Summary
My name is Joel Nizza. I’m working on my Senior Film for
John Brown University. I'm a Cinema Major and Political Science Minor who is passionate about telling the stories of broken people and how beauty can result from even the worst of situations.
My film is called David, which tells you a
little about it. It’s a modern take of the story of David and Bathsheba. A
story that is important and relevant to us today. It tells of how power
corrupts, and comments on the way that power is balanced in society. I want to
show that even the people we most look up to and revere, in this case David,
considered “a man after God’s own heart” could do terrible things, committing
adultery and murder.
We need to hear this story, because it shows both the
horrible things that humans can do, and how redemption can be found from the
worst of circumstances. This is an adaptation. I am changing the setting and
time of the story to make it more relatable to our lives today. I am taking
liberties, but I intend to stay as close as I can to the feel of the original
story.
The Budget
I want to make this film the best it can be. To do this, I
need support. This is a student film, so my apportioned budget is exactly zero.
This is unfortunate, because as a student, I’m also broke. This is why I’m
asking for help. I have compiled a list of my expected expenditures for this
film, and I really need around $5000.
You may say: "Whoa! $5000, what does he need all that for?" That was my first reaction as well, but looking at the price of props, gas
money, food costs, distribution and various other expenses, things started to add up. We will hopefully not have to
pay for any locations, but I do want to make sure that I pay for gas for my
crew, and feed them Feeding 30+ people two meals a day starts to add up pretty quick. I’m also building and buying props and production design
materials. My actors and crew are unpaid, but I have also budgeted in bonuses
for cast and crew. I would love to be able to pay everyone a little bit, just to say thanks. If I raise
money over my goal, that money will go towards giving cash bonuses to my cast and
crew.
If I don't raise enough money to reach my goal, I really don't know how I will make this film happen. This isn't a case of needing support so that I don't have to use my own money to make this happen. If I don't raise the support, the film won't happen, at least to the scale I envision.
The Impact
This is an important story, and there are a lot of passionate people behind it. I have a crew of talented students who are already hard at work, and I'm in the midst of casting right now.
I'm not a major filmmaker yet, but I have great ambition, and I've gotten a lot of experience here at John Brown University. I have worked on half a dozen senior films, mostly doing lighting work or as the Assistant Director. This has taught me how to run a film set efficiently and get things done quickly, which is why I have confidence I can tackle this difficult project.
Challenges
This is going to be a difficult journey. I have had plenty of experience running things behind the scenes and being an assistant, but Directing a project of this magnitude is a challenge I've never faced before. This film has over 50 scenes, and almost 20 locations. The addition of two major combat scenes makes this film a real puzzle that will present unique challenges.
However, I have a great team behind me. These folks are passionate and driven, and have proved the greatest asset to getting this film done. I am supremely confident in their abilities.
I know that this team can make this project happen. They are dependable, competent and passionate, and I wouldn't be able to do this without them.
Other Ways You Can Help
I know that some of you are poor college students like me, but there are several ways you can still help:
- Donate a small amount. Almost everyone I know can give at least $5 or $10, and 100 people at $10 each adds up to $1000.
- Share this project with your friends and encourage them to give as well.
- If you live in the Siloam Springs area, we need people who can provide meals on set. Contact me at NizzaJ@jbu.edu and sign up to help feed us a meal.