Indiegogo is committed to accessibility. If you have difficulty using our site, please contact support@indiegogo.com for assistance or view our accessibility notice by clicking here

This campaign is closed

Umbra: The American Eclipse Documentary

The American mythos meets the cosmos, as millions gather to witness the Great American Eclipse.

You may also be interested in

Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed

Umbra: The American Eclipse Documentary

Umbra: The American Eclipse Documentary

Umbra: The American Eclipse Documentary

Umbra: The American Eclipse Documentary

Umbra: The American Eclipse Documentary

The American mythos meets the cosmos, as millions gather to witness the Great American Eclipse.

The American mythos meets the cosmos, as millions gather to witness the Great American Eclipse.

The American mythos meets the cosmos, as millions gather to witness the Great American Eclipse.

The American mythos meets the cosmos, as millions gather to witness the Great American Eclipse.

Natalie Rold
Natalie Rold
Natalie Rold
Natalie Rold
2 Campaigns |
Oakland, United States
$9,664 USD 130 backers
80% of $12,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 2 Projects Mountain Filled 2 Projects
Overview
On August 21, 2017, millions of people from all over the country will gather to witness an event called the Great American Eclipse. For the first time in nearly 100 years, a total solar eclipse will be seen across the US from coast to coast. We're traveling to document Casper, WY which is right in the center of that path and hosting AstroCon. Astronomers, astrologers, and locals will converge across the country. The Moon will block out the Sun. What else will happen when the sky goes dark?

Who are we?

We're a group of video producers with backgrounds in anthropology, social documentation, animation, photography, copywriting, and creative strategy. We're passionate about the craft of storytelling, and we're excited to tell this story about the eclipse.

Natalie Rold: Director

Ijah Garfield: Co-Producer

Ali Cottong: Co-Producer

The seed for the idea of the project was planted back in 2012, when Ijah and Natalie were just outside of Shasta City, CA to see an annular solar eclipse, and they were struck by the sheer diversity of strangers that had gathered on the side of a country road to experience the event together. From that point, they knew that there was a compelling human story that needed to be told about the Great American Eclipse: people of all stripes joining together outdoors to share a special moment. After a fateful night stargazing in Santa Cruz with Ali, they all decided to pursue this wild idea together.

Through a lucky connection, the team was introduced to NASA optical engineer Eduardo Bendek, who was also planning something special for the eclipse and provided great starting point for the project. One thing led to another, and the plan to create a documentary film called Umbra was born.

 

What's Umbra?

An umbra is a shadow. During a solar eclipse, umbra refers to the part of the Moon’s shadow you need to be in if you want to see the Moon completely blocking the Sun.

Umbra (our film) is an independent documentary film about the August 21, 2017 Great American Eclipse and its impact on the people who are gathering to see it. While the celestial event will be spectacular, this film's story will focus on what's happening on the ground when astronomers, astrologers, and regular people all come together. This unique angle will result in an eclipse film unlike any other.

Here are some of the people we've talked with so far:

  • Vivian White: An astronomy educator at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific from Berkely, CA heading to Casper with family to view the eclipse.

  • Eduardo Bendek: A NASA optics engineer pursuing a personal project to photograph the eclipse from the edge of the stratosphere, using a weather balloon carrier and a tracking system he designed himself.

  • Stacy Palen: An astrophysicist who is passionate about viewing life with a scientific lens, Stacy finds beauty and inspiration in the natural world around us, even in events as explainable as a simple solar eclipse.

  • Donna Woodwell: An astrologer who can speak to the history of astrology and astronomy, as well as comment on astrological aspects of our country. Donna is based in Austin TX.

  • Chris Brennan: A Denver CO based astrologer and founder of the Denver Astrological Group, who is an expert on the astrological traditions of the past. Chris is also the former president of the Association for Young Astrologers.

 

What does your contribution go towards?

We're fundraising for $12,000. This money will go towards several crucial elements for the film's production, including:

  • A computer-controlled equatorial mount that keeps our cameras aiming at the eclipse

  • Renting video production gear (cameras, lenses, lights, and sound recording equipment) in addition to the gear we already own

  • Gas and basic accommodations during the week of the eclipse

  • Building a custom spherical 360° camera array with Dillon Morris of Pivot Studio that will go 18+ miles above the Earth's surface to capture photos of the umbra from above

  • Paying key 3rd-party contributors to the film, such as an extra camera operator and a graphic artist who designed our poster – these people have all graciously volunteered their time but we would love to be able to pay them for their work!

 

Looking for other ways to help?

Whether or not you're able to contribute to the project here, we'd still love your help. Here are some ways you can help us get the word out about the film:

 

We appreciate your support. Thank you!

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
Need more information
Let us know if you think this campaign contains prohibited content.

Choose your Perk

A Sticker!

$10 USD $12 USD (16% off)
Receive an official Umbra sticker and our heartfelt thank you for your support!
Included Items
  • Official Umbra Sticker
Estimated Shipping
September 2017
5 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Road Trip Postcard

$25 USD $30 USD (16% off)
Receive a unique postcard from the Umbra Team while we're on the road to Casper. What state will your postcard be from? What will it say? It's all a mystery, waiting to be revealed. This perk also includes a digital download to the film once it's ready to be shared, as well an official Umbra sticker.
Included Items
  • Official Umbra Sticker
  • Official Production Postcard
  • Umbra Digital Download
Estimated Shipping
September 2017
26 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Official Movie Poster

$50 USD $60 USD (16% off)
In need of some home decor that shows off your great taste in films and communicates that you're a great patron of the arts? This perk comes with a full size official Umbra poster, ready to be framed and placed on that perfect spot on your wall! Also comes with a roadtrip postcard, an official Umbra sticker, and a digital download of the film.
Included Items
  • Official Umbra Sticker
  • Official Production Postcard
  • Umbra Digital Download
  • Umbra Movie Poster
Estimated Shipping
September 2017
19 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Personal Astrology Reading

$100 USD $120 USD (16% off)
What does the eclipse mean for your? Get a personalized 30 min astrology birth chart reading from Team Umbra and we'll tell you all the forces at play in your life during the coming eclipse. This reward also comes with an official Umbra sticker, an official Umbra poster, and a digital download of the film.
Included Items
  • Official Umbra Sticker
  • Umbra Digital Download
  • Umbra Movie Poster
  • Umbra Astrology Reading
Estimated Shipping
September 2017
6 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Total Solar Eclipse Print

$100 USD $125 USD (20% off)
Are you interested in the majesty of the moment that will be contributing to scientific advancement? This perk comes with a fine art print of an image from the Total Solar Eclipse sequence in the movie. Also comes with an official Umbra sticker, a poster, and a digital download of the film.
Included Items
  • Official Umbra Sticker
  • Umbra Digital Download
  • Umbra Movie Poster
  • Total Solar Eclipse Print
Estimated Shipping
September 2017
8 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Associate Producer Credit

$500 USD $650 USD (23% off)
Support Umbra as an associate producer! See your name in lights and get a special call-out in the film's official credits. As one of our premier backers, you'll also get an invite to an early screening of the film. This reward also includes an Umbra mystery bag with film collectibles, an official poster, and a digital download of the film.
Included Items
  • Umbra Digital Download
  • Umbra Movie Poster
  • Early Screening Ticket
  • Umbra Mystery Bag
  • Associate Producer Credit
Estimated Shipping
September 2017
4 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Executive Producer Credit

$1,000 USD $1,500 USD (33% off)
Support Umbra as an executive producer! You're one of our biggest patrons. As an executive producer, you'll get special call-out in the film's official credits, and an invite to an early screening of the film. This reward also includes an Umbra mystery bag with film collectibles, an official poster, and a digital download of the film.
Included Items
  • Umbra Digital Download
  • Umbra Movie Poster
  • Early Screening Ticket
  • Umbra Mystery Bag
  • Executive Producer Credit
Estimated Shipping
September 2017
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

You may also be interested in

Up Caret