HELLO, beautiful potential supporters! We love your hair today... and that outfit looks PHENOMENAL on you. Really compliments your gorgeous eyes... wow, you're amazing.
"My name is Z and we need money to do stuff for the thing."
This is my final semester at Columbia College Chicago and I would like to graduate with the completion of a fun, confetti-filled, laughing-until-it hurts sort of film. I am a director who feels like making something ridiculous. Something absurd. But also something that will stick with you. An absolute dream team has been assembled for this project and we are excited beyond words!
The Story:
Joe is an awkward cubicle-dweller whose days consist of paperwork and coffee runs for his big shot boss, Ace. In case the name didn't give it away, Ace is a grade A douche-bag. Joe, however, is captivated by his boss's glamor and success. With a mid-life crisis hitting full force, Joe questions his self-worth.
"Who do you want to run with, Joe? The wolves? Or the sheep?" - Ace Morgan
Inspired, Joe decides that he must become a big shot! The next day, he arrives at work stylin' in a crisp suit. He "walks the walk and talks the talk", trying to take charge of his life. Little does he know that his co-workers think he looks like an idiot. They quickly resent him for being like Ace, who is
actually the office bully.
Jiminy Crocket (... see what we did there?) is Joe's eccentric friend and Ace's #1 victim. He feels betrayed by Joe.
A moment of self-discovery occurs when Joe is forced to make a life-changing decision: follow in Ace's footsteps... or stand up for Jiminy.
We want to deliver our message to every man, woman, child and
household pet: You do not need the superficial veils of beauty,
popularity and power to validate you... true worth comes from treating
oneself and others with respect.
The purpose of this campaign...
... is to raise the funds to bring Mr. Big Shot to life! We are seeking $3,200 for: locations, art department, craft services (we'll have quite a few extras) and camera equipment. This money will also aid us in entering the festival circuit! Our greatest challenges will be:
1. Commandeering a medium-large size office cubicle floor for 2-3 days. We already have some great connections to high-rises in downtown Chicago and are in the process of negotiating with them.
2. Having the money to feed a 40 person crew and 20-30 extras. Well-fed people = happy people = productive people = awesome film.
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Believe In Us!
Given the right amount of love and support, I am confident my crew and I can tackle these challenges head on
. Our team is full of the talent, motivation, experience and professionalism required to carry out a project of this caliber. And there are some fantastic perks in it for you! Check out all the fun stuff we've come up with in our "perks" section. If (heaven forbid) we do not meet our goal, the entire crew and myself will ugly cry until the end of time.
Please share this page and like us on Facebook! You will have our eternal gratitude!
THE DREAM TEAM
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Z Taylor
Director/Writer
Z is a letter senior at Columbia College Chicago with a concentration in Film Directing and a minor in Arts Entertainment & Media Management. She hates
political correctness and LOVES well-placed sarcasm! Her love of filmmaking was discovered in her home state of Rhode Island where she filmed Nerf wars, music videos and trailers. In 2011 she got on a train by herself with one suit case, her guitar and a map to find her new apartment in Chicago... no pressure, right? Ever since, life has been nothing short of an adventure.
Z has been involved in several advanced productions as a writer, director and script supervisor. She studied abroad in China in 2013 and is currently interning with Spotlight Marketing, Inc. Z hopes to graduate on a high note with the completion of Mr. Big Shot!
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Ryan Kerr
Director of Photography
Having discovered his passion for filmmaking at a young age, Ryan sought
out every possible opportunity to learn and develop his skills as a
cinematographer. A Midwestern native, Ryan is in the process of
completing his final year at Columbia College Chicago and obtaining his
Bachelor of Arts in Film & Video Production with a concentration in
cinematography.
Ryan has served as Director of Photography on several projects from
narrative and documentary to commercial and experimental films. His body
of work continues to expand as he progresses with his creative
aspirations. Ryan is currently working on his first full length feature,
Less Than 30.
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Jack Dorst Producer
Jack is stoked to be the Producer for Mr. Big Shot. He is currently a sophomore at Columbia College Chicago studying Cinema Arts and
Sciences. Over the summer he completed an internship for the Cannes Film
Festival and is currently working as a producer at the iO Comedy Network.
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Laura Baker
Assistant Director
Laura, our AD, is a senior at Columbia with a double concentration in
directing and post production audio. She just directed her senior
independent project, titled Tread, and is bringing the experience she
has gained working on several shorts here at Columbia to our team. As
our AD, Laura will be keeping our whole crew organized and on schedule.
She is excited to work on her first comedy through Columbia, and is
ready to bring Mr. Big Shot to life!
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Jake DOnofrio Editor/ Colorist/ DIT
I am originally from Rhode Island and came to Columbia College Chicago
to escape small town suburbia. I have always loved editing and have had
several years experience working with advanced production films. When I get the footage, I work to assemble the director’s
vision and tell a great story.
I love having the ability to put
together and manipulate footage like a puzzle.
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Valeria Jiménez
Casting Director
I am the Casting Director for Mr. Big shot. I'm very outgoing and
passionate about filmmaking. I really like to tell stories about every
day life (that everyone can relate to), but with a hint of comedy and
romance because I believe that this is how life should be.
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Kelsey Sante
Script Supervisor
Kelsey is stoked to be script supervising Mr. Big Shot.
She is a junior film major at Columbia College Chicago with a
post-production concentration and an intense love of mac n' cheese. This
spring she will be completing an internship with The Second City.
Nathan Oelker
Assistant Producer/Location Manager
Nathan hails from a small town that no one's ever heard of. He recently graduated summa cum laude
from UIC. For contracted and personal video work, he's served as
director, writer, producer, editor, occasional actor, and in other
assorted roles that arise. He's currently building a career in the
production business, so he'd appreciate any leads. He graciously thanks
you in advance.
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Josh R. Weitzel Co-writer/Production AssistantJosh is a screenwriter at Columbia College Chicago. He has worked on many
projects around campus in various roles. In the spring of 2014, he
became the film critic for The Columbia Chronicle. When he is not
writing film criticism or screenplays, he finds himself reading various
scripts from other students around campus. Josh can almost always be
found at the movie theater on a Friday night. He worked very closely
with director Z Taylor to write the first and subsequent drafts of the
Mr. Big Shot script, of which he is very proud.