Kickstarter

The big question: Why support us?

The world is full of mediocre road trip documentaries. This won't be one of them. This will be a tale of extraordinary Americans seen from an entirely new perspective. We have new ideas about filmmaking and will sincerely strive to make this an experience like nothing you've ever seen before. Our goal is to make a film that has the humor of improv and the adventure of your favorite epic narrative while holding tight to the truth of a documentary. We're young filmmakers bursting with hopeful hearts, creative minds, and a dream to inspire fun...but being young also means we haven't established financial security. So we're daring and hoping that you will choose to dare with us.   

The open road beckons… and we want to share the journey with you.

There they go again!

In 1987, Pat and Dave were down-and-out twentysomethings with no job prospects, no girlfriends, and no purpose in life. So, they did what they had to - they embarked on an 8,000 mile cross-country trip in a dilapidated roadster to discover America, and just perhaps figure out what life was all about. 

A crazy thing happened; somewhere out on the open road, amidst relentless breakdowns of Lord Percival, their contrary roadster, run-ins with biker gangs, heatstroke and rattlesnakes, they met with kindness of strangers and saw the breathtaking beauty of America.

Now, on the 25th anniversary of the trip, middle-age is staring them in the face with a whole new set of life questions. So, they are going to return to the open road, hoping that they can recapture some of their lost youth and perhaps find the inspiration to once again re-invent themselves. Same guys, same car, same route...but this time we will be joining them - four adventurous filmmakers in our twenties with a passion for discovery and new perspectives.

We will join the two men on their month-log road trip through the spectacular places of America. Our goal? To meet ordinary Americans who have led extraordinary lives. Oh, and also to make it across the country and back with a crotchety 52-year-old convertible, and two crotchety 50-year-old men.

Can they pull it off without killing each other?

Recreating the original road trip with Lord Percival by means of the same route 25 years later is no easy matter. After all, Lord Percival is now 53 years old and anyone who's befriended a car knows that cars age much more rapidly than humans. Last time it was Lord Percival's stubbornness that nearly killed his occupants. This time it very well could be his age. 

Also, Dave and Patrick have led very different lives and have very different viewpoints. Over the past quarter-century, Patrick turned into a tree-hugging, part-time vegetarian and Dave became a libertarian Tea Party supporter. What will happen while they are stuck in a two-seat roadster together for a month? Can they get along, or will they kill each other? And if one kills the other, which one will be left, and how will he dispose of the body? Whatever happens, we'll be there to capture it on film!

Ordinary Americans with Extraordinary Lives

At its heart, Dangerous Crosswinds will be a film about Americans who have discarded the ordinary for the extraordinary. We want to meet the man who has lived at the bottom of the Grand Canyon his whole life. We want to meet the kids at the school for the blind on the very poorest part of the Hopi Indian reservation. We want to meet the Amazing Frank from LA, the homeless man with the made-up name because Jesse can't remember it. Our country is full of stories. We're setting out to find the characters, the comedians, the fighters, and the heroes... and to find a little bit of ourselves along the way.

So America, are you ready to meet The Beautiful? 

FAQ 

WHAT WILL THE MONEY GO TOWARD?

Basically we need to fund our expenses so that we can accompany Pat and Dave on the road trip. This will include:
Food - Alas, we're not making a documentary about fasting.
Gas - It's a road trip. Let's be honest.
Lodging - Don't worry, we're not looking to stay in any five-star hotels. In fact we'll mostly be camping out and finding places to sleep for free. However.. we will need showers at some point.
Kickstarter - This very campaign will claim part of our earnings.
Advertisement - What's the point if we don't meet our goal of connecting people?

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO HELP?

In addition to funding.. Just get the word out! This whole project is about connecting Americans from East Coast to West Coast. Network through us. Also, if you're along the route, we'll be looking for places to stay and a break from fast food. (Hint: Patrick and Dave, despite their political differences, both like good beer.)

WHAT IF I WANT TO JOIN YOU? HOW CAN I FOLLOW THIS TRIP?

In addition to our kickstarter campaign we will be keeping regular updates on our website and facebook page.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T MEET THE GOAL?

This is an "all or nothing" campaign. If we don't meet our goal of $10,000 or more then we get zero funding. So.. please help us! (You will not be charged until the deadline date, June 6th 2012, and if the goal is achieved.)

CAN I INCREASE MY PLEDGE ONCE IT'S BEEN MADE?

Until the campaign ends, you have the freedom to change the amount you pledge as well as what rewards you wish to receive (as long as your pledge meets the minimum requirements for that reward). You can donate any amount between $1-$10,000. Donations are anonymous.

HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHERE TO MAIL THE POSTCARD?

You will get a message from us requesting this information as well as T-shirt size, etc. At that time, please reply to us as soon as possible so that we can complete your incentive.

IS THIS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?

Unfortunately, no. Our company, Üneven Productions, is a for-profit business. All donations are raw gifts, which is why we'd like to express our deepest gratitude to our donors, no matter how big or small an amount they give.

A NOTE ABOUT US FROM LORD PERCIVAL:   

 "I would first like to properly introduce myself. I am Lord Percival Truman the Triumphant and I was born in Coventry, England in 1959. My father was a proud Triumph and my mother, a beautiful TR2. When I was a young lad I thought I could conquer the world; I took off and headed for the great land we call America. Yet it seemed my wheels were bigger than my engine and I soon found myself enslaved and broken down.

"It wasn't until 1987 that two lads, a wee bit younger than myself, came upon my miserable condition. They bathed me and fed me gas with oil to drink. I felt a little life return. But I was never prepared for the quest they had planned. They made me go and I stubbornly fought against them. Alas, I admit I even tried to kill them just to get away. I'm glad I did not succeed. Those strong-willed lads gave me a life again. They made me feel young and together we experienced wonders and saw beauties that I never imagined.

"Now they come to me, as old friends, and ask that I do it again. And I said yes without a bloody hesitation! I'll have four young ones under my wheels this time and I plan to take them on a journey of epic proportion. I am quite old now, however, and can only hope that I might guide them to the very end. Now, it would be my honor to introduce them to you.

"First, meet the Director/Set Photographer, Adelle Drahos. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from SCAD with a BFA in the Performing Arts. (Not the least bit daft if I do say so myself!) During her schooling she was able to stay constantly active in numerous student films as well as volunteer at the Savannah Film Festival each autumn. The lady has not only written plays and screenplays that have been produced, but has also had the opportunity to direct both mediums. This will be her first documentary project, however, and I know she is very excited to face the task! Also in school, Adelle was given a window to develop her passion for professional photography. She had the wonderful opportunity to take a photography class in France last summer and even sold multiple pieces in the quarterly "Vernissage" (exhibition). I might suggest you see more of her photography at her website and on that Facebook place you young ones use as well.

"Now the Head Interviewer/Equipment Manager is Jesse Mitchell. This chap is twenty-three years of age and has a bold passion for film acting and modeling. He first discovered his love for film in the sixth grade while taking an acting class with his acting coach and now friend Cris Taylor. After that he went on to take adult classes at Zarro Acting Academy and has since pushed on to make appearances in shows on stations such as Discovery Channel, ID channel, and even a few feature films. Brilliant, if you ask me! Jesse recently returned from his own cross-country trip to Burbank, California where, for three months, he lived out of his car, Lancelot (whom I've not had the pleasure to meet). Now he looks forward to making yet another cross-country trip only this time sharing it with other people around the lands of America...and me, of course. 

"Moving on, the Camera Operator is Jaime Schirmer. This right stunning lady is also a recent SCAD graduate with a BFA in Film and Television. Ever since recording home-videos with a VHS camcorder rescued from a dumpster, she's been in love with filmmaking. Isn't that simply a story! During her time at SCAD she found an interest in cinematography. At school and as a freelancer the lady has gained experience with lighting and camera work and is constantly burying herself into the technical world of creating beautiful moving images. As should be, she too is quite excited to take her knowledge to the road to capture America's stories in a beautiful and effective way. I'd recommend you might see more of her work at her website as well.

"Next is the Sound Operator/Equipment Manager, Scott Morgan. This brilliant, daring lad is a local firefighter in Currituck County, NC. For nearly seven years now, he has been setting up sound equipment and operating soundboards for concerts, church's, Battle of the Bands, as well as other events. He gained his fancy for music in the summer of 2003 when he first started to play drums for local churches. Now he is ready to embark on a once in a lifetime trip with some amazingly talented people (and a rather smashing car) to find the America in America!

"Lastly, I do not appreciate being called dilapidated and crotchety - respect your elders! Now, let's start this trip off on the right wheel, shall we young ones? Thank you."

-Lord Percival