About this project
Update 2: One anonymous donor thinks that the number of people we reach is very important in spreading the word about the challenges of coming out for youth today. They believe it is so important that, if we reach 80 donors, they will donate $500 to the project! So when we say every dollar counts, we really mean it.
Update: We can now announce our full cast list:
Eva Kaminsky (Rebecca Shore)
Currently on tour as Veronica Novack in God of Carnage
Michael Wikes (Arnold Shore)
Reversal of Fortune, Law and Order Pilot
Dawn Yanek (Susan Bernstein-Cohen)
MSNBC, 50toDeath
Peter Tedeschi (David Bernstein-Cohen)
Oh Mother, Shape of the Table
Dan Shaked (Virgo Bernstein-Cohen)
Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Storm up the Sky
Chris London (William Shore)
Co-Founder, Hampet Productions and Unemployed Actors Guild
It Gets Better, Will and Grace, Glee, and coming soon..Shabbat Dinner. We believe that the world is ready for an honest portrayal of gay youth, which has barely been seen so far in mainstream media.
Shabbat Dinner is a story about two high schoolers, William Shore and Virgo Bernstein-Cohen, who meet at a Friday night dinner organized by their neurotic mothers. After escaping the grown-up's chatter about dairy-free ice cream, juice cleanses, and how to interpret the law, they look for something to do. It comes out that Virgo has just come out to his parents a few weeks ago. Want to know what happens next? Then help make this project happen!
Shabbat Dinner tells a real story of what millions of young kids are going through. Each mainstream media portrayal of gay characters has marked huge breakthroughs in society, and we think that our film can have that kind of impact on individuals. It will also be really entertaining..trust us!
Many of us are working for free and we've borrowed all the equipment that we can..but still, making a movie is expensive. Money raised will go to everything from camera equipment to set decoration, food for the cast and crew, and distributing the film to film festivals.
Plus, you get cool prizes when you pledge money! Yeah!! Prizes!!
FAQ
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Kickstarter lets you give money for the completion of projects in exchange for rewards. You're not just supporting, you are buying into this project and becoming a part of it. And if we don't raise towards our goal, then you won't be charged!
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Actually, yes! Shabbat Dinner will be distributed to film festivals, where we hope that it can receive audiences of up to 1,000 at each. After an initial film festival run, it will be available on the internet for everyone to watch. Our goal is to get the message out, and we'll be promoting the heck out of it once it's done - part of the funds here are for that necessary promotion!
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Send us a message and we'll figure out a fun prize that you'd prefer. Let's get creative.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
90
Backers
$2,788
pledged of $2,530 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on November 7, 2011.
Pledge $8 or more Pledge $8 or more
Wow, you're awesome! Every little bit helps. Your name will go up on our website in gratitude.
Pledge $12 or more Pledge $12 or more
An invitation to the SHABBAT DINNER release party in New York City (on Friday night, of course! Includes the above.)
Pledge $18 or more Pledge $18 or more
A prerelease signed copy of the SHABBAT DINNER DVD before it gets shown in festivals (Includes all the above.)
Pledge $55 or more Pledge $55 or more
Associate Producer credit in the film and a SHABBAT DINNER sticker. You are now a part of the magic of the movies! (Includes all the above.)
Pledge $110 or more Pledge $110 or more
Receive a custom designed SHABBAT DINNER t-shirt or mug. (Includes all the above.)
Pledge $190 or more Pledge $190 or more
A one-hour lesson from one of the filmmakers in cinematography, directing, producing, Final Cut Pro, color correction, sound design, screenwriting, or fundraising. (Includes the first four items above; in NYC or Los Angeles, must be flexible with dates.)
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Meet and greet with Mike and Aidan. Drinks or lattes on us, as well as advice on everything from getting your film funded and made to distribution to jazz. (includes above website thank-you and DVD.) (Includes the first four items above, in NYC.)
Pledge $375 or more Pledge $375 or more
We will custom design a DVD menu, cover, and jacket for one of your movies for a completely professional look. (Includes the first four items above.)
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Executive Producer credit plus: Watch us edit the film! Sit in on an editing, color correction, or sound design session. (Includes the first four items above. You must be available in NYC in November while the film is being edited)
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Executive Producer credit plus: Get into the film! We will name a character after you or hide an object of your choosing in the film frame. (Your name must be Jewish-sounding and fit with the rest of the names. First or last name! Includes the first four items above. Object must be reasonable.)
Pledge $750 or more Pledge $750 or more
Executive Producer credit plus: Invitation to a fancy dinner with the filmmakers, where we will regale you with photographs, tales from the film, and a private screening. (Includes the first four items above.)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Executive Producer credit plus: We will host a screening of Shabbat Dinner in your home, a theater you have access to, or any other location you can provide anywhere in the US (Only safe areas to which we can obtain visas. Does not include cost of transportation.)
Pledge $1,400 or more Pledge $1,400 or more
Executive Producer credit plus: We will make a mini documentary, music video, or other film for you (Must be less than six hours of shooting and flexible with dates. Does not include production expenses. Includes the first four items above.)
Project By
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Aidan Levy, Producer: Aidan graduated from Brown University in 2008 with a degree in English. He worked as a production assistant on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" from season 7 through season 10, when the show finished its run in June 2011. He has worked as an associate producer for Prospect Theater Company and has produced several short films. He currently works in props and set dressing on movies and TV shows through IATSE Local 52. He is pursuing an MFA in writing and producing at Long Island University, and writes freelance stories on music for The New York Times, Village Voice, and JazzTimes magazine. In his spare time, he maintains a weekly gig playing the baritone saxophone and clarinet in the Stan Rubin Orchestra.
Michael Morgenstern, Director: Michael has been directing films since age 10. Two and a half years after moving to New York City, he has had the opportunity to work with industry leaders such as Ang Lee, Ted Hope, and Caroline Baron. He directed a commercial voiced by Linus Roache, a music video for Mark Williams, and a film for the Harvard Ballet Company. His feature documentary "Castle on High" debuted at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and was praised by IvyGate Blog as "nothing short of a miracle." Michael brings a passion for social justice to all his work. With the nonprofit FilmAid, he created films and taught production in the Kenyan refugee camps and screened the national presidential debates to refugees in Haiti. He is currently writing a television show and several feature scripts; he also owns a t-shirt company and is developing a non-profit. Michael graduated from Brown University in 2008 and has pursued advanced film study at the FAMU conservatory in the Czech Republic.
