I'm going to Korea to shoot a documentary on my great uncle, a Korean War veteran and American who hasn't been home in 60 years.
The Story: In the early 1950s, my great uncle Herb Stankiewicz left the family home in Detroit, MI, to fight in the Korean War. He never came back.
He wasn't killed and didn't go missing in action. Instead, for the past half century, he's been living in Daegu, Korea. He's barely kept in touch with his family, including my grandpa -- his brother who stayed in Detroit.
Despite never having met him, what's always struck me about Herb is the way in which his presence lives on despite his having been physically absent for decades. So, I'm going to Korea to shoot a documentary about Herb's life. I want to tell his story and examine how a family changes over thousands of miles and several decades. It's a story about how complicated relationships can continue to evolve through letters, shifting memories, and even through their imaginations of what the other's day-to-day life must be like.
The Shoot: I will be shooting the documentary this summer in Daegu, Korea, and Detroit, Michigan. In Detroit, I will conduct interviews with my family and visit the last places that Herb lived before leaving. In Korea, I will interview my great uncle Herb, his Korean family, and friends. From there, I will retrace Herb's steps throughout Korea -- visiting the places that influenced his decision not to return to America. I will also use the opportunity to visit Korean archives and libraries to gather archival footage for the documentary.
What You Can Do: Needless to say, shooting a film in a foreign country is going to be tough. So, I need your help!
Your donations will help cover things like camera equipment, audio equipment, travel expenses to locations, crew expenses, archival licensing rights, and much more.
If you donate, I've got some terrific prizes for you! I've managed to get a bunch of my great friends on board, so we'll make sure that you'll get the proper rewards for your donation -- no matter where in the country you might be.
Make sure to check out our prizes video here:
Thanks so much for taking the time to hear about my project!
Taylor
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May 21, 2012 -
Jun 20, 2012
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- First created · 1 backed
- Taylor Stanton 837 friends
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You will receive a MYSTERY BOX! Will there be anything good inside? It's a mystery!
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Everything above AND a personalized "Thank You" Haiku from either Taylor, Joey Bergren, Bhanu Chundu, Joon Chung (you may choose who you want one from). Recorded on a webcam and published on Youtube/Facebook. (Mystery box not included.)
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Taylor Stanton, Liann Kaye, Joey Bergren, Bhanu Chundu, Will Stanton, and Joon Chung will simultaneously make any picture you send us (barring pornography/twin jokes) our Facebook cover photo for a full 24 hrs. We are allowed to Photoshop text about the Kickstarter on said picture, however. (Mystery box not included.)
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Everything above AND you will receive a link to watch the completed film on Vimeo when it is done! (Mystery box not included.)
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Everything above AND in a YouTube questionnaire William will answer anything you want to know about Taylor. (Mystery box not included.)
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Everything above AND you will receive an mp3 recording of a "thank you" song/rap recorded by Liann Kaye, Taylor Stanton, or Joey Bergren -- delivered to your inbox upon the Kickstarter's completion. (Mystery box not included.)
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Everything above AND You will receive a personalized Charlene Kaye tote bag!!! (LIMITED EDITION -- only for the first 40 donors!). Donate this amount and you will also receive a cooking lesson (in person/via skype/on Youtube) from Taylor on how to cook one of the 2 meals he knows how: 1) Thai Coconut Yellow Curry 2) Penne Rosa Cream Sauce Pasta. (Mystery box not included.)
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Everything above AND you will receive your name in the thank you credits of the film, a copy of the DVD upon completion signed by the director himself, Taylor Stanton. (Mystery box not included.)
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Everything above AND Taylor will make you a thank you 5 minute mini-doc for you, about you, and what he thinks of you. (Mystery box not included.)
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Everything above AND -- The person in the most convenient region of the United States will cook you the most delicious dinner. NYC: Taylor; New Baltimore: Taylor's Dad; Chicago: Joey Bergren; Ann Arbor: Walter Lin; LA: Bhanu
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Everything above AND you get an Executive Producer credit on the film. (Plus one mystery box!)
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
