Our Story
Hello friends and hearty travelers. My name is Christopher Pettoni and I am currently a senior at NYU's film school, preparing to shoot my thesis film, "Dunes Atlantic". The script is something I have been working on for the past two years, and I believe it represents the evolution and culmination of the skills I have honed while studying the craft of filmmaking over the past four years. "Dunes Atlantic" tells the story of Aldo, a young self-destructive twenty-something, who unexpectedly meets Shelley, a lonely restaurant owner struggling to overcome heartbreak and middle-age while she spends her days and evenings cooking greasy cheese-steaks for obnoxious Jersey Shore club goers. "Dunes Atlantic" takes place over the course of one night as these two characters meet, spark up a connection, and spend the night walking and talking amongst the sandy dunes about life, love and sex. It is in the style of "Lost in Translation" or "Before Sunrise" and combines comedy with poignant drama. The filming will take place in late Spring, and I hope to have the film completed and ready to be sent out to festivals by next Fall. We are currently looking for passionate supporters who can assist my team and I in making this film a successful reality.
The Impact
I believe that art is a powerful force in this world, one that unites and inspires people both in the process of viewing and creating. I hope this will be a film which can bring people together, and I hope that this campaign will be an opportunity to share my unique vision with other people who share a similar passion for art that inspires healing messages of love and hope. Through these two characters I hope to reach out to a wide range of people who can relate to both their heartbreak and their process of healing through finding each other. Due to the positive feedback I have received regarding the script, I have high hopes for this film. I believe that it will be a success on the festival circuit and will pave the way for future projects and working relationships. The success of this campaign will ultimately play a major role in how closely the finished film resembles my original artistic vision as a writer/director, and I need as many participants' help as possible to make this dream come true.
What We Need & What You Get
We are currently trying to raise a total of $2,000 to help with the purchase of film stock, rental equipment, expendables and craft service for our crew and actors. Any person or company who provides us with $20 dollars or more of backing will recieve a very special thanks in the credits at the end of the film, continuous updates on the status of the film, invites to any festival events or screenings, and a hand-signed thank you note courtesy of the director and producer. Anyone who contributes $200 or more will recieve the above perks, as well as an Associate Producer credit on the film. Those who provide us with $1000 or more in backing will be credited as an Executive Producer (a fine credit for IMDB and IMDB-pro), as well as an invitation to visit the set and observe filmming at our beautiful location on the Jersey Shore! Above all else, I will be personally reaching out to any and all backers with a personal phone call of thanks, in the hopes that we will be able to collaborate again on future creative and business ventures.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please use this website to get the word out about "Dunes Atlantic". It is a very personal, and important film to me, and I need as much help as I can get to share it with the world! Tell all your friends, family and colleagues about this opportunity to become involved with a quality short film being made by experienced filmmakers! Don't forget to use the sharing services offered by this website and don't hesitate to contact me directly at csp288@nyu.edu to talk about the film. If anyone on this site has connections to people in the industry looking for an intelligent, smart and funny film about love and the triumphs and tragedies present in everyday life, please point them in our direction!
