Who are we? Above Moon Films
(aka Kaua'i High School Film Club)
Aloha! My name is Edwin Sawyer and I run a student film program based on the island of Kaua'i.
When I was 14 years old, my friends and I decided to write and produce our own film....we wrote, storyboarded, auditioned actors, bought fireworks, got our bikes ready... and then...that's as far as it got. Cameras, Lights, and Sound equipment were something way outside of our limited finances. We never made the movie. It's a lesson I never forgot.
Years later I found myself teaching at Kaua'i High School and I met students that wanted to make a "real" movie but didn't know where to start and how to find the money. I decided then and there - our kids wouldn't have to experience the frustration of not being able to realize their dream. With four students, I started the Kaua'i High School Film Club.
The first thing they did was change the name to Above Moon Films. And we started making movies. :)
The Club has grown to influence hundreds of students, producing over 150 short films and music videos including our first professional level short film - What's Not Said. A film about the struggles teenagers deal with everyday including love, loss, and suicide.
If you would like to know more, this is our first "real" commercial...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FuPJXJ7KJ8
Who am I?
I'm a teacher at Kaua'i High School. My passion is teaching and providing creative opportunities for our kids. I have been teaching 9th grade at Kaua'i High School for the last nine years and love what I do. I have given all of my time and resources to make this program work at Kauai High School and I hope to continue letting students make films they are passionate about.
Who is Gary Craft?
Gary Craft was a teacher at Kaua'i High School. An amazing teacher. Unfortunately, he was in a terrible traffic accident that put him into a coma. After years of rehabilitation, Gary came back to Kaua'i High School to share his story of survival with the students at the film club. It's a powerful narrative story about love, loss, and the difficult choices we sometimes have to make. The students decided to make the movie even though it wasn't going to be easy.
Who is the Director?
Laura Koga is a sophmore at Kaua'i High School. She showed exceptional skills her freshman year in sound, photography, and directing. She has been selected to helm the making of The Last Adventure.
Laura Koga filming a scene from Breakup Inc.
The remainder of the crew will be made up of members of Above Moon Films, which includes students from schools throughout Kaua'i.
The first day of filming "The Last Adventure" at the Lihue Airport
Cinematographer Bradley Mendoza and Assistant Director Taylor Azeka setting up
Melissa Simpliciano looking excited at 1am holding the camera steady... :)
If you want to know more about us...
Please watch some of our videos...
The Trailer for What's Not Said
Our One Direction video.. haha
Our Commercial Video
Our Youtube Channel is ABOVEMOONFILMS at www.youtube.com
Your contribution will help us finish and distribute "The Last Adventure".
We will be able to influence dozens of students and more and teach them that they can create something bigger than themselves. It can help us honor a teacher who did so much for students at Kaua'i High School. And it can keep us producing movies in the future! Your contribution will do so much for us!!!!!! :)
Plus, you can be a part of our team! We'll send you a t-shirt, put your name in the movie, make a film for you, invite you to the premiere, and more.. just look at our perks!
We've done a lot already...starting with just one borrowed camera. But we need YOUR HELP with our latest production.
What do we need?
Not only is filmmaking difficult, its EXPENSIVE! What's Not Said cost $22,000. A lot of great invested their time and energy to help us make that movie. With help from the Kauai Economic Development Board, Kauai Island Utilities Cooperative, and Aloha Island Properties, we were able to make up the rest. And now we have a contract through the University of Hawaii to distribute the film as a suicide prevention film.
The Last Adventure will cost as much. We need help with the basics of filmmaking...
1) We need a tripod that can hold the weight of our camera and rig, equipment to shield light, equipment to operate our slider, and a new jib.
2) We need lights and replacements for lights (bulbs cost $25.00 a piece) and diffusion material(our diffusers cost $100.00 each)
3) We need to pay for food and beverages for our students.
4) We need to pay for transportation for equipment, cast, and crew.
5) We need a computer that can edit and render high quality video. (I donated a new desktop to the club four years ago...after non-stop use - literally - sometimes 40 hours straight rendering video - it finally died.) :(
6) We need money to advertise and distribute the film.
7) We need funds to premiere the film in April as part of a larger Kaua'i Student Film Festival we are creating.
What we are asking for will keep us going and making movies this year and the next.
You will be helping us give our kids the chance to make creative stories in a way that few ever have the opportunity to do.
You may not be able to help us right now, and that's ok! :)
Thanks for reading this and learning about Gary's Story.
You can still help us by shouting out about our campaign to raise funds to finish our film! Please let everyone in your social network know about our campaign. Send shout outs on Facebook, Instragram, Twitter, anything you can! Thanks!!!!!!!!
With Love and Aloha, Above Moon Films
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US!!!!!!!!!!!!