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SON OF CORNWALL

How far would you go to follow your passion? A 90 min documentary about opera star John Treleaven.

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SON OF CORNWALL

SON OF CORNWALL

SON OF CORNWALL

SON OF CORNWALL

SON OF CORNWALL

How far would you go to follow your passion? A 90 min documentary about opera star John Treleaven.

How far would you go to follow your passion? A 90 min documentary about opera star John Treleaven.

How far would you go to follow your passion? A 90 min documentary about opera star John Treleaven.

How far would you go to follow your passion? A 90 min documentary about opera star John Treleaven.

Lawrence Richards
Lawrence Richards
Lawrence Richards
Lawrence Richards
1 Campaign |
Wiesbaden, Germany
$19,855 USD $19,855 USD 148 backers
31% of $62,757 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
The 90 min documentary SON OF CORNWALL is about passion & obsession. It's about my father, John Treleaven, who left his village in Cornwall to become an international opera star. I will explore what drives us as artists to take on pain & pressure for a life of recognition. Our goal is to touch as many people as possible with this story and screen the documentary at international festivals & theatres.

Hi and welcome! I’m Lawrence Richards, a filmmaker with a passion for capturing people, their story and documenting life’s precious moments. I’ve been working in the industry for over a decade. My job has taken me around the world where I got to shoot and meet incredible people. I believe in honest, personal films that are made with heart, for the sake of preserving people’s story.

With all the films I shot, there was one project I never got to make: The feature-length documentary SON OF CORNWALL. My father is my hero, he has and still is leading a unique, exciting and successful life. I’ve been wanting to make a documentary about him for years but there was either never the money or the time for it. After much thought I gave myself a little push and decided to take a risk by crowdfunding the film. So here we are! I hope this campaign can help finally realize this documentary and tell my father’s story. I want to make the rounds at international festivals & theatres when the film is completed.

 

Here I am in 2003 filming in Cornwall, where my father grew up:

 

        

My father grew up the son of a fisherman in England in the small village of Porthleven, Cornwall. Swimming and singing in the Atlantic sea, my father’s talent was discovered by extraordinary coincidence. A retired professional piano accompanist and piano teacher heard John’s voice and decided to support the young man with singing and music lessons. He received a scholarship and was later supported by Lord Harewood, cousin to the queen and studied music with renowned musicians such as William Lloyd Webber, father of Andrew Lloyd Weber. It was the beginning of an international career that started with classical opera training in London in the 70s.

His talent would take my father and us, his family, all around the world: from Scotland to the USA, Japan, South Africa and Germany and on and on. He worked with amazing people such as Leonard Bernstein, Placido Domingo and David Hockney. But working as an artist, always under scrutiny from critics and audiences, did not only become a successful and rewarding lifestyle but also one of very high pressure. My father began his lifelong fight with an alcohol addiction. He now has been sober for years, recently retired and can look back on a crazy adventure of a career filled with success and struggle.

 

Here he is as Tristan in Wagner´s "Tristan und Isolde" at Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam.

Here he is as Tannhäuser in Wagner´s "Tannhäuser" at Greek National Opera in Athens.

Here he is backstage at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, discussing his role as Siegfried with friend and colleague Placido Domingo as Siegmund, in Wagners "Götterdämmerung".

Here he is as Siegfried in Barcelona in 2003.

 

 

Now that John is retired and with the support of the crowdfunding campaign, we can finally make time in our hectic schedules to spend time together as father and son. In summer 2018, we’re going on a two-week road trip along the picturesque coast of Cornwall to dive deep into the past, present, us as a family and what it means to lead the life of an artist. Our final destination is a concert, sung by John in his hometown Porthleven.

The documentary will touch upon topics like success, pressure, life goals and how they play a part in a creative way of life. Away from everyday stress I will finally have the time to explore my father's past, regrets, great and dark times and I will also be able to ask him all the questions I never got to ask. What drove him to take on all the challenges of an opera career? How could he bear being away from his family for large periods of time? Was it for fame & glory and if it was, would he now say it has been worth it? How did he develop his alcohol addiction and how was he able to fight it? Those are just some of the questions which, as a kid, I never knew the answers to. But now, as an adult, I hope to gain some insights that also help to guide me as I'm sometimes facing similar struggles working in a creative field myself.

Over the years, driven to make this documentary, I've already filmed my father on stage, backstage and even shot some interviews. But the archive material never worked as a cohesive whole. That's why we are going on a road trip, to work as a guideline throughout the film and to paint a current portrait of my father. Along with archive material of John’s great opera performances, exclusive interviews of companions and an enthralling soundtrack, shooting this film is a tribute to & conversation with John Treleaven – Cornish boy, opera singer, father, star.

 

This is the harbour of Porthleven, where my father was discovered while singing in the sea.

Here he is in the Wrestling Fields of Porthleven, his childhood home in the background.

 

An entrusted film crew will accompany us, document the journey and work with us in postproduction.

  • Lawrence Richards, Director & Production: Lawrence is producer and director. He is very happy and grateful to have an incredible team of people for this project:
  • Rebecca Lapresa, Storytelling & Campaign: Rebecca is co-author for the film’s concept. She’s your go-to person for anything campaign-related.
  • Justin Peach, Camera & Drone: Justin has worked on many documentaries over the years. We’re lucky to have him on our trip as DOP.
  • Ronald Urbanczyk, 2nd Camera: Ronald has been shooting documentaries on people and their stories for years. He’ll accompany John and Lawrence on the roadtrip as 2nd camera.
  • Nico Drago, Animation & Postproduction: Nico is an expert for animation and will help us turn ideas and timelines into stunning visuals.
  • Moritz Gaudlitz, Music: With a passion for classical music, this project is right up Moritz’ alley. He works as a composer.
  • Peer Hoffmann, Sound Design & Mastering: Peer is our expert for mastering and sound design which is a vital part of this film.
  • Sara Rojo, Graphic Design: We have Sara to thank for our amazing graphic design. Isn’t the film poster great? She is designing our images and headers.
  • ... and more to come!

 

To make the film possible, we need your help! We use your contribution mostly to pay our amazing crew for the shoot and postproduction - and to create wonderful perks for you, our supporters. As you saw in the trailer, I shot most of the footage many years ago, way before HD video cameras came out.  I want to revisit many of the locations and shoot high quality 4K footage with a professional team. Having a film team will allow me to interact with my father on screen rather than staying behind the camera, truly making it a father & son-story. I will also use a part of the budget to buy the rights to live TV broadcasts with my father performing on stage.

See the diagram below for a detailed budget:

 

Our perks include a streaming link and DVDs for the film, amazing Meet & Greets and Skype conversations with cast and crew and even a private concert by John! For companies, we've created a perk to get your name and logo in the credits. That way, when we go to international festivals, screen the film in movie theaters and get the links/DVDs to our supporters, your company will gain visibility. Check out the perks in the info bar on the right!

 

The team and I can’t put into words how much your support means to us! Not everyone can give a donation but there are other ways you can contribute to this project. Share the link to this website, tell your friends & family and help us spread the word. If you have any questions, contact us at sonofcornwall@indievisuals.de. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

Here I am backstage with my father (left) and Grandfather on my mother's side (right). I always loved being close to the stage. Opera is a big thing in my family.

 

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

featured

STREAM THE FILM

Currency Conversion $31 USD
€30 EUR
The documentary at your fingertips! You're getting a private streaming link to bring Son of Cornwall to your small screen at home.
Included Items
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
36 claimed
Ships worldwide.

THANK YOU

Currency Conversion $5 USD
€5 EUR
Thank you so much for your support! We are super grateful for your help.
Included Items
  • Heartfelt Thank You
1 claimed

SHOUT OUT

Currency Conversion $10 USD
€10 EUR
You'll receive a huge THANK YOU in a social media shout out.
Included Items
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Heartfelt Thank You
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
6 claimed
Ships worldwide.

TWO IN ONE

Currency Conversion $16 USD
€15 EUR
Two perks in one! We'll thank you on social media AND send you a Son of Cornwall postcard!
Included Items
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Heartfelt Thank You
Estimated Shipping
November 2018
11 claimed
Ships worldwide.

FILM POSTER & STREAM

Currency Conversion $52 USD
€50 EUR
Get a private streaming link to the film and our amazing film poster!
Included Items
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Filmposter
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
5 claimed

GET THE DVD

Currency Conversion $73 USD
€70 EUR
Get the DVD and private streaming link to bring the documentary to your small screen at home!
Included Items
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
11 claimed
Ships worldwide.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Currency Conversion $84 USD
€80 EUR
Lawrence's birthday is today, March 1st! He's turning 37. Tonight John is gonna sing him Happy Birthday. You want that too? Here's a limited edition perk to get your birthday song sung by an opera star! On your birthday, we will send you a private link to watch it.
Included Items
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Birthday Song from Treleaven
8 out of 37 of claimed

GET AN AUTOGRAPH

Currency Conversion $105 USD
€100 EUR
Get your own DVD signed - with your name on it - by John Treleaven!
Included Items
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • DVD (signed)
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
12 claimed

NAME IN THE CREDITS

Currency Conversion $209 USD
€200 EUR
Your name is mentioned in the credits as a supporter of the documentary.
Included Items
  • Credit (Thank You)
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
21 claimed

PRODUCER CREDIT + POSTER

Currency Conversion $418 USD
€400 EUR
Your name will be highlighted especially as producer in the end credits and you will receive our exclusive film poster!
Included Items
  • Credit (Producer)
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Filmposter
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
7 claimed

SKYPE CONVERSATION

Currency Conversion $784 USD
€750 EUR
Talk to opera star John and filmmaker Lawrence in a one-on-one Skype conversation! Ask away about the world of opera and how this film came to be.
Included Items
  • Skype Conversation
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Filmposter
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
1 claimed

CAMERA WORKSHOP

Currency Conversion $1,046 USD
€1,000 EUR
Learn tips and tricks from the pro! Get a camera workshop with Lawrence Richards in Mainz, Germany. (Your travel expenses not included.)
Included Items
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Filmposter
  • Camera Workshop
Estimated Shipping
November 2018
0 claimed

CORPORATE CREDIT AND LOGO

Currency Conversion $1,569 USD
€1,500 EUR
Get your company's name & logo fullscreen in the credits as sponsor & producer! This will be great marketing for your business when we screen at international festivals & theatres!
Included Items
  • Credit (Corporate)
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Filmposter
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
1 claimed

MEET & GREET DINNER

Currency Conversion $2,092 USD
€2,000 EUR
Join John Treleaven and the filmmakers for an exclusive Meet & Greet dinner in a wonderful restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany! (Your travel expenses not included.)
Included Items
  • Meet & Greet Dinner
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Filmposter
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
0 claimed

EVENING WITH JOHN/MINI CONCERT

Currency Conversion $3,138 USD
€3,000 EUR
Spend an evening with opera singer John at his home in Mainz, Germany. Enjoy a lovely dinner and an exclusive mini concert! (Your travel expenses not included.)
Included Items
  • Evening with John Treleaven
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Filmposter
Estimated Shipping
November 2018
0 claimed

PRIVATE SCREENING & CONCERT

Currency Conversion $6,276 USD
€6,000 EUR
Watch the Son of Cornwall documentary with John Treleaven himself and the filmmakers in the comfort of your own home (Germany-exclusive)! After the screening John will sing a concert just for you. (Your travel expenses not included.)
Included Items
  • Private Screening & Concert
  • DVD
  • Vimeo Link
  • Postcard
  • Social Media Shout Out
  • Filmposter
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
0 claimed

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