Kickstarter

Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues and Film Lovers,

I was just accepted into the prestigious AFI Directing Workshop for Women. If you’re not familiar with this program - it's an incredible non-profit program that gives women who've established themselves in the entertainment industry a chance to develop and direct their own short films.  I’m joining into a group of extraordinary American Women --  I’ll definitely be standing on the shoulders of some awesome women in film including Maya Angelou, Patty Jenkins, Ellen Burstyn, Anne Bancroft, Cicely Tyson, Moon Zappa, Kristina Robbins, Sian Heder, just to name a few – but now I’ve got to raise money to make a great short film!

While AFI does provide an inordinate amount of support from industry experts to help mentor and guide us, as well as access to their film equipment, each woman in the program is expected to raise their own funds to make their film.

That's where you come in. I need to raise $5000 by the start of the workshop in May and can raise up to $25,000 to cover production and post production in July and August respectively.  There are some ambitious elements in my short including a dream sequence in a working fish cannery, to do this right with high production value we need your help! (think HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH or DANCER IN THE DARK - not in tone but for the song sequences in an industrial setting) In short the more money we raise the more glamourous these sequences will be -- every dollar counts.

All contributions will go directly toward the production and post-productions costs - including costumes, hair & make-up, location rentals, props, picture car rentals, equipment truck rentals, a generator and catering for the cast and crew for 5 nights of shooting.

No donation is too small.  If 400 people can spare $25, that would make a big dent and you'll be playing a pivotal role in this production. Please help me make the most of this incredible opportunity and make the bestest mostest glamtastic film I can.  Thank you!

*If you would like a thank you letter from AFI for tax purposes, please contact me BEFORE making your donation on this page by clicking the "Send Message" link at the top of this page.

About this project

ALASKA IS A DRAG tells the story of an aspiring teenage dragqueen who dreams of International Superstardom. Leo stands out in a crowd and that's not always a good thing in the fish canneries. In order to survive, our hero strikes up a friendship with a co-worker and they learn to fight back. It might be more apt to describe his journey as BILLY ELLIOT in reverse or ROCKY in drag.

I sincerely believe that this character and this film will touch audiences and open minds in a meaningful way, and I hope you’ll be a part of helping me make it happen.

The short is based on a feature that I wrote that was recently brought to life through a staged reading for Naked Angels this past fall. My heart and soul has been in the independent film world since I was 15 years old. And making this film is a dream come true and the first manifestation in bringing this character to the big screen. 

So I’m reaching out to you!

I know it sounds corny, but the power really is in your hands, and you can make a huge difference in the life and success of this film no matter what your contribution level. Your voice counts and your support of this film matters. Thank you for supporting ALASKA IS A DRAG and thank you for being a part of bringing this story to the big screen.

Xoox

Shaz

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THIS MOVIE ALL ABOUT?

An aspiring teenage draqueen’s dreams of diva fabulousness are hard fought working at a fish cannery in Anchorage, Alaska. His absent father works on fishing boat, leaving Leo stranded alone to fend for himself. Leo gets beat up a lot because he stands out in a crowd – he strikes up a friendship with a co-worker and they learn to fight back.

Set to go into production in July, ALASKA IS A DRAG will be shot in San Pedro and Los Angeles by a group of hard working and talented individuals.  This project is a labor of love, none of the cast and crew will be paid – so every dollar goes toward equipment, feeding our cast & crew and to take our film through post-production. We cannot do this without your support. And what will you get in return?  Check the column at the right to find out all the rewards we will bestow upon you... not to mention... love, hugs, kisses and plenty of big sloppy virtual kisses! Yow! WE'RE MAKING A MOVIE!  

CAN I INCREASE MY PLEDGE ONCE IT'S BEEN MADE?
 YES! Once you donate to our campaign, you may want to change your incentive reward to a different one, or increase your pledge amount. To do so, go to Kickstarter and sign in. If you go to our campaign page, the green “Back This Project” button has been replaced with a blue “Manage Your Donation” button. Click it and you can enter a new amount, or choose a new incentive.

CAN WE EXCEED THE GOAL?
 Yes! Exceeding the goal would help us pay for more of the costs to finish the film. I need to raise at least $5000 by the beginning of May and can raise up to $25,000 to cover all of production and post production (not including the fees from Amazon & Kickstarter and rewards costs.)

IS MY PLEDGE AMOUNT PUBLICLY DISPLAYED? 
No. Only you and the project owner will be able to see your pledge amount.

I'M NOT IN THE US, CAN I STILL PLEDGE?
 Yes, you can pledge from anywhere.

CAN I GIFT AN INCENTIVE? Yes, it's always the giving season! To "gift" your reward to someone else, please follow the normal process with the pledge and payment in your name. Once we've reached the deadline, we'll send you an email requesting the information we need to fulfill the reward (address, etc.) At that time, please reply with the contact info for the person that is to receive the reward and we'll follow through!

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MONEY ISN'T RAISED IN TIME? 
If our goal isn’t met before the deadline, we don't receive any of the pledges. Your credit or debit card will not be charged. But we won't be able to make the movie - so please help me spread the word!

ALASKA IS A DRAG

Written & Directed by Shaz Bennett

AFI Directing Workshop for Women 2012

Need to raise $5000 by May 7th

And up to $25,000 in total - excluding fees from Amazon & Kickstarter.