What is "Unbound"?
"Unbound" is an allegorical short film, set in turn of the century Japan. A young woman, Kitsune, works at a mysterious silk factory in order to save her destitute family. Soon she finds herself entangled in a disturbing metamorphosis as her body transforms into a Silkworm, becoming the commodity the factory is selling.
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The Inspiration
Have you ever read a book that just floored you? That left you so inspired that you wanted to join the AFI Directing Workshop for Women to shoot a film based on it so others could be inspired by its message too?
I am honored to be adapting a riveting short story with a truly inventive premise, “Reeling For the Empire” by New York Times Bestseller Karen Russell from her book “Vampires in The Lemon Grove”.
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The first time I read her story, I couldn’t put it down. The themes of female resilience it explores and the beautiful yet disturbing world it creates deserve to be not only read but SEEN! I knew I had to make it into a film!
Who am I? What is the AFI?
Hello everyone out there in indiegogo-land. I am writer and director, Maggie Mahrt, and I'm here to gain your help and support in bringing a truly unique and beautiful story to life.
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I am one of eight women that have just been accepted into the prestigious American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women. I am truly honored to be given the chance to be part of this amazing program that helps female directors have a voice in storytelling. But like all things in life, it takes a village to make a short film, and that is why I need your help.
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Why Contribute?
The
AFI DWW offers mentorship to help make our stories come to life.
Financing our vision, however, is left to us. That is why I am asking
your support in raising $10,000 or more to make "Unbound" a reality.
Yikes! I know that sounds like a lot, but as Alfred Hitchcock once said, “It’s not cheap to turn women into Silkworms.” -- Or he would’ve said that if he had the chance.
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- Would you like to see more films made for and by women?
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Do you enjoy movies that embrace diversity and celebrate the feminine genius?
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Would you like to experience a magical world of beauty that you have never seen before?
Then please give us your vote of confidence by making a contribution!
Now I know what you’re thinking: “Maggie, is it okay if I only donate $25?” Or “Is my $2,000 dollar donation tax deductible?”
Well the answer to both of those questions is YES!
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How will your contributions be used?
SPECIAL EFFECTS and MAKE-UP - I am truly honored to have an Academy Award winning make-up artist on board to bring his skill to creating a human silkworm, but that's not cheap, and that's why I need you!
VFX - Yep. We're going to need some of that expensive computer generated magic to make this world beautiful and believable.
CAMERAS, LIGHTING AND GRIP EQUIPMENT - This film will be a visual treat, but for that to happen we will need special cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment to let our Director of Photography have the right tools.
PRODUCTION DESIGN - In
order for our film to look as authentic as possible, we need to find
locations that match turn-of-the-century Japan. We’d like to build sets
to help us balance the authenticity of the film and also maintain a
level of control.
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COSTUMES - I will be trying to stay as true as possible to early-20th-century Japan wardrobe as possible.
POST-PRODUCTION COSTS - Post-Production
is where the movie comes together. A proper Edit, Sound Design and
Color Correction are necessary to bring the right feel to the finished
product.
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"No great art has ever been made without the artist having known danger." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
Truly Unbound
Thank you for joining me on this dangerously beautiful journey of making a great short film. With YOUR help this story will be brought to screen. Your trust and your support is something I truly cherish. And thank you for believing in the power of stories told by, and for, women!
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