WHAT IS DOGWOOD ABOUT?

Dogwood is a horror/drama short that takes place during the tragic American Civil War. It tells the story of two Union soldiers and lifelong friends, Joel and Silas. While stationed as advance guards in Virginia, they are captured by a satanic organization of widowed women and children that offers them a deadly pact with the devil; In exchange for health, glory, and wealth, one of the soldiers must murder his comrade and become a spy for the Confederacy before the next sunset.In a race against time, Joel and Silas challenge their conflicting beliefs and ponder whether their already complicated relationship is worth fighting for.

OK... BUT WHAT IS IT REALLY ABOUT?

On the surface, Dogwood is a horror movie. It promises to deliver the classic chills, screams, and blood baths the genre fans craze over. But still it's a film about fear...in every sense of the word. It is also about society and the choices it forces some of us to make. While writing the script, director Andrew J. Hebert examined niche audiences and hot cultural/societal issues to produce a story that could appeal to several different demographics. 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 

Dogwood is Andrew J. Hebert's thesis film for New York University. It will showcase all of the skills he has learned during his four years at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.  A thesis film is meant to serve as a calling card for a director after they graduate film school. It should demonstrate a filmmaker's technical abilities and creative style. More importantly, after playing in film festivals and circulating online, a short film can attract the attention of potential managers, clients, and producers seeking fresh, new talent. A successful short film can advance the careers of a director and his/her crew. 

WHO IS APART OF THE CREW?

ANDREW J. HEBERT | WRITER/DIRECTOR

Andrew J. Hebert is a senior film student at NYU. Throughout the years he has written/directed several short films, music videos and spec commercials. He currently interns at Good Company, a NYC music video/commercial production company, where he has worked on a wide range of projects, including videos for Beyonce's Visual Album. Andrew has had a lifelong passion for filmmaking and is excited to be returning to his hometown of Culpeper, Virginia to shoot his thesis film."

KATHERINE AYERS | PRODUCER

Katherine Bankhead Ayers was born and raised in Culpeper, VA.  She and her husband and daughter have made their permanent home there after spending 13 years in Colorado.  Katherine is an alumni of Grymes Memorial School and Culpeper County High School.  She has an undergraduate degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from Virginia Tech and a Graduate Degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Denver.  Her career experience has included everything from Office Management, Trainer, Tech Support, Quality Assurance, Project Management, Finance, Fundraising, Event Planning, and managing Non- Profits.  Here current civic duties include being a member of; the Free Clinic of Culpeper Board, The Manna Ministry, The Mission Committee of the Culpeper Presbyterian Church, the Culpeper Chamber’s Annual Banquet committee.  Her education, work, and civic background has given Katherine the skill set of being the ultimate “connector”, connecting people and their abilities for the greater good!

MARY PERRINO | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Mary Perrino is a senior at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has worked as a DP and a camera operator on many NYU student films and professional projects. She and Andrew have collaborated on many projects in the past, and is excited to continue working together on Dogwood.

PAUL HEAD | ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

CHLOE AKTAS | PRODUCTION DESIGNER 

Chloe Aktas is a junior at New York University. Chloe has lot's of production experience including art directing her own music videos and short films. Last semester Chloe was chosen as one of eight students to participate in Tisch's Study Away BBC Internship in London, U.K. Chloe has been working along side Andrew and Mary since her Sophomore year and is looking forward to working with the pair again.  For the production design of Dogwood, Chloe is interested in pulling details from cult-classic horror films which are centered in the South. 

JOSE SALGADO | COSTUME DESIGNER 

Jose is a recent graduate of NYU's English Department. He now works in fashion industry and is a freelance fashion and grooming journalist. Jose has been conducting thorough research on the uniforms of Civil War soldiers and will be outfitting our actor's with accurate apparel. 

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

wFilmmaking is expensive! NYU provides student filmmakers with most of the equipment and production insurance required to produce a short film. However, in order to be the best it can be, Dogwood still needs a lot more assistance from generous donors in these areas:

• Transportation: Dogwood takes place during the Civil War, so it is important to shoot in a place that is historically accurate. Culpeper, Virginia was a major crossroads during the war and is the perfect backdrop for the film. A big portion  of the budget (22%) will go to renting cargo and passenger vans to transport our cast, crew, and equipment from New York City to the Old Dominion. This also includes all of the gas, tolls, and parking fees.
• Wardrobe and Make-Up: It is important for us to be historically accurate. 13% of our budget is for Civil War uniforms and props, and other costumes and make-up needs.
• Additional Equipment Rental: In order to make a pretty picture like the ones you see on the big screen, we need to use some of the money (11%) to rent a few more pieces of equipment for our camera and lightning teams. 
• Food: A well-fed crew is a happy, hardworking crew - especially when they are working for free. 11% goes towards meals and craft services. 
• Production Design, Expendables, Post-Costs: The remaining money will be divided up to purchase set dressings, smaller things we need on set, and any costs that might accumulate that will help us edit the film and enter it into festivals. 

If you are willing and able, please consider donating to our project. ANY amount of money will the director and his team bring Dogwood to life. You can select from any of the perks on the side for an extra incentive! 

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP?

If you can't donate money, please consider sharing this page and spreading the word about our campaign! The more eyes on the page, the higher chance we have at reaching our goal!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN DOGWOOD AND TAKING THE TIME TO REVIEW THIS PAGE! 

Learn more and follow our production here:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/starexponent/news/local_news/civil-war-horror-film-set-in-culpeper/article_3572ed2a-9ec6-11e3-83d1-0017a43b2370.html

http://www.dailyprogress.com/starexponent/news/local_news/dogwood-shoot-nears/article_e8bf9c24-b4c5-11e3-9b21-0017a43b2370.html