The Hologram is a dystopian Sci-fi independent short film set in a future where the global economy collapsed due to an Artificial Super Intelligence. This crisis resulted in a ban on ASI. Tech conglomerate Spectrum adapted by replacing AI technology with real people to become Holograms. Aka, your own personal Andy Serkis.

Max, our protagonist, is a disgruntled Motion capture performer wanting to better their standing in Spectrum and live a better life. Before that can happen, Max needs to be there for a range of dynamic and difficult clients whilst grasping on to a sense of true self. 

The film is a commentary on our symbiotic relationship with technology and how many of us still feel lonely despite the world being more connected than ever before. How does what we're exposed to online and how we choose to show our lives affect our personal psyche?

We are creators, young pioneers and aspiring professionals ready to make our mark on the world one story at a time. This story is one we're all passionate about sharing and collaborating with you all. Be part of our journey, help us grow and refine our vision to create a truly engaging piece of film. 

Your support means the world to us, by backing the project you're enabling us to see out our creative vision and make a professional final product. All production members are working voluntarily and giving their own time to develop the film, but time is still money and travel expenses, locations, VFX, props and costumes all need funding to make the piece the best it can be.  

We have been able to apply for £900 funding from our university, but are required to match that amount from other sources in order to actually receive the money from them. By supporting us on here, you're allowing us to unlock that amount by essentially doubling our independent film's budget.  This will greatly increase the quality and reach of our film upon release.  

Due to Covid-19, our final year at university and getting this project off the ground have both been stunted. With a pledge, you're giving us a ticket into the professional film industry after these dark times for film production.  Supporting us as young filmmakers will secure the future of the industry with a diverse range of creatives pursuing positive change in the stories we share and how we choose to make them. 

The story has come from the heart of our director and aims to raise awareness for current issues in society and have all viewers be left entertained and enlightened. By telling unique stories within the whole picture and utilising the metaphor of Science Fiction to mirror our real world the film sets out to connect deeply with the audience. 

CHARLIE AND LOLA'S STORY

In this plotline, Max play's Abigail, a carer for Ralph in the form of his young daughter. This story deals with Dignity, Family, Loss and Dementia. The dynamic of the two is perfect for exploring these themes a presenting a unique way of dealing with these issues whilst deeply feeling for the characters.

MAX AND SIMON'S STORY

In this plotline, Max play's Abigail, a carer for Ralph in the form of his young daughter. This story deals with Dignity, Family, Loss and Dementia. The dynamic of the two is perfect for exploring these themes a presenting a unique way of dealing with these issues whilst deeply feeling for the characters.

MAX AND SIMON'S STORY

In this plotline, we follow the mental toll Spectrum employees are exposed to with a penultimate showdown in a setting fitting for the themes presented in the story which are connection, equality and wealth. The reflection of Max in Simon is a poignant representation of the inner struggle for Max across the whole narrative.

We don't want to leave you empty-handed, so depending on the amount you pledge you'll get increasingly cool rewards.  What are these you ask...? These are your Happy Level's, Spectrum's way of measuring how valuable an employee is to us. Check em out here!

Pledge Perks

1. Happy Level 15: An A5 Film Postcard signed with a thank you message.
2. Happy Level 25: A signed A3 Film poster.
3. Happy Level 50: Ticket to the Early Virtual Screening of the film, your name in the credits and a custom Spectrum Business Card.
4. Happy Level 75:  Ticket to the Early Virtual Screening of the film, your name in the credits and a digital copy of the final film including Behind the scenes.
5. Happy Level 100: Your name in the film's credits, a signed A2 poster of the film and a DVD copy of the film including Behind the Scenes.
6. Happy Level 150: Tickets to the film's premiere in Bristol or London, your name in the credits, a DVD copy of the film including Behind the scenes, an A2 signed poster of the film and a custom Spectrum business card.

As mentioned, your money will go towards all aspects of production, but here's some more specifics to put your mind at ease. ..

• Locations: The film features 4 key and distinct locations, including one which will have to be a purpose-built set (which we're very excited about). The costs of using, insuring, travelling to, building and dressing these, sets all costs. So a large portion of the money will be going towards making this possible.
• Costumes: With a diverse roster of characters, each with their own unique look and none more so than our protagonist Max. We want to create a custom and sleek looking motion capture suit for Max to wear throughout the film. The mesh of Holograms and Motion Capture is at the core of the film's narrative, so we want this costume to be a seamless centrepiece. The design, development and maintenance of the costumes will all be funded by your support. 
• Food: Often overlooked, but still an important part of our budget, is having the money to feed our cast and crew. A hungry set is a grumpy set and we need everyone at the top of their game, to give you all the film you deserve. So a portion of a budget will go towards on set catering, so we can keep those talented bellies full.
• VFX: We want to push our VFX and mesh reality and CGI seamlessly to immerse you all in the story. We are planning on using multiple plug-ins and elements to make this happen which all cost. We're also treading new ground by integrating AI machine learning to aid a VFX pipeline. Check out this pioneering software here: https://runwayml.com/
• Distribution: Once the film is done, the work doesn't stop. Getting our film to you and other costs. We are planning on employing a Sales Agent with our funds to get our films to festivals and on screens around the world. As well as hosting our own premiere in Bristol and London and releasing the original soundtrack on music streaming platforms.

If we're not able to reach our goal, the funds we make will be distributed across these different production aspects and as we won't be able to acquire the other half of the budget from our university, we will create a revised budget. We will make the project as intended and will just have to come up with creative solutions and cutbacks to complete.  Luckily problem-solving is in our training, so we'd be able to figure it out with cash from our own pockets. Ideally, we want the full budget to make our vision to the highest standard.

The biggest risk the production faces is COVID-19, however in light of the pandemic we've pushed back principal photography to August so we can have more freedom with restrictions. We will be shooting a proof of concept in April to get you all excited and give a glimpse of what's to come. We've all been trained in covid safety regulations on set by our university. With your help and support we'll be able to overcome any risks that come our way. 

If you're unable to pledge, you can support us by sharing our project on social media or telling your friends and family. Getting the word out about the film is just as helpful as a pledge. Indiegogo has easy to use share tools, so please feel free to use them. 

We can't wait for you to join us on our adventure into the world of THE HOLOGRAM...