We've hit our goal but we still need more funds in order to complete the film!

We've set up Stretch Goals, and in every new goal achieved, we'll unlock new amazing perks!

Help us make the first feature synthwave documentary BIGGER.

NEXT ONE is $90k: A "Synth Rider" Moving Head!!  It will look great in your #synthrider car!

The film is a travel in time towards the roots of a worldwide grass-root music scene known as Synthwave, an irresistible blend of modern electronic composition with 80s pop culture’s nostalgia (inspired in the sound that Edgar Froese, Giorgio Moroder and John Carpenter created in the late 70s), that over the last two years has transformed from a whisper on selected internet hubs, to an ever-growing scene, expanding rapidly as we speak. Accounting millions of plays on social media, devoted fans are legion, but nobody in the mass media knows about them.

A time travel into the universe of creating sounds. A love letter to human fascination and the collective memories of an universe that never existed.

Mood teaser / Sizzle reel:

The scene is composed by hundreds of composers of Synthwave music around the world, a digital native grass-root movement, created through internet and promoted through social networks.

We've managed to gather together an amazing lineup of synthwave artists from all over the world, most of them without any previous on camera interviews. The artists involved are:

Electric Youth, College, Miami Nights 1984, Com Truise, Nightcrawler, Dynatron, Dance with the Dead, Maethelvin, Stellar Dreams, Jordan F, Futurecop!, The Midnight, Power Glove, 80s Stallone, Betamaxx, Darkest, Lazerhawk, Mitch Murder, Carpenter Brut, Timecop 1983, OGRE, Waveshaper, Gunship and MPM Soundtracks (*).

We are also working in feature more key-players in the scene: labels, influencers (blogs, podcasts, youtube channels, etc...), designers, fans, vhs and retro-technology lovers.

And of course, some of the Masters themselves: Giorgio Moroder, John Carpenter, Claudio Simonetti (Goblin), Tangerine Dream, Brad Fiedel, Stu Phillips, Vangelis, Harold Faltermeyer and Jan Hammer (to name a few). Some of these iconic names have already stated their interest in being involved.

(*) This is not a final list. The final interviewees and the characters included in the final cut of the film may vary.

The film is a time travel towards the roots of the music genre, back in the late 70s when the sacred Trinity made their appearance (Giorgio Moroder, Tangerine Dream and John Carpenter). The journey continues through the movement golden age in the 80s with and explosion of bands and producers (Jan Hammer, Hans Zimmer, Brad Fiedel, Stu Phillips, Vangelis, Harold Faltermeyer, John Carpenter, Edgar Froese, Giorgio Moroder…) and the 90s denial of the previous cultural wave. In 2000 the seminal scene is created on MySpace (Actrazer, Lazerhawk, 80s Stallone, etc.) and lot of artists explores this 80s retro sound. Ten years later, the scene arises getting their biggest media attention to date when in 2011 the film “Drive” wins Cannes.

A second level of the narrative is about the PRESENT artists. The story is character-driven, focusing on the duality of their day job and mundane existence vs. their night alter ego as music producers. We find successful artists and new young incorporations. Some of them, youngsters who have been born after the 80s.

The fan base is huge, reaching worldwide status: From the movie buff or the music nerd, to the videogame geek or the 80s fan. They all love this music, which sounds delightfully out-dated. We’ll also explore in the narrative the way memories work and how they are created, in particular the science behind music memories.

The "Synth Rider", our personal movement metaphor, will be the narrative structure connection. Putting in contact fans, composers and masters, among locations (characters) and time (musical chronology), between reality and fiction. He is “The Night Rider” (Mad Max), "Mario Cobretti" (Sylvester Stallone in Cobra) and "Driver" (Ryan Gosling in Drive). He is watching after the masters’ legacy.

​Finally the narrator of the film. The voice that will guide us all through this time travel towards the past. A legendary film director, a true Hollywood outsider. He will be the Master, the Voice that unites all the synthwave composers in this universe of collective memories.

But remember: to be officially attached, the film must be fully funded. Otherwise, it would not happen.

All the narrative structures will mix together in the film, always in a very cinematographic and delicate framing. We’re exploring one of the finest decades in the relationship between music and film, we want to honor that. We’re going for a mix of neo-neoir (Blade runner, Akira, Terminator, Drive, etc.) visual style with a salt of colorful and warmer shots (Miami Vice, Top Gun, To Live and Die in L.A., etc.) for live-action following our main characters.

The production of The Rise of the Synths involves traveling to many places all over the world since our characters are spread in the US, Canada, France and the UK among other countries. Even that we will travel with a minimal crew and equipment, an important part of our production budget will be addressed to cover these shootings in the different countries.

Because this subject is misunderstood by the film industry and labelled as a fringe 80's retro movement, it is quite complicated to raise funding from traditional filmmaking sources in this first stage of the production. The film industry starts to get the topic, its global outreach and the opportunity it carries. There is a strong interest but they don´t feel confident to invest in it so soon. They want to see some footage first and see the important names attached to the project. That's why we need your financial support now. We are alone in this Synthriders, but we are many, we are legion and we know you are there! So, there's only one chance left for this documentary to happen. We need you. The time has come to ride together. 

We're asking a significant part of our budget, that will provide us with enough funds to cover production costs and start the shooting worldwide. It will allow us to get most of the footage to start editing the final product. Here's how your money will be expended in our project:

TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION

Your donation is tax deductible! (*) The Rise Of The Synths is a fiscally sponsored project of the International Documentary Association (IDA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions in support of "The Rise Of The Synths" are payable to IDA and are tax deductible, less the value of any goods or services received, as allowed by law. The value of goods and services being offered is noted under each donation level. If you would like to deduct the entire donation you have the option to simply decline the reward at check out. 

(*) A US tax receipt can be issued under request.

These are design mockups of the final products. But they are pretty close.

Included in all levels.

Included in Cobretti, Maverick, #laresistance, Master and Godfather.

Included in McClane and above (except Maverick).

Included in Pliskken and above.

Included in '#laresistance: Signed edition' and above.

Included in McFly (LT) only.

Included in Rockatansky and above.

Included only in Maverick.

Included in Rambo and above. And in Gizmo as a standalone.

Included in McFly (LT+) only.

Included only in Goonie.

Included only in Deckard.

Ivan Castell. Director and film editor (co-founder of Castell&Moreno Films). His directorial debut came in 2008, as director of the short film “Nave # 527, presented in several audio-visual markets such as Clermont-Ferrand (France). The film went viral and had a great impact in the Spanish national media. Last year he released “Trovadores”, his feature documentary debut, distributed worldwide by Kinonation.

He has made music videos for The Closers (King of Patio Records), Hankat (Sounds of Copenhagen Records), Grossomodo (Rap Solo) and Limnopolar (Delicias Record Company).

As film editor, he has worked in feature films such as “Justi&Cia” (Sendino and Machin), “Many pieces of something” (Outkast filmmakers) and “Chrysalis” (Amapola Films).

Javier Moreno. Producer and project manager (co-founder of Castell&Moreno Films). He has a background in developing audiovisual projects for NGOs. Although his main personal focus has so far been on documentary films, he has also worked in fiction works (short films as “¡Al Quinto!” by Nacho Estaregui or “Descubriendo a Mosen Bruno” by Maxi Campo with Jesse Johnson), music videos and commercials.

In 2014 he presented his first documentary film as producer and co-director “The Children of Tomorrow”, shot in India.

Founded by Ana Castañosa, Estefania Salyers and Rebeca Villar, 9am Media Lab is an american company based in Miami with branches in L.A., Lausanne (Switzerland) and Madrid (Spain). They create, develop and produce stories based in reality. From documentaries to TV factual programs, news coverage, branded content and shorter formats. With a worldwide network of collaborators, they go beyond limits to explore new ways of storytelling.

Symbiotic Loop Media is an independently owned LLC for the production and distribution of entertainment content for international audiences. Founded by Jason A. Hill, producer and writer who has been involved in film since his teens doing everything from gripping to post production.

Lakeshore Records is the independent recorded music division of Lakeshore Entertainment which has produced such films as American Pastoral, The Age Of Adaline, The Lincoln Lawyer, Underworld, and Million Dollar Baby winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture. Lakeshore Records has released soundtrack albums for Stranger Things, Mr. Robot, Drive, Hannibal, Swiss Army Man, Bone Tomahawk, Synchronicity, Napoleon Dynamite, and many more.

Social Media Backstage is a Community Management agency focused on social media. With a combination of creativity and profitability they built and manage a brand fans community.

12 caracteres is a Graphic design and Communication studio with over 10 years experience in managing art direction and audiovisual creation.

Soundshine Studios is a recording studio and audio post-production facility run by composer/producer Santiago Abadía, specialized in music composition and sound design for games, films and t.v. Located in the heart of Madrid, Soundshine Studios offers it's services worldwide and has worked on award winning feature films and Latin Grammy nominated albums.

Bahnhof is a really cool clothing shop.

Like Totally Cool is a Retro / 80's inspired Clothing Brand.

FilmGate Miami empower independent visual storytellers through thoughtful educational programming, networking opportunities and production support.

More videos!

Interview on "Synthwaves" hosted by Noah Kaufmann on "KFAI" Radio.