Kickstarter

THE PROJECT

Mirror and Missal is an independent feature film, to be shot as a passion project on weekends by a determined team of filmmakers.

The story surrounds a young man who wanders into a fictionalized version of Echo Park. This is a timeless Echo Park, filled by a small community of Bohemian-type characters. And at the head of the community is an evil dance choreographer who is trying to obtain the magical powers of the full moon by performing a dance involving the women of the area. As the young man wanders into town, the choreographer is hit with a case of love-at-first site. But so is our narrator, a young, reclusive writer who lives across the street. The two women then try to make sure the other doesn’t get the guy first, and in the process cause him to fall for all women in town.

Mirror and Missal will utilize a combination of contemporary digital cinema tools, with traditional filmic techniques and styles. We’re looking to create a unique, highly stylized return to art-house movies. Taking cues from back-lot Hollywood films of the 40s and 50s, we’ll be combining genres by adding the feel of 80s New York no-wave movies, and a touch of the French Cinema-du-look.

The characters that inhabit the world are an ensemble of complex three dimensional people with larger-than-life personalities. They live their daily lives without questioning the strange happenings around them - allowing the audience to fully embody and accept the subtly magical world created.

THE PLAN

With an experienced crew that has worked together for several years, we are ready to tackle this ambitious project head on. We will be filming on odd days and weekends, working around schedules and with mostly owned, borrowed or donated equipment. Already knowing how to work both quickly and efficiently together will allow us more time to work on developing the scenes and getting the perfect take. The actors will be worked with closely during pre-production and non-shoot days to develop the characters and further create relationships and a realistic setting.

WHERE YOUR INVESTMENT IS GOING

With the bulk of expenses, the equipment, mostly donated by the crew, we will be putting our minimal budget of $5,000 to:

1. Feeding the Cast and Crew - This will take up the bulk of the budget. With both the actors and the crew members donating their time, it is essential that everyone is well fed to keep people happy. And with fifteen to twenty-five people on set a day, the craft service & lunch bills add up fast.

2. Production Design - Another section of your investment will be going to see that the props, wardrobe and set dressing are done to their fullest and fanciest. When production value is low in these departments it shows up on the screen. That is why we are determined to search, find and even make the best possible items to give the best possible look.

3. Specialty Items - This includes the various lenses, filters, grip equipment and other such items that will be rented for a single day or two to give the film that special shot, that special look, that special feel. These items will allow the movie to stand out as something unique and special.

Thank you again for helping us make this film come to life. We are excited to get the project under way. Look for additional video posts with more updates coming soon.

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