Kickstarter

SYNOPSIS:

In the spring of 1969 Janet, a self-assured young grad student, is invited to the rehearsal of an experimental theatre troupe. Despite Janet’s reserved nature, at the rehearsal she begins to discard her inhibitions. Drawn into a cathartic group ritual, Janet undergoes a transformation.

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Through historical fiction "What is Janet Lynn?" examines a moment in American history when the relationship between the individual and society was being tested, questioned, and transformed. It reflects on a time of radical hope, when new visionaries in theater and performance art were affecting change through collective symbolic action. This film attempts to capture this moment and to reflect on the shift in the psychology of American society between then and now.

Our goal is to complete the film by July of this year to begin submitting to film festivals in the U.S. and abroad.

WHY THIS STORY?

As a young artist and film-maker, I, like many in my generation, look back to the sixties as a time of renaissance: of cultural growth, of experimentation, of struggle and huge advances for cultural and civic freedoms, of openings and vast possibilities. I think many of my generation long for the optimism, determination, and collective solidarity that we see in those days. Our need for strong communities and grassroots collective action is often thwarted by feelings of cynicism, hopelessness and isolation.

This film, about one woman casting off the shell of an isolating, repressive identity, aims to confront and engage that cynicism through visceral metaphor. Inspired by the Living Theater's "beautiful nonviolent revolution", the bold social experiments of the Dionysus Group, and the somatic healing rituals of the Brazilian artist Lygia Clark, "What is Janet Lynn?" asks the age-old humanistic question of what it means to be free.

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?

We will be shooting Super 16mm film with a combined cast and crew of close to forty people. The money raised on Kickstarter will be used for film stock, processing, telecine, locations fees, equipment rentals, production and costume design, and meals for cast and crew. 

THE ACTUAL COST OF THE FILM WILL BE CLOSE $10,000, WE ARE ASKING FOR $6,000. IF WE DO NOT REACH $6,000 WE RECEIVE NOTHING. PLEASE HELP US MEET AND EXCEED OUR GOAL.