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Chalk - A Comedic Film Noir

A comedy film noir about a detective looking for clarity in a city of corruption, murder, and chalk.

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Chalk - A Comedic Film Noir

Chalk - A Comedic Film Noir

Chalk - A Comedic Film Noir

Chalk - A Comedic Film Noir

Chalk - A Comedic Film Noir

A comedy film noir about a detective looking for clarity in a city of corruption, murder, and chalk.

A comedy film noir about a detective looking for clarity in a city of corruption, murder, and chalk.

A comedy film noir about a detective looking for clarity in a city of corruption, murder, and chalk.

A comedy film noir about a detective looking for clarity in a city of corruption, murder, and chalk.

Eric Whitten
Eric Whitten
Eric Whitten
Eric Whitten
1 Campaign |
New York, United States
$6,936 USD 102 backers
69% of $10,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
A short comedic film noir about a washed up detective looking for clarity in a world full of corruption, murder, and chalk. This film explores the cost of self-preservation. Set among a fictional backdrop, a city of chalk slowly being replaced by dry-erase, we explore the affect gentrification has on individuals by using comedy to approach this sensitive subject. We are looking for funding to complete our film, which has just wrapped principal photography. DONATIONS ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTABLE

"I don't just dream at night, I dream all day; I dream for a living" - Steven Spielberg

One of my favorite directors, because he sheds light on humanity in interesting and captivating ways. Chalk not only makes people laugh because of its silly nature, but it also strives to tell a story about self-preservation and identity. 

Dreams are fragile and it takes years of hard work and persistence to make sure they don't break or in some cases shatter into a million pieces.

How do you make dreams come true? Through the support of a community. A community like yourselves. They say it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes a community to nurture a dream.

Chalk is my dream, not my only dream, but one of many and I need your support to make it come true. Lets bring imagination to life.

Original material is near impossible to find these days, but it is possible. It is up to us as artists to find new and clever ways of shedding light on important topics

When I write, I'm not always writing with a specific topic in mind. Stories often start with characters or situations and grow from there.

Chalk started out as a silly situation. A "chalk person" is dead and the lead detective meant to solve the case is sorta dumb. He's constantly talking to himself in odd, funny synonyms, and can be a bit confusing at times to the frustration of the other characters involved.

Then there was a significant shift of discovery. The story grew into this tale of a man running away from his own identity. We can all relate. We've all been in a situation where we felt we couldn't be ourselves. This story is a beautiful ode to people who feel left out or forgotten. 

The backdrop of gentrification only adds to the layer of self-preservation. You all know the story. You're on a path in life when suddenly it gets shaken by the loss of a loved one, a change in career, or having to move to a new home. Our characters struggle with this idea in a city that is, much like New York and other major cities, changing so quickly. 

The challenge of Chalk was deciding how to present this "other world". I knew we had to keep costs reasonable. As much as I want to show Chalk City in all its potential and glory, I knew it wouldn't be possible without major capital. So, how do you show this world and stay true to your imagination and vision? You limit it to one location. A trick many early filmmakers have harnessed for their benefit.

Our location is Mrs. Chalk's residence, which still looks out over Chalk City, giving us a much needed peek at a larger world of imagination.

I had so many ideas about how to make a "chalk person" on screen. On stage it was easy, we just lined our actress in glow tape and called it a day, but on film it is not so simple.

There were so many options, such as using a green suit to animate the whole thing, or covering Mrs. Chalk in white powder makeup (I'm sure our actress Noel Elie would have love that one). Yet, again when you don't have studio level resources, you've gotta get creative.

That's when our cinematographer was like, "What if we accentuate her features, and use a chalk textured overlay in post?" This was brilliant. After a screen test and seeing that it was possible it made all the difference. 

You're only as good as the people you work with. This same rule applies to the community of people who support and cheer for you. This community is you. We want you to be a part of our growing tree of supporters and followers. Even if you can't commit to anything financially, there are so many ways you can still get involved and support our project. 

You can follow us on Social Media

             FACEBOOK         INSTAGRAM          TWITTER

Subscribe to our Mailing List on our Website

WWW.THECHALKMOVIE.COM

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Choose your Perk

CLASSROOM AFRICA
featured

CLASSROOM AFRICA

$35 USD
Chalk and blackboards are still widely used by most teachers in rural African classrooms. $10 out of every $35 will be donated to Classroom Africa a 4 STAR Charity by the African Wildlife Foundation, which builds and supplies schools for impoverished African communities.
Included Items
  • Classroom Africa
Estimated Shipping
February 2018
5 out of 100 of claimed
ROOKIE - SOCIAL SHOUT OUT

ROOKIE - SOCIAL SHOUT OUT

$5 USD
We want to publicly thank you for making this film happen - we are thrilled to have you involved! You will receive a public THANK YOU on the film’s social media pages plus exclusive production updates via IndieGoGo!
Included Items
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
January 2018
5 out of 50 of claimed
BEAT COP - CHALK UP ERIC

BEAT COP - CHALK UP ERIC

$10 USD
To show how much we appreciate your support of our film CHALK, the DIRECTOR will send a PERSONAL THANK YOU VIDEO while getting PELTED WITH A DUSTY ERASER! You'll also get an exclusive SHOUT-OUT on all the film's social media accounts.
Included Items
  • Eric's Thank You
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
January 2018
12 out of 200 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
SERGEANT - DIGITAL PACKAGE

SERGEANT - DIGITAL PACKAGE

$25 USD
Be among the first to own the film! You will receive a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of CHALK upon its release. GET THE FILM BEFORE ANYONE ELSE! You'll also receive a MR. CHALK CAMPAIGN STICKER. Show your support for the Mayor of Chalk City like never before...even if he's dead. PLUS...you will also get a digital copy of the ORIGINAL CHALK SCRIPT!
Included Items
  • Campaign Sticker
  • Digital Screenplay
  • Digital Copy of Film
  • Eric's Thank You
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
January 2018
18 out of 500 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
DETECTIVE - FILM NOIR FAN

DETECTIVE - FILM NOIR FAN

$50 USD
MAKE YOUR PROFILE FILM NOIR! Send us a picture and we will edit it into the style of Film Noir! PLUS - The creator of Chalk, Eric Whitten will personally write you a FILM NOIR INTRO to be RECORDED BY LEAD ACTOR JOHN PATRICK HAYDEN. You'll have your very own voiceover intro in the style of the film. How awesome is that? LIMITED AVAILABILITY!
Included Items
  • Film Noir Intro
  • Film Noir Your Picture
  • Campaign Sticker
  • Digital Screenplay
  • Digital Copy of Film
  • Eric's Thank You
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
January 2018
5 out of 50 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
LIEUTENANT - PRIVATE SCREENING

LIEUTENANT - PRIVATE SCREENING

$100 USD
You and one guest will be invited to a PRIVATE SCREENING of the film! You'll be able to HANG OUT with the CAST and CREW and offer valuable feedback. You also will get the CHALK FILM T-SHIRT complete with the HANDPRINTS OF THE ENTIRE CAST! How's that for personalization??
Included Items
  • Private Screening
  • Chalk T-Shirt
  • Film Noir Intro
  • Film Noir Your Picture
  • Campaign Sticker
  • Digital Screenplay
  • Digital Copy of Film
  • Eric's Thank You
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
January 2018
6 out of 50 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
CAPTAIN - VOICE YOUR OWN SCENE

CAPTAIN - VOICE YOUR OWN SCENE

$250 USD
At this level you will receive a page of the original HAND-DRAWN STORYBOARD, signed by Eric Whitten...PLUS...You get to RECORD YOUR OWN VOICEOVER to be edited into a scene and SHOWN DURING THE CREDITS! (Foul language or distasteful recordings will not be accepted).
Included Items
  • Voiceover Your Own Scene
  • Signed Storyboard
  • Private Screening
  • Chalk T-Shirt
  • Film Noir Your Picture
  • Campaign Sticker
  • Digital Screenplay
  • Digital Copy of Film
  • Eric's Thank You
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
February 2018
3 out of 8 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
MAJOR - ULTIMATE PACKAGE

MAJOR - ULTIMATE PACKAGE

$500 USD
You are now an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER. Not only do you get this credit, but you also get a SIGNED LIMITED EDITION POSTER mailed right to your door! The poster will be signed by the WHOLE CAST! You will also get a COSTUME PIECE from the film! This is a LIMITED opportunity to own a piece of the film!
Included Items
  • Associate Producer
  • Limited Edition Poster
  • Costume Piece
  • Voiceover Your Own Scene
  • Private Screening
  • Chalk T-Shirt
  • Film Noir Your Picture
  • Campaign Sticker
  • Digital Copy of Film
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
February 2018
1 out of 4 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
POLICE CHIEF - CONCEPT ART

POLICE CHIEF - CONCEPT ART

$1,000 USD
Receive One of the Signed Original CONCEPT ART Pieces by our Illustrator Josh Medina. You'll also be an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, Receive a LIMITED EDITION POSTER, and get a chance to have LUNCH with ERIC, the creator of Chalk. (Must be local to NYC)
Included Items
  • Lunch with Eric
  • Signed Concept Art
  • Associate Producer
  • Limited Edition Poster
  • Voiceover Your Own Scene
  • Private Screening
  • Chalk T-Shirt
  • Campaign Sticker
  • Digital Copy of Film
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
February 2018
1 out of 2 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
COMMISSIONER - EXECUTIVE

COMMISSIONER - EXECUTIVE

$3,000 USD
As an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER you will have your name in BIG at the beginning of the film. You will also have YOUR FACE FEATURED in the film. Your face will be the inspiration for our design team in creating Mr. Chalk. Man or Woman. You'll be a CHARACTER IN THE FILM! AND you'll be invited to LUNCH WITH ERIC!
Included Items
  • Mr. Chalk
  • Executive Producer
  • Lunch with Eric
  • Limited Edition Poster
  • Private Screening
  • Chalk T-Shirt
  • Campaign Sticker
  • Digital Screenplay
  • Digital Copy of Film
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
February 2018
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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