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"THE WORST FILM OF ALL TIME" is now THE WORST LIVE ACTION PLAY OF ALL TIME!

UPDATE - To clarify, since the rewards can't be edited once some have been purchased - anyone who donates at or above the $10 amount will receive a "thank you" e-mail from Shane and their name will appear in the Plan 9 program.  Even those who buy props and posters.  Sorry for the confusion!

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How It Began - from Shane Silman, director.

Years ago, while revisiting Ed Wood's undisputed masterpiece, 'Plan 9 From Outer Space', for the 19th time, it dawned on me that the backdrops and situations presented were uniformly simple enough that you could feasibly produce this story as a live action play. With all the hilariously bad dialogue, cheap sets, and terrible special effects intact.


As bad as it is, 'Plan 9' is a cinema classic, in my opinion. And I consider Edward D. Wood, Jr, to be a misunderstood genius, who was born too soon. In this day and age, he might have been an independent film giant, right alongside the likes of David Lynch and John Waters.

Far from being 'The Worst Movie Of All Time', 'Plan 9' is like an ugly puppy that you can't help but love.

In truth, I just wanted to be in it - be a part of it - inhabiting Ed Wood's strange universe.

Live in it.

Recreate it.

Leave my handprint on it, while remaining true to Ed Wood's original vision.

I set the idea aside in my mind and went on with my life.

Fast forward several years, to the rehearsals for the live action version of 'Reservoir Dogs', directed by Scott Means, and starring myself as Mr. Blonde, and my friend Nick Dunn as Mr White.

One night, between shootouts, the backstage discussion inevitably turned to the pros and cons of Movie-To-Stage adaptations.

"I always wanted to do a live version of 'Plan 9 From Outer Space", I told Nick.

Nick's response, as his face lit up, was beautiful in its inspiration and simplicity.

"That would be totally amazing! Why don't you do it?"

Suddenly that question wouldn't leave me alone. And neither would the answer, which was essentially, "There's no reason not to."

After further logistical talks with Nick, and with the encouragement of several other people, the idea quickly became a plan. Then the plan began to take definitive shape on paper, and in reality.

During a meeting-of-the-minds lunch with our mutual friend, Chris Bickel, the subject was brought up, to his enthusiatic approval. When asked if he wanted to be involved in the production, his reply was "Can I be Criswell?" - and our deal with the Dark Lord was done.

Now, here we are, months later - the perfect performance space secured, auditions over, personnel and cast being determined as of this writing, and we are now finally on our way, firmly poised on the precipice of Outer Space, putting the 9th Plan into action...

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Where will the money go?  The main two, which have been completely hashed out at this time, are:

- $1200 to the venue for rental costs - this is our highest expenditure, and includes all costs associated with rehearsal space, etc., as well as actual performance space.
- $600 for promotional costs - printing, advertising, etc.  This includes the cost of having the poster designed, and we want a beautiful poster so that your rewards are as awesome as possible.

The rest will go to prop design/prop purchasing, costuming, and stage design.  The more we get, the better everything's going to look.  If we can raise $3000 from this, we can put on a HELL of an amazing show.  If not...well, we're probably going to have to put in a little of our own money to make it happen.  We're determined to keep ticket prices incredibly reasonable - ten dollars - so the more we raise here, the more the actors can get paid.

So help us out!  We're trying to create a new sort of theater experience here in Columbia, and we think it's going to be something incredible for everyone involved.  And if there's a reward you'd like to see here that ISN'T included here, drop me (Nick) a message.  I'll see what I can do to make it happen.

THANK YOU!

FAQ

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69
Backers
$3,020
pledged of $2,000 goal
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Funding period
Jan 18, 2012 - Feb 17, 2012 (30 days)

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  • Pledge $1 or more

    2 backers

    A "thank you" e-mail from Shane.

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    10 backers

    You get your name in the "Plan 9 From Outer Space - LIVE AND UNDEAD!" program as an important contributor who helped make the magic happen. Oh, and a "thank you" e-mail from Shane.

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $15 or more

    10 backers

    You get the e-mail from Shane, your name in the program, and Nick will write three haiku for you about anything you choose. All three can be about totally different things! It's all up to you! Haiku are not guaranteed to be poet laureate-type material, but are guaranteed to conform to the 5-7-5 standard.

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $25 or more

    17 backers Limited (3 of 20 left)

    You get a "Plan 9 From Outer Space - LIVE AND UNDEAD!" poster, beautifully designed by Dre, signed by the entire cast and crew. Posters can be picked up locally in Columbia, SC. They can also be mailed within the United States to people who live outside of South Carolina.

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $25 or more

    2 backers All gone!

    You get one of the electrode guns used in the play! These cannot be used to actually control the dead, but you can have a whole lot of fun trying anyway! Props can be picked up locally in Columbia, SC.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $35 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    You get a working script for "Plan 9 From Outer Space - LIVE AND UNDEAD!" signed by the entire cast and crew. The script will be used and will likely be filled with blocking notes, lots of highlighter, and perhaps snide comments from other cast members. There's no telling whose script you'll be getting. MYSTERY IS EXCITING! Scripts can be picked up in the Columbia area, or mailed within the United States.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    3 backers All gone!

    You get an EXTRA-LARGE poster, beautifully designed by Dre and lovingly signed by the entire cast and crew. Posters can be picked up locally in Columbia, SC. These posters cannot be mailed.

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    4 backers Limited (2 of 6 left)

    You get a tombstone! You specify the name you want on it, the "born" and "died" dates, and the epitaph. We will use it in the show. Once the show is over it's yours to keep! Prop can be picked up locally in Columbia, SC.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    2 backers Limited (4 of 6 left)

    You get a very special "jump to the front of the queue" one-time use card for Mr. B's Goodtime Karaoke Explosion, hosted by Chris Bickel (Criswell!) at the Art Bar. This card has no monetary value, but will make you the envy of everyone singing that night.

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $75 or more

    1 backer Limited (1 of 2 left)

    You get one of the prop UFOs on a stick that was used in the show. Confuse your pets, amuse your loved ones, create a hit Youtube video where you try to convince UFO conspiracy theorists that aliens are among us. The sky's the limit! Prop can be picked up locally in Columbia, SC.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $75 or more

    0 backers Limited (50 of 50 left)

    You get the e-mail from Shane, your name in the program, a guaranteed ticket to the show of your choice, and you get to come to a special dress rehearsal (date to be determined, the week of the show - the last week in March.)

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    3 backers Limited (17 of 20 left)

    The same as the $75 reward (dress rehearsal, etc.) but you get a guaranteed front-row seat to the show of your choice.

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $250 or more

    2 backers All gone!

    The same as the $100 reward, but you also get to come to the cast party! (Date to be determined.) Come hang out with the cast and crew of "Plan 9 From Outer Space - LIVE AND UNDEAD!" The memories will last you a lifetime! Or at least until the therapy kicks in.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012