Your search is over !
The definite controversial feature movie with
exceptional twists, the drama of no ordinary love between a movie maker and an
actress, the sensational Jeanie. While both have separate principals, their
love ignites the passion that could kill those that cross their path - - and
bring an unexpected change
Without
giving too much away, Way To Roll has something illuminating to say on many important
subjects – through a story that is both exceptional and
entertaining and will be delivered in an unexpected way!
Way To Roll Pictures wants to do more than simply entertain;
our mission is to enrich and inspire those who watch our films. We have something to say about the world we
live in, about the human condition and we want to say it through our
productions.
Way To Roll - The story!
An idealistic
movie-maker who uses marijuana meets a beautiful and dynamic young actress
who’s totally against the use of any drugs. They fall in love and he has to prove
to her that his not a “waste of time druggy”. To achieve this he casts her in his
movie about; “MANY WAYS TO CONSUME MARIJUANA AND THE
CONSEQUENCES” - without her knowing the theme of the movie.
Way To Roll is a sensational story built
around two equally sensational central characters. Way To Roll aims to do more
than simply entertain; the screenplay has been written to enrich and inspire, to
say something about the world and about ‘the human condition’. It is intended
to be a timeless story about human ‘hearts’, love, relationships, differing
world views and values and how they can be reconciled through conflict and
antagonism.
Their 'magical' ride.
It's a story that needs to be told,
with a subtle but powerful central message woven throughout the roller-coaster
events of the story, and revealed in a climax that is as surprising as it is
inevitable – though the latter attribute is only revealed at the end.
Way To Roll has 11 sun rises.
The story encapsulated by Way To Roll
is unique. While the underlying theme of ‘the human condition’ may have been
explored many times and in many ways before. The way the plot and interwoven
theme (or premise) of Way To Roll is presented in the screenplay, will be executed
in the movie, in a way audiences have not yet seen.
Jeanie smokes cigarettes!
Without giving too much away, the plot
is based on the conflict between two very different people who are falling in
love with each other despite their differences, and central to conveying the
underlying premise behind the story, the emotions created by that conflict.
Rein uses marijuana!
This conflict is expressed with
intriguing effect through the interactions of these two main protagonists –
both powerful characters following seemingly irreconcilable life-paths defined
by conflicting values, but ultimately bound together by love. It is also
expressed through a series of events and ‘predicaments’, each inducing a
roller-coaster ride of both negative and positive emotions through the
antagonistic and often comedic interactions between the two central characters in
response to these events.
The Lamborghini they drive in Miami.
The story is fast paced, gripping and
funny, full of the so-called ‘sparks’ two ‘opposing’ characters create when
their differences clash. In a sense these two characters perform a duet routine
through the events that create the skeleton of the story, and around the
premise that is the essential lifeblood of the story.
Where are they going?
The characters are ‘opposites’. Though
they both have a peculiar lust for life, Jeanie (wild and complicated) and Rein
(who has a peculiar integrity) couldn’t be more different. Nevertheless they
are each brilliant, witty, sparkling and a little mysterious - interesting each
in their own way. They also both exhibit particular positive traits, including
kindness, integrity, courage and intelligence, that will inspire the empathy
and identification in the audience required to give the movie universal appeal.
One of their weapons!
Along with the characters, the viewer will
experience a loaded range of human emotions: ambivalence, lust, anger,
acceptance, aggression, confusion, rage, frustration, fear and doubt, love,
affection, pleasure, hope, ecstasy, compassion, forgiveness, pride and joy.
Jeanie is smoking 'HOT'!
Besides the crucial empathy factor,
the screenplay boasts credibility and authenticity. The characters are credible,
complex and compelling; the plot authentic and realistic. Way To Roll will be
memorable not only for its quality and execution, but for its characters and
the impact that they have on the audience, and the well-structured and
convincing plot - maximally organized to sustain the audience’s interest
through the skillful manipulation of intriguing complications, and
ever-increasing conflict.
Like the "Yellow Submarine"!
Way To Roll is unconventional and along with its execution and the expression of the
characters and emotions, it has plenty of surprises, twists and turns and other
dramatic elements that make up good story-telling. In addition, the intended
momentum, sound and overall intensity of the production from macro to micro
elements (from ‘the inside out’ so to speak) will all contribute giving Way To
Roll memorable impact.
What did they do Officer?
Way To Roll has a passionate emotional
core, memorable characters, a dynamic structure and a plot that thrusts the two
leads into a compelling predicaments in a fully realized world, with witty
dialogue that ‘pops’.
Miami is where things melt with them!
What we need.
The
development costs to get Way To Roll ready for production as a feature movie add
up to $300 000.00 and we are shy of
that target by only $83,000.00 We have come to the
point we need to call on crowd-funding to raise this money. We need your private investment to make
this project a reality!
Every
dollar raised will be put towards these final development costs.
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It’s
a gift we’re giving you, this investment will transform itself into a gift.
Yes, we’re asking for money, but we’ll be giving back more value than we’re
requesting.
We are
hoping that you will say “Let us help you help yourself” in return and
contribute to our exceptionally worthy creative cause. Please contribute to
help us make our dream come true – to make this fantastic movie happen! Thank
you so much in advance for taking the time to support the making of this movie,
for helping us to get Way To Roll rolling! But we need you to make sure those
credits roll! And you know what they say…”what goes around comes around –
usually times ten!”
Please
remember that every single dollar counts!
Every new contribution increases our chances for success! Should you wish to be
a part of making our dream, goal and ultimate vision happen, your contribution
to Way To Roll, however small, is welcomed! So too is the power you have to
spread the word of our campaign directly, via social media on Facebook, Twitter
etc or via e-mail.
The teaser
and video clips were produced with plenty of enthusiasm – but unfortunately
with still very limited funds. We could have done it all far better if we’d had
sufficient funding available – and that's why we need you!
About
Abraham Frederick Strauss – Writer/Director/Actor
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South African-born Abraham Strauss formally emigrated from
South Africa to the USA in 2005 in order to pursue a
career in the movie industry; to follow a passionate ambition to become
and actor and movie-maker. He joined New York’s HB Studios in Nov 2006.
HB Studios is one of the
best-known acting institutes in the US, and has been instrumental in
producing some of the industries greatest actors,
including acting legends Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Later that year
he then joined the ‘Hollywood Film Institute' in New
York to learn the art of movie-making, and to learn the skills involved
with screenwriting through the ‘Gotham Writers
Workshops’. Abraham also joined the Downtown Community Television Center
in New
York in 2008, benefiting from extensive networking and workshops in movie production.
Viewing scene Niel shot.
In 2008 Abraham was certified as a Cinema Director and Line Producer
by the Hollywood Film Institute, and that same year also graduated from
the Hollywood Film Institute in the capacity of
Feature Film Producer – an achievement he shares with famous writer/actor/director Quentin Tarantino who attended the
very same institute. He is inspired not only through his love of the
industry and
storytelling in all its aspects, but also by an interesting and
fortunate life spanning two continents, from formative years in South
Africa to his adult years in the US.
He completed the first draft of
his screenplay ‘Way To Roll’ in 2008,
after which he commenced traveling back and forth between New York,
Miami and South Africa – the three locations
featured in the screenplay. He spent two years dedicated to develop
the basic first-draft ‘script’. Way To Roll was copyrighted at
the end of 2010 with the United States
Copyright Office in Washington D.C.
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Abraham
will direct Way To Roll himself and as the originator and
developer of the project, he further intends to oversee all the creative
aspects involved in the making of Way To Roll from pre to
post production and finally marketing and distribution. He developed the
vision for the movie and he intends to
carry out this vision, ultimately deciding on how the movie will look,
sound and ‘feel’. Furthermore Abraham’s extensive US education in the
nuts-and-bolts
aspects of movie production and marketing puts him in an advantageous
position to negotiate with all pertinent outside
entities - from investors to producers, actors, agents and ultimately
the distributors.
NIEL VENTER -
CINEMATOGRAPHER
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As the grandson of a successful commercial
cinematographer he grew up assisting and shooting his own subjects. After high
school Niel started his education and career in the cinematography industry. He
worked from video to being one of the best camera men in South Africa. Niel was
selected to be a cinematographer at the “Brazilian Soccer World Cup 2014” by
the top sports channel in South Africa; Super Sport. Niel continues
demonstrating versatility and range behind the camera as he worked on many
different sport and drama television shows encompasses his 15 years’ experience. He
joined the Way To Roll team to further pursue his passion for movie making. Niel
has one of the major roles in the production of Way To Roll. He has been
working with the director on the development and shooting of
experimental scenes of Way To Roll since the end of 2008. He will
work closely with the director to give Way To Roll its visual signature.
Niel works with biggest lens ever!
His
knowledge of photography and particularly of the use of cameras, lenses,
filters, angles and lighting of subjects will be exercised by him to achieve
the optimum results. Niel has the following key skills of artistic visions,
creativity and precise attention to detail, good color vision, the ability to
give and accept direction, excellent communication skills, and the very
important diplomacy and tact when working with cast and crew.
Niel deliver an epic shot!
One
of the many reasons Niel was selected as cinematographer for Way To
Roll is the fact that he runs faster with a camera than the fastest man
on a rugby team - to deliver that epic shot every time!
Sven
Larsen - Score
Sven
started playing music in 1975. He toured with various bands, such as
Friendship, a nine - piece all African band, later teaming up with PJ
Powers touring Africa.
In
1982 he started a studio career with Ray Phiri of Stimela, Lucky Dube, Steve
Kekana and many more. Later on he started producing and writing music for
various artists in all genres and more recently for Stoan from Bongo
Muffins CD’s.
Currently
Sven writes music for television (SABC), film scores (multiple award winning
Short Films), including "Lucky", nominated for a Hollywood Film
Festival Award, as well as final mixing. He recently won a South African Film
and Television (SAFTA) Award and was selected to represent South Africa in an
International Song Contest in Taiwan, in which the South African
contingent won numerous awards.
He has
also composed 5 CD's of African Library music, which is released in 39
countries. His clients range from; A.N.C., S.A.B.C., B.B.C., COCA COLA to
BMW and many more.
_________________________________
We decided to use a
transition scene from the Way To Roll screenplay and produced this video clip –
though it is not even close to what it will be in the actual Way To Roll movie
– demonstrable through a comparison of the part of the screenplay used (see
below) and the preliminary clip (see below). Nevertheless, the clip provides a
little taste of what’s to come in the full production of Way To Roll. There are
147 scenes in the screenplay - this is just one of them:
EXT. FARM HOUSE GARDEN - DAY
The farm house patio affords a
panoramic view of a mountain behind the green pastures that surround the
house. There is a four person round Jacuzzi on the lawn in front of the
house, under a huge mango tree, heavy with ripe mangoes.
The sun is
setting in the distance. Jeanie, Rein, Bob and Miranda are all sitting
in the jacuzzi which is filled to the brim. There are little rubber
ducks floating everywhere between them. Bob blows on a long silver
whistle that he wears around his neck on a platinum chain.
The patio
sliding door slides open and a Midget (the Butler) comes walking out
with a tray full of cocktails. The Butler serves the cocktails to them
in the bubbling jacuzzi.
A ripe mango falls down on to the zinc roof of the house, making a huge noise. Everybody is startled.
MIRANDA
Pappa, it’s that time!
Bob gets out of the Jacuzzi, wearing only a black thong, and rushes into the house through the open sliding door.
Miranda
sits up on the side of the Jacuzzi, revealing her one-piece blue
bathing suit - complete with frills and a cherries design. She has both
feet out on the wooden deck.
Bob comes back with a double barrel
shotgun in one hand and a baseball bat in the other. He gives the
shotgun to Miranda. He positions himself under the roof, holding the bat
ready, waiting for the next mango.
A mango drops onto the roof and rolls down, wobbling as it goes, toward the edge.
MIRANDA (CONT’D)
(screams)
RIGHT!...little more.
Bob
shuffles, getting into perfect position. The mango rolls over the edge,
drops down, Bob swings like 'Babe Ruth' and crushes the mango with the
bat. Pieces of the mango fly everywhere. Miranda is ready to shoot. She
follows the flying mango pit with the shotgun, aims and pulls the
trigger. A shot blasts out and hits it's target. The pit
disintegrates. Miranda falls back into the jacuzzi, Jeanie and Rein both
grabbing at her through the splash! About Way To Roll
We concede that Way To Roll is a
very ambitious movie for first-time feature film creators ‘Way To Roll
Pictures’. We'll be shooting in New York City, Miami and many spectacular
locations in South Africa.
We believe wholeheartedly in the
value of our endeavor and we are confident that it will pay off.
We have been working on Way To Roll
since 2007, and doing our best with our often limited resources to develop the
project to ensure that it happens and that we will be able to entertain you
with a premium quality movie.
In order to mitigate the inherent
risks associated with making a feature movie, we have diligently educated
ourselves and gained a wide and in-depth knowledge and experience in the movie industry.
We have been educated by the best in
the industry and everybody working with us in his or her own right a successful
professional in the entertainment and movie making industry.
But the fact is – we might be
emulating and learning from the best, but we are not Hollywood. With all due
respect to that revered, admired and adored Star of the global entertainment
stage, we don’t have the money that Hollywood has. However we have the story
that Hollywood does not have – a story that comes with a most entertaining and
surprising ‘curve ball’; a story that needs to hit the big screen and take its
rightful place in cinematic history.
A Vision That Rolls Beyond ‘Way To
Roll’…
Created to as a production vehicle for WAY TO ROLL – the Movie, Way To Roll Pictures has a vision that goes beyond the release of its
first and flagship feature Movie. Way To Roll Pictures has a mission to be an
innovative industry player – a South African movie production company with a
vision that goes beyond its own success; a vision for the future of
movie-making in South Africa…
We also want to inspire creativity in other talented individuals
in South Africa through promotion of the local movie industry. To this end we
pledge to donate the money we save by using digital cinematography instead of
35mm film to education in movie-making in South Africa.
We aim to produce many more feature movies for the
international market, and through application of the above, we intend to
contribute to the South African economy. Through investing profits back into
the movie-making sector in South Africa, we will be helping to create job
opportunities in the movie industry sector.
We also believe that locally produced movies set in South
Africa will have a wider impact than simply employment opportunities. People are
increasingly motivated to travel to places that they have seen in their
favorite movies.
The global benchmarking survey “TRAVEL SAT COMPETITIVE INDEX”
(http://tci-research.com/travelsat-tourism-index/) has noted that around 40 million international tourists choose
their next travel destination primarily because they see a film shot of that
particular location, and up to 10 out of 100 choose destinations thanks to
movies.
We have an inspired idea we truly believe in, and we have the
skills, motivation and discipline to bring that idea to life. We are inspired
to make our production company’s vision a reality – and take Way To Roll Pictures
into the future of movie making as both a leader in and an integral part of
South Africa’s up and coming movie industry.
Where it all got
started!
It all
started in 1983 at the Swartkops Drive-In in Pretoria, South Africa, when two
teenage boys sneaked past the boom on their bicycles to see a movie they were too
young to watch.
The two
best friends sat on the tarmac in sleeping bags, next to the little metal hardy
speaker one normally hooks onto a car window, and watched their first ‘R’ rated
movie – SCARFACE, starring AL PACINO.
The
violent and visually intense production made such an impact on the two boys
that it inspired one of them, young ABRAHAM STRAUSS, to tell his friend that he
too wanted to become an actor and make movies.
As he grew up and immersed himself in movies, he set his sights on a
career in the movie-industry. He also set his sights on the USA and New York
City.
All these
years later, Abraham Strauss is on the final stretch towards creating his first
feature movie – aiming for 2017 production of ‘Way To Roll’.
What you get for
your investment in the final development of Way To Roll
We are offering great rewards and perks to our Indiegogo Investors
and backers.
We shall thank you in the credits: “THANK YOU TO OUR
INDIEGOGO SUPPORTERS”!
Select a perk for your contribution and thank you for
signing on to become part of the upcoming movie; 'Way To Roll’.
(And if you cannot financially support our campaign, we would
be grateful if you can help us spread the word on your favorite social media
site.)
Perks with example of Art Prints
GUERILLA ART PRINT - $1,000.00
1 Guerilla Art Print: A 3 x 4ft spectacular aerial
photographic high quality print of a painted guerilla art piece from the roof of an Art Deco
apartment building in South Beach, Miami. Signed by Abraham Strauss. Limited prints available - 60 Prints
This art piece was painted undetected (Abraham did not have permission) under the cover of
night over a 3 month period, using 17 gallons of paint. The artist then
chartered a helicopter to fly over it to take the aerial image as seen below,
and is offering these exclusive never-seen-before prints to Indiegogo investors
in Way To Roll. (without watermark that's on example below)
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(If you wish, he’ll
also be happy to give you more info on how the painting was done, what was
involved in staying out of sight, what happened to the painting, and the love
story that’s tangled up in it…)
A Print will be mailed in a cylinder package to each $1,000
investor within 60 days of the completion of the crowd-funding
campaign.
$5,000.00- PREMIUM
BACKER
Art Print: A 3 x 4ft spectacular photographic print (signed by Abraham Strauss) of the commissioned abstract art piece that was painted on the roof of
the Fairwind Hotel in South Beach, Miami.
Limited amount of high quality prints available - 60
This abstract piece took over a year to paint, over a total
of 57 nights, using 57 gallons of paint in 57 different colors, one roller and
one small brush.
(If you wish, the
artist will also be happy to give you more info on how the painting was done,
what was involved and what else he did with his paints on his way home at 7am
before the rest of South Beach got up)
The picture was taken from the roof of the Wolfsonian Museum
and includes the South Beach background and the ocean. (without watermark that's on example below)
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A Print will be mailed in a cylinder package to each $5000
Investor (Premium Backer) within 60 days of the completion of the crowd-funding
campaign.
The Impact
A successful campaign
will ensure that we fulfill the plan we have in place to ensure that all
aspects of final development and the Movie Package are completed for funding by
production investors.
We’re aiming to start
with pre-production in October 2017 and with principal photography in November
2017. The production will be wrapped
in South Africa in February 2018 and then the post-production. Way to Roll will be ready for theatrical release the end of 2018.
Other Ways you can help
Word of mouth is
essential for crowd-funding campaigns. After you pledge, tell your family and
friends about this project. Tell your neighbors! Tweet about it and Facebook
it!
Thank you for believing
in us and this project, and for taking the time to consider your support for
Way To Roll, and know that we are truly grateful and honored to have you on
this journey with us! God bless!
Stretch Goals
We’ll put any extra dollars raised through our Indiegogo
campaign right back into the funding of Way To Roll.
We are about creating and sharing high quality, engaging
stories, and we aim to engage the
best possible quality elements in planning, on set, and in post-production –
not just during the production of Way To Roll, but in future productions.