FOR ALL WAYS TO DONATE!!!
A FEW HOURS LEFT!
Several months ago, a friend in Kyiv told me, "Roxy, you are trying to shoot a rocket into space with only rubber bands" people have told me it's "impossible" to make a film in Ukraine, to work with locals, to find actors. But I BELIEVE and we are doing it - watch this rocket FLY!
From the TEAM at JULIA BLUE! THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING!!!!!
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***The fundraising will continue - share, discuss, be a part of it:)
36 Hours TO GO!
"Its more than lights, it's about creating a world in front of the lens." A quote just now from my cinematographer Sashko.
The more money we raise, the more we are able to create something that is beyond average, we can create something breathtaking.
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48 HOURS LEFT!
We can DO THIS!
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LESS THAN 72 HOURS LEFT!
Check out some images of yesterday's camera test in the GALLERY TAB ABOVE
4 DAYS LEFT!
Please read the absolutely BRILLIANT article by Sonya Borys for EUROMAIDAN PRESS! Click the LINK below and Read :)
Euromaidan Press Article Aug. 2015
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*Striy River Bridge Location - Photo Sashko Roshchyn
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*Nafta Mountain Daybreak - Photo Sashko Roshchyn
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*Scouting Nafta Mountain - Photo Sashko Roshchyn
FYI - For my mom and others who wonder what "scouting locations" means: Location scouting is a vital process in the pre-production stage of filmmaking. Once scriptwriters, producers or directors have decided what general kind of scenery they require for the various parts of their work that is shot outside of the studio. The search for a suitable place or "location" outside the typical studio begins. Location scouts also look for generally spectacular or interesting locations beforehand, to have a database of locations in case of requests.
Location scouts often negotiate legal access to filming locations.
6 DAYS LEFT! The countdown has begun!
This past weekend was spent location scouting in the Carpathian Mountains. The group included myself, my DP Sashko and one of our new producers, Iryna, from MKK FILMS (more about this to come...)
The scout started at the Skole train station then moved to a village 20km away. For two days we visited every location featured in the script and searched for more. My family was invaluable to us throughout the weekend! Its so on!
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PROJECT UPDATE!
DAY 20
Its been an AMAZING week for the project! We have been moving forward at lightning speed!
Stay tuned for more info!!!!
DAY 10!
We are at 10%! Thanks to everyone for sharing and supporting! Today I'm excited to feature the work of artist OLA RONDIAK who is generously creating an ORIGINAL tote bag for donors at the $250 Level- her designs will ALSO be worn by my lead actress in one of the scenes of the film, so this really is a unique and exciting reward. Ola's work is amazing inspiration for me, I hope it will be for you too!
Read more about OLA RONDIAK here!
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DAY 8 !
- Thanks to my WEEK ONE supporters. Let's keep the funds coming in. ALSO, check out the cinematography reel of my number one collaborator and team member, Sashko Roschchyn. I would never make this film without him:)
Sashko Roshchyn Reel
- WEEK ONE UPDATE!
Its been a crazy week, launching the campaign, sharing perks, photos and editing videos. All while coming home after a year abroad to visit family, attend a wedding, fight some zombies with my niece and nephew and launch a campaign for a second film that is much bigger than me, a film that will challenge all of us.
*This week, I have a
FANTASTIC PERK UPDATE! At the $500 range you will receive an original 11x14 photo print taken on Maidan during the revolution by
ARTEM RHYZHYKOV, photographer and cinematographer of the award-winning documentary
THE RUSSIAN WOODPECKER!!!!
To those who have contributed THANK YOU!
To those thinking about it PLEASE DO!
July 24, 2015 WE HAVE LAUNCHED!!!!
LOGLINE
Ukraine, 2015. JULIA, an accomplished university student, finds her life disrupted after falling in love with ENGLISH, a soldier fresh from the eastern front.
SYNOPSIS
Feisty and hard-working, 22 year-old student, JULIA, is confronted with the harsh realities of life in contemporary, war-torn Ukraine. Relentless with her studies, she wins a coveted scholarship to a University abroad. As Julia secretly prepares for a new world outside of Kyiv, she meets a young, edgy, soldier from Donetsk, known as ENGLISH.
Together, Julia and English navigate through contemporary Kyiv; a world of babushka’s, volunteers, soldiers, hipsters, nationalists and VIP’s. Ultimately, they choose to break away from the city, escaping to the Carpathian mountains, where a new set of realities determine each of their fates.
A character-driven drama, Julia Blue will dive into the psyche of a determined twenty-something and a damaged war hero. The stories authenticity is highlighted by the richly detailed and captivating world of its’ unique location.
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*One Year Anniversary of Maidan.
VISUAL STYLE
The film will create a look of an "unvarnished realism," capturing the private moments of our characters lives within the exciting frame of contemporary Ukraine. The film will show the modern, metropolis that is Kyiv and re-define with visual cues and details what life is truly like in rural Ukraine, where babushkas text while simultaneously following centuries-old customs. The film will take a naturalistic approach (handheld camera, use of mostly available light) and sweeping shots of both the city and countryside will add to the richness of the story. Subtle details and nuances will enhance the audiences understanding of this world.
Julia Blue will be shot entirely on location in Ukraine in English, Ukrainian and Russian languages.
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*Sveta from the Dom Kino not only makes an amazing Turkish coffee but she and this amazing cafe served as character& location inspiration for the story.ABOUT OUR TEAM
KinoRox Productions Director Roxy Toporowych works in various aspects of the film industry, as both a director of slavic-inspired films and as a set decorator on multitudes of project. Her first feature "Folk!" a documentary about the Ukrainian dance world, has had over 50 screenings across the US, Canada & Ukraine.
Writer/Director - Roxy Toporowych, KinoRox Productions
Cinematographer - Sashko Roshchyn
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*Carpathian Knaipa "gang" of kids on location at Nafta mountain. Perhaps a miniature version of our Julia Blue team?
WHY THIS FILM? WHY THIS STORY?
I left NYC for Kyiv in September 2014 on a Fulbright Scholarship. It was a challenging move, but I chose to battle my nerves and culture shock and push forward. I started really listening, meeting and speaking with people from all over Ukraine. From volunteer soldiers and aid workers to students and artists - everyone's lives have been touched by the Maidan revolution and the current war with Russia. Cabbies, soldiers, farmers and hipsters - everyone had a story to tell.
I decided to compile these stories and this research into a feature length script. I also decided I wanted to tell that story in a way that would reach people across borders, speaking to them emotionally. One year later, Julia Blue was born.
WHERE WILL THE FUNDS GO?
The funds will be split into two basic categories.
1. BASIC NEEDS OF PRODUCTION - Locations, lodging, transportation, food, water, and equipment expendibles. THIS is what we need to get our 21-day film shoot in the can!
2. AUTHENTICITY - Set decoration, wardrobe, make-up, music, all the details that bring a film its extra layer of life!
FUNDING COSTS IN DETAIL:
Transportation and Lodging for cast and crew in the Carpathians. The dream is to make the film as AUTHENTIC as possible - so we plan to do a company move from Kyiv to a village outside of Striy, Ukraine. 659 Kilometers to be exact!
We need to drive the cast, crew and equipment across Ukraine. We need to house everyone and feed everyone! Most of the crew is working on a volunteer low/no budget basis, including the amazing locals who will open their doors to us for the process.
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Equipment/Crew - Though most of the equipment will be donated by Radioaktive Film, and most of the crew is working on a volunteer basis, there is other gear that we will need to rent for the full production, such as generators for the extensive night shoots and the wedding scenes in Ukraine, as well as additional crew members and technicians to assist our main team throughout the shoot.
Food/Craft Services Food & water for cast and crew throughout the shoot! It will still be hot in August and September and a hydrated crew is a happy crew.
Props/Set Design - Sets include a university dormitory, military hospital, village home and the infamous Dom Kino Cafe. Props include everything from school backpacks to a Zaporozhets car.
Hair / Make-Up / Wardrobe. Huge cast, must dress! The look and style of our characters will speak volumes in the storytelling. From the Ukrainian ethno-hipster vibe of Julia to the military fatigues and tattoos that English has, all of it has to be collected and created.
DO I HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE?
First of a big shout out and hug to you for reading this far and taking interest! The fact is, with your donation, you are now part of the team that is Julia Blue! You have no other commitments except to enjoy the crazy, journey which lies ahead! Of course, it would do wonders if you could further help our goal by spreading the word. Sharing an email link, sharing the campaign on Facebook, and telling your friends and family to get on board and DONATE! Perhaps suggesting a press article about the film to a third party/journalist/newspaper to keep the buzz going. Otherwise sit back and enjoy the ride:
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*Musicians lead wedding parade
*ALL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ABOVE ARE THANKS TO A SPECIAL GRANT FROM CANON, USA
***ALSO CHECK OUT THE *GALLERY* FOR MORE PHOTOS OF OUR PERKS!****MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS WILL BE RELEASED THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN!