"EVERY IDLE WORD"
Synopsis
"EVERY IDLE WORD", is an urban crime drama about the struggles of Donatello Jackson, the managing barber in Bro Reed's Barber Shop, one of the oldest barbershop in Atlanta, GA. He is well known and respected in this neighborhood, but has a sketchy past of alleged drug dealing in his youthful days. Bro Reed’s 45 year barber career comes to an end when his health suddenly fails. Bro Reed makes a decision to leave his barbershop in the trusted hands of Donatello instead of his own biological son and barber Jr. Reed. Jr. Reed's drug use, gambling and street gang affiliations makes the barbershop a haven for dangerous men who want Jr. Reed to allow them to use the barbershop for their gang's illegal activities. Bro Reed confesses on his deathbed that his biggest mistake may have been his devotion to barbering, because he feels it may have destroyed his relationship with his only son. This emotional moment between Donatello and Bro Reed comes to an abrupt end when Donatello promises Bro Reed that he will take in Ezekiel Benjamin, who was scheduled to be Bro Reeds last apprentice before his health failed. Donatello gives his word, Bro Reed dies, then Donatello and Jr. Reed clash as the power struggle for control of the barbershop begins...
In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 25,000+ Afro-American barber shops serving millions of men, women and children every week. And yet, no movie has tackled the difficult task of cinematically communicating a non-Hollywood representation of the barber brotherhood/sub-culture.
Not every film is "epic" nor do they all have "universal appeal", but I believe that every film should be "raw" and "the importance of nuance" should force the pace and tone of a film. This film is based on true events I've seen and or experienced over my 25 year career in barbershops from DC, VA, to Atlanta. I’ve been so fortunate to catch a glimpse of how vast and complex the barbering industry is and that's why I strongly believe this film needs to be made. It's all about the cinematic expression in an effort to pay homage to this “honorable and noble trade”. This is the reason I’m asking for your help. I need to raise at least $17,000 to fund the casting, filming, editing, advertising, and distribution of this very important independent film.
The funding of this campaign will enable us to:
1) Comply with SAG American Federation of Television and Radio Artist Agreement for Ultra Low Budget Theatrical Motion Pictures.
2) Finance the filming in multiple Metro Atlanta locations, provide props, wardrobe, meals for cast and crew, etc.
3) Allow us to continue into post-production covering audio mixing, color-correction, recording the score, soundtrack, title graphics, and more.
I’ve experienced conflict in the inner city barbershop environment. In the urban barber shop conflict is an art delivered through twisted conversations, unpredictable actions and reactions. Cinematically my effort will be to present the urban barbershop as one of the true social gems of our dynamic male culture.
Why $17,000?
The #1 REASON
Securing the acting talent and crew that visualize the uniqueness of this film. Secondly the budget will help the team complete this film and maintain the artistic urban tone and pace through out post production.
The funds we raise will complete this film from where we currently are in the development stage through production (pre/post), PR, marketing, advertising, and position this product for independent distribution as a potential pay-per-view cable product or TV product. This is the minimum amount needed to best produce a film of this genre and package it professionally for submissions to film festivals, which would give this film the best chance for theatrical distribution as well. More importantly it allows us to engage and involve our audience in a segmented marketing way that has been proven effective in creating the always important buzz.
The Budget:
Commercial Filming Permits: .5k,
Insurance: 1k,
Production Equipment: 2k,
Indiegogo: 1k,
Cast & Crew: 6k,
Editing: 0, *all editing will be done in-house @hidefsoul
Music: 0, *all music both the score & soundtrack will be done by LOVE DE FACTO
Advertising and Promotion: 3k,
Transportation Costs: 1k,
Legal 1k,
Location rental 1k,
Casting .5k
Through social media we've created a forum in which people from all over the world can come to share their thoughts, ideas, and support for barbering and the film that hopes to dive deep into this world of amazing men and women.
You can connect to EVERY IDLE WORD the movie at:
http://facebook.com/everyidlewordthemovie
https://www.twitter.com/everyidleword
http://everyidleword.com
KEVIN DESHUN RODGER (aka) KEVO DESH
Bio
THE EARLY STAGES...
Kevin Deshun Rodgers has been an entrepreneur thriving on artistic expressions whether visual or musical for the last 26 years. He has owned 2 barbershops, the first was a Kappatal Cuts Barbershop franchise (1987) on Colley, Ave Norfolk, Va at the age of 19, when he was a Communications Major and sophomore at Norfolk State University. Also founded and managed 2 record labels. The first artist he signed to his first label (Prime Cut Records in 1991) was Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot. "I was very thankful to be able to identify such a powerful talent in Missy at a very early stage in her development. I love the fact that I was absolutely right in my assumptions, and even though my label didn't possess the wherewithal to make her a worldwide phenomenon, I knew she was better than anything I was hearing on the radio, so it was a great A&R moment for me", says Rodgers. After leaving Norfolk, VA and moving to Atlanta, GA in 1993, he married his high school sweetheart and began a family. He opened his second barber shop Metro Cut & Curl (Church St in Clarkston, GA) and founded, edited and published BarberMatrix Magazine which later became Barber Magazine. Over 35,000 copies of the bi-monthly trade journal was distributed to a national audience of barbers, industry leaders and professionals over a 4 year period between 1998-2002. During his years as the editor and publisher he promoted the art, science, economics, social responsibility, and continuing education through his trade journal. Barber Magazine became recognized and supported by the National Association of Barber Boards of America. He was invited to be the headlining speaker at the NABBA conference in Las Vegas in 2003.
THE RETURN TO MUSIC PRODUCTION
In 2008 he opened his own recording studio and indie record label erbrecords.com on Moreland ave in S.E. Atlanta, GA. During the 4 years as the Managing Partner/Executive Producer and headman for his band LOVE DE FACTO he has moved as high as the #110 potions on ReverbNations Soul Chart for Atlanta. He wrote, composed, recorded, mixed, mastered, and distributed seven (7) studio albums under the erbrecords.com label:
1) PLEASE UNDERSTAND 2008
2) LONELY AT THE TOP 2009
3) LIFETIME (EP) 2009
4) LOVE DE FACTO Instrumentals>Vibes 2010
5) CLOTHED IN HUMANITY 2010
6) SOUL/ROCK EXPRESSIONS 2011
7) WHO DO WE SEE? (EP) 2012
THE CINEMATIC BEGINNING
During 2012 Kevin revised a novel/memoir he wrote in 2000 about his early years as a barber. The novel was entitled "The Barber Game". After attempting to make it a dramatized audio novel and then motion-graphic novel, he decided to convert the novel into a script. After considering making it an animation, he realized that technology had leveled the playing field once again. Now DSLR cameras are capable of recording professional grade movies with the right lenses, lighting, and editing software. For the last year Kevin revised the script and title into the finished product we are seeking funding for now... "EVERY IDLE WORD".