RunTellmanRun: A Barefoot Odyssey
Project by RunTellmanRun
Project by RunTellmanRun

WHY WE'RE MAKING THIS FILM:
On September 9, 2009, Tellman Knudson set out to do something that no one has ever attempted. Beginning in New York City with his feet bare, Tellman began a cross-country odyssey that has been painful, moving and life changing for both him and the people for whom he is running. Every penny raised by the RunTellmanRun project will go directly to programs that provide support to homeless youth and help them get back on their feet.
Tellman is not only undertaking the challenge of running across the country barefoot to break records, he is also using his journey to force all of us to confront a silent epidemic in our country: youth homelessness. Over two million American kids will experience homelessness this year, and on average, thirteen kids die on our streets every day. Outraged by these statistics, and energized by the incredible people he has met along the way, Tellman has persevered through impossible road conditions, chronic injury, and severe weather that would keep most of us indoors.
WHAT THE FILM IS ABOUT:
"RunTellmanRun: Mile 0-654" will chronicle the first 654 miles of Tellman's barefoot run, starting at Battery City Park in New York City and journeying through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. We'll watch Tellman as he experiments with waterproofing his feet, Gorilla Glues holes caused by "tar knives", and discovers the power of chia seeds. While the physical run becomes more and more challenging, its importance becomes increasingly apparent. We'll see Tellman come face to face with the kids he is running for, and watch him work with local organizations to meet their own challenges in providing support to homeless youth. "RunTellmanRun: Mile 0-654" will speak to the power of the human body and spirit alike.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Almost 700 miles in, we are ready to share the first chapter of this story in a short documentary that will follow Tellman and his crew as they attempt to do something completely original, while changing the lives of kids who deserve more than they've been given. We have been shooting the film guerrilla-style, with Flip video cameras and skateboards, and we plan to edit and distribute it in the same spirit, which we estimate will cost about $6,000. Once the film is finished, we will sell it and enter it in festivals. Proceeds from the sale of the film will go directly to the RunTellmanRun project. We hope that the power of the story so far will be compelling to potential donors, whose funding will allow us to continue filming Tellman's journey and spreading the word about youth homelessness in America. Thanks for your support. You're a rockstar.
P.S. All donations are tax deductible!!! Visit www.tellman.org
Make your pledge by choosing one of the categories to the right.
Learn more about the RunTellmanRun project at http://www.runtellmanrun.com
SPEED WALKER: If you pledge $5, you'll get an MP4 digital download of the finished film.
WEEKEND JOGGER: If you pledge $20, you'll get all of the above, plus name recognition on the RunTellmanRun website, plus we'll advertise your website with a live link.
RUNNER: If you pledge $25, you'll get all of the above, plus a DVD copy of the finished film.
SPRINTER: If you pledge $50, you'll get all of the above, plus access to rough cut "sneak peaks" of the film as it's being edited.
RACER: If you pledge $100, you'll get all of the above, plus get your DVD copy of the finished film signed by Tellman himself, and backstage pass to our digital "cutting room floor"
MARATHONER: If you pledge $250, you'll get all of the above, plus one of Tellman's signature chili pepper bandanas, signed by the man himself (we'll wash it first), and CHUCK NORRIS
ULTRA-MARATHONER: If you pledge $500, you'll get a DVD of the film, plus all of the above, plus a signed poster of the RunTellmanRun crew, and an actual signed footprint of Tellman's calloused, dirt-covered, glass-embedded foot.
OLYMPIAN: If you pledge $1,000, you'll get a DVD of the short film PLUS a DVD of the the full-length documentary after the run, plus all of the above, plus see your name on the silver screen as an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, plus a VIP invite to the post-run party in Santa Monica, CA, plus a live call with Tellman where you can ask him about the run and make suggestions for the film.
BAREFOOT RUNNER: If you pledge $2,000, you'll get a DVD of the short film PLUS a DVD of the the full-length documentary after the run, plus all of the above, plus see your name on the silver screen as a PRODUCER, plus a CAMEO in the film featuring you barefoot running and/or talking about why you're supporting the cause (BE A STAR!!!), plus Tellman will call you and thank you in person, and he'll tell you his middle name.
BAREFOOT BADASS: If you pledge $2,500, you'll get all of the above (including the DVDs, a cameo in the film, VIP invite to the post-run party, and a live call with Tellman), plus see your name on the silver screen as an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, plus get access to Tellman's complete barefoot running video course "How to Start Barefoot Running."
BAREFOOT PROTEGE: If you pledge $5,000, you'll get all of the above (including the DVDs, a cameo in the film, VIP invite to the post-run party, a call with Tellman, and "How to Start Running Barefoot"), plus a day-long BAREFOOT RUNNING CLASS with Tellman, in person. Learn how to barefoot run from the master!!!
BAREFOOT NINJA: If you pledge $10,000, you'll get all of the above (including the DVDs, a cameo in the film, VIP invite to the post-run party, "How to Start Barefoot Running" training course, and a barefoot running lesson with Tellman), plus your OWN SHORT FILM (5-10 minutes)!!! We'll send you a Flip video camera and you'll become the director, shooting your own (G-Rated) footage, which you will send to our professional editor who will turn it into a cinematic MASTERPIECE. We'll also throw in a round-trip ticket (from anywhere in the US) to the post-run VIP party in Santa Monica, where you'll get the RED CARPET TREATMENT!!!