Adventurer Ryan Kedzie is hitchhiking over 3,500 mi. from his hometown of Elkhorn, WI to Alaska, and document the entire thing.
NEW GOAL: $1,700
NEW REWARD: Invitation to the first showing of the documentary ThumbsOut
Anyone who has backed, or helps back the project to our new goal will be invited to the movie premiere party which is TBD .
Thank you to everyone who helped me get to my initial goal of $1,200. I'm excited for what we have accomplished so far, and I can't thank you enough. I have included a new reward for backing me $2. It's simple, cheap, and fun for those involved so help if you can. Also I changed the $500 pledge reward to $250 just in case that adventurous soul is still out there looking to have an experience of a lifetime.
Please spread the word to friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, or strangers and help me keep raising funds. I didn't factor into the cost how expensive an international data plan would be for a smart phone, so this would help me eliminate those higher costs that I wasn't anticipating. Thanks again so much for all of the support! ThumbsOut! Or just follow the trip if you want, it's going to be great
https://www.facebook.com/ThumbsOutAlaska
Ryan
Also, here is picture of my dog and I smoking wild game to send to checkpoints along the way!
About the Documentary
The Idea
ThumbsOut was an idea created by Ryan after spending three summers in
Alaska without a consistent means of transportation. With a desire to
explore more of the area he was forced to rely on transportation from
random strangers by way of thumb, otherwise known as hitch-hiking. Here
is where he heard stories, sometimes unwillingly, about his new
traveling companions lives, lost loved ones, hardships, failures,
dreams, and families. After meeting people who would forever impact his
lives he decided he needed to document his journey and share this story
with everyone to show people can still rely on common citizens, even if
it’s just for a ride.
The Reason
Ryan has practiced the habit of hitch-hiking since the age of 16 in
order to get around when a vehicle was unavailable to him. Ryan’s goal
through this trip is to prove that in this day in age there are still
honest and good people out there, and also to re-create that bond of
lending a helping hand to the your neighbor . “Hitch-hiking,” Ryan has said, “has
so many myths and urban legends surrounding it. We are so afraid of
what we see on t.v. we are unable to overcome our fears in order to do
what is right, and what is right is to help a person our when they are
in need. Even something as simple as a ride can help break down some of
these barriers, and I think that everyone can benefit from that.”
How it Will Go Down
I plan to do this trip with the least amount of money possible. I have only $800 saved for this trip and all the money pledged by you guys will cover my equipment costs. So don't worry, I won't be at a random bar in the Yukon wasting away your generous donation.I honestly plan to use nothing but my thumb, and maybe a sign or two, and receive rides from only strangers. I'm hoping to make it to Alaska in 3-4 weeks, and eventually find a job and hopefully document the process of that as well. I will save the editing and production for the months following my arrival in Alaska. My goal is to get just enough money to help pay for the equipment needed to make the documentary and for some supplies such as a tent, memory cards for filming, a solar power battery charger, and an umbrella.
Please Visit the ThumbsOut Webpage for more information and trailers at:
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
50
Backers
$1,825
pledged of $1,200 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
May 3, 2012 -
May 24, 2012
- First created · 2 backed
- Ryan Kedzie 572 friends
- Website: ryankedziedesign.wordp...
Pledge $2 or more
0 backers
Anyone who pledged two dollars will get a personal e-mail thank you, as well as their name in the credits of the final production, and best of all 3 lucky names will be added into a drawing for a video shout out via Facebook, Twitter, and my blog, sometime during the trip. It might even make the final production!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $10 or more
10 backers
One Thumb Club: I will take a photo with your name on a sign, piece of paper, napkin, bark, or whatever may be laying around while on the road. I will take a picture to recognize your donation, and then compile a slide show before the credits at the end of the documentary. Maybe your photo will be taken in Great Falls, Montana, Pink Mountain, British Columbia, or Tok, Alaska! Who knows? Anyone who donates the minimum and up will be invited to the first ever screening, if you help me make this happen!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $25 or more
24 backers
Two Thumbs Club: Receive a postcard from Ryan while he's on the road traveling. Get a personalized hand written postcard from Ryan sent to your home, telling you about his travels and what he's up to that day. This level also includes your name on a picture featured in the documentary.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $50 or more
9 backers
Three Thumbs Club: Get a personalized shoutout video message to you, or a person of choice, from the road. For example, I will say hello while traveling, or film an interesting subject I observe during my travels and specifically mention you while doing whatever I'm doing. I will post the video to the ThumbsOut Facebook, Twitter, and Blog for yourself and friends to view. This will also be included in the special features after production, or maybe even make the documentary itself. This also includes a phone call from the road, and you're name written on a something that will be featured in the film.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $100 or more
5 backers
Four Thumbs Club: I spend a day of travel dedicated to, in tribute of, or in honor of someone or something. I will start the day off recognizing the person or thing (e.g. autism) of your choice on camera and will state the name of the person, where you and the person are from, and a personalized description of your story. If you pledge this you are guaranteed a spot in the final edit of the film as well as a signed final copy.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
High Five Club: Meet Ryan on the road at your travel destination of choice, and join him for up to 48 hours hitch-hiking with him, camping with him, or even have me come to your house and do some yard work. This will forever allow you to be part of this epic adventure, and will allow you an experience you may never be able to achieve otherwise. So take a risk, and join me to see what it's like to live on the edge! It's up to you, and we can hammer out the details in the future.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012
