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Shooting a movie is like taking a road trip with friends, so
we thought a road movie was a good idea. We are Anita and Martin, and we have
been making movies since university. Movies that are true – or at least,
true-ish. Movies that entertain. Movies for people who like watching movies -
like you! This is one of those movies:
"The Talent Scout" is a modern-day road movie with
the feel and dialogue of classic Hollywood cinema. It follows the exploits of a
self-professed talent scout, who makes a living offering starry-eyed women of
small-town America a shot at stardom.
This campaign will form the backbone of the
production, making shooting and post-production possible. We feel strongly that
the only way to make this movie is to take matters into our own hands and
create our own opportunities. And we plan to do so with the help of the
community and individuals who understand and support this creative drive.
Once the film is finished it will be submitted to film festivals around the world, like the Toronto International Film Festival, where thousands of film lovers will get a chance to see it. After a run on the festival circuit, we'll secure distribution through traditional and new media, ensuring a wider audience will see it! When all is said and done, countless people will have watched and enjoyed a film you've helped to make.
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Cast and crew have donated their time and skill sets to make
the production possible, but there are additional costs associated with film
production that cannot be avoided. Funds raised through this campaign will be
put towards covering these indispensable production costs:
- Insurance
- Transportation
- Camera equipment rental
- Craft services
- Location rentals
- Post-Production
While we looked to shoot for free at all of our locations,
the film's story requires shooting at motels and a diner and we were only able
to find locations that at best require a nominal fee. Some of the funds raised
would cover the costs of interrupting regular business in order for production
to take place, but these are some great-looking locations that will help us
sell the story!
In exchange for helping with these production costs, we are
offering donors unique perks for their contributions. These campaign-only
rewards include an exclusive cut of the film, handcrafted paper-goods from
Ink+Smog editions in Los Angeles, a pin certifying you as a bona fide talent
scout, a limited edition poster of the film by storyboard artist and local
illustrator Anna Kwan, and much more.
"But what if you don't reach your
goal?" you ask. Good question. In the event we do not reach our goal, we
will do whatever we can to make up the difference by going out of pocket in
order to ensure our backers' get to see the film they helped support. And yes,
we really want to make this film.
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We enjoy telling original, entertaining stories that
celebrate the medium of cinema. These are stories with vibrant, relatable
characters that an audience can cheer and jeer. We look to champion the
idiosyncrasies of everyday life, drawing forth the humour and drama. With
"The Talent Scout" we are interested in the role movies play in
modern society - the allure of movie-stardom - and the nature of the medium.
Motion pictures are literally an illusion and what better way to demonstrate
this than by having a character who peddles an illusion: the dream of cinema.
In other words, the illusions we create for others and for ourselves.
Even with all the stress and risks involved in the
production of a motion picture, we put both feet forward and jump in because we
love it. Prior to this, we had produced ads, music videos, documentaries, short
dramatic and comedy films - a pretty well-rounded background in film. Anita
works in advertising and Martin is the supervising video editor for The Seventh
Art, a monthly video magazine about cinema. Deadlines are part and parcel of
what we do and we do it well.
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With this film we had a unique challenge: the story is set
in a small American town, but transporting cast and crew to an isolated
location can be costly and time-consuming. So to keep costs down, we have
chosen to keep the production local. Through creative producing, a little elbow
grease and movie magic, we have managed to find and transform locations in
Toronto to fit the requirements of the script.
We
know that not everyone reading this will be able to donate to our
campaign - we aren't the only dog and pony show out there - but you
can make a great contribution through word of mouth. Here is how you
can help spread the word. You can…
- Share
this page with others
- Follow
us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
- Tell
your friends and neighbours
- Talk
us up at family dinners
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Shannon Lahaie as "Samantha"
Shannon Lahaie is an actor, writer and sketch comedian living in Toronto. A graduate from The Second City Conservatory, she recently performed the original comedy show Those Shoes That Light Up with her sketch troupe 'Dame Judy Dench' at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Shannon's other Film/TV credits include Capiche (Between Toucans Media), Paranormal Witness (Syfy), Handsome Devils (Discovery ID) and the mini-series Revelation (History).
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Vincent Marciano as "Oliver"
Vincent made his film lead debut in “Spidermum”, at the 48-Film-Project in Toronto; winner of the Best Drama award. Vincent has been active in both feature and short films and TV series – including Paranormal Witness, American Drone, Aperture and The Love Scene. Besides motorsports, Vincent takes great joy in playing piano, drums, guitar and now learning how to play the saxophone.
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Terri Cumming as "Jenny"
Terri’s career has come full
circle as she has returned to her love of film. Over the past 20 years, Terri
has established herself as a Designer and Artist and she is
passionate about creating again. She has most recently been cast in a
number of web series and is excited to be a part of The Talent Scout!
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Noah Taylor as "Bill"
A graduate of Concordia University, Noah is an actor, writer, and director. Noah has a supporting role in the upcoming feature Diamond Tongues and contributes regularly to Indiewire and dorkshelf.com. Not to be confused with the Australian actor of the same name, search the more distinguished sounding “Noah R. Taylor” for the full Noah experience.
Anita Abbasi - Director, Producer
Anita Abbasi is a Montreal-born, Toronto-living filmmaker. She graduated in 2008 with a BA in Creative Writing and Art History, but took a hands-on approach to filmmaking on the side. A lover of cinema since childhood, Anita has a cerebral relationship with film, complicated by her unconditional love of Sylvester Stallone movies. She has studied directing under Deepa Mehta and worked alongside Bruce MacDonald; she has directed videos for musical artists Amanda Mabro, Zara Ahmed and DJ Downie, and her work has shown at the Reel Dames Film Festival (No, Rush 2009), COMMFFEST (Raising Our Voice 2011) and the Mexico International Film Festival (Charity Ball 2010). She currently works freelance in film and her feature, Pause, is in development.
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Martin Baena - Director, Producer
A Toronto-based director and film editor, working in documentary and fiction film. Martin is supervising editor for the Seventh Art video magazine. He is a graduate of Concordia University's film production program and teller of tall tales. Martin's previous films include the post-apocalyptic Soledad (2009) and travelogue documentary Spool (2014, in post-production).
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Lester Millado - Director of Photography
Lester is a Toronto-based cinematographer with a passion for lighting, colour and composition. An alumnus of the Film Production program at York University (BFA Class of ’13) with over half a decade in film industry experience both locally and internationally, Lester is a knowledgeable director of photography with a cinematic understanding of the relationship between a narrative and its imagery.
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Danny Stoker - Production Manager
Danny is a Toronto-based filmmaker with experience in commercial and feature film. Danny brings a cool head and a steady hand to the project, ensuring our I's and T's are dotted and crossed, respectively.
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Steve Ejbick - Sound Recordist
Steve Ejbick is a freelance Audio Engineer specializing in Post Production Audio for film and TV as well as Location Sound Recording and Mixing. Ejbick has ample field and studio experience, mixing and recording television and feature films. He is also a damn good cook.
Riccardo Coluccio (a.k.a Cozmos Quazar) - Composer
Riccardo Coluccio is a Montreal-bred, Toronto-based musician, film lover and audiophile.
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Anna Kwan - Storyboard, Poster Artist
Anna is a Toronto-based visual artist and illustrator whose work features a pop art flavour that blends the macabre and banal with delicate, irreverent humour. Anna is currently enrolled at OCAD university.