Short Summary
“Island Time” is a feature film which is a celebration of the Jimmy Buffett influenced Tropical lifestyle.
I want to make a movie that makes you feel like you feel when you listen to your favorite Jimmy Buffett or Trop Rock song. A movie that celebrates the island lifestyle. A sense of pure escape that takes you to the land of steel drums & sandy beaches.
"Island Time" is a character based comedy about a guy who's stuck in the winter snow, who escapes his cubicle desk bound job to run a beach bar with his friends in the islands. He discovers that the bar he bought is nothing like the luxurious beach bar he imagined and he has thirty days to make it into a working beach bar before the nearby hotel chain buys up his bar. He recruits friends and locals to create the bar and life of his dreams.
The film’s story, tone, and character will be similar to your favorite Jimmy Buffett song. This film is in no way endorsed by or supported by Jimmy Buffett - rather it is a celebration of all things Parrotheads love, written and directed by a Parrothead himself.
While this is a comedy, there are a wide range of experiences in emotion in the film, from sentimental, reflective, outrageous, eccentric, and fun. Just like the expanse of songs and tones within an album.
In as much as the film is inspired by Jimmy Buffett, it is also a celebration of Trop Rock. The film’s soundtrack will feature a number of Trop Rock artists whose sunny tunes will help bring the story to life. In addition, one of the supporting characters in the film is a trop rock artist, who is influenced by many of the real life Trop Rock artists working today.
What would you do if you left your cubicle job and could do anything that you wanted? For many people, one of the top items would be to run a beach bar.
This film is the story of someone who does just that.
![]()
Why a Tropical Movie?
I love everything about this music. I find Buffett’s music, and the music of similar Trop Rock artists, to be not only calming, but therapeutic. There’s no event in life that can’t be helped by this music. Whether you’re stuck in the snow drifts of winter trying to cheer yourself up, or celebrating with drinks on the back of your boat in the summer sun - it’s the soundtrack of life.
In addition to the music, I love the stories behind the songs. Stories of people who take a risk in life and live their dreams.
When I’m stuck in winter and sick of the cold, when I have “Island Fever” - I can listen to a number of my favorite albums to help me escape, but I can’t watch a film. There’s no film that I know of that give me the same sense of escape, fun, humor, and escapism that those songs give me.
My goal would be to create a film that you can watch to lift your winter sprits and help inspire the rum to flow.
How Do I Help?
If you want to help make this film come to life, you can pledge whatever you want in exchange for some tropical rewards. (for example, a DVD, a music cd, tickets to the premiere, or even a part in the movie!)
The more you pledge, the cooler the rewards get! Take a gander at the column on the right to see what's available.
The Soundtrack
For a movie that celebrates the steel drum sounds of the tropical lifestyle, the soundtrack is one of the key elements to this tropical concoction. We already have a wide variety of musicians on the soundtrack including some potential new songs written for the film.
As a big fan of this music myself, I hope that the film helps to promote and expand the fan base of Trop Rock.
Schedule
The film is scheduled to shoot in summer of 2014.
Donation Levels
We've got a lot of great donation levels in the film. Here's a graph which explains what tropical goodies you get at each level.
Who Are You?
I’ve been working in the independent film world for years. I’ve directed a number of independent feature films including “Tricks of a Woman” starring Vincent Pastore (“The Sopranos”) Natasha Lyonne (“Orange is the New Black” “American Pie”) and Scott Elrod (“Argo” “Men in Trees”), as well as the feature films “The Wayfarers” and “Blackwater Farm."
I'm also a screenwriter for hire, who co-wrote “Immigration Tango” which was released theatrically. Some of my films have won numerous festival awards including “Best Picture” at the Monaco International Film Festival.
I’ve also been producing Web Shows for a few years now, among them “The Salinger Spies” and the long running Web Sitcom, “Meet the Mayfarers.”
I feel that my experience in feature filmmaking on both a larger indie budget scale and a small web budget scale will help me to produce a location based film. I know how to stretch production dollars and make sure everything shows up on the screen.
I’ve also Produced and have been Project Director on the iPad App, “For the Term of His Natural Life” (starring Anthony Perkins) which is a film and novel fused together in a unqiue app form.
I've also created and run a lifestyle blog and Facebook page, "South of St. Somewhere" which celebrates the island lifestyle.
While my professional film experiences has been fantastic, I’ve been longing to do my own bigger project for some time. As a life long Buffett fan, and fan of Trop Rock in general, I'm excited to help shepherd this project onto the screen.
![]()
Distribution Strategy
“Island Time” will showcase a unique distribution strategy. Instead of simply playing in movie theaters, we'll tour with the film in a manner similar to a band.
I've been inspired by the camaraderie, intimacy, and fun of House Concerts, which a lot of Trop Rock musicians take part of. The film business is changing, and the reality is not as many people go to see independent films in the theater anymore. Even as a filmmaker myself, I prefer to watch films in the comfort of my home.
That's why I want to not simply do film "screenings" but rather create an interactive, tropical experience.
The distribution goals would to be to set up “Tropical Cinema Evenings” which would have the film showcased in unique venues such as bars and tropical outdoor areas, which would have Trop Rock bands play during the screenings of the film.
Instead of just "a night at the movies" the film would be part of a fun evening with music, drinks, and dancing. We'll be living the story of the film.
Depending on the course of filming, we may shoot additional scenes that would be exclusive to these distribution parties. For example, there may be key points within the film itself where the characters reference the band off stage, the film stops for an intermission, and the live band then plays for a set.
We have already partnered with Trop Rock bands, merchandise vendors, and bars to create unique evenings of entertainment.
![]()
Questions and Answers
When will we get to see the movie?
Well we need to raise money and make it first! We're shooting next summer, 2014 no matter what, and with your help we'll be making a high caliber flick.
We'll be editing throughout the fall of 2014 - hopefully releasing it in early 2015. Movie making takes a long time, but it's worth it.
What if you go over your goal?
That would be fantastic! There are still so many costs which I haven't included, such as our post production sound mix and marketing costs. Our current plan is to raise those costs once we are in post production. Any dollars we raise during the campaign over our amount would go raising the profile of the film by hiring recognizable actors.
Who are these "Recognizable Actors" you keep talking about?
Good question! The reality of making movies is sometimes you don't know who will be cast until a month or sometimes weeks right before a shoot. It's a mixture of actors' availability, interest, and if they're the right fit for the role. With the right budget, we want to do our best to utilize our connections to cast the right actors in the roles. Like everything in the film business, it is not an exact science. We'll know more the closer we get to shooting, which is always an exciting time.
Will I really get to be in the movie? Seriously?
That's right! If you donate to the "Star on the Sea" package you will be in the movie with a speaking part. You'll be interacting with one of the main actors in the movie.
Don't worry. We'll make you look good. We'll tailor your speaking line to you, so you'll feel comfortable, natural, and come across great on screen. Most of all you'll have fun!
Where does the money go?
Once we raise the money all of your pledges will be collected and deposited into a bank account that we have set up for the sole purpose of funding the film.
What Happens if you don't reach your goal?
We have a "Flexible Funding" campaign. In this way we'll be able to use every donation that we can get. We're determined to shoot this movie next year no matter what. But this funding is the difference between a small low budget movie and a high profile film. We need every donation we can get!
When will the rewards be available? (i.e. - "when do I get my Swag!")
It depends on the reward. Some of them, such as the Koozies, T-shirts, and other bits of merchandise - we'll ship right when the campaign ends. Other items like the DVD, soundtrack, and other items associated with the film will be sent after we're done shooting.
When the campaign ends, I'll send an email out to get all your details - for your address, desired shirt size and other info so I can send you your rewards.
Can I change my donation? For example - if I want to get four tickets to the Film's premiere?
Sure thing! Just log into your account and change your pledge details.
What if I don’t want the incentive and I just want to support the project?
No problem! That's totally cool. Just e-mail us and let us know. Also, if you want some of the rewards but not everything listed at a given level, that's not a problem either. No worries.
I only have PayPal. How can I support the film?
You're in luck! Indiegogo accepts Paypal.
Will you spam me?
Absolutly not! You can unsubscribe at any time.
What if my question isn't answered here?
E-mail your query at info@islandtimefilm.com or vists our website at www.IslandTimeFilm.com.
Admit it, this is just an excuse to run to the islands and drink rum.
There are many easier ways to do that then trying to make a film!
Is there anyway else I can help?
Another way you can participate (other than backing the project) is to SPREAD THE WORD about the project! E-mail a friend, share it on facebook, post it to an online forum, bang some coconuts together... anyway you can get the word out is a HUGE help.
Any donation you can give will help and the film and make you a "Beachcomber" Team member.
Feel free to ask me any questions you have by using the "send message" link at the top of this page. Thank you for your support!
A percentage of every screening of the film will go to the Save the Manatees organization.
![]()