An American soldier is captured in Afghanistan. Before he is executed, he finds an opportunity to escape.
Based on a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, a civil war soldier, "Sacrifice" is a contemporary adaptation that takes place during the current war in Afghanistan. Michael Lyons, a marine, is captured while on patrol. Alone and stripped of his gear, he faces execution by Fariad, an intelligent leader of a group of insurgents. Right before his execution, he finds an opportunity to escape, though it is not what it seems.
Cast for "Sacrifice"
Former USMC Sgt Jason Audette as Sgt Michael Lyons
Amro Salama as Fariad
Kenny Cooper as Tony Harrington
Jose Figueroa as Alex Medina
Tyler Schnabel as Jack Wright
Erik Aude as Jeremy
David Imani as Anwar
Anna Borchert as Samantha Lyons
Nav Mann as Houshmand
Fouad Hajji as Kinah
Rishi Arya as Awrang
Update Video from Melissa and Jen!
Who are we?
We are a writer/director team based in LA. We've written a number of feature scripts together but this will be our first filmed work together. We've started forming a great team and are excited to have them all on board!
Director/Writer/Producer: Melissa Marlette Melissa's work
Writer/Producer: Jen Vestuto Jen's work
Production Manager/Producer: Missy Shaw Missy's work
Director of Photography: Michael L. Solomon - Michael's work
1st AD: Jerry J. Cunningham- Jerry's work
Makeup Artist/SFX: Mary Trahey - Mary's work
Composer: Andrew Edwards - Andrew's work
Sound Designer: Scotty Tipton - Scotty's work
Costume Designer: Mary Wuliger - Mary's work
What will happen with the film when it's finished?
Our goal is to enter the film in as many festivals around the world as possible. We've included most of the cost for this in our budget and can only hope for success after this. We are going to do our best to market and publicize the film as much as possible and by supporting this project, you're helping us all accomplish that. After its festival run, it will be put online to be watched for free unless it's picked up for distribution.
Why do we need your help?
Film is a collaborative medium and while it's a great expression of art, it takes a lot of time, effort and money. We have 13 actors and almost 20 crew members who are going to be venturing out into the deserts of Los Angeles to film this movie for 4 days. Just to give you an idea:
Cast & Crew - $10,000
Equipment rentals - $4,000
Location Permits - $4,000
Post Production - $5,000
Festivals- $5,000
What else can you do to help?
The biggest thing we can ask of you is for your support, and that doesn't just mean financially. If you're still interested in helping the project, just spread the word. Post it on Facebook, Twitter, on your blog, email 5 friends. Anything you can do to get our project out there is just as important.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email us at finaleau@gmail.com with the subject line "Sacrifice kickstarter". Don't forget to check our Facebook, Twitter and blog to stay updated on our progress.
Thank you so much for checking out our page and we hope you are inspired to be a part of our project!
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
There are many challenges to making a short film. Not the least of which is overcoming the idea that a short film is like a student film. It’s not. It’s like a feature film, but for a shorter period of time. Our biggest hurdle will be creating a realistic setting, which is the overall essence of the film. In order to do this, we’ll need the help of prop guns, military tactical gear, and we'll need to find a place that looks and feels like an Army Base in the Afghanistan desert. We need to have what is referred to in the business as production value. In addition to all the props and wardrobe, we’ll need tents, Humvees, helicopters and a lot of extras. For a small film crew with not a lot of money, this is our biggest challenge. On a big budget production, they have an entire department that handles vehicles and we won’t have that. They have endless supplies of camouflage for extras and we won’t. And big budget productions can afford people to coordinate all of this so that it looks incredible and we cannot. But we can overcome this challenge. We’ve found some places that might work with us on all these various aspects and we are certain that with your help and a lot of perseverance, we can make our film look as good as one of those productions.
Both Jen and Melissa have professional on set production experience. We realize that a risk in our campaign is asking for money to pay cast and crew. Many short films or low budget films ask cast and crew to work for free, which we've done before. At this point in our filmmaking partnership with our prior on set experiences, we feel like we are at the filmmaking caliber to pay the filmmaking crew for their hours and hours of dedication, even on a 4 day shoot. By paying our crew, we're giving them part ownership of this project as we're giving you part ownership. In asking for this amount of money, we're significantly cutting the risk of any production problems by doing things as professionally as possible. Sure, there may be bumps in the road here and there, but with a professional cast and crew and with all the right things in place, we're likely to attain our ultimate goal of not only finishing the film, but entering and winning festivals.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding period
Feb 1, 2013 -
Mar 3, 2013
- First created · 2 backed
- Melissa Marlette 904 friends
- Website: sacrificemovie2013.com
Pledge $5 or more
35 backers
You're a Private Joker! You're all about the duality of man! (Full Metal Jacket). You get a special thanks on our Facebook page! And that's not some sort of sick joke!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $15 or more
76 backers
You're a Lt Dan! You've given us new legs! (Forrest Gump) You get a special thanks on Facebook and a digital download of the film when it's completed.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $25 or more
77 backers
You're a Lt Aldo Raine! You're helping us put together a team of soldiers! (Inglorious Basterds) You get all of the above plus special photo cards from set!
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $45 or more
50 backers
You're a Gunnery Sgt Hartman! Today, you're no longer maggots, you are part of a brotherhood! (Full Metal Jacket). You get a special thanks and photo cards from set, as well as a DVD of the completed film, an official movie poster and a PDF of the short script.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $75 or more
40 backers
You're a Lt Kaffee! You don't need a patch on your arm to have honor! (A Few Good Men). You get a special thanks on our official website, a DVD of the completed film, an official movie poster, set photos, a CD of the musical score from the film, and a printed copy of the script signed by the writers.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $250 or more
8 backers
You're a Sgt Elias! You are saving souls for the better of mankind! (Platoon) You get all of the above and we'll include the name of a veteran of your choice with your family name in a special section of the credits.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $500 or more
3 backers
You're a Capt John Miller! You've earned this and you don't think the mission is fubar! (Saving Private Ryan) You get all of the above including a special collectors book with the script.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
4 backers
You're a Lt Col Kilgore! You love the smell of napalm in the morning! (Apocalypse Now) You are a Co-Producer and will be listed as one in the film. You will also get all of the above including a special crew gift.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $2,500 or more
1 backer
You're a Lt Jordan O'Neil! Hoo-yah Master Chief! (GI Jane) You are an Associate Producer and will be listed as one in the film. You will also get all of the above including a Q&A with the writers and director (via skype if not local) a special edition DVD, a signed still frame from the movie and a customized crew gift of your choice.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers
You're a Maverick! Some say you're dangerous, but that's what we like about you! You really do feel the need for speed! (Top Gun) You are an Executive Producer and will be credited as one in the film. You will also receive a special edition DVD, a signed still frame from the movie, A CD of the musical score, a customized crew gift of your choice, a special collectors book, an on set visit during filming (travel and transportation not included) and a meet and greet with the filmmakers, cast and crew.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013
