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The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird

A private detective reluctantly takes a case to find a girl who is lost in a dream.

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The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird

The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird

The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird

The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird

The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird

A private detective reluctantly takes a case to find a girl who is lost in a dream.

A private detective reluctantly takes a case to find a girl who is lost in a dream.

A private detective reluctantly takes a case to find a girl who is lost in a dream.

A private detective reluctantly takes a case to find a girl who is lost in a dream.

Scott Lewis
Scott Lewis
Scott Lewis
Scott Lewis
3 Campaigns |
Melbourne, Australia
$1,645 USD $1,645 USD 41 backers
26% of $6,314 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 3 Projects Mountain Filled 3 Projects

A big THANK YOU for your interest in this film and to those who were able to contribute to the project.

Head over to the Facebook page and keep updated on the film's progress. 

https://www.facebook.com/songbirdfilm/

 

THE FILM

In the tradition of the 1940's & 50's film noir movies comes The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird.

It's 1954 Melbourne, Burn City. Private Detective Frank Drennan has been down and out now for too long. He has a head full of eel juice and drags his heart around on a fifty-pound chain. Jobs are far and few between and his shadow is a reflection of a once successful detective.

A case arrives at his office and with his reluctance, it will take him into a world of sultry jazz club singers, surreal dreams, metaphysical philosophies, a mysterious comet and a sleeping beauty. All to solve The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird.

THE CAST

PRIVATE DETECTIVE FRANK DRENNAN

Private Detective Frank Drennan will be played by Jack Campbell. Jack played Dr. Steve Taylor in All Saints and Jim Devine in Underbelly Razor.

 

JANET - THE SECRETARY

Janet will be played by Australian actress Gabrielle Sing.


ISOBEL - THE GIRL LOST IN A DREAM
To be announced soon. See the new campaign page for details!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-case-of-...
JOSIE - JAZZ CLUB SINGER
Josie will be played by Chinese actress Yiya Xu

 

MORE ON THE CASE

The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird will be a twenty-five-minute film set in the 1950's Jazz world of Melbourne. The film will be shot in black & white until the final surreal dream sequence in vivid colour! It uses all the stylish visual elements of a 'Film Noir' including interesting camera angles, high contrast lighting, and striking shadows. The characters are also in respect to the 1950's tradition with The Cynical Sleuth, The Sassy Secretary and The Sultry Femme Fatale (who has all the answers). Frank's language is hard-boiled slang as he refers to crooks, shysters, dames, croakers, quacks and 'the stool pigeons down at the clubhouse'.

The style is like a knowing wink to the nostalgia of the 'Film Noir' tradition. And in this way it will give the film a good-cheer or jeu d'esprit (sometimes the French just say it better :) even with Frank's heavy heart.

The difference is where a traditional Film Noir case will generally be about solving a murder or theft, in this case the private eye is attempting to find a girl who is lost in a dream. She hasn't woken from sleep in six months. The doctor's call it Kleine-Levin Syndrome, but Isobel's grandmother is convinced that it is something else and it's when she hears Isobel cry out Frank's name from her slumber that the mysterious case unfolds and her connection to Frank unraveled.

In the attempt to free Isobel from her dream Frank will discover truths that may also liberate himself from his own mental slavery.

To read even more about the film and it's philosophy you can visit this page:

http://american-noir.blogspot.com.au/

 

HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL BE SPENT

The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird will be shot with respect to emulate the older style film look. It will help create a haunting and beautiful mood for the film.  The hire of camera equipment for this is quite expensive and a large proportion of your investment will be spent here. It will certainly be worth the end result.

Another large section of the budget will be used on Art Department and to create props. As you can imagine it will be quite the task to recreate 1954 Melbourne. The dream sequence is also a large Art Department job.

The rest of the budget will be spent on wardrobe costs, location hire, equipment hire, wages for the key cast and crew (except myself) and post production.

 

 

SOUNDTRACK

The soundtrack to the film will be Jazz inspired. From an evocative saxophone drifting down a lonely street to a cool smokey Jazz number performed by the femme fatale actress herself..

SCREENING

The film will have a grande premiere screening event in Melbourne. Then it will be submitted to acclaimed film festivals both nationally and internationally. There will also be opportunities to screen the film on television and internet after the festival circuit.

By investing in this film you will be a part of this production. So thank-you again in advance and look forward to creating something special with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Choose your Perk

Digital download of the film

Currency Conversion $6 USD
$10 AUD
You will receive a download link to the film once it is finished. Thank-you!
2 claimed

Film & Documentary

Currency Conversion $13 USD
$20 AUD
You will receive the previous "private download link" of the film plus a documentary on the "Secrets of Film-making" This documentary will be filmed on location during the shoot and will be a manual on how we create the beautiful FILM NOIR look.
2 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Last minute SPECIAL DEAL!!

Currency Conversion $13 USD
$20 AUD
Last minute SPECIAL DEAL!
3 claimed

Film premiere screening guest

Currency Conversion $25 USD
$40 AUD
You and a guest will be invited to the premiere screening of the film in a grande Melbourne cinema with complimentary food & wine. Plus the download link to watch again at your own leisure.
6 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Wrap party guest

Currency Conversion $38 USD
$60 AUD
After the film premiere screening you and a friend will be invited to an amazing after party that will have a 1950's theme. Some of Melbourne's best Jazz bands will be playing at the event. Plus all the other perks in previous categories.
7 claimed

DVD and film credit

Currency Conversion $63 USD
$100 AUD
You will receive a beautifully packaged DVD of the film with bonus special features. Including behind the scenes footage and directors commentary. Your name will also be in the film credits as a 'Special Thanks'. Plus all the other Perks in previous categories.
8 claimed
Ships worldwide.

VIP Extra

Currency Conversion $158 USD
$250 AUD
You will be invited to join in on the shoot as a background extra. The scene will be with Frank & Vera. Vera is singing in the club and afterwards Franks questions her about the case. Wardrobe will dress you in a 1950's outfit, with hair and make-up where required. Plus all the other perks in previous categories.
1 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Associate Producer credit

Currency Conversion $316 USD
$500 AUD
Be credited as an Associate Producer, your name in lights when the film finishes, it's very fancy! Plus all the other perks in previous categories.
0 claimed

Executive Producer credit

Currency Conversion $631 USD
$1,000 AUD
Be credited as an Executive Producer. Your name or business name will be associated with the marketing of the film. This will include websites and posters and your business logo at the end credits of the film. You can't get much more amazing really. You will also have full access to the set on shooting days. Plus all the other perks in previous categories.
0 claimed
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Video for your business

Currency Conversion $1,579 USD
$2,500 AUD
Do you need a short video for your business? The team at Blue Starling Films will work with you from concept to final edit to create a powerful video to market your business. This will be valid in 2017. You will also receive an Executive Producer credit. Plus all the other perks in previous categories.
0 out of 3 of claimed
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