"The Believers" is an upcoming independent film set in the late 1990s in North Carolina. This feature film tells the story of a gifted but troubled classical cellist who suffers a crisis and joins a rock band.

Contributions

Most of the production's budget will be raised in stages to ensure we have a good product during each phase of our work, from development to pre-production to production and then on to post-production and distribution.  We have completed funding for development and those tasks.  Because we were judicious with our funds in the development phase, we had some left over and have finished  pre-production and are now into production.  That well of funds lasted longer than planned. Now, we need funds to complete principal photography and begin post-production.  Since the production value and story are much stronger than we imagined, we are going to finish this project with your help.   This is our next round of funding and you are key to the success.. 

We are asking you to help us complete the production phase of our film. 

We have perk/contribution levels available for everyone. 

Why and how can you make the difference?

North Carolina has had a rich history of successful motion picture productions for over 100 years. Over those decades, the economy, incentives and market conditions have had an ebb and flow effect on the number of productions at any one time.  Fortunately, this long and rich history of North Carolina film production has left a strong and vibrant production community here to help with the burgeoning North Carolina based film and TV projects that are still in production today.

Several of the key team, who are dedicated to the craft of motion picture production, along with a talented cast and crew, are effectively working on this community-based film for little to no money.  The funds that you contribute are going strictly into the production.  That is a way you can continue supporting the film industry in North Carolina.  

Junior Filmmaking Program with Ira David Wood III

In addition to having an amazing cast and crew of North Carolinians, we have created a Junior Filmmaking Program.  This will allow 5 talented young filmmakers to intern and be mentored during production by Tony Award and The Charlie Gaddy Life Time Achievement Award winner Ira David Wood III. This program will benefit young filmmakers by allowing them the opportunity to work on their first motion picture.  

Who we are, from cast to producers and director                     

Ira David Wood III is the Executive Director of Theatre in the Park, as well as an author and award-winning playwright. In 2013, Wood directed the North Carolina outdoor drama The Lost Colony, winning a Tony award for Excellence in Theater.  In 2014, Wood received the North Carolina Award in the Fine Arts.  In 2016 he was honored with a Charlie Gaddy Life Time Achievement for the Arts at the Peak City International Film Festival.  

David Wood mainly works in live theatre, but he has also made appearances in motion pictures and on television. He has also been a guest artist on numerous occasions with the North Carolina Symphony, and he has also appeared with the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center.^[3]

He wrote and directed the Opening Ceremonies for the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1987 – the largest single athletic event in the history of North Carolina.^[3]

In 2013, Wood directed the North Carolina outdoor drama The Lost Colony, winning a Tony award for Excellence in Theater.

                                          ACTOR - JASON DAMICO - Role PUMPKIN

Jason Damico is a multi-award winning musician and actor who has appeared in film, theatre and television.  He most recently won the 2015 Carolina Music Awards Rock Male Artist of the Year. Acting for Jason Damico started in an annual Christmas production as Raleigh Little Theatre. He appeared in the pilot show of "Eastbound and Down," the feature film "Hick," and more recently in "Fan Girl." Over the years Jason has also appeared in numerous commercials and print ads. Jason's film agent is located at Talent One in Raleigh, NC.  

                                         ACTOR - IRA DAVID WOOD IV - Role EZRA

Ira David Wood IV has made numerous appearances on television as well as in feature films with such stars as Edward Norton, Julie Taymor, Keith Caradine, Kelly McGillis, and James Woods. He has also been featured in many theatrical productions including HENRY V, THE LION IN WINTER, PILLOWMAN, and two productions of ROMEO & JULIET, once as Romeo and then as Director while he also tackled the role of Mercutio in a sold out run. He was also proud to play the part of Old Tom in the 2010 Tony award-winning outdoor drama, THE LOST COLONY. Ira first performed the role of Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL while his father was recovering from open heart surgery. (This year, he will perform the role of Scrooge in all matinee performances of the production.) He was recently seen as Lt. Kendrick in A FEW GOOD MEN at the Kennedy Theatre, as Tony in the North Carolina Theatre production of BILLY ELLIOT, and as the title character Theatre in the Park's production of DRACULA.

                                      ACTOR - JOHN DEMERS - Role TOM DARRYL

John is an award winning actor and film, TV & new media producer.  He also is a Media Futurist, with 25 years of industry experience.  He has worked behind and in front of the camera in indie feature films, TV shows, and professional theatre.  John has made a number of national TV commercials for NASCAR, as well as other products and brands.  He enjoys doing live theatre whenever he can.  John has his own professionally built voiceover studio and is represented by FastLane Talent in Charlotte, NC.

John serves as faculty advisor to Living Arts College, The School of Communication Arts, and formerly to Piedmont Community College's Film Video and Production Technology Program.  He served as adjunct faculty at a number of higher learning institutions such as UNC-Greensboro and Savannah College of Art and Design.  He has also participated in a number of graduate productions at the University of North Carolina: School of the Arts.  He is a lifetime member of the Digital Cinema Society, and Media Communications Association International.  John served on MCA's international board as well as serving as President of the Central Carolina Chapter.  He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.  John contributed by helping acquire noted lobbyist Tony Adams to help keep film incentives active in North Carolina.  More recently, John worked diligently with with others to help achieve the recently passed legislation known as the Paces Jobs act.  This will allow the entrepreneurial producer to raise capital, up to $1 million dollars in a less restrictive way than in the past.

Currently, John has four projects in development, two in production, and one in post-production.  He has begun to add corporate media to his client list over the last year.  All of John's projects focus on earning revenue for the company he works at (Whistle Stop Media) and their stakeholders.  

“When you see art as a business, anything is possible.”  John M. Demers quote from 1996

                                               ACTOR - TRACEY COPPEDGE - GWEN

Tracey Coppedge is a full-time actor and voice over artist. She is an active member of “It’s a Mystery” Murder Mystery Theatre based in the Triangle.  She teaches multiple acting classes at the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory.  

                                        DIRECTOR - DAVID QUILLIN

Director, David Quillin was born and raised in North Carolina.  His first film as writer/director ("Schizo") was nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Film at the Eastern North Carolina Film Festival.

                               EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - JULIE ALLEY

Julie Alley is the co-founder and Executive Producer of Green Eyes Productions. She is also an award winning actress and screenwriter of theatre, film and television.  Ms. Alley is a member of The Producers Guild of America, WGA, SAG/Aftra, and Actors Equity Association.

Soundtrack/Original Score :

                                    COMPOSER - NICK DRIVER

Nick Driver is an accomplished musician who has toured with countless bands throughout his career and has shared the stage with artists such as Demi Lovato, Blake Shelton,The Bangels, and Huey Lewis and the News, to name a few.  Driver was awarded a John Lennon Songwriting International Award for his original song, "Spare Me Some Change". 

                                          COMPOSER - KIRK McLEOD

Kirk McLeod is the lead singer and founding member of Seven Nations, a Celtic rock band formed in New York City in the early 1990s. Their music has been featured on ESPN, PBS, CBS and during the torchlight ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.  

Thank you for reading!