Short Summary
Hi. My name is Noam, and I'm one of the writers, the Director, and the Cinematographer for the Jump List. I'm a Grade 12 student, and have been an avid filmmaker for two full years now. I make videos periodically and then post them to my Youtube channel, here. I had the idea for The Jump List last year, and I'm really stoked to have the chance to make it with your help! Keep reading to find out what it's about.
The Jump List is a drama/comedy set in an urban High School. Essentially, the film explores the ethics of retributive justice.
That may sound pretty wordy to you, and you're right. It is. But this isn't the place for it. Here on indiegogo, we keep it real. Basically, The Jump List is a movie about two social outcasts, James and Daeron, who get caught up in getting back at their bullies through the means of a "Jump List," which is exactly what it sounds like. It is a list of people who have wronged our protagonists, all of whom they intend to fight at some point in the movie in order to get revenge. Along the way, they meet a girl, Serena, who drives the boys apart and forces them to question the ethics of what they're doing. Do two wrongs ultimately make a right? Or will the exchange of violence only extend deeper into the boys' lives and the lives of those around them? Fund the project to find out!
This project is being completed for our High School Film Studies class, but really it is going to be so much more. Although a movie is ultimately judged by the story it tells, the same story can obviously be told in a more compelling way when excellent equipment is used. When we get the funding we need, we'll be able to make a professional-looking movie, rather than a simple student film.
What We Need & What You Get
Specifically, we need the $4,000 for excellent equipment to raise the production value of the picture. We're going to rent a Canon 5d Mark II, several "L" series Canon prime lenses, lighting, and top-notch audio equipment. All of these things will greatly enhance the cinematic appeal of the movie, and thus tell the story is a more cohesive and beautiful way. We'll also put some of the money towards location fees and paying for your perks, which are pretty exciting!
While undesirable, it is always a possibility that we won't reach our $4,000. In this case, we will use the money we do have to get certain elements of the gear listed above. The top priority will be lights, as proper lighting of a film can go a long way to increasing its production value. If we still have money left over, it will go towards getting lenses; a camera is only as good as the lens it is behind. If we don't raise enough money for a camera, we'll be able to pull through, as Noam owns an entry-level Canon t4i, which is sufficient. However, the greater dynamic range, colour rendering, and larger sensor afforded by the 5d Mark II will allow for a fuller and richer cinematic experience.
All of the perks are discussed in the video and on the side of this very page!
The Impact
Our film will not only get us a great mark on our Film Studies project: it will also be a valuable learning experience in our careers as filmmakers! If you support this project, you are supporting young artists, which is pretty neat! The lessons we'll learn on the set of The Jump List will be applicable to any future movie projects, as well as life in general. And who knows? It's possible that some day one of us will "hit it big," and you'll be able to rub us in the face of your hipster friend, telling him you "knew them before they were cool."
We're also planning to submit this movie to festivals, both locally, and around the globe. With your help, we'll be able to be accepted into these festivals. Such exposure will be good for our careers, obviously, but if we get many people watching the movie, we'll also be able to promote a discussion around the right way to address bullying in our society. And isn't that something that would be awesome to be a part of?
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't give us money, we totally understand! If we had money, we wouldn't be on here asking for it! Luckily for those of you out there who are unable to donate, there are still ways you can get involved. You can share this page to your legions of friends and followers on your various social networks and in person, for one. You can also just wish us the best. We promise that such wishes will be felt by the production team. They will pick us up when we're down. Provide hope for an actor who's flubbed her line one too many times. Give the editor the will to persevere when he can't bear to watch the same scene once more!
Alright, we got a little bit carried away there. But you get the picture. If you can't give us money, that's cool. If you can, that's awesome too!
Thanks for reading!
