"BIGGER DISASTER THAN FYRE FESTIVAL"
That's what many fans and former staff are saying. It was "For fans, by fans". Walker Stalker Con and Fan Fest exploded onto the convention scene in 2013. Catering to fans of The Walking Dead, horror and later superheroes with Fan Fest. The convention quickly grew with stops all around the world. Fans spent thousands of dollars as the convention grew to an $11 million per year enterprise. That's when the troubles started. MILLIONS of dollars are owed to hundreds of vendors, talent, contractors and fans. Refunds have been impossible to come by and the conventions keep going. Owner James Frazier has been charged with numerous offenses in Tennessee but are more on the horizon? Will he face criminal charges? More importantly, will those who's lives were turned upside down ever see their money again? We intend to find out. For justice, for the victims.
INTRODUCTION
We are an independent film and music studio producing a documentary about the astronomic rise and meteoric crash of Walker Stalker Con and Fan Fest/Heroes & Villains.
We have already spoken with dozens of celebrities, fans, vendors, staff and others involved in the conventions. The production team has gathered stories, photos, videos and documents from day one of the very first Walk Stalker Convention back in 2013 to the very troubled and ultimately canceled Fan Fest event scheduled for London in 2020 and continues to gather more information as it comes in.
This is a huge undertaking, much larger than initially thought. The lost money and fan labeled "scams" span across several countries, over a dozen cities and thousands of victims across the world. We plan on digging into the story behind the convention and what went wrong starting and ending with founder James Frazier.
Check out our official site for more information and updates!
UNITING A COMMUNITY OF FANDOMS
When approaching this documentary, we quickly found that despite all of the heartache, frustration, anger, lost money and lost time there was one thing that never wavered: the fandom. Be it The Walking Dead fans of Walker Stalker Con or the superhero fans of FanFest, the fandoms stayed strong and never folded. The friendships that were forged are determined to stand the test of time and the emotions of what has been a years-long frustration.
HOW WE INTEND TO USE THE FUNDS
Making films is expensive, and documentaries are no exception. We want to make the best film possible and represent the community in a way that will make everyone proud, and with your support we will. We aren't doing this for the sake of money, there just isn't a lot of that in documentary film-making to be honest. We have funding that will match funds dollar for dollar but we need to show that there is an audience for this project, which we believe there is. This is phase one of our fundraising. This will serve as a "proof of concept" and "proof of interest". Meeting these funding goals will show investors the massive interest in this story which will allow us to secure the further funding that will be needed to finish the project. We will be open about where our funds will be spent but for the sake of examples, some of the more pressing areas are below:
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PRODUCTION
-Team travel (to and from interviews)
-Production Equipment (We have most of needed equipment, we will need to rent a few items)
-Digital storage and backup (we don't want to lose anything!)
-Production team (lighting, sound, etc)
-Location rental
-Investigative
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POST-PRODUCTION
-Composer & Original Soundtrack (Multiple award-winner Ralph Pelleymounter)
-Film Graphics & Potential Animations
-Color Correction & Picture Work
-Audio Mixing
-Music Licensing
-Footage Licensing
-Editing
- POST-POST PRODUCTION
-DVD/BLU-RAY Mastering
-Film Festival Submissions
RISKS & CHALLENGES
We foresee a myriad of legal challenges and hoops to jump through. Although we intend on telling an unbiased story, accusations will be made. Even with proof and evidence of those accusations, we still expect potential legal threats or other litigious actions against us. We intend on squashing those but that also take money to do. We expect the goal set here will get us started but likely won't finish the project. It will give us an opportunity to get enough done on the project to secure further financing.
PERKS
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You are amazing for donating whatever you can! We will include you in a group shout out thanking all the donors on social media. Keep an eye out on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
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This level will see two shiny 1" button in their mailbox. The red button design will be exclusive to this Indiegogo campaign and won't be able to be purchased elsewhere. You will also receive the "Thank You" Perk.
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This is the face I make when I think of anyone actually wanting to speak with me over Skype. But, if someone wants to, I'm more than willing. Ask me about the project or any questions that come up as a result of it. Ask me about the film industry in general. Or talk to me about the Cubs or Bill Murray, I like them too. You will also receive the "Thank You" perk in addition.
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This is a indoor/outdoor full color vinyl sticker that is only available to donors on this Indiegogo campaign. In addition to this, you will receive everything in the "Sentry" perk.
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This is a two choice level. You will have a choice between a "WTF!?" shirt (The "Odin" Perk) or a "Zombie" shirt (The "Rosita" Perk). Make sure to choose one over the other. You will be contacted for a size but we can't guarantee that you will get the size you choose, we will do our best! In addition to this, you will also get the "Arrow" perks.
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This flash drive will act as kind of the traditional "bonus features" seen on a DVD back when those were a thing. The drive will be loaded with bonus and extended interviews from the film, photos and footage from the conventions, a full list of all the contributors and more! We will also send you a digital copy of the film when it's available (this will be after all of the festival runs. If the film is picked up by a distributor, you will receive a digital movie voucher). In addition, you will also receive everything in the "Rosita" Perk.
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In case the digital angle doesn't work for you, we've got you covered with physical copies of the Blu-ray. We will also include a special question sheet from the interview sessions hand signed by the director and possible the interview subject. The Blu-Ray will be pretty barebones so we will also include everything in the "Eugene" perks category which includes all the bonus features on a flash drive and much much more.
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We will send you two Funko Pop keychains. One in the Walking Dead/horror category and one outside of that. You will also get a special invite to the online premiere and Q&A with filmmakers. In addition to this, we will also include everything in the "Warlock" perk.
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This perk features the CD soundtrack hand signed by the composer, Ralph Pelleymounter. It's still early in the game so these covers are just placeholders but it will feature all the glorious music you hear in the documentary as well as a digital copy. In addition to this, we will also include everything in the "Carl" perk.
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Get an awesome hat! This hat is the same one that will be worn by the production crew when filming the documentary. You will also get a "Thank you" shout out in the actual end credits of the film as well as everything in the "Phoenix" perk category.
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This awesome letter opener will look great on your desk and prepare you in the case of a mini zombie outbreak! You will also receive a mini poster for the movie hand signed by the production team (may not be poster shown). In addition to all of this, you will receive everything in the "Maggie" perk.
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This perk will get you one of only 25 framed prints from photographer Joseph Ader. The hand signed and numbered print depicts the skyline of Atlanta made famous in the premiere of The Walking Dead. Also included will be a set of 5 postcards showing famous filming spots around Atlanta including those seen in The Walking Dead, Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Hunger Games and more! In addition to this, you will receive everything in the "Michonne" perk.
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One of the coolest perks we are offering. International award winning singer/songwriter Ralph Pelleymounter (formerly of To Kill a King) will perform a song for you LIVE over Skype! Invite as many friends as you want to crowd around your phone, iPad or computer and have a mini concert in celebration of you! Also includes an invite for you and a friend to the world premiere at the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta. Also includes a "Producers Wish to Thank" in the end credits (in place of the "Thank you" in previous perks) and everything in the "Phoenix" perk category.
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You will receive "The Walking Dead 15th Anniversary" comic compendium featuring over 3,300 pages! Also includes an invite for you and a friend to the world premiere at the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta. Also includes a "Producers Wish to Thank" in the end credits (in place of the "Thank you" in previous perks) and everything in the "Michonne" perk category.
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You will receive a one-night hotel stay at the beautiful Highland Inn in Atlanta, just steps away from the Plaza Theatre. In addition, you will get 2 Atlanta Movie Tour tickets to a tour of your choice. You will also receive an Associate Producer credit (in place of any Thank you's in previous perks). In addition to this, you will also receive everything in the "Carol" Perk.
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You will receive a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Highland Inn in Atlanta, just steps away from the Plaza Theatre where you will have two VIP seating tickets to the premiere. In addition, you will get 2Atlanta Movie Tour tickets to a tour of your choice. You will also receive an Associate Producer credit (in place of any Thank you's in previous perks). In addition to this, you will also receive everything in the "Carol" Perk.
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You will receive a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Highland Inn in Atlanta, just steps away from the Plaza Theatre where you will have four VIP seating tickets to the premiere. In addition, you will get 4 Atlanta Movie Tour tickets to a tour of your choice. You will also receive an Producer credit (in place of any Thank you's in previous perks). In addition to this, you will also receive everything in the "Carol" Perk.
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You will receive one roundtrip plane ticket to Atlanta from anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States along with a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Highland Inn in Atlanta, just steps away from the Plaza Theatre where you will have four VIP seating tickets to the premiere. In addition, you will get 4 Atlanta Movie Tour tickets to a tour of your choice. You will also receive an Producer credit (in place of any Thank you's in previous perks). Flights are only available for the 48 contiguous United States locations. Hawaii, Alaska and other locations outside the contiguous United States will receive a $400 travel voucher. Ground transportation is NOT included. Atlanta airport to the hotel is approximately 13 miles and Uber & Lyft are available (not included). The hotel is 0.1 miles from the premiere locations. In addition to this, you will also receive everything in the "Carol" Perk.
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You will receive two roundtrip plane tickets to Atlanta from anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States along with a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Highland Inn in Atlanta, just steps away from the Plaza Theatre where you will have four VIP seating tickets to the premiere. In addition, you will get 4 Atlanta Movie Tour tickets to a tour of your choice. You will also receive an Executive Producer credit (in place of any Thank you's in previous perks). Flights are only available for the 48 contiguous United States locations. Hawaii, Alaska and other locations outside the contiguous United States will receive a $800 travel voucher. Ground transportation is NOT included. Atlanta airport to the hotel is approximately 13 miles and Uber & Lyft are available (not included). The hotel is 0.1 miles from the premiere locations. In addition to this, you will also receive everything in the "Carol" Perk.
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You will "Present" the movie to the world! Your name (or company name) will have your logo presented at the beginning of the film and "Your Name Presents" before the title. You will receive one roundtrip plane ticket to Atlanta from anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States along with a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Highland Inn in Atlanta, just steps away from the Plaza Theatre where you will have four VIP seating tickets to the premiere. In addition, you will get 4 Atlanta Movie Tour tickets to a tour of your choice. You will also receive an Producer credit (in place of any Thank you's in previous perks). Flights are only available for the 48 contiguous United States locations. Hawaii, Alaska and other locations outside the contiguous United States will receive a $800 travel voucher. Ground transportation is NOT included. Atlanta airport to the hotel is approximately 13 miles and Uber & Lyft are available (not included). The hotel is 0.1 miles from the premiere locations. In addition to this, you will also receive everything in the "Carol" Perk.
"Your Name Presents" is pending approval by the producers (ie, nothing vulgar or offensive will be allowed). Producers reserve the right to decline any funding and return it to the donor. No perks include any owning share or profit sharing in the film of any kind.
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We will be adding in bonus perks to certain categories if we reach specific monetary goals.
IF WE REACH $5,000 in total contributions
-We will be adding in a two-sided "challenge coin" to the "Warlock" level and above.
IF WE REACH $10,000 in total contributions
-We will be adding in a 2018 Topps Walking Dead Hobby Box to the "Spectre" level and above. Each of these boxes contain one autographed trading card slabbed in plastic and numbered 99 or less. You will get a surprise autograph from one of 50 Walking Dead actors.
IF WE REACH $15,000 in total contributions
-We will throw a VIP Party after the premiere in Atlanta and invite the "Spectre" levels and above. You will receive one VIP Party invite for each premiere invite included in your level. If your level does not include a premiere invite, you will receive one VIP Party invite. Upon entry, each VIP guest will receive an enamel "The Dead Con: All I Got" pin (These will not be sent out, only available at the VIP Party). Travel and lodging not included for the party.
Photos by Joseph Ader and Michael David Charles Hicks
Some footage used in this trailer and in the documentary are used under the Documentary Filmmakers' Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use as advised by the Center for Media & Social Impact. More information here.