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Pat Morita: Long Story Short

Help us fund his documentary film so that we can make his one last dying wish come true!

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Pat Morita: Long Story Short

Pat Morita: Long Story Short

Pat Morita: Long Story Short

Pat Morita: Long Story Short

Pat Morita: Long Story Short

Help us fund his documentary film so that we can make his one last dying wish come true!

Help us fund his documentary film so that we can make his one last dying wish come true!

Help us fund his documentary film so that we can make his one last dying wish come true!

Help us fund his documentary film so that we can make his one last dying wish come true!

Kevin Derek
Kevin Derek
Kevin Derek
Kevin Derek
2 Campaigns |
Los Angeles, United States
$5,380 USD 47 backers
10% of $50,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 2 Projects Mountain Filled 2 Projects
Overview
Pat Morita had been working on a secret manuscript about his life, 9 years before his death. It covers all his hardships and struggles all the way to his last marriage. His last dying wish was for this to be produced. Please help us celebrate his life by sharing his story with the world.

Thank you to ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX News and 214 other news outlets for sharing our story!

 

So far we have interviewed... 

...and many more celebrities to be interviewed!

 

 

Born in 1932, Pat Morita battled spinal tuberculosis at the age of two. Morita spent nine years at a sanitarium in a body cast battling for his life. The day of his release he was escorted by FBI agents to join his family at Gila River interment center in Arizona but the reunion proved to be difficult. The Morita family moved to Fairfield, California after the war. He helped his father at his Chinese restaurant in Sacramento that they owned. Later, he landed a job with an aerospace firm. Around the time he was thirty, Morita abandoned his corporate career to be a comedian. He struggled for many years as a stand-up comic known as the “Hip Nip” in the nightclub circuit. Morita appeared in several TV series in the 1970s, including Sanford and Son, M.A.S.H, Welcome Back Kotter, Hawaii Five-O and many more. Later, Morita joined the cast of the 1970s sitcom Happy Days, he left the series after the first season to star in the short-lived comedy Mr. T and Tina; one of the first television shows to have an Asian American lead character. In 1982, Morita returned to Happy Days for its final season. In 1984, Morita saw his career reach new heights with his iconic role playing Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid that earned him a Golden Globe and an OSCAR nomination.

 

We've done it before and we'll do it again! Kevin Derek and Oscar Alvarez are teaming up again for their 3rd project. Our previous Documentary The Real Miyagi starring: Dolph LundgrenSteven SeagalMichael Jai White  and many others was the winner of 6 International Film Festival Awards for best documentary feature and is now available on NETFLIX 

IMDB LINK

 

TRAILER 

 

"Brilliant Film". "5 Stars" -Bobby Blakey -Dallas Movie Examiner 

"I highly recommend this film" -Paul Kazee - Meniscus Magazine

"Entertaining from the get go" - Ian Murphy - SCREEN PICKS

"The Real Miyagi is a superb documentary"- Eric S. Boisvert - Fantasia

"A new documentary looks back at Demura's astonishing, influential life.

Jen Yamato - The Daily Beast

 

 

 

Kevin attended Columbia College in Hollywood, California, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Motion Pictures in 1990.

Kevin has extensive experience in the movie industry both as producer, director and editor. Kevin’s first credit as a producer was The Ultimate Game, an action adventure, produced for the video market that sold worldwide. 

Derek also directed two documentary films about martial arts called Empty Hand  that premiered at the Academy Awards accredited film festival DOC NYC, and The Real Miyagi, about the man behind the biggest action star legends in Hollywood such as Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris starring Steven Seagal, Dolph Lundgren, Micheal Jai White and many others which has won 6 international awards. 

Derek is currently The Festival Director for the prestigious Irvine International Film Festival. Last year alone, 11 of the festival’s Official Selections were shortlisted for the Academy Awards, with nine OSCAR nominations between them. Seven-time Emmy winning actor Ed Asner (Up, The Mary Tyler Moore Show) and Academy Award winning director John G. Avildsen (Rocky), both of whom received Lifetime Achievement Awards at IIFF.

Interview with the L.A. Times

Oscar began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor. It was his time as an actor when he realized his true calling was behind the camera.

In July of 2004, he had an amazing opportunity to work with OSCAR Nominated Director, David O. Russell (Joy, American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter) and came aboard his Iraq war documentary, SOLDIERS PAY as Production Manager.

Oscar continued on as Head of Production for the shooting of all the I HEART HUCKABEES supplemental materials, foreign and domestic, including the Jon Brion music video, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT with Mark Wahlberg/Jason Schwartzman, and the Dustin Hoffman/Lilly Tomlin infomercial, HOW AM I NOT MYSELF?  All the while, Oscar managed and oversaw the day-to-day operations of David O. Russell’s production company, KANZEON.

In 2011, Oscar teamed up with documentarian, Kevin Derek to produce the award winning feature documentary film, EMPTY HAND currently written up in Black Belt Magazine as “A MUST SEE...the first real Karate movie in years".

In 2012, Oscar teamed up with Producer, Todd Jeffery to create a cerebral comedy short film by Writer/Director, Dustin Thomas Cartmill called THE WOLF starring Zach Cregger, Caitriona Balfe and Frank Rautenbach.

In 2013, he teamed up again with Kevin Derek to produce his second feature documentary film, THE REAL MIYAGI featuring Dolph Lundgren, Steven Seagal, Michael Jai White, Tamlyn Tomita, Fumio Demura and the late Pat Morita.

In 2014, Oscar teamed up again with Producer/Writer/Director, Todd Jeffery in his Feature Thriller, NO ESCAPE starring Gabe Fazio (The Place Beyond the Pines) and BoJesse Christopher (Point Break) which is currently in post production.

The two documentary films produced by Oscar about martial arts did great in the festival circuit. Empty Hand  premiered at the Academy Awards accredited film festival DOC NYC and The Real Miyagi  has won 6 International Awards. 

Evelyn Guerrero , The wife of Pat Morita. She started her theatrical career at a young age and came from a show business family, as a result met Pat as a young girl. Her aunt Sally Marr was grooming Pat as a stand up comic at the time, but little did Evelyn realize she would one day marry Pat years later.

Evelyn went on to pursue a successful career of her own. Some of her credits includes "Bound by Honor" opposite Benjamin Bratt,  she starred in 3 Cheech and Chong films:  "Nice Dreams", "Next Movie" and "Things are Tough All Over", Guest starred in the Jean-Claude Van Damme film "Inferno" other notable credits include Luis Valdez series "Fort Figueroa",TV series, "I Married Dora", "Star Trek the Next Generation"and Series regular on TV series "Dallas"

She also guest starred on numerous episodic and T.V. series such as:  Hill St. Blues, Baretta, Police Woman, Quincy, Remington Steele, Matt Houston, Frank Cannon, The Colby's, Trapper John,  Santa Barbara, General Hospital,  Facts of Life and Chicken Soup, to name a few.

A Member of SAG, AFTRA and Equity. Studied with Stella Adler and Ralph Waite and a member of the Los Angeles Actors Theater

"It was Pat's dying wish to his wife, Evelyn to have his biography published or made into a film. So it's been her quest to full fill this promise."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Perks can make a great Holiday Gift!  

Now you can support our campaign AND gift your perk to anyone in the world!

Here is the Custom Pat Morita Documentary T-Shirts and Postcard front and back.

 

Rare collectors items with an Original Signature by Pat Morita.

It's truly a one of a kind. Pat typically didn't sign headshots or movie posters, so they are very rare!
Each signed item will come with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Pat Morita Estate!
Full sized posters are 27"x41" and headshots are 8"x10". 

 

Miyagi Shirts!  Limited sizes and amounts available!

 

Gifts from our previous documentary! 

11x17 Movie Poster

 

WHAT WILL MY CONTRIBUTION PAY FOR?

This may be the only documentary film done on his life, but it's still an independent feature, which means small budgets will be stretched as far as they will go. We want to produce the best documentary possible to preserve his legacy.

As far as our funding goal, we are only asking for the bare minimum of what is needed to get this shot and in the can.

Pat Morita's family and colleagues that we need to interview live all over the United States. These are production costs and some of the money we raise will help to pay for travel expenses.

We plan on filming this project with 4K resolution cameras, so it's appealing to different distribution platforms, because that's where the technology is headed. Soon all TV stations are going to broadcast in 4K, and we want to be in line with what these distributors are looking for.

A big portion of the budget is for clearing the rights to studio footage that will make the final cut of the documentary film. Pat Morita has appeared in over 200 films and T.V shows combined. We need to pick wisely depending on the story and our budget, what we can afford.

In addition, your contribution will be used to pay for post production editing, sound mixing and music clearances.  This chart will help you understand how the funds raised will be allocated.

 

WHAT IF YOU RAISE MORE THAN 50K?

50K will definitely jump start our project!  We'll be able to finish shooting the documentary and get us into the post-production phase.
 
If we raise more than 50K "great" because then our "STRETCH GOAL" kicks in.  We can begin raising more funds for post, and start dealing with the negotiation process with the big studios regarding the astronomical cost of footage that we need to clear to be able tell his story properly. Pat has been in so many movies and TV shows, and we would like to incorporate those clips into the film, but it is VERY EXPENSIVE. We need to choose wisely and use our "STRETCH GOAL" to achieve this.
 
Finally, any additional money we raise in our "STRETCH GOAL" would help in promoting the film, so that we can have a limited theater release in LA and NYC to be able to get it qualified for Academy Award consideration.
 
 

WHERE WILL THE FILM BE RELEASED?

Our goal is to distribute Pat Morita's documentary film on NETFLIX and other VOD platforms like our previous doc, The Real Miyagi.  We had a lot of success and we were able to make it available worldwide for everyone to enjoy.

 

 

We understand that not everyone can contribute, but this film is for everyone. If you are unable to financially back this project, Pat Morita: Long Story Short, then we ask that you please help by sharing the campaign across all of your social media networks.  The more "Backers" we have and the more awareness we can build will definitely help us get closer to meeting our goal.  It's SO IMPORTANT to have this support from all of you.  We can't do it alone. Without everyone's effort it would be impossible, so we want to thank you in advance! GO TEAM PAT!

You can find us on Facebook so please SHARE our campaign now.

We’ve already received a massive amount of support from some very influential people in the film community, but their voices are not enough. Your support means more than anything to us, and we know that it would have meant the world to Mr. Morita. Please help us celebrate his life!
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What if you don't reach your funding goals?

Our goal is to execute our vision on telling Pat's story! This film will be made regardless, but we don't want to cut corners or compromise the picture in any way. Any funds not raised through IndieGoGo will be raised from private investors and other platforms. Our previous documentary, The Real Miyagi raised 50% of our budget via Indiegogo, and the rest came from a private Canadian investor who found us and helped close the gap. Thank you Pat Nevraumont, Executive Producer of The Real Miyagi!  In short, we don't want to slow down the process and kill the momentum, so that's why meeting our goal on Indiegogo is vital!

 

When will you start the documentary?

We have already begun a little bit of shooting. We are estimating about 4 months of filming. Then, we will begin the post-production process.

 

When will we receive the physical Perks?

All physical perks such as T-Shirts, Posters and Postcards will be mailed out ASAP, so that you can receive them before THIS holiday next month of December 2016!

 

When will we be able to get the digital download and the DVD of the film?

Legally, we would be able to provide the downloads once we have secured a distribution deal. Once the deal is made we would send you the link to download the film 10 days before the general public.

 

What happens if I move to a different address? How can I change my delivery address?

About the progress of the shipment, it will be announced in advance. You can then tell us if your address has changed.

 

 

Have questions? Email us 

Website: www.PatMoritaTheMovie.com

Link to the IMDB Page

 

 

 

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

Thank You!

$5 USD
A huge virtual hug and thank you along with updates on the films progress. You're contribution is greatly appreciated! We couldn't have done it without you; a little comes a long way.
3 claimed

Special Thanks on our Website

$10 USD
Your name in BOLD on our site! Share it with your friends, so they know how grateful we are with your kind donation. Keep Shining!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 claimed

(2) LA Screening Movie Tickets

$20 USD
You and a friend will attend our LA Screening! ***You're name will be on the guest list at the box office, so bring your ID to check in. **Travel not Included.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
1 claimed

(2) OC Screening Movie Tickets

$20 USD
You and a friend will attend our Orange County, California Screening! ***You're name will be on the guest list at the box office, so bring your ID to check in. **Travel not Included.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
1 claimed

Autographed Post Card + A gift

$25 USD
A picture speaks a thousand words! An autographed post card of the Pat Morita doc by the Director and Producer of the film also a DVD of our previous documentary "The Real Miyagi" mailed wherever you want in the world.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Digital Download

$25 USD
Watch the documentary feature as soon as it is made readily available in the comfort of your home.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
4 claimed

Personal Message to Pat Morita

$25 USD
Tell us in a 60 second video why you like Pat Morita or how he has inspired you. We will include it in our Featurette Video. You can record the video with your smart phone! *Once you have purchased the perk we will send you the simple guidelines with file transfer options and due date.
1 claimed

Your Best Miyagi Impression

$25 USD
So you think you can act? Give us your BEST Pat Morita impression. Keep it under 60 seconds and record it with your smart phone! We will include it in our Featurette Video. *Once you have purchased the perk we will send you the simple guidelines with file transfer options and due date.
1 claimed

Pat Morita Headshot "Unsigned"

$30 USD
An 8"x10" headshot unsigned. This rare black and white photo is definitely worth having and sharing with your friends.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
0 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

DVD of the Feature Documentary

$30 USD
We will send you a DVD of the feature documentary as soon as it is made readily available.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
1 claimed
Ships worldwide.

(5) LA Screening Movie Tickets

$40 USD
You and a group of friends will attend our LA Screening! ***You're name will be on the guest list at the box office, so bring your ID to check in. **Travel not Included.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
0 claimed

(5) OC Screening Movie Tickets

$40 USD
You and a group of friends will attend our Orange County, California Screening! ***You're name will be on the guest list at the box office, so bring your ID to check in. **Travel not Included.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
1 claimed

WaxOn WaxOff Film Competition

$40 USD
So you think you got what it takes to be a Hollywood Director? Recreate your favorite scene from a Pat Morita film. Max 3 mins in length. You can shoot it with your smart phone. All the films submitted will be included in our Featurette Video. One winner will be selected and the winning film will be screened before our LA and OC Premiere & walk the red carpet with the cast and crew! *Once you have purchased the perk we will send you the simple guidelines with file transfer options and due date.
0 claimed

Signed 11x 17 Doc Poster+Gift

$50 USD
Show your love and support and be the first in the world to have this Limited Edition 11"x17" movie poster signed by the director and producer of the Pat Morita Documentary also a DVD of our previous documentary "The Real Miyagi" mailed wherever you want in the world.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
3 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Miyagi Shirts (Size: SMALL)

$50 USD
This makes a great HOLIDAY GIFT! How about a Pat Morita T-shirt with some awesome graphics from the Karate Kid movies. You can wear this cool shirt to our movie premiere if you decide to attend. Come sit next to us, the Filmmakers. :-)
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
0 out of 3 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Miyagi Shirts (Size: MEDIUM)

$50 USD
This makes a great HOLIDAY GIFT! How about a Pat Morita T-shirt with some awesome graphics from the Karate Kid movies. You can wear this cool shirt to our movie premiere if you decide to attend. Come sit next to us, the Filmmakers. :-)
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
2 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Miyagi Shirts (Size: LARGE)

$50 USD
This makes a great HOLIDAY GIFT! How about a Pat Morita T-shirt with some awesome graphics from the Karate Kid movies. You can wear this cool shirt to our movie premiere if you decide to attend. Come sit next to us, the Filmmakers. :-)
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 out of 7 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

(2) DVD's of the Feature Doc

$50 USD
We will send you (2) DVD's of the feature documentary as soon as it is made readily available.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Custom Doc Shirts (Size:SMALL)

$75 USD
Proudly wear and be the first person in the world to own an exclusive Custom Limited Edition T-Shirt specifically designed for IndieGoGo supporters! T-Shirts will read "I HELPED FUND THE PAT MORITA DOCUMENTARY" You can wear this shirt to any of the LA Screenings and get it signed by The Filmmakers!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Custom Doc Shirts (Size: Med)

$75 USD
Proudly wear and be the first person in the world to own an exclusive Custom Limited Edition T-Shirt specifically designed for IndieGoGo supporters! T-Shirts will read "I HELPED FUND THE PAT MORITA DOCUMENTARY" You can wear this shirt to any of the LA Screenings and get it signed by The Filmmakers!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Custom Doc Shirts (Size: LG)

$75 USD
Proudly wear and be the first person in the world to own an exclusive Custom Limited Edition T-Shirt specifically designed for IndieGoGo supporters! T-Shirts will read "I HELPED FUND THE PAT MORITA DOCUMENTARY" You can wear this shirt to any of the LA Screenings and get it signed by The Filmmakers!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Custom Doc Shirts (Size: X-LG)

$75 USD
Proudly wear and be the first person in the world to own an exclusive Custom Limited Edition T-Shirt specifically designed for IndieGoGo supporters! T-Shirts will read "I HELPED FUND THE PAT MORITA DOCUMENTARY" You can wear this shirt to any of the LA Screenings and get it signed by The Filmmakers!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 claimed
Ships worldwide.

(2) VIP Tickets

$100 USD
Get a bucket of popcorn and a soda, and be the first person to see Pat's doc on the BIG SCREEN! (2) VIP Tickets to the World Premiere screening. We will have 2 screenings, one in the LA and one in Orange County, California.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
1 out of 500 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

(4) VIP Tickets

$150 USD
Make it a double date with your closest friends and go out Hollywood Style! (4) VIP tickets to the World Premiere screening. We will have 2 screenings, one in the LA and one in Orange County, California
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
0 out of 400 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Red carpet & After-party - LA

$250 USD
Do you want to feel like a Hollywood Movie Star? Walk the red carpet and participate in the press photography. (2) tickets to the Red-Carpet Event, then watch the World Premiere. After the movie, come mingle and have a drink with industry people.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
2 out of 50 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Pat Morita "Signed" Headshot

$350 USD
Pat typically didn't sign headshots, so they are very rare! A Signed 8"x10" + Thank You "End Credits" on the film with your name. Each signed headshot will come with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Pat Morita Estate.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 out of 30 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Add your Company Logo

$500 USD
Advertise your Company with your custom artwork that you provide us to put at the end of the movie credits. Get a Special thanks on IMDB, website and a shout out on Facebook!
0 out of 50 of claimed

Assistant Producer

$1,000 USD
Start bragging to all your friends how you're part of our production team! You will receive an Assistant Producer credit at the end of the documentary and also on IMDB.
0 out of 3 of claimed

Assistant Director

$1,000 USD
Check out YOUR NAME on the BIG SCREEN! You and you're family can clap as loud as you want in the theater when you see your name. Get credit as an Assistant Director on the films end credits and also on IMDB.
0 out of 3 of claimed

Karate Kid 4 Poster Signed

$1,000 USD
Hang up this beauty inside your home theater and show it off to all your friends! It's truly a one of a kind. This is a collectors item with an original signature by Pat Morita. Pat typically didn't sign movie posters, so they are very rare! Full - Sized 27"x41" poster just like the one you wanted to swipe back in the 80's and 90's from the movie theater! Each signed poster will come with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Pat Morita Estate!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
0 out of 15 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Karate Kid 3 Poster Signed

$2,000 USD
This is a rare collectors item with an original signature by Pat Morita. Hang up this beauty inside your home theater and show it off to all your friends. It's truly a one of a kind. Pat typically didn't sign movie posters, so they are very rare! Each signed poster will come with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Pat Morita Estate! Full - Sized 27"x41" poster just like the one you wanted to swipe back in the 80's and 90's from the movie theater!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
0 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

LA Dinner with the Filmmakers

$2,000 USD
Bon Appetit! Sit down to a nice LA dinner with the Director, Kevin Derek and Producer, Oscar Alvarez and Pat Morita's Wife, Evelyn Morita. Ask Kevin and Oscar any questions about the filmmaking process of putting together Pat's story from paper to screen. And, enjoy a relaxed and personal conversation with Pat's wife, Evelyn over a glass of wine and good food.
Estimated Shipping
January 2017
0 out of 5 of claimed

Associate Producer

$2,500 USD
Are you ready to add another project to your Hollywood Resume? You will receive an Associate Producer credit at the end of the documentary and on IMDB.
0 out of 7 of claimed

Co- Producer

$5,000 USD
Do you need to increase your IMDB ranking? Throw around some weight at your next Hollywood Meeting and tell them about your new project! Your name at the end of the credits on a separate card with the other Co- Producers. Your credit on IMDB.
0 out of 5 of claimed

Your OWN LA Private Screening

$5,000 USD
We will have a Private Screening before the film is released for your family and friends, up to 50 people. Q&A with the Director, Kevin Derek and Producer, Oscar Alvarez following the screening
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
0 out of 15 of claimed

LA Screening +100 Guests

$8,000 USD
Your own private screening with 100 of your guests, experience the Pat Morita documentary in LA before the release day with a Q &A and post-reception with Director Kevin Derek and Producer Oscar Alvarez. *Travel expenses not included.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
0 out of 10 of claimed

Executive Producer

$10,000 USD
At your next lunch meeting tell your friends how you invested in a Hollywood film! Receive credit as the Executive Producer on a separate card along with the Director and Producer. You will get email updates on the progress of the documentary. You can also represent the film at International Film Festivals and participate in the Q&A Also you are invited to all the events pertaining to the documentary. *Travel cost is not included.
0 out of 5 of claimed

Worldwide Screening+100 Guests

$12,500 USD
USA, Canada and Europe. Your home town Private Screening. 100 of your guests will attend a memorable viewing experience of PAT MORITA'S documentary at your home town anywhere in the U.S. Canada or Europe, also a Q &A and post-reception with Director Kevin Derek and Producer Oscar Alvarez.
Estimated Shipping
December 2017
0 out of 5 of claimed

Producer

$50,000 USD
You got a BIG EGO? You don't want to share this title with anyone else, but with us? This is it! Receive sole credit as Producer on a separate card along with Oscar Alvarez. Get email updates on the progress of the film. Also, represent the doc at Film Festivals & participate in the Q&A's. You're invited to all the events pertaining to the film. *Travel cost is not included.
0 out of 1 of claimed
sold out

Miyagi Shirts (Size: X-LARGE)

$50 USD
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 out of 1 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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