Ariel? What is this?
A couple of years ago, I went to the American Film Market and heard how many filmmakers where able to get their films made. I learned how “Veronica Mars” raised over 5 million dollars on crowdfunding.
I couldn’t help but think (like I'm sure so many other independent filmmakers did) maybe there is a new way to finance smaller, personal films that didn’t involve signing away all your artistic control.
I was told from a producer that your script can be bought outright and then walk away and let someone else get the financing, make the film, and get it distributed. It seemed good at first but then in order to get the "Catalina" made, my follow up to “Lost Angels,” meant I would have to give "all rights."
Financing an independent film the traditional way often means having to give away your rights to “the final cut,” casting choices, location choices etc. I didn't want to compromise the integrity of what was given to me to accomplish in getting "Catalina" made...I said "no."
Ok, I'm intrigued. What's the story?
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"Catalina" is a story about Catherine, a heartbroken woman, who takes a new job on an island to find her way; a purpose for her life. She finds new friends that help her in her healing and she meets a gifted musician, Richard whom she befriends.
When she reluctantly agrees to go on a date, Catherine finds herself conflicted with the pain from her past and the growing closeness of this man in her present.
The result of their mutual caring for one another, propels Catherine to confront Richard with her traditional beliefs and the result is conflict. Through teaching Richard about her way of life, Catherine discovers some of the parts of herself.
Why "Catalina"?
"Real" to "Reel"
Many times, while on walking on the island, I would get this impression:
"I feel like I'm walking in a movie?!"
A story of heartbreak, love, and redemption. "Catalina" is my story and predestined to be on the screen.
Filmaking is a conversation with your audience
Randall Frakes, a very prominent screenwriter who has worked on many blockbuster films in Hollywood, and script consultant for "Catalina" said this when he first read the script.
As I see it the primal essence of your story is this is a love
triangle between Catherine, Richard and God. A way to compare your
script with a classic version of this story is to study "Casablanca."
I was traveling back to California when I read this , I had just watched a movie on my laptop on the plane ride back to California. It was a movie I had always heard about but never watched until that day. The name of the movie - Casablanca!
Why me?
My first time producing and directing was at the tender age of nine years old! I watched tv and saw that "Jerry's kids" needed money. So I went throughout my neighborhood, which was on a military base, recuiting kids to help put on the carnival and those who weren't involved paid admission to it! I then sent the proceeds to help kids with muscular dystrophy.
During my teenage years I directed my high school play "To Be Young Gifted and Black.” Then while in college and beyond I’ve directed and produced fashion shows, the grand opening events for a regional shopping mall. Secured SBA finances and venture capital funds to open and run a fitness studio. Produced a cable TV show, published two novels and in 2012 produced and directed my first film, the award winning, "Lost Angels."
What else do I bring to the table?
Well, let's see... I work presently at Warner Brothers Studios, the largest studio in the world, on numerous film and tv productions. Watching, and learning from great directors, craftsmen and women in front and behind the camera is priceless. Working on the "backlots", and "sets" and observing is priceless on the job training!
Recently a prominent producer told me, after I shared with him what I do at Warner Brothers,
"Do you know people would pay lot's of money to have that type of access (working with productions)...to get to see what you see and do !"
Yes, I have unusual access and this has enabled me to learn how to "run a set" and what's involved from a producer/director's mindset to make a beautiful movie.
During the last few years I have consulted with several Hollywood producers and have taken their workshops on how to get a feature film made.
Making a Beautiful Movie and getting a beautiful movie made are two different things.
There are lots of components to getting a movie made and I have done the work and solidified a package to get "Catalina" made. Great movies can't happen with just one person. It takes LOTS of people to get a movie made. It takes money and manpower. There are things that MUST be in place before the other stages of movie making begin - the phase "Catalina is in is called "Development."
What is "Developmental Funding" and what is it for?"
To get a film made you have to have what is called “Skin in the Game” or i.e. developmental funding. Equity Investors who come in later, must first see that you know how to raise funds. This is paramount to getting the majority of the financing.
What do we need?
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This fundraising campaign is for development monies. These monies go towards Script Coverage, Film Analytics - how the film will rate market wise and what's the expected foreign sales market. Retainers for casting directors, production and entertainment attorneys, initial pay “contracts” including , talent, cast , and crew. Acquiring production assistance, insurance, production facilities, location rentals, equipment, licensing and permits.
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This is an indie project. I must assemble the cast, crew, financing, etc. so we have the best cast for "Catalina" - not what others want. No compromising on the talent, on the script, and the "final cut" - No compromise on the integrity of the film in it's essence and tone.
What do we need? and the most import question... why you?
“A writer needs a pen, an artist needs a brush,
but a filmmaker needs an army.” – Orson Welles
We need YOU! We need your support in contributing monies for development of "Catalina."
This great thing we’re doing will make movie history! One of the greatest romance drama and you get to help make!
We need you to donate. I can't express the magnitude of what you, the contributors, make in helping us to achieve the goal set before me. I'm asking you for your support, as you go with us on this journey of making "Catalina" come to the screen.
There are already some amazing, wonderful, and supportive "behind the scenes" team that we call the Catalina 300. They support us in the daily process in the magnitude of "making a film" and bringing it to fruition.
Catalina will have an amazing cast and crew. We are not at liberty to disclose the leads because we are in negotiations and they have not signed, but they will and they have been "hand picked" and will bring much gravitas and humor to "Catalina."
Many have gotten involved and will post more when they have given their commitments - they are awesome! Here are just a few:
Randall Frakes - Script Consultant
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Professional screenplay and book author and story consultant who has been a consultant with James Cameron on "Avatar," "True Lies," "Terminator 1 & 2," "Aliens," "Titanic" etc. As well as written original screenplays for 20 produced films.
Beverly Hills Casting - Cherin Perelman
"This is about one woman’s odyssey through life that is resolved in faith in this heart rendering but inspiring drama based on a true story” - coverage by Beverly Hills Casting.
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Worked with Beverly Hills Casting securing amazing talent, such as the talented T'Keyah Kemah from Living color who played Hadassah in "Lost Angels."
Contributing Composer - Luke Wieting
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Luke's music underscored "Lost Angels" and now many of his tracks will help make the soundtrack to CATALINA soar!
Luke Wieting is a critically acclaimed, award-winning film and television composer. Luke has scored a wide variety of projects, including feature films, television shows, dance pieces, and commercials.
Luke Wieting’s music has been performed all around the world, including Japan, Chicago, Hollywood, and Los Angeles. In addition to collaborating with some of the finest studio musicians in the Los Angeles area, he has worked with Grammy Award winning composer and trumpeter Terence Blanchard (Inside Man).
Michael Solomon - Director of Photography
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Here is a sample of his work!
Eugene K. Johnson - PRODUCTION DESIGNER
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Here is a sample from his latest movie - Think and Grow Rich
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Jenna Smolina - Costume Designer
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I am very much used to working with a small budget; amongst my most valuable skills in costume design are patterning, sewing and fitting custom made garments for the actors - and in very tight timeframes, along with performing alterations, aging and distressing.
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ERIC DEVEZIN - Makeup Artist
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In an industry marked by high speed transformation, it's no mean feat to be appointed unofficial"king of versatility." Whether they're celebrities,tv personalities,or just the everyday person, Eric Devezin has shown that for him there's "no can't do." Not only has Devezin worked with such diverse personalities from "box office top actor" Will Smith to reality tv stars from the cast of I want to work for Diddy Season 2,VH1 reality star Brittanya O'campo, tvOne reality star designer Sterling Williams, Terrell Owens, the list goes on. he's right at home making a seemingly effortless switch from print to film to runway to television
Celebrities including- Persia White, Meagan Good, Tatyana Ali, Vanessa Simmons, Victoria Rowell, Elise Neal, Essence Attkins, Malika Perkins, Mya Gilbert, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, Glenn Plummer, Hosea Sanchez, Christian Keys, Jason Weaver, Vincent Van Patten, many rappers; Shorty C. Bone Thugs, Snoop Dogg, Eve, Comedian/Actors Bill Bellamy, Anthony Anderson, etc. Eric is a master in his field.
Leslie Kunz
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Leslie Kunz is a Cameroonian-Swiss Actress, Singer-Songwriter and YouTube personality. Studying Jazz at a Jazz Conservatory during high school, she got her BFA from AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Leslie has worked in Musical Theatre from a young age, and since graduating been working in musicals, theatre, film, tv and commercials. Based in London, repped by Reflections Talent Agency, she is pursuing her career in music and acting, working between Dublin and London and is currently writing and recording towards her debut album. She has worked with the likes of Ron Aniello, who is Bruce Springsteen’s producer. (Check out her imdb http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4966038/?ref_=fn_al_...)
NOTE: THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE AMAZING TALENTED CAST AND CREW WE WILL HAVE ATTACHED TO THIS PROJECT
And that's all there is to it. Thank you in advance for all your efforts!
