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STORMBIRDS feature film

American fighter pilots in WWII hunt for the German Me262!

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STORMBIRDS feature film

STORMBIRDS feature film

STORMBIRDS feature film

STORMBIRDS feature film

STORMBIRDS feature film

American fighter pilots in WWII hunt for the German Me262!

American fighter pilots in WWII hunt for the German Me262!

American fighter pilots in WWII hunt for the German Me262!

American fighter pilots in WWII hunt for the German Me262!

Christopher Forbes
Christopher Forbes
Christopher Forbes
Christopher Forbes
15 Campaigns |
Augusta, United States
$275 USD 8 backers
1% of $20,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 15 Projects Mountain Filled 15 Projects
Overview
This film has been 45 years in the making. As a young hobbyist I was constantly drawing out storyboards to include in a motion picture that told the story of the American pilots that hunted for the German Me262 in World War II. This was 1972-73. The full story was assembled in high school, and the script was put together in college. It was at that time that I modified the story to also include the background of the Me262 and the German pilots that manned them. This is an epic project.

     

     Yes, I was one of those geeks as a kid that had a bunch of completed model airplane kits hanging from my ceiling.  My fascination with aviation, like most children, probably started the first time I was able to look up and see something moving up and through the clouds.  

     After delving deep into the history of aviation, I became particularly interested in technologies that catapulted one era of aviation to the next.  The Me262 was the first operational jet fighter.  It was introduced into the war by the Germans in 1942, but did not become a truly lethal weapon until 1944 when it was unleashed on the swarms of allied bombers that were bombing targets in Axis-controlled Europe nearly every night and day.

     For me, it was easy to imagine the terror these men must have felt as they headed into the chaos of a major air battle.  Yes, they were brave and patriotic, but these were mostly ordinary men under extraordinary circumstances. 

     This film is currently in production and we have already acquired a large amount of aerial photography.  As a filmmaker, it is an honor for me to tell this story, and I hope you will feel the same.

What We Need & What You Get

     "STORMBIRDS" already has a distribution deal and will head out to the U.S. and worldwide markets as soon as it is completed.  The world premiere of this feature film is currently scheduled for Saturday, January 5th, at the fabulous Imperial Theatre in downtown Augusta, Georgia.  It is being filmed in state-of-the-art 4K for an extraordinary visual experience.

     Funding for actual production, meaning studio space, camera-sound-lighting equipment, catering and aircraft, has already been secured.  What we are running this campaign for is the acquisition of wardrobe for a range of officers, pilots and crew on both sides of the fight, and sets.  Sets include full-size construction of cockpits representing the B-17, P-51, P-47, BF-109 and of course the Me262, plus a variety of period locations that will make this film a lasting experience.  We are estimating the funding needed for wardrobe and sets to be a total of $20,000, but contribution levels start as low as $25 (take a look at our wide variety of perks).  Even if we don't reach our goal of $20,000, everything that we do raise from this campaign will go to wardrobe and sets.

The Track Record

     I know it's difficult to work with people you've never heard of, even if they are doing something you find interesting.  At this point you have to go beyond what we are talking about doing in the future and look back to what we have done in the past. 

     The writer / director of STORMBIRDS is Christopher Forbes, listed on imdb.com as Christopher Forbes (I).  Christopher Forbes has directed 25 feature films in the last 14 years.  Most of these are historical films and most have achieved world-wide distribution.  There is no question that STORMBIRDS will be seen all over the world -- we already have the contract.  This represents a huge opportunity for people trying to break into the business, especially if you are an actor.  

Working With Technology

​     The full screenplay for STORMBIRDS was completed ten years ago.  The hurdles in getting the film executed have mostly involved technology.  At first we set up tentative dates for air shows and started inviting owners of full-size aircraft from all over the country to these events, with the understanding that during these events footage would be acquired for the film.  Problem is, there was no functioning Me262 two years ago and the owners of the vintage U.S. aircraft that the script called for wanted either attendance or compensation guarantees that could not be provided.  

    I gave the "real plane" plan a lot of time and energy, but it wasn't working so five years ago I turned to the possibility of getting the aerials we needed using CGI, or computer-generated imagery.  This is the kind of computer animation you see all over the place now, from space movies to superhero movies to animated children's movies.  The fact that this kind of animation is in such demand became a serious issue.  Most of the companies that provide such work for producers are booked for years to come.  Coupled with the fact that many millions of dollars would have been needed for the footage the script called for, the following decision was made a couple of years ago after a number of proposals and bids:

NO CGI!

     So if we're not using CGI, what's next?  Well, my mind started slipping back to my aircraft modeling days way back when and I started wondering about the current state of RC (radio-controlled) miniatures.  Keep in mind we are not talking about the tiny kits I used to build,  but large-scale miniatures that could easily pass, once in the sky, for the real thing.

     I discovered that advances in electric engines and the market pressure to make the new RC airplanes look exactly like the real thing has opened the door to finally getting this film made.  I knew from years ago that there were RC aircraft clubs all over the country, and after doing some searching I found one that wanted to work with me in getting the STORMBIRDS story told.  

     Working with this flying club has given me a renewed respect in regards to what it takes to make these large-scale miniatures look AND FLY like the real deal.  In some ways it can be just as challenging to pilot an RC as it is to pilot a full-size aircraft.

     The last piece of the puzzle is quality drone work.  I have enlisted several very talented drone pilots who are getting shots with the RC aircraft that are truly stunning.  So the way that we are assembling the aerial footage for STORMBIRDS is meticulous story boarding, working with large-scale RC miniatures (by large-scale I mean five to eight-foot wingspans), and ground-based cameras combined with superb drone camerawork.  The extent of computer-generated imagery is green screen work that marries the aircraft with appropriate cloud scapes.   

     There had never been a motion picture quite like STORMBIRDS.  Any participation would be appreciated, and if you can't participate, please spread the word and share the campaign link.

 

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Choose your Perk

STORMBIRDS DVD

STORMBIRDS DVD

$25 USD
STORMBIRDS limited edition DVD is the same as the DVD what will hit the market on release except that this edition will be limited to 500 units and will be numbered and signed by the director. This includes shipping anywhere in the United States.
Included Items
  • STORMBIRDS limited edition DVD
Estimated Shipping
March 2019
7 out of 500 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
STORMBIRDS Premiere Poster

STORMBIRDS Premiere Poster

$35 USD
STORMBIRDS World Premiere poster is an 11x17 print. It is a print limited to 200 and is numbered and autographed by the director and members of the cast. The world premiere of STORMBIRDS is scheduled for Saturday evening January 5th, 2019, at the Imperial Theatre in downtown Augusta, Georgia.
Included Items
  • STORMBIRDS Premiere poster
Estimated Shipping
January 2019
0 out of 200 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
WORLD PREMIERE package

WORLD PREMIERE package

$100 USD
This perk includes the world premiere limited edition poster as described in the "Stormbirds Premiere Poster" perk, and also includes two tickets to the world premiere of the film, scheduled for Saturday evening January 5th, 2019, at the Imperial Theatre in downtown Augusta, Georgia. This perk also includes a "thank you" ending title FILM CREDIT!
Included Items
  • STORMBIRDS Premiere poster
Estimated Shipping
January 2019
1 out of 100 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
SPEAKING ROLE (day player)

SPEAKING ROLE (day player)

$500 USD
The perk at this level is a role in the film with at least one featured line of dialogue. The role will be determined by the director. You would be given a number of dates to choose from in October and November. The film will be shooting in the Augusta, Georgia vicinity. You would be responsible for transportation to and from the shoot.
Included Items
  • On-set single day experience
Estimated Shipping
November 2018
0 out of 15 of claimed
SUPPORTING ROLE ONSCREEN!

SUPPORTING ROLE ONSCREEN!

$2,000 USD
At this level you will have a SUPPORTING ROLE in STORMBIRDS, which means multiple lines of dialogue on screen, and you may be needed for two consecutive days. The role will be determined by the producer and director. You will be responsible for transportation to and from the shoot.
Included Items
  • Supporting role in the film
Estimated Shipping
November 2018
0 out of 5 of claimed
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