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About this project
Inspired by Captain Giannaris's own 1988 autobiography "Yannis", the film will present John's story as recounted by the 89 year old veteran himself in a 48 to 90 minute documentary for festivals and broadcast.
The doc will utilize 5 1/2 hours of interviews with Captain Giannaris, shot in early 2010 over three full day sessions. As a member of America's greatest generation (whose numbers are sadly dwindling), the story of what molded him as a young man growing up on the north side of Chicago into a soldier dedicated to protecting both America as well as his parents' native Greece provides the type of inspirational tale of courage so many aspire to in their own lives.
HD camera package already purchased, crew costs and equipment rentals for the Giannaris interview sessions have been paid for by myself. Producing, directing and editing labor worth approximately $85,000 through sweat equity and in kind services have already been committed.
I am seeking financing for this project through grant foundations as well as angel donations to help cover the costs associated with international travel to follow and shoot footage of John showing us the villages in northern Greece he and his battalion defended when he is honored at a veteran's tribute in September 2010, as well as funds to go towards original music scoring, legal services and archival stock footage licensing in hand with grant money raised. A great portion of funds needed are for an estimated 15 minutes worth of World War II era stock footage licensing costs which will help illustrate John's story visually along with his testimony.
Full proposal and budget: http://www.nitestar.com/YANNIS_PROPOSAL.pdf
My website, Nitestar Productions: http://www.nitestar.com
My editing website: http://www.jvediting.com
Project location: Chicago, IL
7
Backers
$6,100
pledged of $90,000 goal
7
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$100 Minimum Pledge
Autographed copy of John Giannaris's out of print autobiography, "Yannis".
1 BACKER
Autographed copies of John Giannaris's out of print autobiography, "Yannis", an autographed DVD of final film by director Jerry Vasilatos and John Giannaris, placement in film credits under "Special Thanks".
1 BACKER
Autographed copies of John Giannaris's out of print autobiography, "Yannis", DVD of final film, VIP seating and access at screenings when film is complete and shown in festivals, invitation to exclusive sponsors dinner with Captain Giannaris, film credit placement under "Special Thanks" or "Associate Producer" if pledge is $5,000 or more.
1 BACKER
Project By
Jerry Vasilatos
Chicago, IL
Send MessageJerry is a native Chicagoan whose first film, "Solstice", was broadcast nationally as a Lifetime original movie in 2004. He attended Columbia College in Chicago, and moved to Los Angeles in 1996 where he spent 10 years working in film and television, running his boutique editing studio Nitestar Productions at the historic "Crossroads of the World" on Sunset Boulevard. He returned to Chicago in 2007, and now works on projects between his hometown and Los Angeles.
As of 2010, Jerry's credits include a wide variety of projects, from producing, directing and editing the music video "Burlington Northern", nominated for best directing and best cinematography by the World Music Independent Film Festival, to shorts like "Inside America" and "The Dark Knight Project", which won 2 Star Awards as well as rated 4 Stars by Film Threat. . Earlier in 2008 and late 2007, Jerry edited season 1 episodes 1, 5 and 9 and season 2 episode 5 of the History Channel series "Gangland".
While in Los Angeles, his projects included editing DVD featurettes for the films "Primeval", "The History Boys" and "Turistas" produced by Trailer Park and the feature film "Frankie D", starring Todd Bridges and produced by DV Filmworks. In 2006, Jerry edited 10 segments of the series "Breaking In" produced by Kevin Leadingham for the Reelz Channel, directed the 48 Hour Film project "Protected!" for Bliss Productions, and served as co-producer and editor for twenty three 1 hour and 1/2 hour episodes of the weekly syndicated series "Made in Hollywood". Jerry also color corrected the PBS documentary "Maid in America" and edited the Macauley Culkin episode of "Hollywood Hold 'Em" poker for E! as well as "Frame on the Wall - The Making of "The Door in the Floor" and "Backstage with "Connie and Carla" for Universal Home Video. "Now You Know", the romantic comedy written and directed by "Clerks II" star Jeff Anderson and edited by Jerry, was released in December of 2006 by Weinstein Home Video.
Jerry is also presently involved as producer/director of the WWII documentary "Yannis" and the dramatic thrillers "Butcher's Dozen" and "Stalked", in development as feature films.
