Summary of the Story
Aspiring writer, Allison Gregg, has had enough of rejection. While reading her latest rejection email from a literary agent, the evening news tells of the tragic serial killings happening in the small village of Akron in New York. What’s more, the killings are happening on the bed of a creek called Murder Creek, the site of another shocking tragedy that happened over a century previously.
Researching further, she is shocked to learn that the creek’s history is ravaged by tragedy, stretching back to the early 19th century. Curious, and seeking literary inspiration, she heads to Akron to explore the stories behind these tragedies in more depth.
Will Allison find the inspiration she's seeking while she's in Akron, and finally become a successful writer? Or, with a serial killer on the loose, will she become yet one more story in Murder Creek’s long and tragic history?
Intros
Hi,
I’m Kristen Skeet and I’m the writer, director, and producer of Murder Creek.
For as long as I can remember, films have been my passion. The first film I can clearly remember seeing in theaters is Jurassic Park, and that changed my life. That film is the standard for me: what all movies should strive to be. Of course, not everything can be a Jurassic Park. Some movies are small independent films made by independent filmmakers who are hoping to leave the smallest of marks in the giant cinematic world. Enter: us!
I met fellow producers, Sherry McCutcheon and Anita Harmon, at an event in Los Angeles in 2010. Sherry is based in Atlanta and Anita is in St. Louis. Sherry brings to Murder Creek over a decade of on-set film experience. Anita’s education is in filmmaking and she also has extensive on-set experience, working as Producer and Associate Producer on independent films in St. Louis.
Last summer, the three of us happened to be in Manhattan on the same day and got together for a couple hours. We stumbled into a conversation about this dream we all had to produce a movie of our own. I mentioned that I’d written a short called Murder Creek, based around the legends and stories of a creek in my hometown. We agreed then that we should produce it. In April of this year, we officially kicked things off, having our first official production meeting for Murder Creek on April 8.
Shooting Details
Murder Creek will be shot almost entirely in Akron, mainly Akron Falls Park, with one small scene being shot on abandoned railroad tracks in nearby Orchard Park.
I was born and raised in Akron and live there to this day. I love this little village. I can't imagine living elsewhere. I love to travel, but home to me will always be Akron.
As a child, my imagination was nurtured by Akron Falls Park, a truly storybook setting:
We even have Cinderella’s pumpkin!
I wouldn’t have as strong a creative mind today if it weren’t for this park and this town. For that, I want to give back to it as much as possible. That’s why, to the extent possible, we will be using local businesses for all our film production needs: locations to shoot, catering for our cast and crew, and our wrap party.
Fun fact: The Hollywood film “Marshall,” was in Akron a couple summers ago and transformed our park into the mid-20th century. Kate Hudson's character leaped from our picturesque Parkview Drive bridge into Akron Lake below.
(Okay, it was her stunt double who did that but Ms. Hudson was here and filmed on the bridge, and that’s about as big-time as our little town gets.)
What We Need & What You Get
Every dollar raised with this campaign will go toward pre-production, production, and post-production costs of making the film.
- Pre-production and production costs include the cameras used to shoot the film and the associated gear (tripod, memory cards, etc.), provisions for a cinematographer, rental of sound and light equipment and the people to run them for us, location permit costs, craft services (food and drink for the cast and crew), rental of a golf cart for getting around during the shoot, and communication gear for the crew.
- Post-production costs include film coloring and editing, promotion, film festival submission fees, and any costs associated with showing the film at theater locations.
In exchange for your donation, we have some great perks to offer you along with our thanks and eternal gratitude. You're helping make our dream a reality!
How to Get Your Perk
Read through our list of perks (over there to the right) and when you see a perk that interests you, click it, and then click on "Get This Perk." You'll then be prompted to add your debit or credit card information. Indiegogo is a highly reputable company and this will be a completely secure transaction. Your donation will appear on your bank or credit card statement as: INDIEGOGO*MurderCreek.
I've Purchased My Perk, Now What?
First of all: thank you! Welcome to the team that is making Murder Creek. Just one more step: Could you also share the campaign link with your friends on social media? Thanks again!
Now we do the rest! Your perks will be delivered by the "Estimated Delivery" date. Any physical items in your perk will be shipped to you at no cost to you.
We will keep this campaign page updated regularly throughout the life of the campaign and will continue updating you on the progress of the film on our social media pages once the campaign has ended. These sites are also where we will announce the premiere of the film, once filming and post-production are complete. Make sure you're following us!