Kickstarter

BLOOD MAKES THE GREEN GRASS GROW is a half-hour narrative short film, a labor of love shot by a tiny crew last winter.  We’re now in the final stage of post-production.  Almost done!  Please help push us over the finish line.

What is the movie about?

In their comfortable suburban home, Mary and Tom’s once-happy marriage is crumbling.  Trapped by their inability to confront a tragic past, Tom goes through the motions at work, and Mary drifts through her days in a fog.  They can no longer reach one another the way they used to.  Mary spurns her best friend’s attempt to get her out into the world and Tom falls apart at the office.  Then a chance encounter on a bus changes everything. Blood Makes the Green Grass Grow explores the aftershocks of war, and the high price paid by soldiers and their loved ones – a price still being paid long after battles are lost or won.

What’s the money for?

Up till now, we’ve been able to beg, borrow, and steal our way through making this movie.  Actors and crew donated or deferred their fees, equipment was loaned, locations were accessed for free.  But some of the most expensive parts of the filmmaking process can’t be done for nothing.  We need to raise finishing funds – $11,000 for color correction, sound mixing, publicity, and an effective festival roll-out.

What if we don’t reach our goal in time?

We don’t even want to think about it.  The film won’t get any of the funds – even what’s already been pledged – if we fall short of the goal. Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing deal.  If we’re just one dollar short when the deadline hits, it’s all off:  the pledges are all voided, no money changes hands, no rewards get sent.  This cannot happen ... right?

Can we raise more than our goal?

Absolutely!  We set our goal at the bare minimum needed to finish the movie, but anything we raise beyond that goes toward paying modest fees to our cast and crew for all their efforts.  None of them signed onto this endeavor for the money, but they sure deserve some compensation for their tremendous work.

What’s more,  we can use funds above and beyond the cast and crew pay we've budgeted – any additional surplus money will go directly into improving the film’s promotion and outreach, getting it out to more screens and expanding its potential audience.

Will the amount I pledge be public?

No.  We’ll know, but no one else will.  Your Kickstarter username will be listed under the blue “Backers” tab above, but the amount you pledge will be confidential.

When will I receive my rewards?

After the deadline passes and the funds are transferred, we will contact you for your address and start shipping rewards right away.  DVDs will go out later – most festivals won’t accept films that are available on DVD, so we’ll wait until the end of our festival run to ship.  You’ll still get yours before anyone else does, and we promise it will be worth the wait!

Can I do anything else to help?

Yes!  Please spread the word – email this page link to your friends and family, link to it on Facebook and Twitter, "Like" it, "Star" it, talk it up and keep the buzz going.  This campaign is all about the size and strength of the network we are creating together.

Can I increase my pledge amount after I've made it?

You sure can.  If you're signed into your Kickstarter account and you've already donated, there will be a blue "Manage Your Donation" button on this page (near the top, where the green "Back This Project" used to be).  Click it to enter a new amount and choose a new reward!

How can I learn more?

Check out our Facebook page – and please click "Like" while you're there!  Go to www.greengrowthproductions.com and see our Projects page, or read the production diary on the News page.  You can also contact us directly by clicking one of the "Send Message" links (there's one to the lower right, by Josh's bio, and another at the top of this page).  We'll gladly answer any questions we can.