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Update #9: indieWIRE Project of the Week – Redux
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Posted on September 15, 2011
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Update #8: Successful – 114% Funded!!!
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Posted on August 8, 2011
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Update #7: The Wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt
One of my favorite quotes is by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962):
"A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water"
This aptly describes the major events of the past week:
#1 – indieWIRE's "Project of the Week" Pool... and Controversy
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for showing such tremendous support throughout the weekend. Unfortunately one of our competitors openly cheated – and even bragged about it in numerous Facebook posts! So the editors of indieWIRE ultimately decided to invalidate the poll and to set up a new, more secure voting system. The cheating team was disqualified and we will have a chance to run again for the title of indieWIRE Project of the Week (date TBA).
You can read all about the indieWIRE saga here: http://theillusionists.org/?p=1924
#2 – Shaping Youth interview
Earlier this week, I was interviewed by Amy Jussel of Shaping Youth, a non-profit consortium dealing with media and marketing's impact on kids. Their mission is to "shift negative influences of pop culture to a healthier worldview for kids by using the power of media for positive change." I've been a longtime fan of Amy's work – and website – so it was a real honor to be featured on her blog.
I found Amy's words really touching:
"Why would I become a backer on Kickstarter of indie film The Illusionists when my own nonprofit remains self-funded? Same reason I used my own personal dollars to sponsor the ShopGirls eco-marathon racecar team of teens and She’s Geeky…passion for these particular projects to take hold with unbridled enthusiasm for a massive media mindshift and a sea change for us all."
You can read the full interview here: http://www.shapingyouth.org/?p=15990
#3 – indieWIRE "Women & Hollywood" Guest Post
Another reason to be grateful: today I am featured on indieWIRE's blog Women & Hollywood, with the guest post: "Things You Should Know: 5 Lessons for Young Female Directors." I talk extensively about the development of The Illusionists, so you may be interested in checking it out:
cheers,
Elena
Update #6: Help Us Win indieWIRE's "Project We Most Want To See" Title
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Posted on July 17, 2011
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Update #5: Vote for The Illusionists on indieWIRE!!!
Dear backers,
This Tuesday The Illusionists had the tremendous honor of being selected by filmmaking site indieWIRE as the "Project of the Day." I was floating two feet above the ground all day long!
Well, here is an opportunity to make me levitate even higher and to increase the chances for The Illusionists to land on the homepage of Kickstarter.com – something that would bring more exposure (and donations) to the project.
indieWIRE has just set up a poll for the "Project of the Week." Please click on this link and cast a vote for us:
Bonus points (and infinite gratitude) if you leave a comment about our film on indieWIRE :)
big hug,
Elena
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The Illusionists team on July 16, 2011
Thank you Mike! :) Indeed, I couldn't believe my eyes when I refreshed the indieWIRE page this morning. I'm truly touched by the amazing support the project has been receiving.
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363
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 5, 2011.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Thank you! We *really* appreciate your support. In addition to a virtual hug, you will receive a “thank you” e-card from the filmmaker and you will gain access to a private section on THE ILLUSIONISTS site with updates about the making of the film.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Thank you for the awesome support! You will receive a digital download of the film, a personal "thank you" e-card from the filmmaker and access to a private section on THE ILLUSIONISTS site with updates about the making of the film.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Wow, thank you so much! You will receive: a special edition hard-copy DVD of the film, a hand-written "thank you" note from the filmmakers and access to exclusive updates about the making of the film.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Thank you for your support! We're flattered. You will receive: a DVD containing extended interviews with experts from THE ILLUSIONISTS and Elena's short films. You will also receive a special edition hard-copy DVD of THE ILLUSIONISTS, special thanks on the supporters’ page of the website and exclusive access to updates about the making of the film.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
You are a star! Thank you so much for your amazing support. You will receive: a limited edition coffee table book with images from the film shoot and a “making of” diary, with a hand-written dedication from the director. Your name will be highlighted in the supporters’ page of the website. You will, of course, also receive a special edition hard-copy DVD of the film and will gain access to private updates on the site.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
THANK YOU SO MUCH! In exchange for your wonderful support, your name will appear in big, bold letters on the big screen in the end credits of the film. Of course, you will also receive a hard-copy DVD of the movie, a coffee table book and access to private updates on the site.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
If you pledge $5,000 or more you will receive associate producer credit on the film (and IMDB). Welcome to our team. :) Of course, you will also receive a hard-copy DVD of the film, a coffee table book, and access to private updates on the site.
Project By
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ELENA ROSSINI (writer, director & producer)
http://www.elenarossini.com
Elena is a film director, cinematographer and editor originally from Como, Italy. She has studied in the United States and has been working in Europe for the past five years.
In addition to THE ILLUSIONISTS, recent projects include the short film IDEAL WOMEN commissioned by the Louvre Museum and ARTE Web, cinematography for THREE DAYS TO SEE (a documentary about Helen Keller) and LILI'S JOURNEY (a documentary about women's social and economic empowerment).
Elena is also the creator and editor-in-chief of NO COUNTRY FOR YOUNG WOMEN (http://www.nocountryforyoungwomen.com), a multimedia platform whose aim is to promote positive role models for women.
EMMANUEL RYZ (producer)
Emmanuel is a French producer who has been working in the film industry for over 20 years. He has worked on scores of short and feature-length projects, including animated series (LES ZINZINS DE L'ESPACE, MINUSCULE), feature-length documentaries (PIN UP OBSESSION, MADO), and award-winning feature-length narrative films (CONGORAMA, FRATRICIDE).
GARRETT ZEVGETIS (associate producer)
