About this project

E.V.P:
Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) are electronically generated noises that resemble speech, but are not the result of intentional voice recordings or renderings. Common sources of EVP include static, stray radio transmissions, and background noise. Some have claimed these sounds are of paranormal origin. -Wikipedia

WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED:
STATIC is an independent feature film project, brought to you by Emerging Artist Productions and powered right here on Kickstarter, but it is also much more than that. This is a chance to get involved with the process and find out "What's In The Static" - going behind the scenes of a feature film with an opportunity to support, collaborate and actually add in your two cents as we craft this feature, from finalizing the script to casting and production through the final days of shooting. You will be helping us select the right actors, give us feedback on promotional ideas and may even be invited to a theatrical screening.

There's no question that Digital Cinema technology has changed the way films are made and we are currently in an independent film renaissance where filmmakers all around the world have a chance to create the stories that speak to them, now is our chance to reach out and build a community around a film by opening up the process of filmmaking and get you a front row seat as we explore the world of STATIC, a feature film brought to life in just 90 days.

WHY 90 DAYS?:
Because we had a few people tell us we couldn't do it. Really.

Let us give you an example: this past January we took over the production duties (from set building to writing, producing and directing) on a children's show that aired on our local CW station, we had three days to get the sets built and start shooting - everyone, and we mean everyone, told us that there was no way we could make it happen (our first episode was due one week later)...needless to say we produced and delivered the show on time and was proud to watch it (in HD no less) the next week on t.v. - what can I say, we love a good challenge. A few months later, we can looked back at what we accomplished knowing full well that we made the impossible, possible.

Now with this project we are talking film production ONLY in 90 days. That means that finalizing the script, casting the actors, finding the locations and shooting the film will be completed 90 days after our launch here on KickStarter.

After we finish principal photography, we will complete the post-production process (editing, sound, music, delivery) and have the film ready for a one week theatrical run, here in the San Jose Bay Area (at three theaters no less) just in time for Halloween 2010. Now you must be curious about the story concept or you wouldn't have read this far. So here goes:

THE STORY:
STATIC is told through the eyes of a skeptic, someone who's grounded life is shattered when a fatal crash takes away the people she cares about most...upon returning to college six months later, she is casually introduced to the world of EVP (Electric Voice Phenomena) and opens up to possibilities that changes the way she looks at life after death. Could a voice from the after-life hold answers to questions never asked or possibly be a warning of what's to come?

That's the short synopsis, but this is a suspense-thriller with a horror edge, so expect things to go bump in the night and a few surprises from our team of filmmakers. Over time we will have script pages and excerpts available to our backers exclusively, but don't worry, we are not giving away the ending. Speaking of those filmmakers, who are they you ask? Good question:

THE TEAM:
We are a group of freelancers that work under the Emerging Artist Productions banner (www.emergingartistproductions.com) and we have the time, the equipment and expertise to make this happen, we have collectively worked on numerous projects including feature and short films, documentaries and commercial spots for television and the web. As freelancers our time is our own and we plan on devoting serious time to craft a feature film that we can be proud of.

We are proud to announce these key department heads so far:

John Tulin (Camera Department)
Joel H Hinojosa (Post Production/Editing)
Phil Turner (Sound)
Brett Sims (Assistant Director)
Bernard Fok (Executive Producer)
Sinohui Hinojosa (Producer/Director)

...and in the coming weeks you will get to meet each and every one of them as we update our site with interviews and blog reports from the field. As we lock in our cast and the rest of our crew, you will get a chance to meet and interact with them throughout the process, but now we're sure that you have question about the money - completely understandable, so here is the plan:

THE FUNDS:
A feature film can be made on almost no budget at all, look at movies like Paranormal Activity, El Mariachi and Clerks that were all made for less than $100,000...that said, we have the luxury of not having to rent a ton of equipment for this shoot, nor are we paying anyone ridiculous salaries (ok, there is gas money, but that doesn't count). What we are doing is using the funds to take care of general expenses, help us attract the right actors and to be completely honest, our biggest expense will be general overhead (ie: feeding everyone on set), paying for gas and parking (Actor/Crew Stipends) and getting more hard drive space for Post Production.

Here are key items that we are using the funds for:

$ 1,285.00 - Marketing & Website
$ 1,875.00 - Production Fees and Legal
$ 4,450.00 - Actor & Crew Stipends
$ 8,245.00 - General Overhead (includes craft services & supplies)
$ 2,250.00 - Travel Expenses
$ 5,300.00 - Post Production Expenses
$ 1400.00 - Film Festival Submissions
$ 4,500.00 - DVD & BluRay Authoring/Duplication
...and more.

Now keep in mind that we are listing much more than the $19,750 that we are hoping to raise here on KickStarter, because in order to make a project like this happen, you not only have to believe in the process, you have to be ready to put your money where your mouth is...so we plan on investing close to $ 10,000.00 of our own funds to get this film made. That number may increase once we get accepted into a film festival or two, but realistically that is where we are.

If we raise even more than our target, we will be able to possibly add a few shooting days to the schedule, make offers to even more established actors and find ways to possibly speed up the post process - which means an even earlier release date!!!

Whether you decide to back our project or not (and let's hope you do), we would love to stay in contact with you and find out what you think of our 90 Day Film Project.

STAY IN TOUCH:
Have a question for us, want to chat - feel free to shoot us an email at kickstarter@whatsinthestatic.com (or get in touch with Sinohui directly at sinohui@whatsinthestatic.com ) and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Launching June 1st we will have a dedicated website up with info and daily updates on the film process and our backers will have EXCLUSIVE access to everything from casting auditions to LIVE on the set streaming interviews with the cast and crew. Until then you can get daily updates here on our KickStarter homepage.

June 1st our website will be found here:
http://www.whatsinthestatic.com/

Plus you will also be able to keep in touch with us on Twitter here:

And you can also find us on Facebook to discover more about the project here: Static: The 90 Day Film Project
We are just launching those now, so be the first on your block to help support the project and join us as we promote our film.

ONE LAST THING:
We plan on making daily updates, whether it is a video, a short blog entry, a photo or other graphic - we will UPDATE this project EACH AND EVERY DAY, from the time of our launch - that will be a min of 45 updates, just here on KickStarter alone. No question, we are completely committed to making this work and will do everything possible to keep you up to date, so what are you waiting for?

Didn't you hear, this is impossible - so let's get to work!

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