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THE CAMPAIGN HAS ENDED, BUT IF YOU'D STILL LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION, YOU CAN DO SO HERE!
IF YOU'VE ALREADY DONATED, JOIN OUR CONTEST TO WIN PRIZES! SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR FOR INFO.
Tickling Giants
is a feature-length, exclusive, independent documentary about Bassem Youssef,
the so-called "Egyptian Jon Stewart". Tickling Giants is
about one man standing up to an entire regime with no weapon but his biting
wit. Facing great opposition, Bassem and his staff risk their safety to tell
jokes. I was drawn to this story because this is a group of people who do the same
sorts of things I do as a Senior Producer at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, but with much higher stakes. As we’ve
seen in recent events, it is horrifying to see how dangerous it can be to tell
a joke.
At the start of the Arab Spring and
in need of a laugh, Dr. Bassem Youssef leaves his job as a heart surgeon to host a comedy
show. You know, as one does.
Bassem’s show, an unprecedented Egyptian satire, had 30 million viewers
per episode.The Daily Show with Jon Stewart averages 2 million viewers per
episode.
While many in Egypt are expressing
themselves with their fists, Tickling
Giants, is about people who make even louder statements through satire. This
film explores how free speech and non-violent protest can make an impact. And
it raises the question of whether a power structure that is threatened by a
comedy show is really all that powerful.
Bassem models his show after The Daily Show and studies every move of his idol, Jon Stewart. Tickling Giants shows how Bassem gets a chance to meet Jon, is invited on The Daily Show, and makes it his goal to get Jon on his show.
Bassem shows that comedy can be both cathartic
and dangerous, and Tickling Giants
follows his attempt to remain on the air, keep his staff safe, not get arrested,
and let those in power know they're being held accountable. Oh, and he has do
it all while being funny.
The cast includes a writer who is a revolutionary,
a woman who protests vocally despite concerns from her family, an impoverished
poet inspired by the show's message of free speech, an Executive Producer who
leaves the country after his father and brother are arrested, and a few people
who really, really, really don’t like Bassem.
So nice of you to ask! You’ve always
been our favorite. The making of this film will be a team effort... There's no
"I" in Indiegogo.
Please, spread the word to anyone who may support the message of this film! Remind your friends that carrying all that
money around is bad for their backs.
**ALL DONATIONS IN U.S. ARE TAX–DEDUCTIBLE**
SUPPORT this project! Give 'til it hurts! Every donation
helps.
We want to bring Tickling Giants to film festivals,
theaters, TV, and the webby web. But first, we need to raise money to pay for
everything. Our budget is $400,000 and
we hope to raise $150,000 of it through this Indiegogo campaign, to go towards
transcription, translation, subtitling, and editing.
Any funds raised beyond the initial $150,000
will go towards graphics, animation, (segments of the film based on the cartoons
of JF Andeel, a writer on Bassem’s show), color correction, sound sweetening,
music, legal and insurance costs, and archival footage.
IN-KIND
DONATIONS are welcome and we can even
make them tax deductible for you. Let us know if you'd like to
offer any creative service, legal advice, accounting work, website design/
maintenance, translation services, payroll work, access to news footage, music,
airline miles/ hotel points to use for film festivals, or something else
awesomely donateable. Email Info [at] TicklingGiants [dot] com with the
subject line: "In Kind", if you'd like to discuss these possibilities
If you'd like to support the film, but you keep thinking, "$10,000? THAT'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH!", don't worry, we feel your
pain. Through our fiscal sponsor, we can also offer TAX DEDUCTIONS for large
donations. Just enter an “Additional
Gift” when you make your donation.
Here are a few examples...
For ALL of the reward options, look on the right side of the page and scroll down.
Please LIKE us
on Facebook,follow us on Twitter,
and Pony Ride the shizz out of this! Oh, and we'll back
your Indiegogo if you start "Pony Ride".
Oh start!!!!!
A Senior Producer at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Taksler
has pitched stories and jokes, and researched footage for a decade.
Taksler directed and produced the
feature documentary, TWISTED: A Balloonamentary, a hilarious and
heartwarming look at the world’s premier balloon-twisting convention. After
debuting at South by Southwest, Hollywood Reporter called the film “A
thoroughly winning feature” and Variety hailed it as “A feel good, irony-free
celebration”.
Sara can talk backwards and has a
remarkable fake sneeze. If you want her to prove it, you’re going to have to
put up some serious money for this film. It’s worth it.
Bahari was incarcerated by the
Iranian government for 118 days and has written a New York Times best-selling
memoir, Then They Came For Me, which is now a feature film, Rosewater, directed
by Jon Stewart.
Bahari has produced a number of documentaries
and news reports for broadcasters around the world including, BBC,
Channel4, HBO, Discovery, Canal+ and NHK.
Egypt is a
wonderful place filled with hospitality and humor. But, it has challenges
right now.
Until we recently finished filming we were not discussing the film at all on
social media, because of safety concerns for the crew.
Many in Egypt are now very
suspicious of cameras. When we filmed outside shots, we usually had to do so
from moving cars.
One of our camera people was filming
a viewing party for the show, and someone unhappy with the program beat him up
and took his memory card.
Because the government of Egypt had
begun checking hard drives, to get our last drive out of Egypt, we had someone
unrelated to the film fly our footage out of the country so it could be
downloaded.
During interviews, people in Bassem’s
office sometimes uncomfortably mentioned that they were sure the government was
listening in, as the office was surely bugged.
It’s important to note, the people we met in
Egypt are wonderful. There is tension and great stress. But, people are people
and Tickling Giants highlights how
much we all have in common. The vibe in Bassem’s office is VERY similar to that
of The Daily Show, though the offices
have an inverse number of Ahmed's and Adam's.
As with any film, the priority has
to be the storytelling and we plan to make a funny, insightful, and honest
film. Some challenges include:
We are walking a difficult balance
of telling the best story while being aware of current challenges in Egypt. We are very aware of and take very seriously the trust our cast has placed in us. We
won't knowingly include anything that we think will cause danger to our subjects.
Safety concerns could make this process
take longer than a documentary about comedy might ordinarily need.
It is possible that this film may
not be allowed to screen in Egypt once it is released, but we will try our best
to reach the people who are most directly affected by this story.
We will do our best to keep to the
estimated schedule of delivery for donations. If, for any reason, there are
delays, we will keep you up to date.
The contest runs until 11:59 PM Pacific time on April 3rd.
THERE WILL BE TWO GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:
HOW IT WORKS:
Simply log in to your Indiegogo account or create a free account by signing up here.Then, visit the Tickling Giants campaign page and press “Link”(next to the main video) to copy your unique link to the page. You can share your link with your friends through email, and begin sharing on social media by simply clicking the Facebook or Twitter buttons next to the trailer video. Every time someone donates using your link, you’ll get credit in the contest.
Looking for more information?Check the project
FAQ
Good Karma is really a reward in itself, isn't it? JUST KIDDING. Your NAME WILL APPEAR ON TICKLINGGIANTS.COM on the “Supporters” page (You can remain anonymous, if you wish). And, WE WILL RE-TWEET YOU if you mention your support of @Tickling_Giants
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33 claimed
Digital Download!
$20 USD
You will receive A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE DOCUMENTARY. Delivery date depending on distribution schedule. Plus a Mention on our Supporter's Page!
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March 2016
380 claimed
Advanced Download & TWISTED!
$35 USD
An ADVANCED DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE DOCUMENTARY. Early delivery date depending on distribution schedule. AND you’ll get a SNEAK-PEAK OF A FINISHED SCENE FROM THE FILM and a link to the FINAL TRAILER BEFORE ITS OFFICIAL RELEASE. AND get a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF TWISTED: A BALLOONAMENTARY, Director Sara Taksler's first feature documentary, which premiered at South By Southwest in 2007. Plus a Mention on our Supporter's Page!
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March 2016
112 claimed
Poster, Postcards and Call!
$50 USD
A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE FILM'S 18”x24’ POSTER, based on a drawing by Al Bernameg writer and political cartoonist, Andeel. AND, you will be sent 3 POSTCARDS WITH DRAWINGS BY ANDEEL, whose stills will be animated in the film. AND, access to a 1-HOUR, password protected CONFERENCE CALL WITH ANDEEL, to talk about his experience on Al Bernameg. Plus Early Access Digital Download, Trailer Access, and Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $7 for international orders**
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June 2015
62 claimed
Ask Bassem Questions!
$75 USD
THREE EXCLUSIVE, password-protected, members-only 1-HOUR CONFERENCE CALLS WITH BASSEM AND DIRECTOR, Sara Taksler. You can send us questions to answer in the conversation. AND a digital download of artist/ Daily Show colleague Sean Gallagher's beautiful PHOTO OF A PEACOCK FEATHER. Plus Dig. Download of the Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conference Call, Early Access Dig Download, Trailer Access, and Mention on Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $7 for international orders**
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June 2015
6 claimed
Signed Poster!
$100 USD
A special 18”x24” print of the film's POSTER SIGNED BY DIRECTOR, Sara Taksler. Plus Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of the Film's Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hour Andeel Conference Call, Early Access Digital Download, Trailer Access, and Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $18 for international orders**
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July 2015
41 claimed
Your Name In Film Credits!
$150 USD
YOUR NAME IN THE "THANK YOU" SECTION OF THE CREDITS, IN THE FINAL CUT OF THE FILM! Plus Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of the Film's Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hour Andeel Conference Call, Early Access Digital Download, Trailer Access, and Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $18 for international orders**
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March 2016
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Ticket to Screening!
$200 USD
1 TICKET TO A SPECIAL SCREENING AND Q &A WITH DIRECTOR, Sara Taksler in NYC. (Transportation/ lodging/ travel costs/ pony rides NOT included). Plus Name in Credits, Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Film's Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hour Andeel Conference Call, Early Access Digital Download, Trailer Access, and Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $18 for international orders**
Estimated Shipping
March 2016
31 out of 250 of claimed
Bassem Autographs Poster!
$250 USD
A special 18”x24” print of the film's POSTER SIGNED BY BASSEM YOUSSEF and DIRECTOR, Sara Taksler. Plus Name in Credits, Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Film's Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hour Andeel Conference Call, Early Access Digital Download, Trailer Access, and Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $18 for international orders**
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
13 out of 100 of claimed
Bassem Records Your Voicemail!
$350 USD
BASSEM WILL RECORD YOUR VOICEMAIL MESSAGE! You'll give us your name, so Bassem can personalize it, and we’ll send you an mp3. Plus Name in Credits, Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Film's Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hour Andeel Conference Call, Early Access Digital Download, Trailer Access, and Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $18 for international orders**
Estimated Shipping
July 2015
6 out of 100 of claimed
Screening & Special Reception!
$500 USD
2 TICKETS TO A NYC SCREENING, Q & A WITH THE DIRECTOR, & special RECEPTION (Transportation/ lodging/ travel costs/ fresh fruit smoothies NOT included). Plus Name in Credits, Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conference Call, Early Access Dig. Download, Trailer Access, & Mention on Supporter's Page! **INCLUDE additional gift of $18 for international orders
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March 2016
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Skype with Director, Sara!
$750 USD
A 30-minute PERSONAL SKYPE / GOOGLE CHAT WITH DIRECTOR, Sara Taksler, to ask about the film-making process, get advice on making your own documentary, or discuss comedy. Plus Name in Credits, Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conference Call, Early Access Dig. Download, Trailer Access, & Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $18 for international orders*
Estimated Shipping
July 2015
2 out of 15 of claimed
Skype with Producer, Maziar!
$750 USD
Ask Q's/ get advice on your own film in a 30-minute PERSONAL SKYPE/ GOOGLE CHAT WITH PRODUCER, MAZIAR BAHARI. MAZIAR IS THE SUBJECT OF "ROSEWATER", a film directed by Jon Stewart. Plus Name in Credits, Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conf. Call, Early Access Dig. Download, Trailer, & Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $18 for international orders**
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July 2015
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10 Tkts Screening/ Reception!
$1,000 USD
10 TICKETS TO SCREENING, Q&A WITH DIRECTOR, AND RECEPTION in NYC! Invite friends to see an early screening of the film! (Transportation/ lodging/ travel costs/ hummus NOT included). Plus Name in Credits, Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conf. Call, Early Access Dig. Download, Trailer, & Mention on our Supporter's Page! **INCLUDE additional gift of $18 for international orders**
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March 2016
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Day in the Edit!
$1,500 USD
SPEND A DAY IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE EDITING ROOM as we make decisions about the film and HAVE LUNCH WITH THE DIRECTOR. Transportation/ lodging/ travel costs/ pet monkeys NOT included. Plus Name in Credits, Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conf. Call, Early Access Dig. Download, Trailer, & Mention on our Supporter's Page!
**PLEASE Include additional gift of $18 for international order
Estimated Shipping
July 2015
1 out of 10 of claimed
Business Sponsor Credit!
$2,500 USD
A special "BUSINESS SPONSOR" CREDIT on the film's website. We will list your business name, logo and contact info, and keep it posted through 2016, when the film will be released. THE DIRECTOR WILL ALSO DO A Q&A, VIA SKYPE, FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION TO COINCIDE WITH THE FILM'S RELEASE. We reserve the right to object to any logos/ businesses we think are a wrong fit for our very delicate sensibilities. AND, receive digital download of Tickling Giants when it is released.
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May 2015
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Film Plays at Your College!
$2,500 USD
SCREEN TICKLING GIANTS AT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY WITH DIRECTOR, Sara Taksler. Sara will hold a Q&A, and discuss using nonviolent means to be heard. (Within U.S. only. Flights/ Lodging/ monkey NOT included). Q&A via Skype/ Google Hangout is also an option. PLUS A SPECIALLY DESIGNED DIGITAL TEACHER'S MANUAL, including discussion topics for high school and college students, including ways to explore free speech and using words to address those in power. AND digital download of film
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March 2016
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Assoc. Producer/Home Premiere!
$5,000 USD
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER FILM CREDIT (EVEN ON IMDB)! AND, you will HOST AN AT-HOME SCREENING WITH YOUR FRIENDS! After the film, SKYPE WITH THE DIRECTOR to give your audience a 20-MINUTE Q & A about the film. Plus Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conf. Call, Early Access Dig. Download, Trailer, & Mention on our Supporter's Page!
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Host Your Own Screening!
$7,500 USD
HOST YOUR OWN FILM PREMIERE! WE WILL RENT OUT A THEATER, IN YOUR CITY, for up to 75 of your friends. The Director, will Skype in at the end of your screening to give a 20-minute Q and A about the film. Plus Name in Credits, Poster signed By Director (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Digital Download of Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conf. Call, Early Access Dig. Download, Trailer, & Mention on our Supporter's Page!
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Co-Producer Credit, Screening!
$10,000 USD
CO-PRODUCER FILM CREDIT (EVEN ON IMDB)! For Co-Producers in U.S. only, you can HOST A FILM PREMIERE! WE'LL RENT A THEATER, IN YOUR CITY, for 75 friends with 20-minute Q&A via Skype with Director. FOR CO-PRODUCERS OUTSIDE US, YOU'LL HOST 1 AT-HOME SCREENING, & SKYPE Q&A W/ DIRECTOR. Plus Signed Poster (First 100 Also Signed By Bassem) Conference Call with Bassem, Dig. Download of Poster, 3 Postcards, 1 Hr Andeel Conf. Call, Early Access Dig. Download, Trailer, & Mention on Site!