A new media road trip, where we will produce a video series as we explore the food, people and culture that make up America.
CONCEPT
American Odyssey will present 101 Days Around America: West Side. This is a new media road trip project, where we’ll be exploring the western states of the U.S. as we produce a weekly webisode series and post featured videos, photos and blogs along the journey from our rolling RV studio.
The project will begin in San Diego and head north into Montana, through Washington, down the Oregon coast and then back through California, where, after 101 Days, we end on Thanksgiving at Ken’s childhood home in Santa Maria, CA.
We’ll be producing weekly episodes and other featured videos as we interview interesting people, attend exciting events, and visit National Parks, landmarks, beaches, wineries, big cities and small towns.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AMERICAN ODYSSEY TV
A Weekly Webisode from the road, Daily Photos, a Blog with tips, insights and stories of heroic adventures and historic mishaps, and Featured Videos on the people, places and events we encounter.
You can go to our Channel on YouTube or Vimeo to watch a full webisode. But in the mean time, here is a fun little video of us camping. There will be plenty of these little bits throughout.
OUR STORY
The idea for this project came over a decade ago. After finishing college, Ken wanted to take off on a road trip and see our country. Well, as luck would have it, he took off on a road trip, but instead of traveling the USA, he ended up driving through Central America.
He landed in Costa Rica, where he lived and worked for a year before moving off to Japan. There, Julie and Ken met while teaching English in Tokyo. After leaving Tokyo, they traveled for several months through Asia. Now, after years of circling the globe, Julie and Ken are finally ready to see America and share it with all of you.
This is the American Dream.
WHY NOW
Today, technology has progressed to the point that we can run a media studio out of an RV. Ten years ago, this wasn't possible. Now, we are connected everywhere, and we have the ability to connect with people no matter where we are. We are going to use these tools to find the best of America.
Where it will lead us, we don't know exactly, and that is the fun of it, right?
WHAT IS THE MONEY FOR?
The total budget for this project is $25,000. We have personally saved and are financing the majority of this budget. We are looking to supplement the last part through Kickstarter and your support to make our project a reality.
The $7,000 we are asking for (which will look more like $6,000 once the fees are taken out) will go towards food, rentals, permits and travel-related costs for the duration of the 101-day project.
We hope, with your help, we can put together such a strong product, that future seasons will be able to be sponsored. We are not looking for handouts, just a nice firm kick in the butt, or a Kickstart, if you will.
FUN REWARDS! TAKE THE TRIP WITH US
We have created our rewards and want to get YOU involved. If you are supporting this project, we not only want you to be able to follow the journey as it unfolds, but we also want you there with us!
"You are Here"
We'll take you along with us on the journey, and you'll have pictures to prove it. We'll grab a photo of you and take pictures with 'you' as we hit some of the most scenic places in all of America. Show off to your friends with a video of 'you' traveling the country, or surprise that special someone with a photo book of 'them' at Yellowstone, the Oregon Coast, or on a streetcar in San Francisco.
"Travel Partner"
Have a favorite trinket from your travels? Stuffed animal? Or just a fun item? Send it to us and we'll bring it along on our journey (think of the gnome in the movie Amelie). We'll take photos and videos of your 'friend' enjoying the sights along the way. At the end of the trip, you'll have photos, videos and your buddy sent back to you! Check out this pledge reward for the $400 level.
FAQ
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We are beginning in San Diego, CA, then heading up to Montana, then over to Oregon, and back down the California coast to complete the full loop in Southern California after our 101-day journey. Check out a more detailed map here: http://www.americanodyssey.tv/map/
You’re invited to be a part of it!
Here is the ‘rough’ route for our project:
San Diego, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Maria, CA
Las Vegas, CA
Zion Park, UT
Bryce Park, UT
Salt Lake City, UT
Jackson, WY
Yellowstone, MT
Bozeman, MT
Great Falls, MT
Whitefish, MT
Spokane, WA
Walla Walla, WA
Portland, OR
Bandon, OR
Humboldt, CA
San Francisco, CA
Yosemite Park, CA
Big Sur, CA
Santa Maria, CA -
Like us on Facebook & you will always be kept up to date:
http://www.facebook.com/aodtvYou can find our weekly webisode in several different places:
- On our website: http://www.americanodyssey.tv/show/
- On Blip.tv: http://blip.tv/aodtv
- Our podcast: http://blip.tv/aodtv/rss/To keep tabs on us on the road, you can also follow us on...
- Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/americanodtv
- Sign up for our RSS feed for the blog AmericanOdyssey.tv here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AmericanOdyssey -
In order for this trip to happen, we needed to secure a vehicle, pay for gas, food, some accommodation, as well as admission into events, national parks and the like. Also, we'll have production costs for maintaining equipment, renting equipment when needed, insurance, etc.
All of this adds up to over $25,000. We are funding the majority of the project, however, are looking to Kickstarter to help finish up our funding efforts.
We think that this is a great way to get the creative community involved in this project that we think everyone can be a part of.
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The launch date of the project is August 15 and the end date is November 24, Thanksgiving Day, 101 Days after we start. The web show will be produced and posted on a weekly basis when we are on the road, as well as consistent blogs, photos and other featured videos on our website.
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We set a goal, and must reach that goal in order to get any funds. Basically, it is all-or-nothing. If we reach our goal, Kickstarter and Amazon Payments will keep about 10% of the money. After paying for rewards and fees, the rest is for us to use on our project.
The goal is only a minimum, and if we make more than our goal, we will get to keep it as well.
8
Backers
$690
pledged of $7,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on September 9, 2011.
Funding period
Aug 9, 2011 -
Sep 9, 2011
- First created · 0 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: AmericanOdyssey.tv
Pledge $1 or more
1 backer
We will love you forever and ever.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2011Pledge $5 or more
0 backers
We will give you a shout-out on Facebook, Twitter, our site and your name on the sponsor list!
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $10 or more
0 backers
Two postcards from the road with personal thank-you messages from us. +above
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $25 or more
3 backers
DVD of the entire series of episodes with outtakes. +above
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $40 or more
1 backer
American Odyssey super-soft t-shirt, available in white, blue, red and gray +above
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $50 or more
1 backer
Total of 5 really awesome postcards from the road +above
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $75 or more
0 backers
“Producer Package” = Your name will be included in the credits of the DVD and at the end of each webisode. +above
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $100 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
Travel Video 101. Do you shoot endless video on your vacation, but don't know what to do with it? Are you always unhappy with your photos or videos? In our 1-on-1 Skype session, I'll walk you through the basics and answer any questions you have so that you can shoot all the good stuff, and leave out all the bad. One Hour +Producer Package
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $125 or more
0 backers
“You Are Here” Travel the country without leaving your home. Three photos of ‘you’ with us on the trip. You send us a digital photo of yourself (or your child, dog, whomever). We blow it up, print it out, cut out your face, and paste it on a stick! We’ll take three photos of ‘you’ at different places and mail them to you. Make your friends / coworkers / classmates jealous as you travel around the country. +“Producer Package”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $150 or more
0 backers
Personalized video greeting from the road. You choose the place from our list on the left, or we can surprise you! We’ll shoot a short video and send to you via email and post on your Facebook wall. +”Producer Package”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $200 or more
1 backer
“You are Here” 10 page photobook or 2 min. “You are Here” video with ‘you’ on a stick. +“Producer Package”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $250 or more
1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)
“Wear Your Shirt” package. Send us a shirt of your company, with your blog, or whatever shirt you like. Or we’ll make a shirt with your face on it! One of us will wear it for the day around one of the places we visit. We’ll create a 1 min. video talking to people about your shirt and get their reactions. We'll send you a few photos, and it may end up in the webisode. +“Producer Package”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $350 or more
0 backers
Both the “You are Here” 10 page photobook and 2 min. video. +“Producer Package”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $400 or more
0 backers
“Travel Partner” Choose a traveling partner (like a stuffed animal, or gnome) that you want to come with us, we take pictures and videos with it along the way and send you the photos, videos and you get the partner back after his long road trip! +“Producer Package”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
“Brought to you by...” You will personally sponsor one of the webisodes, prefacing the episode with, “Brought to you by {Insert Your Name Here}”. +“Producer Package”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $750 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
“Come to Your Town” video. We’ll spend 4 hours with you or someone of your choosing and make a personalized video about them. This can be for a business, a promotion, or as a practical joke. You name it, we'll consider it. Must be a location along our scheduled itinerary listed in the FAQs. +“Producer Package”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers
“48 hr. movie” + “Producer Package” We will spend the weekend with you and create a movie of your choice. Have a crazy idea and always wanted to make a movie about it? We can make that a reality for you. This would be completed after the trip. We work on the story together, I bring equipment, I shoot, and I edit. I can take care of it all, you just provide the location and people.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $3,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
Receive title of Executive Producer. Will have access to the crew and involved throughout the creative process. All credits included on DVD, webisodes, videos and website. +everything above!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011
