Kickstarter

As many of you know, my grand daughter recently had brain surgery to remove a portion  of grey matter that was causing her to have seizures. I'm happy to report that she is recovering beautifully after having a successful procedure. I learned a great deal about Epilepsy these past few years while Tavia underwent a score of tests, treatments and trials for various drugs.  It surprised me how many misunderstand Epilepsy so we decided to create an awareness event for March 26th which is National Purple Day.

We're holding a flash mob on Mar 25th at Metrotown Center where Kung Fu and Martial Art enthusiasts can display their skills while showing support for those who suffer from Epilepsy.

More about the Flash Mob:
http://africankungfukids.com/flashmob.htm 

Myths about Epilepsy
http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Information_and_Documents_myths.pdf 

We'll post some video on Sunday.

Wear purple on March 26th!

What a boost and fabulous way to start the week. We have 12 days left to reach our goal of $50,000 and thanks to Malcolm Johnstone we're a whole lot closer.

Lots of activities coming up this week:

Flash mob for Kung Fu Fighting - Should be hush, hush so won't say anything else for now. We'll post an update when the videos go up.

Also an announcement on our soon to launch interactive website where kids in South Africa will be submitting drawings, stories and essays on their experiences with AID's. Gien will be coordinating with the schools throughout South Africa where the most popular entries will be featured on the DVD. 

Great news that Zahara (South Africa's hottest new singing sensation) will be writing a song for the documentary. Her voice is so powerful and it conveys beautifully the spirit of hope for the children. Here's Zahara singing recently for Nelson Mandela http://youtu.be/ZYkrXDISLus

Off to rehearse moves for the flash mob...

Alison

I just got off the phone with someone I have been 'courting' for bigger backing. He had spoken with a potential investor (person with a history in the film industry) and they didn't understand how Kickstarter worked. As I answered his slew of questions, I wondered how many others were confused about the system.

First off, we only get funded if we reach our goal of $50,000. And, we must reach that goal before our end date of March 31, 2012. We only gave ourselves 30 days to raise the funds, based on our shoot schedule and advice from Kickstarter which reports most projects fund in the first couple of weeks. (Those that are successful that is)

We've finally reached 1%... and have less than 3 weeks to raise the 99%. Funny, I'm reminded of the occupy movement with those percentages. 

We won't argue the fact we've given ourselves a near impossible job, but remain confident this film is meant to be, so we stand firm with the conviction we'll find a way to make it happen. (One way or another)

I'm reminded of those curved graphs that start gently, rise to a peak, then taper off again and hope our funds follow that model.  Write us if you have any questions, or better yet, ideas on possible sources of funding. 

Thanks again for your support of this film,

Alison and Gien

It's been great to hear so much excitement our project. Wow!

Thanks for all the confidence and support. I'm excited about the subjects I'll be interviewing (interviewing suspects would be fun too!) and looking forward to shooting gorgeous shots of the African landscape and local tribes-people.

How has Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu merged with traditional African practices to shape these peaceful warriors?

This film tells an important story but in an elegant and entertaining way. Daddy Monk and his many children have an abundance of surprises to reveal. It's going to be a challenge to make it through a day with these kids. They get up at the crack of dawn and have non-stop activity until bedtime.

If you haven't done so already, would you please like our Facebook page, our website and help spread the Kickstarter Campaign? I know it sounds like a lot, but it only takes about 30 seconds with the 3 links in this note.

Send us a note or post a comment, we'd love to hear from you.

Alison and Gien

This has been a pretty exciting process and we are glad to finally have our page launched. Gien and I are busy confirming all the production elements... Interview subjects, locations, travel, crew, post production facilities (Intellilab @ University of Johannesburg) and most importantly collaborating with the Amitofo Care Centre where Master Hui Li and the Afrcian Kung Fu Kids will share their story.

Please share our link with anyone and everyone! We appreciate your support whether it be financial or moral. I'm getting my vaccinations and reviewing all my notes (volumes that have accumulated over the past 18 months) to make sure we haven't forgotten some detail.

Namaste

Alison