This has been an amazing/ rewarding experience. This film would not have the budget/legs to stand on if it weren't for INDIEGOGO.COM. I am truly impressed, grateful, and ultimately inspired by this 30-day drive. FOR those who would like to continue following the life of BENT a short film by (me) Amy Jo Johnson, please follow my facebook page where I will keep the journey going.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BENT-a-short-film...
HERE I AM. STANDING ON THE EDGE OF A NEW BEGINNING. MY ARMS ARE OPENED WIDE AND READY TO BARE MY SOUL. PLEASE BE KIND -Amy Jo
Hello! And WELCOME to our indiegogo campaign for the short film BENT.
This project is a story based off Amy Jo's feature length script "Crazier Than You", which portrays a woman's battle with terminal cancer, her 12 year stint in a religious cult, and a painful relationship with her philandering husband. It's actually a dramatic-comedy! For reals!
BENT picks up 30 years later. Two little girls from the story "Crazier Than You" all grown up. Dealing with their own personal demons.
We've started this indiegogo campaign not only to help fund this project but to invite people to become a part of the process. To create a conversation and hopefully a positive vibe around BENT.
MEET THE TEAM:
AMY JO JOHNSON/ FILMMAKER & ACTRESS
Amy Jo has been working in the film industry for over (YIKES) twenty years. Debuting as the Pink Power Ranger (yes, I said it) and most recently seen on the (I believe) awesome Canadian based TV show FLASHPOINT. Amy Jo is also a singer/song writer with two albums under her belt. She is in the process of recording her third entitled "Never Broken" which is exclusively available HERE. For now. BENT will be Amy Jo's first (of hopefully many) writer/director projects.
SONYA SALOMAA/ ACTRESS
Sonya is a Leo Award winning, Gemini nominated actress working in the film industry for over 12 years. She is most known for her work in The Collector, the critically acclaimed Durham County and The Guard. She spends most of her time playing trains with her son.
MICHAEL CRAM/ ACTOR
Michael is best known as Wordy from the hit Canadian television drama Flashpoint (like someone else we know). Besides being a 22 year veteran of film and TV, he is also a musician, playing around the Toronto area. Michael is very excited to be a part of Amy Jo's directorial debut.
INGRID KAVELAARS/ ACTRESS
Ingrid has starred in TV series such as: Code Name Eternity, Jeremiah, Stargate SG-1, Whistler, and ReGenesis - for which she won a Gemini. Ingrid has also worked in several feature films including Intern Academy, Dreamcatcher, Harm's Way, and The Bed - - which garnered her a Leo nomination. She has been featured on the hit ABC series “V”, and stars in the TMN series written by George F. Walker, "Living In Your Car", for which she has received a Gemini nomination.
Ian is an award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer with a broad and diverse resume. As a cinematographer, his portfolio includes three feature films (STITCHES 2009 Rosie Award Nominee. Best Feature, I HEART DOOMSDAY Winner - Royal Reel Award for Best Canadian Feature. 2010 Canada Film Festival, Winner - Most Kick Ass Film. Seattle True Independent Film Festival, Winner - 3rd Prize for Feature Film. Tupelo Film Festival, Winner – Most Innovative Film. Buffalo/Niagara Film Festival, 2010 Fantasia Film Festival and the recently completed, CAFÉ CAFÉ), more than two dozen music videos (Plants & Animals, Thee Silver Mount Zion, Hugo Lapointe, ANGO & Final Flash), several commercials (Lotto Quebec, Aquafresh, Sportchek, HeavyMTL) and has had short films screened at such international festivals as Raindance, Fantasia, Montreal World Film Festival, Festival de Nouveau Cinema, Vienna Film Festival, Atlantic Film Festival and Cannes. He also photographed and edited the hit web series, THE BITTER END.
HOLLY O’BRIEN/ PRODUCER
After fifteen years as a working actress Holly O’Brien decided she wanted to be more involved in the storytelling process and getting the stories out to the masses so a year and a half ago Holly started pursuing a career as a Producer. Since that decision she earned her first producing credit on the CBS film The Words (Closing Film at Sundance 2012, Montreal World Film Festival), starring Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde and Dennis Quaid, when she coordinated and produced the EPK/Behind the Scenes. Life Doesn’t Frighten Me (Official Selection TIFF 2012, Edmonton International Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, Reykjavik Film Festival) was Holly’s first stab at producing a narrative film and, blessed as she is, she is now thrilled to be working with Amy Jo on Bent and has 2 other projects slated to shoot in the next four months (holy smokes!).
CALUM J MOORE/ EDITOR
Calumis an English-Canadian freelance film editor working out of Toronto, Ontario. He is currently chasing a very expensive piece of paper (YIKES!) at Ryerson University in the Image Arts: Film program. Calum recently edited the short film, Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, which is in Official Selection at TIFF 2012!
How will your contributions help?
Making a film is a crazy large undertaking. Your funds will be used for both pre-production and the actual production itself. Besides our talented cast and crew, here are just a few of the things your contributions will be used for:
- Equipment rentals
- Sound
- Insurance
- Locations
- Editing
- Props
- Legal
- Post production
- Music
- So much more!
Other ways to help with BENT?
There are other ways to help us achieve our goal! Whether you are posting an update on LinkedIn, updating your Facebook status, tweeting to your followers or sharing our video on your YouTube channel, every bit goes a long way. Truly! The more you share this page via Indie Go-Go, the more Indie Go-Go will help promote the project. Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated!
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!!
Thank you for reading! Thank you for helping! We will be updating this campaign every step of the way! And we promise in the end to deliver you a short film from the heart.
