The Story
In the late 1970's, a 12 year old streetwise boy from Los Angeles travels to the island of Tahiti to visit his Tahitian relatives. During his stay he is stirred and shaken by the discovery that his little 9 year old cousin is secretly being abused by one of the locals. We see her grow from being a shy and reserved little girl, into this brave and fierce one as her American cousin becomes her protector. When he recognizes her pain and decides to take matters into his own hands, he unintentionally sabotages the man's car and tragedy strikes again. This is a story based on true events about tragedy, love, bravery and triumph!
The Crew
Writer/Director - Tatiana Shanks
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Tatiana Shanks began working for three American clothing companies, MissBehave Girls, Modiste Youth Contemporary and Penelope Tree in 2015 as a creative director, editor and photographer. Tatiana then started 12th grade Homeschool year at Self Design which pulled her focus more towards Photography and Film projects. Although Photography is what Tatiana is well associated with, in the future Tatiana wants a career as a Director. At the tender age of 8, Tatiana began writing and shooting short films with her little brothers and sisters, and creating film projects in high school. Tatiana is an ambitious 18 year old and a quick learner with a creative outlook just itching to learn more, whilst still playing around trying to find her own style. She is currently writing her first Film while working on set in Toronto with the number one hit series in Canada, Saving Hope. Intern as Assistant Director on the show as well as many other various departments on the set.
Executive Producer / Actor - Vaitiare Hirshon
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Vaitiare Hirshon was born in Tahiti, French Polynesia. She started her business career at the age of 16 as a model for Nina Blanchard Modeling Agency. At age 17, Vaitiare auditioned or the internationally renowned singer, Julio Iglesias’ Christmas Special music video filmed on the island of Tahiti. Vaitiare was then offered the lead female role in the remake of The Bounty (1984), starring a young Mel Gibson, and turned it down. In her early 20's, Vaitiare starred in her first comedy film in Spain, Tahiti's Girl (1990), and then decided to study acting, back in Los Angeles, with renowned acting coach, Larry Moss. Vaitiare hosted an award-winning 13 episodes documentary, "Tahiti and her Island", for TVE- Spain. Vaitiare appeared in several US TV ads and was named Ambassador of Good Will for a Disabled Children's Charity in South America.
She starred in the successful Spanish-language novella, Agujetas de color de rosa (1994), which was seen in 45 countries. She also made guest appearances
on Married with Children (1987), Out of the Blue (1996) and Acapulco H.E.A.T. (1993). Vaitiare also had a role in the movie, U.S. Marshals (1998) starting academy award winner Tommy Lee Jones. Vaitiare's best-known role was on Stargate SG-1 (1997), where she guest-starred in several episodes as Daniel
Jackson's wife, "Sha're".
Producer/Actor - Tony London
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Tony London is an award winning Singer-Recording Artist, turned actor and screenwriter/producer. He's recently starred in ABC's hit series, "In an Instant", and been cast in several feature films. Currently in production for a major feature film in the western genre, titled "When the Storm God Rides", Tony is cast in a lead role of Doc Holliday, along side veteran actors Gary Busy, Martin Kove, and Joe Estevez.
He began singing in travel Broadway shows like 42nd Street and South Pacific at age 16. From there, he joined the military and sang for the Air Force Band, and immediately following his discharge, was picked up by a National touring show band. Tony spent the first decade of his singing and acting career, bouncing from one performing show band to the next, always seeking bigger challenges and stepping up to higher levels of shows, and playing small roles in early cable television comedy short films.
He has recorded and produced a total of 9 Nationally released albums, along with dozens of additional studio sessions and a list of commercially released advertising jingles. Among his many recorded albums, is "Tony London ~ Songs From The Heart" with the legendary Page Cavanaugh Trio. Produced by famed MGM actress, Marsha Hunt, the album included hands-on co-direction by famous writer-composer, Hugh Martin, who worked for years with stars like Judy Garland, writing songs such as "Have Yourself A merry Little Christmas" and "The Trolley Song". Another famous writer-composer who got involved on the album was Ray Evans, known for his timeless hits "Mona Lisa", "Silver Bells", Que Sera Sera", and theme songs for well-known shows like Bonanza and Mr. Ed.
Cinematographer - Ben Enke
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Ben Enke is a cinematographer living in Minnesota. Ben's career began in a trial-by-fire, shooting his first film, The Current, straight out of college, which went on to screen at numerous theaters and festivals across the country.
He spent the next few years cutting his teeth as a cinematographer, working on several narrative films, including award-winning feature-length horror film Solitude, and multi-award winning comedy short Clean Cut. He also DP'd his first feature-length documentary, Out in the Cold, about homelessness in the winters of Minnesota, which premiered and was nominated for several awards at the Twin Cities Film Fest in 2015.
Ben currently resides in Minneapolis with his fiance and three cats, where he edits multiple projects from home and spends too much time on Instagram.
Actor - Kenta Asars
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Kenta Asars started his acting career at age 2. Kenta is an actor, known for Flashing (2014), My Darling (2016, Facing Life (2014). Kenta has booked over 100 jobs for companies such as Gap, H&M, Disney, Target, Sony, Apple, AT&T, Chrysler, Skechers, Mattel, Samsung, Reebok, Google, Pier1, iPad. Kenta has worked on several short films for AFI, SAG-AFTRA, USC, UCLA with acclaimed international film festival nominations.
Actor - Introducing Meleana Hirshon
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The Impact
I believe film is the best medium to tell a story. I have created this film on the sole purpose of deepening peoples understanding of important issues in life.
Your donations will give this film an opportunity to show case abuse through creativity, awareness and give a voice to those who don’t often have one.
Creating films isn't just for entertainment purposes. It's a visual art that can make you feel and understand a subject you may yourself have or never experienced before. We often grow an attachment while watching films and are emotionally moved, which leaves us inspired and compelled to want to do more. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only be touched by a film, but also be a part of it.
The Funding
My crew and I start shooting on November 18, 2016 in Tahiti. Thanks to the generous donations we have received we were able to get the airline tickets and most of the accommodations.
To accomplish this project, I must get additional financial help.
Funds needed are ($14,000) to complete pre-production and post-production. My goal is to finish filming by November 28 2016 and to be able present my project to the film festivals across the globe in 2017. Which will be updated on the Film’s facebook page.
Your funds will help us tremendously with all of our production needs:
- Pre-production
- Post-production
- Cast
- Crew
- Equipment (camera, lights, sound etc.)
- Locations
- Props
- Editing
- Sound Design
- Color Correction
- Some accommodations
The entire team has embraced my passion for my film. Therefore, we are creating the most professional film possible. In order to do this extra funds are needed and we have budgeted tightly to make sure every dollar is going to good use.
The ($14,000) is for the overall biggest expense that is in production, specifically for some cast and crew, camera, sound and lighting equipment and some of the accommodation and food for a 9 day shoot in Tahiti.
We’ve purposely kept the video budget modest by doing some of the catering ourselves, but $15 a head per day with up to 20+ people on set quickly adds up. I will also be able to keep the cost down because some of the crew member, myself included (director) and main actors, for example are donating their time and expertise to the project.
Should your donations go over my funding goal, if needed they will be used solely for the purpose of the film production expenses. Anything else will be donated to Children’s Hospital this information will be posted on my social media Far Away Places film.
Also, your donations can be ‘anonymous’. I am so grateful for all your support I’ve already received. Any donation is greatly appreciated to reach my goal. If you're unable to donate, but would still like to be involved with our film would you PLEASE JUST SHARE this post, as Facebook seems to be the ONLY way these campaigns are successful. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
