What is EASY?

My name is Daniel Laabs, and I am the writer and director of the short film EASY. Last month, we got some great news: our film was selected to World Premiere at SXSW 2014. We are very honored to be one of the chosen films, even more so because my last short film, '8,' received an award there in 2011.

I wrote the script for EASY four years ago, and have spent the last two years producing it with whatever money I could set aside. While we have completed the major aspects of post-production, we still have a bit more to finalize. Playing at a large festival means two other expenses: Travel and Publicity. EASY is a small film, and to make the biggest impact we've really got to promote the heck out of it.

As a SXSW alumnus, I know how to make the most out of our World Premiere, but I can't do it without your help. Every filmmaker that makes films on their own knows how difficult it is to reach the finish line; after four years I am almost there. Help EASY cross the finish line the right way. Even as little as a $1 donation makes a difference.

Supporting Our Film

We are asking for $3,000, which will mostly go towards finishing the film and preparing it for it's World Premiere at SXSW 2014. It will also go towards preparing us for future screenings and distribution. SXSW is a world-class venue for attracting attention to a small indie film like EASY. Screening at a large festival means:

• Mastering a digital print that is Color-Corrected properly to best represent the cinematography without compromising the quality of the work. 
  
• Having materials for Publicity to spread the word about the film, including DVD screeners, posters, buttons and post cards. 
• After that, attending a festival like SXSW is very expensive, and while we are not putting our comfort first (we already booked our couches) being at each screening to represent our film makes a huge difference. 
  

For contributing to these costs, we've got some great perks. At the $30 level, you will be given access to our Private Online Premiere, which will happen simultaneously with our World Premiere at SXSW. At the higher contributing levels, we have a Premiere Dinner with Cast and Crew, App Development Consultation with our lead actor, Brennen Bliss (who moonlights as an App Developer; and he's only 13 years old!), an Ukulele lesson with actress Teddy Waggy, a one-hour short film consultation with writer/director Daniel Laabs, and/or a simple, honest 'Thank You' from the bottom of our hearts. At the highest contribution levels, you can even become an Associate or Executive Producer, giving you an on-screen credit and access to attend future film festivals as a member of the EASY team.

If we don't reach our goal, our funds go to the most important aspects of getting the film to our SXSW Premiere: Post-Production and Publicity. If we surpass our goal, the money will go towards submitting to future festivals and potentially attending them.

What Your Support Means

A film can't be made without hard work or a vision, and it can't be finished without the fiscal support of contributors like you. I'm asking for help from my community; my friends, family and fellow filmmakers, to help me reach this goal. Although there is less then a month to reach the $3,000 goal, I am confident we can do this. Supporting EASY means supporting independent film in Texas.

What Can You Do?

More then anything else, a donation of any amount will help EASY land on it's feet at SXSW. However, money isn't everything: sharing our trailer and spreading the word about our campaign will also help us reach our goal.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

See you at SXSW!

Meet the Team

Writer & Director - Daniel Laabs

EASY is Daniel's fifth short film. His most recent work, '8,' won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Texas Short at SXSW 2011. He has also been a recipient of a 2011 AFS Grant, and was a participant in the 2013 AFS Artist Intensive. He currently works as a Programmer for the Oak Cliff Film Festival, and is a co-curator of The Texas Theatre’s first LGBTQ Film Series, CinéWilde.

Producer - Adam Donaghey

Adam Donaghey produces movies, is a partner at the historic Texas Theatre, co-founded the Oak Cliff Film Festival, is a freelance writer for D Magazine, & ♥’s #WorkingOut  #CraftBeer #FishTacos + #StarWars

Cinematography - Bret Curry

Casting Director - Kelsey Coggin

Cast

Jeffery ... Brennen Bliss

Michael ... Travis Tope

Teddy ... Teddy Waggy

Gymnastics Coach ... Jeff Walker

Father ... Andrew Sensenig