Lift off, we have lift off! The road to reaching our campaign goal starts here, so lets get off to a flying start! We have many exciting ways you can get involved in the project, so check out the really exciting perks we have available. Welcome aboard.
Endeavour is a science fiction short film which tells the story of two astronauts who are the sole survivors of an expedition that was sent to colonize an Earth-like planet, known as Eden. With insufficient resources and taking on the roles of the missing crew members, they have no choice but to carry out and complete their mission anyway. We pick up their story two years on from the crash, as they continue to try and adapt a new form of life that can live and breathe off the world of Eden, and mark the beginning of a new stage in the course of human evolution.
Evolution is a main theme in this story, both from the point of view as a species and who we are as individuals. Each character has in some shape or form their own fears their own obstacles to overcome. This is a science fiction story grounded in reality. No matter how grand or big a spectacle it may be, with the aim of showing the true nature of what makes us human. Our characters are flawed, vulnerable individuals who are pushed to the absolute brink in an endeavour such as this. The idea of Endeavour was created by writer and director Brendan McCallion, inspired by a childhood obsession with all things to do with space. Many evenings after school were spent by Brendan in his public library at a very young age, reading books and studying pictures about comets, galaxies and planets; romanticising about the idea space travel and exploration.
Endeavour is a story of hope and triumph, and aims to look at space exploration in a dramatic, yet uplifting and positive way about something that one day might actually happen.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION MATTERS TO US. We want to invite you on board this project, to give an experience that is unlike any other project on IndieGoGo. You will have the opportunity to join in a unique and exhilarating journey with us from start to finish! No matter what you donate, you get back what you put in. We have a range of many exciting perks for you to choose from!
- Come on board with the crew of Endeavour, by getting exclusive access to behind the scenes videos and photos during principal photography! Follow every step of our journey in a way that is tailored exclusively for our contributors.
- Get your own personalised Endeavour clothing, complete with a name and rank of your choosing! Wear the gear that actually appears in the film, everything is available from hoodies, T-shirts, hats or jackets.
- Gain special access to a video tour of the Endeavour mission! Made in the style of the ARES: live tour videos from The Martian, this aims to give our backers insight into the backstory of Endeavour before the events of the film, and make the experience that extra bit personal. We will show the daily life of the crew members while on their way to Eden, in the form of a video diary. A mini prequel of sorts.
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Spacesuits, Rovers, and Laboratories! That's right, you have the opportunity to own a lot of the really cool costumes, props, and if you're mad enough even sets that are made specially for this film. (We weren't joking when we said we said we wanted to take this experience to another level.)
WHAT IS OUR GOAL? Well, w
e want to be realistic in terms of what we are asking. We have a set target of €10,000, and we feel that is possible for us to reach. However we have a stretch goal of €15,000 if we can qualify for InDemand. We feel this way because we're serious about what we are doing. While we want this project to be a super experience for everyone, this will still be as professional a production as possible. This is the first time any of us have looked to crowdfunding to help fund a production, so we want to be sensible. We are based in Ireland, where this kind of independent production usually isn't not the norm. So because of that, we want to stress how much love and time we feel this project deserves in order to look right. The fact we are at this stage speaks volumes about how much we believe in it, so lets make sure its done right. The film is in our hands, but in order to get the means to do it we need your help, to help turn this dream into reality. We are an ambitious group of people who literally want to aim for the stars. There is a great saying from a certain individual who once shook up the world in his own way, which perfectly captures our mindset:
"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." - Muhammad Ali, 1942 - 2016
WHERE THE FUNDS WILL GO...
There are several key areas where your contribution will help make an impact during the making of Endeavour, but here re a few areas for your interest:
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SPACESUITS - The spacesuits used for this film are going to be one of the main centrepieces throughout. We want to give our suits a NASA aesthetic, that look practical and may actually be of this world. Our costume designer Oliver Duncan Doherty, brings with him extensive experience from the film & television industry. The funding we receive from you will help Oliver gather the kinds of materials and fabrics he needs to make these suits into reality. CHECK OUT THE PERKS AT THE SIDE OF THE PAGE, AND ONE OF THESE SPACESUITS COULD BE YOURS!
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HABITAT/LABORATORY SET - The habitat and laboratory that we have come up with is known as 'The Heptagon'. This is where the astronauts will eat, sleep, live and carry out their work after their expeditions. Our goal is to build half of the overall set that we have designed, with one extra chamber which can be redressed depending on the scene. The construction of this set is one of many top priorities that we have, to ensure it looks both functional, and believable. The funding will allow us to gather the materials and manpower we need to begin construction, and find a suitable place where we can shoot. YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO GET YOUR HANDS ON ONE OF THE PROPS USED IN THE HEPTAGON, SIGNED BY YOUR CHOICE OF EITHER CAST OR CREW MEMBERS!
We are intent on striking the right balance between real world and futuristic. We want to be able to dress our set to make it looks as if everything serves a purpose. This means wires (lots of them), computer monitors, storage compartments, and more wires. Our main influence is obviously the International Space Station, but we want to combine our favourite movies into the mix also. It is so important that the set has been lived in for quite sometime in order to help tell the story. Film making is a visual art form: show, not tell.
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CINEMATOGRAPHY - While it is one thing to say we want to shoot a science fiction film in the Burren, it is quite another to actually go and do it. With our D.O.P Christopher McKeever, we intend to capture this film in as magical a way as possible, that makes it look like we really are in another world. It is our ambition to shoot various outdoor scenes in twilight conditions, so that means having the right lenses and equipment on hand necessary to make it look as good as we envision.
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CAST & CREW EXPENSES - We value our cast and crew above all else. We all have a job to do, and it is of the utmost importance that they are carried out in the best possible way, whether it be out on location in the Burren or in a studio. We have to ensure that they can do their job in the best possible way. This ranges from health and safety, accommodation, travel and a good hearty meal before, during and after shoots.
Endeavour is an ambitious idea for sure, so it is our goal to make this movie in as grounded a way possible. But it is up to us to figure out how to do this in a way where we can see it through to the end, and have a finished product in our hands when everything is done.
Our emphasis from the very beginning of this project has always been to make the most of what is around us and at our disposal, rather than what we don't actually physically have. This all starts with location.
The Burren, Co.Clare, Ireland
We are incredibly lucky to have an area like the Burren at our doorstep, which gives us a really exciting and unique opportunity to create the world of Eden. While it is one thing for us to say we want to shoot a science fiction film there, that doesn't automatically mean it is going to look good without any thought or effort put in on our part.
- We have to be smart with the scenery and where we specifically shoot, there are many pros and cons to filming in this location. Some areas may be too green, but then others are perfect for what we are trying to achieve visually.
- The area is so vast that we only got to explore certain areas during our most recent recce, that we have had to make plans to go down again very soon. This also represents a challenge when it comes to filming and getting to these locations. We need to make sure we have all locations locked in, and transport available in getting to these places quickly and efficiently.
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It is possible to get to all these areas by foot and there are main roads nearby, but because it is so rocky and with carrying equipment about, we have to make sure we have the proper things in place as regards health and safety.
- Getting the right permission to shoot in the Burren is paramount to making this film look good. But more than that, the Burren is a protected area, so we need to be able to make contact with the right people so that we don't need to worry about trespassing on land or any
Visual Effects
Our emphasis from the very beginning of this film has always been to keep this film real and physical. We want to use the things that are available to us, rather than trying to spend big on what isn't. That dons't mean to say there won't be any effects at all in this movie, but within reason we want to at least look at what's possible. We will be ideally looking to have one scene where VFX will be used, but we want to do as much in camera stuff as much as possible.
IF YOU ARE A VFX ARTIST AND MAYBE WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT, THEN DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US AS WE WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU! endeavourshortfilm@gmail.com
CAST
JONATHAN FRENCH - CMDR. ROLAND STARR
An incredibly driven and hardworking individual, Jonathan began his acting career in early 2010. Since then he has consistently improved his technique as an actor, travelling all over the country working on various film or television productions. Johnny has also worked alongside director Brendan McCallion on previous projects, the most recent of which was
A Soldier's Voice, where he picked up a few award wins and nominations for his performance.
FLORENCE ORDESH - DR. ELLEN TAYLOR
Florence studied acting at the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts, and brings with her a vast amount of acting experience to the project. She has explored many avenues of acting from film, television to theatre. She is also very heavily involved in the casting scene for actors in Ireland, setting up the website Ireland Actors Guide, and now collaborating with Fishpond.ie. Florence is currently starring in the independent feature film Extinction.
CREW
BRENDAN MCCALLION - DIRECTOR/WRITER
Brendan is a director and writer originally from Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Currently studying Film and Television Production at the National Film School (IADT) in Dublin, Brendan took a huge step in his career as a director last year by making the award winning short film A Soldier's Voice, which has since screened at various festivals around Ireland, Britain, and America. A massive enthusiast for all things space, one of Brendan's main inspirations for Endeavour was seeing a picture of his home, the Inishowen peninsula, taken by Cmdr. Chris Hadfield from aboard the International Space Station. This inspired him to put ideas onto paper, and develop them into the story he is presenting here today.
FRANK O'MALLEY - PRODUCER
Whilst currently working in the film and television industry, Frank also studies alongside Brendan at the IADT National Film School. Francis originally comes from Westport in Co. Mayo, and spent two years studying media production in Galway before deciding to go to film school in Dublin in order to focus on his career as a film producer. Frank does not shy away from any challenge whatsoever, bringing with him a huge amount of enthusiasm and confidence to Endeavour.
CHRISTOPHER MCKEEVER - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/EDITOR
Chris was the first person to come on board with the project during the first stages of development. Along with being the D.O.P and editor of Endeavour, he is also helping to co-write the script with Brendan, and has done so since the very beginning. An experienced individual in both fields of cinematography and editing, Chris has been working in working in television industry for the last year, but is eager to bring his knowledge back into film. He was also a classmate of director Brendan McCallion when the two studied in North West Regional College of Derry/Londonderry from 2013-15.
OLIVER DOHERTY - COSTUME DESIGNER
Someone who knows his craft inside and out, Oliver brings another level to
Endeavour's costume design. While also working as a fashion designer, he also has an extensive background in film and television, most recently designing the costumes for
Game of Thrones. He also comes from the Inishowen peninsula in Co. Donegal, and also went to school with director Brendan McCallion growing up! Oliver has established himself as one of the top up and coming designers in Ireland, and brings a vast amount of experience to the project.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
HELP US MAKE SOME NOISE! We understand not everyone can contribute, but even a simple share of this campaign with the world would mean so much to us. It's all about getting the word out there about what we are trying to accomplish.
However, if you feel you would like to help or contribute in any other way, then do not hesitate to contact us at this email address: endeavourshortfilm@gmail.com
Be sure to keep up with our progress on our official Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages!
FAQ coming shortly!