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Before Their Time, The Movie

Some went on to become famous and some were: BEFORE THEIR TIME

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Before Their Time, The Movie

Before Their Time, The Movie

Before Their Time, The Movie

Before Their Time, The Movie

Before Their Time, The Movie

Some went on to become famous and some were: BEFORE THEIR TIME

Some went on to become famous and some were: BEFORE THEIR TIME

Some went on to become famous and some were: BEFORE THEIR TIME

Some went on to become famous and some were: BEFORE THEIR TIME

Samuel Young
Samuel Young
Samuel Young
Samuel Young
1 Campaign |
ATLANTA/TUPELO, United States
$1,033 USD 24 backers
14% of $7,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
Before the NFL, the NBA and BET. There were legends in Black communities all across America. Some went on to become famous and some were: BEFORE THEIR TIME. Directed By Arthur Jafa Written By Samuel Young

Hi,

My name is Samuel and I am asking for your help to bring this idea to reality. I was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, the Birthplace of Elvis. I grew up on the campus of George Washington Carver High School. "Before Their Time" is a docudrama based on stories and experiences that were handed down to me through story telling by family members.

Movie- Before Their Time

Concept:

     This movie is a look at the black experience from the 1950’s through integration in America and more specifically the South. The movie is primarily based in the south and chronicles the black experience with a concentration on: athletics, music, school-centered communities and Jim Crow.

     The foundation of the movie will be from interviews, historical records, and stories that have been passed down by people who lived during these times. The aim of the movie is to produce the most realistic representation ever produced. The movie will be a non-fictional docudrama with a touch of fiction to accentuate the legendary characters represented. 

     The aim of this movie is to attract a primarily African American audience from 15 to 80 years old but the movie will appeal to everyone because many of these stories were left out of the history books. The 65+ age group was in high school and were young adults during this time period, so they will relate. Many middle aged people were also in the South during Jim Crow and integration, so they will relate. Today’s young adults and teenagers will relate to the movie because we plan on using well known sports figures and musicians to make cameo appearances that will draw this market. We will also use Hip Hop beats fused with Blues and Jazz as the primary soundtrack as well as product placement that will attract teenagers and young adults. The movie will hopefully serve as a history lesson for young people who have never known the joys, trials and challenges of life in the South and all over America before integration. 

The majority of this film will be done in Tupelo and other parts of Mississippi with the remainder shot in Atlanta and other areas. We plan on using as many local people as possible for this production. Arthur Jafa has perfected a method that does not require all professional actors. We will have auditions for local Actors and Musicians as well as extras. This will be a total Community effort.

Sports:

     This movie will show as convincingly as ever before that these athletes were the best in “the world”, because professional sports leagues were largely off limits to blacks during that time. Every town had a legendary figure in all areas of athletics that were “Before Their Time”. Many of the names and nicknames will be familiar to people all over America because blacks used common nicknames that transcend geographical boundaries. The movie will use special effects to make the players seem even more legendary. The main sports character will be Fred Davis, the legendary Quarterback at Carver who later went on to become a legend in the SWAC Conference's Alcorn (now Alcorn State). Fred was by most people's accounts one of if not the greatest athletes they have ever seen.

Music:

     The South and especially Mississippi is the birthplace of many forms of music. Many musicians who later went on to become greats in Jazz, Blues, R&B and Gospel got their start in clubs and churches throughout the South. The movie will feature many of the famous as well as the not so famous legends of that time. It will particularity focus on the character, Ballie Smith, who was said to mentor many great artists of that time. The movie will feature music by some up and coming local musicians of today. We want to do as many live performances as possible to give the movie a unique feeling of being in a live nightclub/show. The movie will also touch on the fact that Elvis Presley was known to get much of his early influence from clubs and churches in Tupelo, Mississippi. Also: Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddly, BB King, Sam Cooke, Mary Wilson, David Riffin and others all have direct ties to Mississippi. It is quite possible that many of them crossed paths with Ballie Smith and many of these artists are said to have played in local clubs around Tupelo and Mississippi. 

School Centered Communities

The story will highlight George Washington Carver High School in Tupelo, Mississippi. Carver, like many other black high schools, was the center of the community before integration. From the Arts to Athletics to community involvement and organization. Everything emanated from the school and  Carver, like other schools across America, gave the Black community it's pride. 

Jim Crow/Civil Rights:

 

     Jim Crow was very real during these times. The movie will show a constant presence, however, it will also emphasize how much of Mississippi’s negative racial image is “over blown” and that Blacks for the most part existed and thrived despite of Jim Crow. The movie will show how blacks were in some ways better off then, compared to community life today. Because the togetherness that was real back then is largely absent today. The project will show a limited amount of negative influences by the white power structure so it will not be a major focus of the film. 

Director: Arthur Jafa

We are very fortunate to have one of the premier cinematographers in the world in my cousin, Arthur Jafa. Arthur was born in Tupelo and these stories are just as much a part of his upbringing as mine. Arthur really took his career to another level in the last few years as he has worked with everyone from Jay-Z, Beyonce, Ava DuVernay, Lauren Hill, Solange and many other artists. He also produced his own projects: "Dreams Are Colder Than Death" and "Love Is The Message, The Message is Death". Arthur is currently one of the most sought after film makers in the world right now so we are fortunate to have him on board.

Boston Fielder

Boston Fielder is a multi talented Artist, Producer, Editor and graphic designer. He is the founder of Muthawit Orchestra and URB ALT media. 

Sekou Smith

Sekou is a TV personality on NBATV and has the number one blog, "Hang Time" on NBA.com. Sekou is the former beat writer for the Indiana Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks.

 

Goal: $7,000.00

We have set a modest goal of $7,000.00. These funds will go towards the production costs of producing the "Trailer" for this movie. It will cover costs like props, wardrobe, editing, equipment rental and/or site fees. This is very reasonable considering we will have one of the most dynamic and established cinematographers in Hollywood and the world shooting this trailer in Arthur Jafa.

We will then use the trailer to acquire the remaining funding for the entire production. We will keep you posted at least twice a week via Facebook and other social media on the status of our goal.

How You Can Help

1. Make a Donation

Anything from $5.00 to someone who would like to fund the entire project would be greatly appreciated. Log onto the Indiegogo link and make a donation. We have some exciting perks available for your generous donations. We have the opportunity to collectively fund this project if we all do it together.

2. Share the Indiegogo link on your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and say a good word to your friends and ask them to Share and Donate.

3. Since our target market will include many people who lived during the 50's and 60's, many may not be as experienced in social media as we are. Please share the video with them and help them make a donation the best way you can.

4. Word of Mouth will be key to making this project successful. Please tell your family, friends, church members and co-workers about this project.

 

Thanks Again for your Support,

 

Sam Young

 

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Choose your Perk

Green Level Supporter

$5 USD $10 USD (50% off)
Thank You on weekly updates
Included Items
  • Shout out on Social Media Page
2 claimed

Orange Level Supporter

$10 USD $15 USD (33% off)
Your name will be entered into a drawing to win 2 tickets to the Premier of the movie.
Included Items
  • Shout out on Social Media Page
  • Chance to win Premier tickets
1 claimed

White Level-Key Supporter

$20 USD $25 USD (20% off)
Your name will be listed on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram page as a contributor. You will receive an invitation to be an extra in the film or designate someone to be.
Included Items
  • Be and extra in the movie
  • Shout out on Social Media Page
8 claimed
Black Level-No. 1 Fan

Black Level-No. 1 Fan

$50 USD $75 USD (33% off)
Before Their Time T-Shirt or Carver Blue Devils Cap (White, Blue or Gold). Your name will be listed on the official social media page as a Black Level Supporter. You will receive an invitation to be an extra in the film.
Included Items
  • Be and extra in the movie
  • Shout out on Social Media Page
  • T-sirt, poster or cap
4 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Blue Level-Team Player

$100 USD $125 USD (20% off)
2- Tickets to the Premier T-shirt, Poster and Cap Name listed in the credits as a Team Player Supporter Receive an invitation to be an extra in the movie or designate someone.
Included Items
  • Be and extra in the movie
  • Name listed in credits
  • 2-Tickets to Premier
  • T-sirt, poster or cap
3 claimed

Silver Level-Big Baller

$500 USD $750 USD (33% off)
Silver-Big Baller Be an extra along with 4 more friends, family or designee. Tshirt, Poster, Cap 2 VIP Tickets to the Premier
Included Items
  • Be and extra in the movie
  • Tshirt, Poster, Cap
  • 2 VIP Tickets to the Premier
  • 5 slots as extras in movie
0 claimed

Gold Level-Associate Producer

$1,000 USD $1,500 USD (33% off)
A $1,000 donation will give you the title of Associate Producer in the Trailer. Your name will be listed in the credits of the trailer. Guarantee you a character role in the full production if desired or designate someone. You will also be given the opportunity to invest in the full production and receive a portion of the profits.
Included Items
  • Associate Producer of Trailer
  • Be and extra in the movie
  • Investment opportunity
  • Tshirt, Poster, Cap
  • 2 VIP Tickets to the Premier
  • 5 slots as extras in movie
0 claimed

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