Dear Friends and Supporters:
If you've been following our campaign, you've probably noticed that, at least this time, we're not likely to make our goal. We knew it was a long-shot when we started - funding for a meta-project where the project is to prove the value of the actual project. And while we are still hopeful, we're also realistic that we're not going to get the funding we would have liked. Even so, we are determined to make it happen and we are going to kick in some more cash ourselves, change the parameters a bit, and make it happen with whatever we do get.
Still, any additional funding would really help us with certain elements of this production. If you know anybody who might be interested in kicking in even just a few bucks, please let them know we're down to the wire. Every little bit will make a HUGE difference. Thank you for all your help. We can't wait to show you the trailer once we've got it put together!
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Welcome to the 20-Day Campaign for the teaser for THE SHADOW GUIDE, from acclaimed writer / director Gene Blalock and Seraph Films.
We will be updating this site frequently with casting announcements, BTS videos, and much more, so please keep checking back for the latest updates!
Over the past few years, Seraph Films has created 13 short films and a web series (now in its 4th season) on what can politely be called "minimal budgets" - e.g., food for the cast and crew. We're ready to move beyond this into a full-length, feature film. One key element is a teaser for the film, which allows us to demonstrate our vision to our financiers and supporters. In order to create the teaser, we need your support.
More than anything, Seraph is an idea - the concept that a group of aspiring filmmakers can work together to create compelling films while learning, growing, and sharing those films with the world. We're a group of volunteers - all donating our time, skills and equipment towards our artistic endeavors. We're a bit like the nonsequitor group that doesn't hold regular meetings, but likes pizza. We have quite a bit of talent - skilled director, experienced camera operators, professional makeup artists, and access to SAG-AFTRA actors. Chutzpah, too, or we wouldn't be trying to do this, and a drive to succeed. However, we're always short on cash and we can't afford to do a less than stellar job on this teaser. So, we're throwing our guitar case onto the ground and playing your favorite tunes in the hope that you'll throw down your spare change and help us get there.
Your funding will help us rent the few pieces of gear we need (crane, high-power lights, cinematographic lenses, and the like), rent a location for a weekend, pay for fuel, and cover a few pizzas.
Our Cast
Please meet our cast for the teaser film.
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RAQUEL HOUGHTON
Houghton is a Costa Rican born singer/actress raised in Albany, New York. At 19 years old Raquel was signed to a major record label in Orlando, Florida whose roster included NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and LFO. After five years in Orlando Raquel made the move to Los Angeles to further pursue her career. Raquel landed her first starring role in an independent horror film titled AMONG THE SHADOWS. Since then has been cast in shows such as CRIMINAL MINDS and YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.
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MOLLY JACKSON
Born in
Germany in 2001, Molly Jackson has been performing since the age of 5. She has made many commercials, appeared in
numerous television series, short films, and most recently had the privilege of
working on the movie, CIRCLE (2014), directed by Mario Miscione and Aaron
Hann. Molly has also been involved in
voice-over projects and ADR work for such movies as MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (2014), THOR: THE DARK WORLD (2013) and PUSS IN BOOTS (2011).
Being the
daughter of a military officer has afforded Molly plenty of travel and cultural
experiences. Second to acting, she loves
singing and writing.
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LESLIE MCKELLER
Leslie Mckeller is an actress/dancer and model who hales from Houston Texas. Her passion for movement and penchant for dance led to performing leading roles with Houston Dance Theatre right out of the gate. Her intensive studies in classical ballet earned her a scholarship and alumnus at The University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She also studied at summer dance intensives with the Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Austin, IBC, and the Tampa Musical Theatre Project. This led her to dancing professionally with Ballet Oklahoma and the Colorado Ballet. Leslie's commitment to acting is equally as strong, in 2011 she played Shirley Temple's mother in Clint Eastwood's J EDGAR and in 2012 she had a recurring role as entertainment reporter KiKi Holmes in Adam Rifkin's Showtime TV series REALITY SHOW. In 2013 Leslie was featured as Sara in Seraph Films' horror-short VISIONS. Leslie has also booked the lead in numerous, high profile, national commercial campaigns, including Denny's, Kohl's, Keurig, Rite-Aid and most recently Fiat.
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JONATHAN ERICKSON EISLEY
Jonathan Erickson Eisley has acted in numerous film and television productions. His film credits include STOLEN with John Hamm, WYATT EARP'S REVENGE with Val Kilmer. Television credits include episodes of CRIMINAL MINDS, SHAMELESS, DARK BLUE, ER and MORTAL KOMBAT LEGACY. He has also worked as a Stunt Coordinator and Stunt Performer in multiple film and television productions.
What is the film about?
This is a story of a young women’s journey to find value in humanity and fulfill her destiny, wrapped in a dark, science fiction cloak.
Alexandria has lived her life with a nagging feeling of imminent doom. Her dreams often find her haunted by a mysterious, skeletal figure, The Shadow Guide, who asks her, "Do you want to know how the world ends?"
Alexandria discovers that The Shadow Guide visits from a much older plane of existence; one that is rapidly losing its form to the void. Facing his own oblivion, The Shadow Guide is willing to sacrifice his own universe to save ours, in an effort to help us avoid the mistakes of his own kind and preserve some memory and purpose of his own.
Reaching from beyond our known reality, The Shadow Guide struggles to communicate his apocalyptic message to Alexandria.
Terrified, Alexandria must overcome her fears to face her destiny and fulfill her role to save our existence.
As Alexandria begins to understand the message of The Shadow Guide, she must reconcile her own existential doubts - is the human race worth saving? Why is her role so pivotal when there doesn't even seem to be a grand scheme of things?
Ultimately, Alexandria holds the power to choose between existence or oblivion.
Concept Art
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THE SHADOW GUIDE![]()
What We Need & What You Get
Gear that we need to rent:
- Cinema Lenses for our Scarlet - Quality glass will make this look motion-picture worthy.
- Lights - Big HMI's that will allow us to create some really clever shots.
-
A Jib - for those cool, big scene shots.
- Location - Our friend's studio apartment still has Doritos crushed into the carpet from our last shoot and he's insisting we go elsewhere.
- A Generator - Because nobody thought to put outlets in the middle of the forest and those lights are needy that way.
- Food - We have to feed cast and crew.
We have some perks listed to the right if you're in. If this were Pokemon, we'd tell you that you've gotta catch 'em all. But since this is a competition to see who can help us the most, feel free to outdo all of our other funders. (Seriously, we will be grateful for ANY assistance and we know that sometimes the smallest contributions come from people who can't even afford to make those!)
The more we raise, the higher the production value of the film, so please help us out with whatever you can.
Feel free to spy on us and learn more about who we are, our process and our team by visiting our website at www.seraphfilms.net.
Other Ways You Can Help
Whether you contribute or not, one of the biggest ways you can help is by spreading the word.
- Share this campaign on your Facebook page.
- Tweet and retweet about our campaign.
- E-mail your family and friends.
SERAPH FILMS LINKS
