Sonny Turner, the former lead singer of the Platters, is still fighting to protect his legacy in this documentary film.
Sonny Turner and Arianne from Desert Hotel Films were on FOX 5 Vegas on September 6th talking about this documentary!
What is it about?
Fans of Sonny Turner are probably aware of the obstacles that have plagued his career. Despite all that, Sonny remains optimistic and continues doing what he loves today; performing and entertaining the fans of doo wop/soul music all over the world.
In this documentary Sonny Turner will invite you in to his life and talk about everything from the beginning of his career, his tenure with the legendary group the Platters, to the present day. You will hear the good and the bad from this talented man who is rarely given the recognition he deserves.
You will also get to hear from other celebrities and media personalities who were around during that time, Sonny's family, and personal friends. All the people who know Sonny best!
Why do we need your help?
We want to use video footage and music that features Sonny and the Platters in order to tell his story properly. To do this we must obtain music licensing, publishing rights, and releases.
As one would expect, these licenses are not cheap, therefore the more money people contribute, the more we can use in the film. Most of the production costs will come out of our own pockets, but with your help we can get the additional songs and footage needed to make this film even better.
What do you get?
The rewards we have on offer are listed at the side of the page, if there is something you would like that isn’t listed, let us know, we are open to suggestions!
Backers can receive various merchandise and even a special thanks in the credits. If you look at some of the higher pledge rewards you will see that you also have the chance to come on board as a producer. IMDb credits will be given as soon as our Kickstarter campaign ends, as long as we meet our funding goal of course! If you want to be interviewed in the documentary or to visit us while filming that is also possible by pledging. Special invites to the premiere screening are also on offer.
Please note: some rewards are limited to a certain number of people so if you really want one of those please don't hesitate to pledge. We will possibly add more one of a kind rewards later.
Disclaimer: the credits offered will give you no creative control, ownership or profits related to the project.
Who are we?
The production team behind this documentary is Desert Hotel Films. You can view our website here: http://deserthotelfilms.com
The team from Desert Hotel Films have been using kickstarter for a while, check out our profiles if you like:
Troy Byer Bailey, actress, writer of B.A.P.S, writer/director of Love Don't Cost a Thing, and the upcoming film Ex-Free is attached as Executive Producer.
Other key crew roles are still in negotiation but we are talking to some very talented and exciting people. It’s a matter of scheduling at this point, although we will definitely begin shooting in January/February 2013 we haven’t locked in specific dates just yet. If there are any updates during the campaign we will let you know asap! Backers will be able to receive exclusive behind the scenes updates from pre-production all the way through to the premiere!
And of course, Sonny Turner, the man himself is as much involved as us. He isn’t 100% internet savvy (he is learning!) but he is here and behind this project all the way. You can read updates on Sonny's blog at his official website: http://sonnyturner.com
We are participating in kicking it forward! http://kickingitforward.org
Finally!
Any amount helps but if we do not reach our goal we do not receive any of the money pledged, your card will not be charged and we will get $0. We have set our target at the bare minimum; ideally, we could use a lot more. That said, we really appreciate any contribution you can make!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding period
Aug 23, 2012 -
Oct 2, 2012
(40 days)
- First created · 7 backed
- Ari Limbrick 118 friends
- Website: deserthotelfilms.com
Pledge $1 or more
7 backers
YOU'LL NEVER NEVER KNOW: how much $1 helps us out! You will get a shout out from Desert Hotel Films on twitter (over 70,000 followers) for your kind support, if you have your own crowd funding campaign we can shout that out also!
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $5 or more
9 backers
DOESN'T IT RING A BELL: A thank you shout out from Sonny on Facebook and Twitter, along with our sincerest thanks! Every bit counts.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $15 or more
12 backers
ONLY YOU: You get a digital download of the completed film!
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $35 or more
3 backers
TWILIGHT TIME: A personalized autographed postcard from Sonny Turner thanking you, and a digital download of the completed film! *International backers please add $5 postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $40 or more
5 backers
ONE IN A MILLION: You get a copy of the DVD! PLUS a thank you shout out from Sonny on Facebook and Twitter! *International backers please add $5 postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $60 or more
4 backers
MY PRAYER: You get a copy of the DVD autographed by Sonny and a personalized autographed postcard PLUS a thank you shout out from Sonny on Facebook and Twitter. *International backers please add $15 postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $80 or more
4 backers
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES: You get a digital download of the film and your name in the special thank you section of the credits (the film and on IMDb).
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $120 or more
2 backers
THE MAGIC TOUCH: You get a special T-shirt commemorating the documentary’s release. A copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, your name in the special thank you section of the credits PLUS a thank you shout out from Sonny on Twitter and Facebook! *International backers please add $15 postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $150 or more
0 backers
REMEMBER WHEN: You are invited to dinner! You will join the talented actress/director/writer Troy Byer Bailey plus Ari and Jennifer from Desert Hotel films for dinner in Los Angeles! Troy has an amazing list of credits to her name and is someone that aspiring filmmakers could really get some valuable advice from! We will give you a copy of the DVD and a thank you credit also! Accommodation is not included.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $150 or more
1 backer
REMEMBER WHEN: You are invited to dinner! You will join the legendary Sonny Turner plus Ari and Jennifer from Desert Hotel films for dinner in Las Vegas! We will give you a copy of the DVD and a thank you credit also! Accommodation is not included.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $155 or more
1 backer All gone!
ONE OF A KIND REWARD! A super rare Sonny Turner World Tour jacket worn by Sonny himself! If you want it autographed that will not be a problem. You also get a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, your name in the special thank you section of the credits PLUS a thank you shout out from Sonny on Twitter and Facebook! *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $165 or more
1 backer All gone!
ONE OF A KIND REWARD! A super rare Sonny Turner World Tour jacket! It's a different color to the one we had before. If you want it autographed that will not be a problem. You also get a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, your name in the special thank you section of the credits PLUS a thank you shout out from Sonny on Twitter and Facebook! *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $199 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
ONE OF A KIND REWARD! A rare item for the collector! A program from the Japanese tour in 1965. If you want it autographed that will not be a problem. You also get a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, your name in the special thank you section of the credits PLUS a thank you shout out from Sonny on Twitter and Facebook! *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $299 or more
1 backer All gone!
ONE OF A KIND REWARD! From Sonny Turner's personal collection: The Platters - in the Still of the Night album ORIGINAL in MINT condition (still in the cellophane). If you want it autographed that will not be a problem. You also get a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, your name in the special thank you section of the credits PLUS a thank you shout out from Sonny on Twitter and Facebook! *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $300 or more
3 backers Limited (7 of 10 left)
HARBOR LIGHTS: You get an Associate Producer credit in the film and on IMDb! PLUS a digital download of the film.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $350 or more
1 backer Limited (29 of 30 left)
WITH THIS RING: You will get a special 15 minute phone call or video Skype session with Sonny Turner himself! Request a song or talk about whatever you like! PLUS receive a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, and your name in the special thank you section of the credits. *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $400 or more
1 backer
RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET: Appear in the film! We want to interview dedicated Platters/Sonny Turner fans. You will also receive a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, the special commemorative T-shirt, personalized autographed postcard, official Sonny Turner buttons and a thank you shout out from Sonny on Facebook and Twitter. Anyone interviewed will be credited accordingly in the film and on IMDb. You must live in or near Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, or Dallas. International backers from Australia (Sydney area) or Japan (Tokyo area) may also pledge. The interview will take place between Oct 2012 and Feb 2013. *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (6 of 6 left)
WASHED ASHORE: Your choice of either visiting us on set for the day in Las Vegas, or appearing in the film. Also, recieve your choice of either a 15 minute phone call or video Skype session with Sonny or a personalized outgoing voicemail message for your phone by Sonny himself! An Associate Producer Credit in the film and on IMDb, a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, the special commemorative T-shirt, personalized autographed postcard, official Sonny Turner buttons, and a thank you shout out from Sonny on Facebook and Twitter! Accommodations and transportation to the film set in Las Vegas are not included. If you choose to be interviewed for the film you will be credited accordingly in the film and on IMDb. You must live in or near Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, or Dallas. International backers from Australia (Sydney area) or Japan (Tokyo area) may also pledge. The interview will take place between Oct 2012 and Feb 2013. *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $700 or more
2 backers Limited (4 of 6 left)
THE GREAT PRETENDER: You and a guest are invited to attend the premiere of the film! You will be seated in the VIP section with Sonny himself! Your choice of either visiting us on set for the day in Las Vegas, or appearing in the film. You also get an Associate Producer credit in the film and on IMDb, a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, the special commemorative T-shirt, a personalized autographed postcard, official Sonny Turner buttons, and a thank you shout out from Sonny on Facebook and Twitter! Filming will take place during Jan/Feb 2013. Accommodations and transportation to the film set and the premiere in Las Vegas are not included. If you choose to be interviewed for the film you will be credited accordingly in the film and on IMDb. You must live in or near Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, or Dallas. International backers from Australia (Sydney area) or Japan (Tokyo area) may also pledge. The interview will take place between Oct 2012 and Feb 2013. *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
1 backer Limited (2 of 3 left)
I LOVE YOU 1000 TIMES: Executive Producer Credit on IMDb and in the film credits! PLUS you and a guest will be able to attend the premiere. You will be seated in the VIP section with Sonny himself! Also you will recieve your choice of either visiting us on set for the day in Las Vegas, or appearing in the film. Of course you also get a copy of the DVD with a personalized autograph by Sonny, the special commemorative T-shirt, the personalized autographed postcard, the official Sonny Turner buttons and a thank you shout out from Sonny on Facebook and Twitter! Filming will take place during Jan/Feb 2013. Accommodations and transportation to the film set and the premiere in Las Vegas are not included. If you choose to be interviewed for the film you will be credited accordingly in the film and on IMDb. You must live in or near Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, or Dallas. International backers from Australia (Sydney area) or Japan (Tokyo area) may also pledge. The interview will take place between Oct 2012 and Feb 2013. *International backers please include $15 for postage.
Estimated delivery: May 2013
