Short Summary
Ring Rats is an original story about a young woman, Larissa, who decides to become a pro wrestler. After her parents spend her college fund on Wrestlemania tickets, she's left to fend for herself to try to make her mark in the world of professional wrestling.
She hires a prickly has-been named Waldo – a heel who fought with the best and is now struggling to make ends meet. Waldo trains Larissa in the ring – how to sell the persona, protect kayfabe, and make it a good show – that is, until the argument. The two hit a rough patch and they're both hit with a choice: suck up their pride and come back together? Or go it alone?
Ring Rats is based on a critically acclaimed stageplay by Derek Weatherdon, who is returning to this project as writer and director. Actors Samuelle Weatherdon and Brad Brackenridge are also returning to their roles as Larissa and Waldo for the film. Producers Adam Martignetti, Ayesha Lye and Nikki Weatherdon are also on board to help turn this idea into a feature film.
This is a independent and original film through and through!
You can help make it happen by contributing to our Indiegogo today. A contribution of any size will go a long way towards supporting independent film-making in the Peterborough area.
It's hard to make a feature film – it takes a lot of days, a lot of money, and a lot of community support.
Ring Rats will be shot entirely in Peterborough by an entirely Peterborough-based crew and cast. And we hope you'll make it out for our big community premiere when it's all finished.
What We Need
We need to shoot for 10 more days to get all of the scenes in the can. With a small team of five key crew and two actors, we're about as lean as a film production can be!
Our production budget is $35,000. We're pursuing a few strategies for how to get there, including crowdfunding. The majority of this budget is allocated towards fees for technicians and performers.
- $6,300 is for cast performers
- $16,800 for technicians and creative crew
- $1,700 for locations payments
- $500 for art department (props, set decoration, etc)
- $1,500 for equipment rentals and transport fees
- $1,000 for food and craft services
- $4,500 for post-production
- $2,700 of which is for administrative costs, like banking fees, merchant fees, costs associated with fundraising, contingency if costs overrun, film festival submission fees, and other boring things
It's a tight budget with not much fat to trim! If we don't reach our goal of being fully funded, we use the funds raised towards the hard costs like props, food, admin costs, and locations that need to be paid, and we'll equitably divide the rest of the funds among the cast and crew. Folks are on board for being paid a variable rate based on the results of our fundraising (they're the best).
What You Get
And you can help us reach our goal, with some perks to boot!
- A contribution of any amount will secure you an invitation to our exclusive supporter screening of Ring Rats. Once the film is done, you'll have a comfy seat in the theatre to watch it with us!
- For $30 or more, we'll include your name in the credits of Ring Rats (and you'll have an invite to the screening);
- With a $60 contribution, you'll also receive a limited edition poster of Tom Thumb (Waldo's wrestler persona) hand-processed on a risograph printer (and you'll get a film credit and invitation to the screening);
- For a $120 contribution, you'll receive a poster AND a screen printed t-shirt (you'll also get a credit in the film and invite to the screening);
- For $200 you'll get all the previous perks AND an invitation to visit on-set, and if you like, an opportunity to be an extra on screen;
- For $500 you'll get all the previous perks AND the opportunity to be a featured extra (get ready for your close-up! Though our director and editor will have the final say on what makes it into the film, we can share a cut with you that includes your shot.)
The Impact
The Peterborough arts community is breaking into the film world. This project stands to launch the careers of the Ring Rats producers and bring more film work to the Peterborough area.
By supporting Ring Rats you will:
- Tell the story of Larissa and Waldo – an original and heartwarming dark comedy;
- Support local arts workers;
- Help build Peterborough's film industry;
- Tell the world that we need more Canadian independent films in the world.
Risks & Challenges
Making an original feature film is hard. Doing it for the first time is even harder. We're biting off a lot, but it's not more than we can chew. We're a team of experienced arts producer who have pulled of numerous plays, radio projects, short films and other media projects.
There is a risk that we don't reach our fundraising goals and that we won't be able to pay for essential things like equipment and locations. We have several contingency plans in place for this scenario. So long as we can raise $5,000 we'll be able to move ahead.
Other Ways You Can Help
Can't contribute to our fund today? We understand! Here's some other ways you can help us get this project made:
- Share the campaign with a friend! Know any pro wrestling or indie film fans? Let them know about us!
- Join us for an event. Learn more on our website: www.ringrats.ca
- Reach out to us if you think there's an in-kind contribution you can help us out with. Know a location we could use? Want to bake some treats for the crew? Want to volunteer to do hair and make-up? Let us know! ringratsmovie@gmail.com
