About this project

THE FILM

We’re making a funny, entertaining feature film entitled “Melissa May I.” Length will be approximately 90 minutes. Expected rating is PG-13. To make the funding more manageable, we’re shooting the film in three parts. Part 1 has been completed, and we are here to raise funds for the production of Part 2.

“Melissa May I” is a smart, quirky comedy about a guy who got rich quick and then lost it all just as fast — and how he’s affected not by that so much as he is by the two women who lift him up after the fall. As these three passionate, willful people pursue their goals in the local music scene, they repeatedly crash into the realities of the business and creative worlds, and the absurdities of their ever-changing relationships.

 

It’s a fun, humanistic film that celebrates flawed-yet-loveable characters. “Melissa May I” could be compared to low-budget films such as "Napoleon Dynamite," “Once,” or “Swingers” — or medium-budget films such as “Juno,” “Sideways,” “Waitress,” or “Garden State.”

SEE THE SCRIPT-READING VIDEO

CLICK HERE (password: Melissa342). This is a 90-second excerpt from our script-reading video. When the script was a work-in-progress, the actors read the script before a small, live audience. NOTE: The actors had almost no rehearsal time; it was almost a “cold” reading (and they still did a great job!).

THE CHARACTERS

BEN — an entrepreneur who struck out with his software company, and is now starting a local record label. While smart and hardworking, he lacks some basic people skills. For example, he fires his assistant/fiancée, Claire, assuming she’ll marry him anyway (he’s wrong).

MELISSA — a truly creative soul. She’s an artist who works in numerous media. She’s also pushy, judgmental, romantically messed up and full of bizarre ideas — but she’s loveable just the same.

CLAIRE — a sweet, genuine, passionate music-lover who responds to Ben firing her by starting her own record company. She struggles to remain a nice person while dealing with the realities of the business world.

HELEN — a self-involved business consultant who is giving poor Claire some of the worst advice she could ever want.

 

PART 1 — COMPLETED

We’re off to a great start! We’ve shot and edited ¼ of the film (24 minutes of completed footage). It looks terrific, and the actors are really funny and loveable! We have not added music yet. We also have not done full post-production on the footage we've shot (color correction, final sound work, etc.); that work will be done later.

PART 2

With your help, we can shoot Part 2 of the film (in April or May 2012). After shooting and editing Part 2, we’ll have half the movie (about 45 minutes) shot, edited, and scored. We will then show that footage to funding sources in Los Angeles and New York. We’re VERY confident that the work we can show people at that point will attract the funds we will need to complete the film.

FUNDING FOR PRODUCTION OF PART 2

Funding raised here will be spent on pay for cast and crew (around 25 people), food, production insurance, equipment rental (grip truck, lighting, sound, etc.), post-production services, a composer, and other expenses related to production and post-production.

GREATER PRODUCTION VALUE

When we shot Part 1, logistical constraints limited us to just two locations (all interiors). With funding for Part 2, we will be able to really “open up” the film, and give viewers a much better feel for what the entire movie will be like. With funding for Part 2, we’ll be able to add:

• THE funniest scenes in the movie
• more locations (including exteriors)
• crowd scenes (lots of extras)
• a music performance
• very funny supporting characters
• a composer to write and record the score (music adds a LOT to a film)

These things will GREATLY increase the production value. Viewers will be able to watch our work and really get a feel for the entire film. We’re very excited to be shooting THE funniest scenes in the movie next. We couldn’t shoot them before because we weren’t at the locations for those scenes. But with funding for Part 2, we’ll be able to shoot those scenes, and add everything else on the above list. Part 2 will move the film forward in a BIG way!

IF WE EXCEED OUR FUNDING GOAL

We’ll have several options. We could shoot for more days. Or we could create a more elaborate web site or poster, which would help us market the film. Or we could create a funny, entertaining trailer, which would help bring more attention to the project.

PRODUCTION TEAM

We have a great group of people on this project!
   Jim Meyers — writer/producer/director
   Debra Meyers — co-producer
   Paul Nicknig — co-producer
   Torrey Loomis — executive producer
   John Jimenez — director of photography
   Cast and Crew — lots of talent, experience, and positive attitude!
For bios, click here.

MY MOST RECENT FILM

I’ve proven I can make a movie that appeals to a wide audience! My most recent film, the award-winning romantic comedy “Her Minor Thing,” which I wrote and produced, has been seen all over the world on TV and DVD (U.S., Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, Australia, and many more). In the U.S., it’s aired numerous times on Showtime, Starz, The Movie Channel, and Women’s Entertainment. “Her Minor Thing” had its world premiere at the prestigious Seattle International Film Festival, and its world TV premiere on TF1, the top broadcast network in France.

LET’S MAKE A MOVIE!

We have a very talented cast, and a terrific crew. We’re making a positive, life-affirming film that’s funny and entertaining. And it’s a film we’ll all be proud of once it’s done. We hope you’ll join us in making this. And please share this project with your friends! Thanks for reading!

Jim Meyers, writer/produder/director, “Melissa May I”

www.melissamayi.com

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