About this project
Last year the students of East Hollywood High School undertook a huge endeavor - to produce a feature film based on Shakespeare's Macbeth. The idea was met with some skepticism. "Shakespeare is so old and difficult." "We don't have any funding." "How will we film this all in three months?" "Where will we find all these locations?" And of course, "How could a bunch of high school students make a feature film that anyone would want to see?"
Thankfully, the skepticism soon gave way to enthusiasm, and each student buckled down and took charge of their various jobs, with incredible results. We had a student DP, Costume Designer, Editor, Sound Engineer, everything. And not only did they learn how to make a professional looking and sounding film, they also realized how cool Shakespeare is, how this 400 year old literature still has to power to speak to us in our lives.
After that taste of success, we have decided to keep going with our Shakespearean Film Studio, this time with some lighter fare - Much Ado About Nothing. We are keeping the original Shakespeare dialogue, but setting the film in a modern day high school. Watch a clip from it here:
Much Ado About Nothing - scene 5
Now we are asking for your help to make this project the best it can be. So far we have shot three scenes, and we could use more funding for costumes, props, set dressing, and equipment. Once the film is finished, we will also need to print DVDs, posters, T-shirts, and pay for film festival entry fees and other kinds of publicity materials. We are asking for $1,500, but anything above that will go toward our future projects. Our goal is to produce a feature film based on a literary adaptation every year.
Our students are participating in an educational opportunity unlike anything else. How many other teenagers have been cinematographer of a feature film? Or the Art Director, or Costume Designer? We appreciate any contributions you can give to help us finish this project.
Thank you,
Brandon Arnold
FAQ
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on February 25, 2010.
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Access to all project updates: videos, photos, cast and crew blog entries, etc. You also get this privilege with any of the rewards below.
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A postcard for the film with a thank you written by one of the students. Some of them have never written and mailed a physical letter before. This will be another good educational experience for them!
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A postcard that can be redeemed for one admission to the world premiere of the film, most likely at the Tower Theatre in Salt Lake City, UT
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A 2 disc compilation DVD of the best EHHS short films of 2008-2009
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A 2 disc compilation DVD of the best of EHHS short films from 2006-2008
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A DVD of Much Ado About Nothing, with your name in the "thank you" section of the end credits.
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Credit as an "Associate Producer", plus one DVD of the film and one free-admission postcard for the premiere.
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Credit as an "Executive Producer" in the opening credits, plus a DVD of the film, and 2 free-admission postcards
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Your name or company logo featured as a title sponsor at the beginning of the film. Also 2 DVDs and 2 free-admission postcards.
Project By
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Brandon Arnold is a filmmaker and teacher at East Hollywood High School in Salt Lake City, UT. He cut his teeth making videos (and playing guitar) for the thrash metal band Gorgoth. He enjoys working with students to help them see their creative potential and the value of collaboration.
East Hollywood High, a public, charter high school, offers a unique and powerful learning experience for students who are passionate about learning film production and related arts and media while they also prepare for college. Such an experience is created by blending mastery of the core curriculum, apprenticeship learning, smaller class and student body sizes, and opportunities for students to extend their education into the film production industry.
