About this project
What's the movie about?
“My Sister Sam” is the story of eight-year-old Samantha and her teenage brother Brian. When the only world they have ever known is shattered by a horrible tragedy, they are placed into an abusive foster home, forcing Brian to fight to protect his sister. With nothing more than a backpack and a twenty-dollar bill Brian and Sam choose a life on the streets. “My Sister Sam” is the story of their struggle to survive in a world that is foreign to them… the real world.
Why do we want to make this movie?
We want to make this movie for a multitude of reasons. First, it inspires us. It makes us look at our lives, and the things we take for granted to reflect on what we would do if all of that was taken away, and what any person would do when they are forced to fend for themselves and those they care for.
Second, My Sister Sam is ambitious. As a group of independent filmmakers we have taken calculated risks to produce some effective, interesting and fun shorts. My Sister Sam is the next step in the evolution of the practice of our craft. We want to shoot on 16mm film, a film format that creates a crisp, pristine image, and despite the digital boom, has always stood as a pillar of respect in the world of independent film making.
Finally, My Sister Sam will be fun. No, its not what you would call a FUN concept, but film making is the most fun form of art we know. No other art form allows you to work in synthesis with other artists, people whose special talents, from acting to set design, to cooking, add to the entire production. My Sister Sam allows us to push ourselves artistically, to be rewarded by an excellent short that will be interesting, exciting, ambitious, and... fun for our audience.
How does “Kick-Starter” work?
It only works if we raise 100% of our goal, it’s that simple. If we don’t reach our $17,500 goal you don’t pay anything, but more importantly if you do give and we do reach our goal you will be part of creating a GREAT film.
So please donate and help bring our story to life. A movie is only as good as its audience thinks it is, and we are asking our audience to help us make a movie that they, and we, will be proud of.
What sort of work have you done before?
If you are interested, here are a few more clips of our work that aren't in the video above.
FAQ
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Who are we? We are Terrible Parrot Films, or known by our friends and family as Travis, Ed and Barret.
Not enough info? Okay here's some more:
Barret B. Burlage, Cinematographer/Producer:
His first film, “Fear a Following” won the silver palm award at the 2008 Piccolo Spoleto "Felder Film" Festival. After meeting Tilden and Hollifield he became a leading force behind their productions in the region. He wrote and photographed “Vitamin Sea” and co-wrote and photographed “Wrench” with Tilden and Hollifield. Recently, Burlage has worked as an EPK cameraman and Rigging Electrician for “Army Wives” during seasons 3, 4, and 5, and was an on set electrician for “Little Red Wagon”, "Isopod" (The Bay), "Savannah", and "The Hunger Games". Burlage also works as a Commercial Producer at WCIV ABC News 4, in Charleston, SC.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3140708/
Travis Hollifield, Writer/ Director:
Travis is a lowcountry native who has been working locally on film projects and other theater and art performances for the last 10 years. He attended Trident Technical College’s Film Certificate program from 2007-2008 and worked on numerous productions while in the program. In 2009 he worked with James Edward Tilden and Barret Burlage on a short film entitled “Vitamin Sea”. He also partnered with Tilden and Burlage on their dark comedy “Wrench” acting as Producer and one of the lead actors. Wrench was accepted by the 2009 Myrtle Beach Film Festival and sold out its showing at the 2010 Charleston International film festival. He most recently directed the film “Autumn Rising” written by Burlage which was an official selection of the 2011 Charleston International Film Festival.James Edward Tilden, Writer/Director:
Ed has worked as an independent film maker in South Carolina for the past five years. He studied media arts at the University of South Carolina from 2004-2007, and during that time he worked on the SC Film Production Grant funded feature “The Four Children of Tender Welch”. In 2009 Tilden directed the film “Vitamin Sea” that was selected as a finalist in the Charleston Post and Courier 28 Day film contest. He later co- wrote and directed the short entitled “Wrench”. In 2011 he was a producer and assistant director for the short “Autumn Rising” that was accepted by the 2011 Charleston International film festival. In 2010 Tilden left his job as a commercial producer at WTAT fox 24 in Charleston to work full time on Army wives Season 5. Currently he is writing a script “scavenger” that will be produced by Terrible Parrot Films next summer. He is also currently freelancing on major film and television projects in the Carolinas.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2689511/
The Three recently wrapped post on an art project, "Autumn Rising" shot in the spring of 2011 on the 7D camera package. The short film was an official selection of the 2011 Charleston International Film Festival, making it Terrible Parrot Films second year in a row with a film in the festival ("Wrench" 2010 Official Selection").
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Because you are donating to a great project with some dedicated people involved and every donation will go to help making our movie come to life. And we will love you forever (more than we already do).
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The money you donate will be used to aid in funding all aspects of our production. Most importantly it will help us pay our cast and crew, and that will make our project really excellent, because we work with very professional and skilled people and they deserve to be paid for their skills.
Your money will also help us pay for our rolls of 16mm film, which is going to be an investment in the visual quality of the project. After we shoot we have to have the film processed (developed). Then it has to be transferred to a digital format, so we can edit it on a computer, and not with scissors and tape.
Your money will also help us build the world our characters live in. From Production Design (sets, props, locations) to Hair, Make-up, and Costumes that will make every thing we shoot to look as real and as close to our vision as possible.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
28
Backers
$2,240
pledged of $17,500 goal
Funding Canceled
Funding for this project was canceled by the project creator on August 31, 2011.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A thank you from the producers, plus a link to the final film streamed online when complete.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
A "Special Thanks" on screen credit, as well as all the stuff listed above.
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
All the stuff above, plus a link to a production blog during the shoot, with up to date photos and updates during pre-production, and post production.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
The chance to be an extra on set! PLUS links to the blog and final digital version, and all the rest of the stuff listed above.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
All the stuff above plus a Hard Copy of "My Sister Sam" sent to you when the movie is completed!
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
The opportunity to come on set any day of production you want. Hang out with the crew and watch how it all goes down. Plus you get all the stuff everyone else who paid less than you gets. You'll probably be in behind the scenes photos and video too so you can SHOW everyone how you were there!
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
The stuff above, all of it. But also a "My Sister Sam" T-shirt signed by the entire cast and crew. As well as a nice, shiny "Associate Producer" Credit.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Everything we already said, But MORE. You will have full access to the sets, as well as can sit in on some editing. We will probably ask you whose idea you like best. But most importantly, WRAP PARTY! You'll be there. And the drinks/food will be free.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
EVERY SINGLE THING ALREADY LISTED. But also will be credited as "Executive Producer", will have a delicious dinner with the Production Team as a means of thanks. Plus we will pick you up anywhere in Charleston S.C. in a 1965 Mustang and let you operate the radio.
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
Who are you... and why have you done this for us? You can have anything. You can even run the camera for a few shots. We will make your name come up first after the movie is over. Really, we will give you whatever you want, aside from creative control. Because we are control freaks.
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A Collaboration of Charleston Filmmakers.
