Watch the full trailer here -
(A selected pick by Film Shortage & Focus International Film Festival)
Their Voices Need To Be Heard
My name is Jake Wilson, a young filmmaker in Philadelphia, PA. I've been in love with film since I was a child. First as a mean of escape from reality. Then as a cathartic journey into the depths of my fears and anxieties. I started experimenting with film at the age of twelve and slowly the flame was fanned. Now I am capturing through a camera lens the visions, the dreams, and the fears that I have held onto for so long and so many other people have as well. Being as true to life as possible is paramount in my vision of film. Showing the world what really happens behind closed doors is a constant theme of my work.
That's why I started Still Dreaming Productions.
I was inspired to start this project after the tragic suicide of my best friend. A fellow film lover and an intellectual above many of my peers. I felt that I needed to do something other than just mourn him. I wanted to show people the damage that untreated mental health issues can cause. I bought my VHS camera and a Polaroid camera out of my own pockets and began my project. Interviewing multiple people in my community who suffer the same illnesses as my friend did. Desperately trying to shed light on their ills. These are stories that need to be heard.
The goal of this campaign is not to fund the production but rather to increase awareness of these tragic mental conditions and perhaps save others by opening up this topic that has been swept under the rug for too long, before it is too late. The severity of this mental health crisis is reaching a fever pitch and we need to bring it to the forefront.
Every Cent Will Mean Something
Right now, I have all the footage, I have edited the film myself, and now this short documentary is complete. Now it needs to reach as many audiences as possible in order to make a meaningful enough impact.
How will that be done? A few ways:
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Film Festivals:
Getting this film into festivals is a sure-fire way to broaden its audience and get these voices heard. However, each festival requires an upfront submission fee ranging from $30 to even $80. The funds from this campaign will go directly to getting this important film into as many festivals as possible in order to be seen and spark a long needed conversation on mental health.
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Distribution:
Distributing a film is tough. Distributing a short film is even tougher, and it takes funds which are currently out of reach. Once we get enough recognition, distributors will take notice and pitches will be made. Whether it be streaming, online promotion, limited release events, or anything else of the sort. This film being seen is what really matters.
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Donations To Mental Health Research:
Any unused funds will go be donated to mental health research in my late best friend, Jeremy Garber's name. The mental health support in this country is at a terrible low and we need to stimulate this research as it is imperative to sustaining a healthy lifestyle for all who walk this earth. No one should have to live in so much pain.
Secondary Goals -
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DVD's/Blu-Ray's/VHS: Printed media would be a tremendously beneficial way to distribute this film. Being sold online and in local media stores will ensure that even those who know nothing of this campaign can discover the suffering that mental illness has unleashed on society. Spreading this important message even further.
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Poster/Stickers: Old-school DIY methods of getting notoriety. You can hang a poster in your room and put stickers on your laptop, or you can go out and post them up for the world to see. Spread the word!
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Wearing Your Support On Your Sleeve: An extra goal toward recognition and support of this serious issue will be marketing and merchandise. Shirts, wristbands, stickers, hats, poster, etc. Wearable support and visual support is a crucial part of getting noticed. For anyone out on the street or in a media shop, the possibility that they may see more and more that there is a mental health crisis being displayed in public and no longer shoved aside will be extremely beneficial in this cause.
Mental illness has been rapidly on the rise since generation X. It's getting worse faster than we can make it better. What's most unfortunate about this is that these people are treated as outcasts. Looked down on. Stigmatized. Their medications and therapy aren't helping or they can't afford it. Some are simply too ill to make the effort. With little support from peers, these young men and women have little hope. We really haven't progressed far passed the days of locking patients in cells. We need change. We need awareness. We need to hear what they have to say before it's too late. Be a part of the change. Do something that affects just about every single person on earth. Our minds are very fragile, we need to protect them at all costs so they may flourish. The first step is awareness.
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Supporter ($5): A little goes a long way! Even this will bring us ever closer to our goal. You have my utmost gratitude.
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Big Supporter ($12): Your contribution means more than you could ever know. Thank you for helping bring awareness to this devastating social issue. You will receive a 'Born Into It' - "Mental Health Awareness" poster plus 'Born Into It' - "Mental Health Awareness" stickers (get the word out there!)
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Just Digital ($14): You will receive a digital copy of 'Born Into It' (Including bonus supplements to the film) plus a poster and stickers.
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Digital Supporter ($18): You will receive a digital copy of 'Born Into It' (Including bonus supplements to the film) plus a poster and stickers. Your name will also be edited into the credits as a supporter of mental health awareness!
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DVD ($20): You will receive DVD copy of 'Born Into It' plus a digital copy (Including bonus supplements to the film) plus a poster and stickers. Your name will also be edited into the credits as a supporter of mental health awareness!
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Show Your Support ($25): You will receive a 'Born Into It' - "Mental Health Awareness" T-Shirt plus a poster and stickers.
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Show Your Support II ($35): You will receive a 'Born Into It' - Mental Health Awareness" dad hat plus a poster and stickers.
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Blu-Ray ($30): You will receive a Blu-Ray copy of 'Born Into It' plus a digital copy (Including bonus supplements to the film) plus a poster and stickers. Your name will also be edited into the credits as a supporter of mental health awareness!
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Huge Supporter ($45): You will receive a VHS copy of 'Born Into It' plus a digital copy (Including bonus supplements to the film) plus a poster and stickers. Your name will also be edited into the credits as a supporter of mental health awareness!
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Old School Supporter ($60): You will receive a VHS copy of 'Born Into It' plus a digital copy (Including bonus supplements to the film) plus a poster and stickers. You will also receive a 'Born Into It' - "Mental Health Awareness" T-Shirt. Your name will also be edited into the credits as a supporter of mental health awareness!
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Huge Supporter II ($85): You will receive a VHS copy of 'Born Into It' plus a digital copy (Including bonus supplements to the film) plus a poster and stickers. You will receive a 'Born Into It' - "Mental Health Awareness" T-Shirt. Your name will also be edited into the credits as a supporter of mental health awareness AND credited as a co-producer! Plus, a donation to a mental health research fund will be made in your name.
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Ultimate Supporter ($120): You will receive a VHS, DVD, and digital copy of 'Born Into It', a 'Born Into It' - "Mental Health Awareness" T-Shirt, plus a poster and stickers. Your name will also be edited into the credits as a supporter of mental health awareness AND credited as a co-producer! Plus, a donation to a mental health research fund will be made in your name.
Support Still Dreaming Productions and 'Born Into It' online. Share this campaign, the trailer, and the posters with friends, family, and even strangers. Get the word out wherever you can. Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, Vimeo, Tumblr, blog sites, etc. Every little bit helps. Take part in the healing of the ailing minds of this world. Spread the word.
Still Dreaming Productions on the web:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StillDreamingProductions/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwKoFmmX5j8JftpCKqerlA?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/still_dreaming_productions/
SDP Online: https://jwilsonmetal17.wixsite.com/stilldreaming
Risks -
(If the funding goal is not reached, funds will go to a Jeremy M. Garber memorial fund for mental health research with donations being made in every supporter's name. Everyone will receive a digital copy of the film plus supplements, their name in the credits, and I myself will take the initiative to achieve the mission goals I have laid out here)
Let's make a difference. A real difference. Let's show people that mental illness is real and it can be overcome. Save the next person in line before it's too late.