on a project like this.  As they say, every penny will show up on screen, and we will work hard to make an exciting and entertaining adventure.  It isn't a charity project, when you experience the finished product, I'd like to think you will be proud to be a part of making it exist.

I've already received a grant from the City of Austin's Cultural Arts Commission to put on a performance in relation to the film.  I'd like to think that this public recogition of the project's value is worth something.

 Other Ways You Can Help

Hey, if you can't contribute money to this, I understand.  Thanks for reading down this far!  It seems like everyone is trying to make a movie.  If you think this one looks cool, if it appeals to your sensibility or seems like something you might take the time to watch, then you can always just pass it along.  Tell a friend who might be interested.  I'd appreciate it!