CURIO:  THE CAMPAIGN

I am reaching out to you (and you) for the funds necessary to make the feature film of my dreams (and nightmares): 'The Curio.'  If you've ever felt like a curio or even related to the plight of a curio, this is your opportunity to step forward and lend a helping hand.  

Thank you!

< all donations to 'The Curio' are tax-deductible!!! >

CONFESSION OF A CURIO

My name is Dicky Dahl, and I'm a Curio.  Ever since I was a young lad I exhibited the traits or stumbled into circumstances that marked me as an object of curiosity:  from my teaseworthy name to a life-endangering bout with a rare bone infection of the pelvis to a floundering awkwardness around the opposite sex to a stint as a famously spastic frontman of an innovatively unpopular party-pop-rock band.  And from early on, I found comfort in relating the comedic details of my latest maladies and mishaps, whether in stories to others or the written word.  Later, though, when I began to think of myself as a filmmaker, I was slow to come around to the idea of mining my personal material for use in my films, regarding my own experiences as not compelling or weighty enough subject matter for the "big screen."  But as I endured a painful divorce, relocated to a new town and struggled to rebuild my life, I increasingly found refuge in the humorous side of my troubles, eventually realizing that I'd been resisting what, for me, is the most natural form of artistic expression:  self parody.  So I made a short film based on my recent experiences called 'The Curio,' which received a great response this year at the Portland International Film Festival.  And now I am turning that short into a feature film, embracing finally the role of confessional storyteller, relenting to present an unflinching take on my ridiculous and intimate foibles and to believe that it might hold some value, not just for its comic relief, but as a portrayal of a struggle for place and identity that we all - curios & non-curios alike - to some extent share.

CURIO: THE MOVIE

The Curio tells the story of a recently separated and still-struggling filmmaker striving to re-define himself amidst the young, hip scene of a new town.  The film weaves scripted material, documentary footage from the director's own married life, and interviews with family and friends into an almost uncomfortably intimate - albeit highly comedic - portrait of one man’s existential identity crisis.   

CURIO: DONATIONS & HOW THEY'LL BE USED

Most of the money generously donated to 'The Curio' will be used for the production phase of the film (ie. "the shooting").  If we reach our goal, then ideally $2,500 could be applied towards post-production (ie. the editing of the film).  Any money raised beyond our goal will gladly be put towards the additional editing time that will certainly be necessary, sound edit & mix, color correction, and promotion.

THE BREAKDOWN

Production:  'The Curio' will be shot in a creative and resourceful manner that befits the homespun, memoiresque character of the film.  By employing a small crew, putting extra emphasis on thorough preparation in advance of the shoot, and avoiding some of the high-cost pitfalls of more 'traditional' filmmaking, we aim to limit the cost of the shoot to $15,000.  <the following are approximate budget figures>

Professional Fees (crew)                                                                          $8,000

Administration / Overhead (incl. gear rental, gas, props, wardrobe)     $5,000

Food                                                                                                          $2,000

Post-Production:   (5 weeks @ $500)                                                       $2,500

CURIO: THE PERKS

The Curio's win-win proposition is a slew of fun & valuable perks in exchange for your generous investment.

<perks are detailed to the right>  

OTHER WAYS TO HELP THE CURIO

In addition to donating to the film, spreading the word about this fundraising effort is a great way to help 'The Curio' reach feature filmdom, from posting about it on Facebook to Twittering to emailing your friends & family bout it.  You have my deepest gratitude. 

CURIO: THE CAST & CREW

Portland, Oregon provides a surprisingly deep pool of talent from which cull crew and cast.  Here are just a few of the fine folks who have been involved with The Curio thus far:

Director Photography:  Marc Greenfield http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0339006/

Consulting Producer:  David Cress http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1140084/

Associate Producer:  Katy Kolego 

Assistant Directors: Uli Beutter (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2616744/), John Breen (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1134516/)

Cast:  Dicky Dahl, Cora Benesh (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2455305/), Emily Galash (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2473266/)

Dicky Dahl is an independent filmmaker and good guy living in Portland, Oregon. He co-wrote and produced ‘The Ballad of Ramblin’ Jack,’ a documentary portrait of cowboy folksinger and raconteur Ramblin’ Jack Elliott that won the Special Jury Prize for Artistic Achievement at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival and received wide theatrical distribution.  He has worked as an editorial assistant and camera operator for Gus Van Sant and now works as a freelance videographer and video editor while developing highly autobiographical films combining elements of both narrative and documentary movie making