Kickstarter

What is this film about?
Last year I traveled throughout Eastern Europe in several former Soviet Republics. I was amazed to hear so many people voice their positive stories about America. How they were influenced by our music, films, innovations and freedom as they were growing up in a repressive society. Given the current divisive political atmosphere, I think a lot of Americans have lost sight of all the good we have accomplished throughout our history. "American Overture" celebrates American diversity, freedom, art, innovation and equality set in a collage of iconic surreal imagery.  The film takes a quick glance at "who we are" from a positive point of view, without coming off as overly patriotic or boastful. Just a simple reminder of what we have all accomplished as a united people from diverse backgrounds, faiths, cultures and points of view.  

Who's a part of this project?
I've been very fortunate to have worked with some of the best choreographers, dancers, costume designers and cinematographers in San Francisco. We are pleased to announce that Shannon Roberts, Tiit Helimets and Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun from the San Francisco Ballet will perform in our film.  The filmmaker, dancers, choreographer, Director of Photography and designers are from all diverse backgrounds, political persuasions and ethnicity, working towards a common goal to see this unique film produced. 

Choreographer/Dancer  San Francisco Ballet - Shannon Roberts
Born in Lake Tahoe, California, Shannon Marie Roberts trained at San Francisco Ballet School prior to being named as an apprentice in 2004. She joined the Company in 2005 and has performed featured roles in Tomasson’s Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, Caniparoli’s Ibsen’s House, and Robbins’ West Side Story Suite.  Her repertory also includes works by George Balanchine, David Bintley, Michel Fokine, William Forsythe, James Kudelka, Mark Morris, Paul Taylor, and Christopher Wheeldon, among others.

San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer - Tiit Helimets
Born in Viljandi, Estonia, Tiit Helimets trained at the Tallinn Ballet School and began his career as a soloist with Estonian National Ballet. He was promoted to principal dancer six months later, making Estonian dance history when he danced the role of Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake at age 18. After dancing all the principal repertory with that company, he joined Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1999, where he created roles in Bintley’s The Seasons, The Shakespeare Suite, Sylvia, The Orpheus Suite, and Les Petit Riens; and in Siddiqui’s Krishna. Since joining SF Ballet in 2005, he has performed lead roles in Tomasson’s Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty; as well as Tomasson/Possokhov’s Don Quixote, and Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid, among others.

San Francisco Ballet Soloist - Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun trained at Varaporn and Kanchana Ballet School and The Royal Ballet School before joining the Company as a soloist in 2004. She has performed a variety of lead roles including the Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Arabian in Tomasson’s Nutcracker; Myrtha in Tomasson’s Giselle; the Lilac Fairy, Enchanted Princess, and Fairy of Tenderness in Tomasson’s The Sleeping Beauty; and pas de trois, Swan Maiden, Spanish Princess, and Russian Princess in Tomasson’s Swan Lake.

How will the funds be used?
The film is already 65% completed. I have already created all the scenes, video effects, animation and music. We are ready to choreograph, rehearse and shoot the dance portion of the film in a one day shoot at a green screen studio in San Francisco. Funds raised for this project will go toward choreographer's fee, dancers fee's and rehearsal studio costs.

Can you show other examples of your work?
Here's a link to the movie trailer for my previous film, "Black Train is Coming" which was presented in over 14 dance film festivals worldwide in 2011-12.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxMUcSB4_N4

Here's a link to an earlier film I created with Yannis Adoniou's KUNST-STOFF dance. The film was also presented in various festivals worldwide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQPqpbOJOYQ

Here's a link to some dance art I created featuring dancers from Alonzo King LINES Ballet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLmjDDjndgY&feature=relmfu