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"Believe in yourself. Believe in your own potential for greatness. Believe that you can change the world. It is something that is within each of us. Believe in the Power of ONE" - Evan Tanner
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Hi this is Bobby Razak.
![Bobby Razak MMA Director]( "Bobby Razak MMA Director")
I have made some of the most well known films in Mixed Martial Arts history including "Pit Fight" which featured real bare knuckle fights, "Rites of Passage" starring Kevin Randleman and Ken Shamrock and "Sangre Nueva" starring current UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez.
While I have had great success (and fun) creating these films, my true passion is telling the stories of the lives and motivations of the MMA warriors outside of the cage. I have been involved in MMA since its inception, well before the big name promotions of today. I want to share with the true fans of MMA (YOU!), the amazing stories of the people who have built this sport into the global entertainment juggernaut that MMA is today. There are many amazing personal stories and unique personalities that I have come across in my career but few compare to the fascinating true life story of the former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner.
"1 - The Final Journey of Evan Tanner" will be my first feature-length film. It will detail the amazing story of the final hours of former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner.
Evan had a belief in the "Power of 1", his philosophy of self empowerment. He believed with enough motivation and determination "1" person had the power to overcome any odds. This belief was put to the ultimate test in September of 2008 when Evan decided to take a solo camping trip to the desert region of Palos Verdes, California. Many have debated Evan’s purpose for this trip; was it just another journey for self discovery or was it pre-destined as his final one way journey.
"When you're on your death-bed it's those stories, those little adventures that are going to be the things you remember. It's not so much getting there but how you got there" Evan Tanner
Evan himself, in a blog post, explained it as “a few weeks of solitude" to get some self-direction and prepare for a refocus on his training.
Unfortunately that was to be his last blog post as Evan would lose his life to the harsh desert elements. In the controversy that followed there were many theories about what happened and why, with some even speculating that Evan was on some sort of alcohol fueled suicide mission.
However, we know the truth.... and it needs to be told! We have done the research, driven out to the exact location where he died and interviewed all the rescue workers and emergency personnel. We have even recovered the GPS used by Evan on that fateful day and retraced and timestamped his every step.
In this film (with your help) we will use the information we have uncovered and Evans own philosophical self reflections to not only uncover the mystery of what happened during his last hours but also to further unravel the layers of his enigmatic life.
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For more insight, don't miss the teaser featured in the video above!
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“Our lives are consumed in a selfish, self absorbed quest for possessions, the latest and the best in a never-ending cycle until the day we die. We forget what it means to be truly human. We forget the things that really matter. We lose the magic of what life should be.” Evan Tanner
We have been working on this project as a labor of love. We knew we had something special when we started. Yet, even we have underestimated how powerful the true story of Evan Tanner really is.
And now it's our responsibility to share this story and the truth about what happened to EVAN TANNER during his last fateful hours out and alone in the desert.
And that's where we need you.
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WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE -- WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We've given our blood, sweat, and tears (not to mention tens of thousands of our own dollars) to film the footage we have so far.
Here's the problem:This is an ambitious project! We could release the footage we have now as a documentary. However that is not good enough for us. We want to do a full length feature film that recreates Evan's last hours with an actor who can do his legacy justice!
So, why the Crowd funding effort? There are 3 major reasons.
Reason #1 - We need to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Evan Tanner! As tragic of a figure as he was, he also represented the best that lies within us all. It's up to us to ensure that the message he shared of the "Power of 1", his personal mantra, stays alive. We do not want to compromise his story by eliminating costs that are crucial to the final product. We need to tell Evans story right. As fans of the sport he helped pioneer we owe him that much.
Reason #2 - Over the years I have been bombarded by requests from thousands upon thousands of MMA fans who have asked if they can somehow be involved in one of my projects. This project, my feature film debut, is THAT opportunity. With your donations we will make a great film even greater!
Reason #3 - Typically when dealing with investors of a movie in the traditional way there can be complications that delay the movie tremendously. With you as a partner we will not have these delays and we have an ambitious plan to finish and release this film in less then 5 months!
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As a team member of "1 – The Final Journey of Evan Tanner” you will be the first to see the completed film!
Remember we already have the footage to tell the most complete story of what happened with Evan in a documentary format BUT that's not good enough for us, it's not good enough for you and it's not good enough for Evans legacy! We want to make a full length feature about Evan Tanner, his beliefs and what really happened to him.... and we want you to be part of it!
With your help we can make it happen - and get this story out at the very start of the year!
Some Of The Exclusive MMA Swag You Get!
One of a kind "Power of One" T-shirt
This is an exclusive one of a kind prize that will never be sold anywhere else again!
We wanted to capture Evans Power of One philosophy. Evan was also a fan of Japanese culture and the Japanese symbol in the Tee stands for "Power".
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Please specify T-shirt size in donator comments.
We will also be following up by email with you a few weeks before the campaign ends.
(final T-shirt design is subject to change)
NEW PERK! - Signed TapouT Films Collection DVD
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SIGNED ADVANCED COPY OF THE SCRIPT!
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YOUR NAME IN THE OFFICIAL CREDITS!
AN ADVANCED LIVE PRIVATE SCREENING!
VIP GUEST AT THE PREMIERE AND VIP AFTER PARTY!
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“I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I feel, I will feel everything. When I love, I will love with everything.” Evan Tanner
I have made many, many successful films, documentaries and commercials about Mixed Martial Arts. But this project is about legacy! That is why it is such a passion of mine to get this film done. We need to tell the true story of one of the most fascinating figures in our sport, how his philosophies still resonate today, and how they will benefit many more in the future.
So join us! Lets make MMA History together by telling the story of "1- The Final Journey of Evan Tanner”!
your friend,
Bobby Razak
“I have had great friendships. I have had great loves. I have been a lover, I have been a son, a brother, and a friend. And I was once a world champion.” Evan Tanner
![Evan Tanner Box]( "Evan Tanner Box")
GET A HOLD OF US - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Contact Email
evantannerfilm@gmail.com
When in doubt, please reach out to the team. We'd love to chat about any media opportunities, unique circumstances, or hear your feedback.
THE TEAM
Bobby Razak - Director
Dan "Punkass" Caldwell - Executive Producer
James Gavsie - Executive Producer
Stefan Fagerholm - Producer
Mike Wilkinson - Producer
YOU! - Associate Producer
P.S.
We know that some of you are not able to contribute, but that's OK and that doesn’t mean YOU can’t be a part of this groundbreaking film:
Tell your friends/family about this project and ask for their support!
Like and Share our page on your Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/EvanTannerFilm
Follow the Evan Tanner Film on Twitter!
https://twitter.com/evantannerfilm
Follow Bobby Razak on Twitter!
https://twitter.com/bobbyrazak
