Currently in cinema the “road movie”, as a genre, has almost entirely disappeared. It seems that it died some years ago without even a slight struggle. Now of course there have been movies that take place on the road but nothing like what they were capturing in the 60’s and 70’s. The filmmakers of today are simply using the road as a setting or a path towards easy, progressive complications for their hero to triumph over and ultimately gain more muscle mass. They forgot the whole point of the road, the whole essence and utter truth of the thing; that is, the freedom. They forgot the freedom, we in a way forgot that freedom. What we, the viewers, did not forget though, is what that freedom feels like. Having wings disguised as wheels, as we fly under visible sun-rays that pierce through incredible clouds with our windows down and our 5 buck gas station shades and fuzzy Rock n’ Roll playing louder than the hum of the wind. Our guide the map, and our heads laid back with a perma-grin of anticipation. Nothing else but the Road and the destination, if there even is one.

My mission is to burn this feeling back onto a piece of film. Capture, once again, the bountiful harvest of emotions that we experience once we start cruising to something worthwhile. All the music and stops along the way. The people you will meet and the food you eat and the drinks you will drink. The crazy games that you’ll play and the tragedies that can ruin a day. All of these things tumbling towards you, a real road trip. One that you can feel change you.

Change and freedom go hand in hand; and that, is what my film is about.

“Highway Child” is the title and yes, for you Experience fans wondering, it’s inspired by the Hendrix song. Its 1974, two young bikers, Jim & Tyler, are taking their annual summer road trip across the country. Just as things are kicking off Tyler announces that this is the last trip and that both of them are staying this time, wherever they end up. Something unexpected happens as the two meet the gorgeous girls, Annie & Nicole, and Jim starts to see things in a different light.

In making this film my producer and I are aiming at paying homage to the classic road movies of the 60’s and 70’s as well as creating a stand alone, unique piece of art that is genuine, and rings true for anyone who can connect to it. This story will be shot on 16mm color film to create a grainy, saturated, raw feel that your eye would expect when viewing a movie from 1974. It will be filled with loud rock n’ roll that’s inspired by the time period and the bikes will be gorgeous. The costumes will be rich, colorful, and accurate, however since our main characters are nostalgic about the passing 60’s their clothing will naturally reflect that. And what’s a road trip without breathtaking scenery? Well, we’ll have that too.

This is a short film that will run around 20 minutes long. It will be funny, it will be sad, it will be memorable. This film will enter the festival circuit upon it’s completion. My goal, above all else, is to make a great, entertaining film.

With your help, I can achieve this goal and we will all be a part of what will hopefully spark a resurrection in the true road movie. Please donate today and we will make this film together.

 -Writer/Director Jake Macpherson 

This is what your money will be going towards:

$1,000 for 16mm Fujifilm
$1,000 to process that film so we can edit it using the latest editing programs
$500-$600 for equipment
$600 for food for the cast and crew
$200-$300 for the rental truck to haul equipment
$300 for costumes and props
$300 for shooting permits and locations such as bars and hotels
$200 to pay professional actors
$360 for a J.L. Fischer Dolly
$120 for Dolly track