About this project
UPDATE: NEW GOAL: $6,000!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US SO FAR! A couple of points for people who are looking to donate or not as we come down to the LAST FOUR DAYS:
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We have passed the "all-or-nothing" goal! The $6,000 "new limit"
is just a marker out there on the horizon for us to run for, because we
can definitely use the money and the project will be better for your
generosity -- but we crossed the finish line ($3,500) almost two weeks
ago... Again, THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO'S DONATED, you're all my personal
heroes!
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We'd still love your donation! As I've detailed here,
there are a lot of places we can spend that money that will make a huge
difference in the quality of the finished film -- so you could be the
one to help escalate us from GOOD to GREAT. Just because we're over the
first goal ($3,500) and we're a long ways from the second goal ($6,000),
don't be shy! Please!
- We know $6,000 is a crazy long shot! The truth is, I knew the odds of getting us to $6,000 are pretty slim, but I figured, since there's no risk in not getting the donations, I didn't see a reason to play it safe. We were on such a roll, I figured I'd shoot for the moon. The closer we get to the goal, the better, but if we don't make it to $6,000 in the next FOUR DAYS we haven't failed to meet our needs and your efforts aren't wasted!
Again, THANKS EVERYONE for helping us out. Check out the incentives and contact me if you have any questions! In just over a month we start production!
--- Travis Ezell, writer/director
THE STORY
Tressa Willoney lives alone in a rundown apartment. One night, after another long, thankless shift waiting tables in a greasy-spoon diner, her exhausted late-night routine is interrupted when a drill-bit comes grinding through her bedroom wall. It withdraws, leaving a tiny peephole into the bedroom of Luke and Chia, the overly friendly, attractive twenty-something couple next door. She does her best to ignore the temptation, but she can’t hold out forever. Not sure if this was an intentional ploy or some kind of strange accident, Tressa gradually involves herself more and more in Luke and Chia's lives. Naturally, hijinks ensue.
THE PRODUCTION
First, let's talk about what we do have. We have a camera and lenses. We have most of the crew worked out. We have a generous production grant from RACC. We have access to professional lights and lighting/grip gear; we have professional art-department and prop-builders; we have high-end editorial and post-production facilities at our disposal; and we have the best unproduced short script you'll ever read, just waiting for a talented crew like us to make it come alive.
Now I know we've all heard the old saying. We've all heard the bigwigs and fatcats and gladhands and flaptraps tell us time and again, over and over, "Making a movie is cheap and easy... You don't need very much time or effort at all, and you need even less money than you need time or effort -- so you obviously don't need very much money!" Well, I know this is going to shock most of you, but those are blatant lies, my friends. Making a movie isn't as cheap as they say! And so...
We need money. The thing is, for all the things we do have, there are a lot we still don't. We haven't done casting yet, or location scouting. We haven't built props or purchased production insurance. The grant is an enormous help, but the truth is, these things add up fast! (It's just the nature of numbers; that's what they do.) Even if I only pay my actors the bare-minimum daily wages, which is far less than they deserve, it will still cost me about $2000. We estimate food alone at $1800! (And no, we aren't gluttonous libertines dining on caviar and Dom Pérignon. Unfortunately. Although you'd be surprised how much imported Irish cheese can cost.) Actually, I want to be clear about how your money could help us out, so I've made a full break-down for you, along with plenty more information than you ever wanted to know about the project, over at our official webpage, if you're at all curious.
THE PEOPLE INVOLVED
Travis Ezell (writer-director) is a Portland-based screenwriter and filmmaker, currently typing up a bio about himself in the third person. Additionally, he works at LAIKA/house animation studio (although he makes live-action films, himself... don't tell his bosses!). His films have played in festivals local and nationwide. One of his latest, Open, was just selected to be part of the 2011 San Antonio Film Festival, and will screen this July.
I only met Laurel Degutis (producer) about a year ago on a mutual friend's film shoot. This is our first time doing the director-producer dance, and so far I couldn't be happier. But for that reason, I'll let her tell you about herself: "Laurel is a photographic, mixed media and video/film artist. Her work has exhibited in San Diego, Boston, New York, and Portland. Recently Laurel received a jury award for her short film Landscapes at the Northwest Filmmakers' Festival as well as an audience choice award in the experimental category. She is currently in post-production on a new piece she co-wrote/directed, scheduled to be finished this summer. Video Out handles distribution for some of her video/film works. For more information visit laureldegutis.com."
Jon Beanlands (director of photography), on the other hand, I've known ever since film school. By my count this will be the seventh film he's shot for me, and with any luck it won't be nearly the last. He has an incredible eye for capturing a story, a calming presence on set, and the patience to put up with my endless jabbering and weird jokes -- all of which make him obviously invaluable. Jon is currently living in New York City, pursuing a career in professional filmmaking... more accurately, he's hunting down that career and making it his own, domesticating it the way a caveman might have once trained a savage sabretooth to kneel before him and drink milk from a tin like a mewling kitten, though the caveman probably wasn't half the photographer Jon is. Hyperbole aside, Jon's recent works include Andy Blubaugh's debut feature film The Adults in the Room, the short fantasy film Widow's Walk Lake, Leif Peterson's short-form epics Earth and Eden -- and of course, several films by yours truly, most recently Open and Every Room is Empty -- and I'm confident those all speak for themselves.
YOU (generous supporter of the arts) are the most important contributor yet to this project, and yes, absolutely, it's totally corny to include a "YOU" category and fake bio under the heading of "People Involved," but I am not above a pandering cheeseball gesture to show you how grateful I am for any assistance you might give. I love making films, and I love this story and want to give it to the world, and right this second you have the power to help me make that happen, and I can't tell you how much that means. So thank you, YOU, and cheers! Buy yourself a drink on me. If you don't drink, buy yourself a delicious juicy steak. If you don't eat meat, treat yourself to a really good professional massage, or get a kitten and cuddle it for hours. (Note: when I say "on me," I mean "on my behalf" and not "on my tab." Though I swear to you I would buy every one of you a kitten if I could.)
FAQ
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Where can I find out more? The website link flashed too quick on the screen for me to write it down!
The link is here: http://www.iceninefilms.com/films/twomp/
The page is full of information about the project, and will get updated as we continue preproduction and move into production. The front page (http://www.iceninefilms.com/) will update regularly (or as regularly as we can manage!) with links to news and photos as well.Also, feel free to follow us on Twitter, @IceNineFilms.
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If you have a really, really, really good reason to donate some way other than Kickstarter I won't stop you, but it's actually very important that you DO donate through this page if you possibly can. Every bit puts us closer to the total, and Kickstarter's "All Or Nothing" policy means we won't get anything if we fall short.
Just imagine if you wanted to give me $10 in a birthday card and you found out I lost out on $3,500 because my fundraiser fell $10 short. That would be the saddest birthday card ever, and I bet we'd both feel pretty weird about it! Please, let's help each other avoid such awkward moments -- I mean, heck, why not just pledge $10 now, before you forget?
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At the top of this page there's a link that says "Send Message." Please feel free to use it and I will answer any questions or concerns as promptly as I can! Or if you already know my email address, I trust you feel comfortable enough using it, and I'm happy to tell you anything you want to know.
I will say, in case it isn't obvious, that I'm not very likely to alter my story for you, but I am happy (honestly, ask anyone, I jump at the chance) to explain any choices I've made to you and to reassure you any way I can. Don't be shy!
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Depending on the incentive(s), probably not until the film is complete, which will be around the end of the year. (I would guess DVDs and Blu-Rays will be available by January 2012, though I'll be sending out updates to let you know how things are shaping up.)
Some incentives such as "Visit The Set!" will obviously involve us coordinating with you and finding a convenient time (hint: we are shooting mid-August). And some of the promo items (t-shirts, posters) may become available much sooner than that, and you'll be the first to know if they are.
If you have any specific questions about this, or are worried about when or how you'll receive your incentives, please contact me (at the top of the page, click "Send Message") and we'll work it out. Regardless, you'll hear from us very soon after the Kickstarter Campaign wraps, either from myself or my producer Laurel, with more details.
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I looked into this on your behalf, but it looks like the answer is no. At this time you DO need an Amazon.com account in order to donate through the page here. The reason has to do with the "All Or Nothing" pledge-system, and Amazon.com's secure payment portal is better equipped to handle that than other systems like Paypal or what have you. The nice guys at Kickstarter.com are "looking into other alternatives," but I don't think that'll do us any good today.
It does only take a couple of minutes, tops, to set up an Amazon.com account if you don't have one -- or I'm sure you have a friend who has one and could help you out. Let me stress again that, because of the "All Or Nothing" policy that protects your investment in my project, it actually DOES matter whether or not you donate here or just put money in my hand. If you are having difficulty donating or if you're just dead-set against using Amazon.com, please let me know before the end of the Campaign (July 10th) and we will figure it out.
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Heck yes you can! That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard.
If you want to donate to the film but give the reward to someone as a gift, you'll still need to use *your* name when filling out the donation info (that's important for billing purposes, but we'll keep it private; we won't even tell the lucky devil who got them such a wonderful gift, if you'd prefer to remain anonymous). After our deadline, we will send a message to you through Kickstarter (which will be forwarded to the email address you provided) and just let us know then that this is a gift, who you'd like it to be given to, and how to get a hold of them!
In fact, this is such a nice idea, I promise no matter what amount you pledge, if you're gifting it to someone else, we'll throw in something personalized and special for that person in addition to the purchased incentives!
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Right now we're still working with local artists and designers and finishing the designs of both the shirts and the posters. They will be based on various original pieces of donated conceptual art or art inspired by the script.
There will be a couple of different designs to choose from, and yes, you absolutely will be able to pick which one we send you, definitely!
More details will follow shortly, so check back before the end of the campaign (July 10th) or look for announcements on our Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/theworldofmissingpersons) or Twitter (@IceNineFilms).
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Right now we're anticipating S, M, L, and XL sizes, but please contact me if you are interested in a larger or smaller size, and we will make that happen. Nothing worse than trying to look super cool in a shirt too big or too small for you, right?
Colors, styles, and brands will be announced shortly. Please check back for more details.
The same is also true of the shirt designs. I can respect your pickiness -- one dude's "totally awesome so cool t-shirt" is another dude's "how could you go out in public wearing that?" If you're at all unsure, you can either contact me direct (there is link at the top of the page, just click "Message Me"), check back here before the end of the campaign (July 10th), or look for announcements on our Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/theworldofmissingpersons) or Twitter (@IceNineFilms).
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We will wrap principle photography around the end of August, and the film will be finished and publicly screened sometime before December 31, 2011. ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL DONORS ARE ON THE V.I.P. LIST TO COME TO THE SCREENING. Later this year expect to see plenty of updates about when and where the screening will happen.
(If you pledged enough to get a private screening in your home, we will contact you once the fundraising campaign is over and arrange a convenient time for you.)
Check out the front page of our website (http://www.iceninefilms.com/), or follow us on Twitter (@IceNineFilms) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/theworldofmissingpersons), for production updates which will definitely (when the time comes) include info about the screening.
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Heck yes, in fact if you're actually reading this because you actually wanted to ask that question, I want you front row with me when we watch it!*
If you can't donate, that's all right. We're all tight sometimes, my friend. But if you did want to help us out without spending a single dollar of your own money, you might pass on word of our fundraiser to your friends or family, or anyone you know who might like to toss us a buck. "Like" or "Share" us on Facebook or give us a shout-out on Tumblr or Twitter, or talk to real human beings in the real world (which I hear still exists out there, somewhere) and tell them to google "The World of Missing Persons Kickstarter" or "Ice-Nine Films" or "Travis Ezell." Spread the word!
* (NOTE: Watching your own films, especially when they're fresh, is sometimes a grueling experience, as almost any filmmaker will tell you. I make no promises that I will actually be in the front row, but I will be there, and I hope so will you, and I will share a drink with you and thank you for coming and we will toast to our success!)
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You scroll to the top of the page right this second and you click "Send Message," is what you do! Tell me how you want to help and what I can do for you in return, and let's talk!
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That wasn't a question, actually. But I like you, so let me answer anyway. If you have any questions I haven't answered here, you might check the general Kickstarter FAQ listed here (http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq) or you might check out my webpage for more details about the production here (http://www.iceninefilms.com/films/twomp/)... but if you still can't find what you're looking for, or are just too lazy to go to all the bother (I'm not judging!), click below and Ask Me Anything! I'm happy to respond.
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After the wrap party and public screening in Portland, "The World Of Missing Persons" will spend the next year or year-and-a-half being burned onto DVDs marked "Screening copy" and mailed in little padded mailers to every decent and self-respecting film festival that catches our eye. From there, only time will tell!
As for me, I'll be sleeping for the first time in 6 months, and I'll be lucky to remember any of this.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
60
Backers
$5,060
pledged of $3,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 10, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
A personal email from me saying thank you for being a wonderful human being. If you have a Twitter or Facebook account, I will happily shout out to you there too. (NOTE: non-human beings are welcome to donate as well. No prejudice intended!)
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Everything listed above PLUS a private link to view the finished film in HD, where you'll be able to leave comments telling me why you loved it or hated it. Always interested in feedback!
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
Everything listed above PLUS a link to a digital download of the film, in any format within reason. Put it on your iPod and watch it on the bus! Load it onto your laptop, and watch it while sailing the South Pacific in your yacht! The possibilities are endless.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Everything listed above PLUS a DVD copy of the finished film AND your name in the credits, under "Special Thanks." Now you can REALLY impress your friends.
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
Everything listed above EXCEPT instead of a DVD copy you can have a Blu-Ray copy of the finished film if you'd rather! You still definitely get your name in the credits under "Special Thanks," though. Just think, your name in 1080p HD!
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Everything listed above PLUS a limited-edition SILKSCREENED T-SHIRT featuring conceptual art for the film by a local artist (names to be announced soon!). It may be impossible to look any cooler and still be legally allowed in public.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Everything listed above PLUS you can have a three-disc set of my previous films (in DVD or Blu-Ray format). If that's not enough for you, we'll ALSO put you in the credits as an Associate Producer. This will get you listed on IMDb, and trust me, that will *definitely* impress the dudes/ladies in your life. Recent studies have shown that being on IMDb almost exactly the same as being a rock star.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Everything listed above PLUS a limited-edition signed-and-numbered ART PRINT featuring conceptual art for the film by a local artist (names to be announced soon!). Frame it, put on your wall as a mini-poster, always remember that wonderful, idyllic summer of '11 when you helped make a film.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Everything listed above PLUS you can visit the set for a day as a guest, see how a movie is made! My crew and I will happily regale you with some inside stories and pro tips (the regaling will happen over lunch or later on, when we're not busy making movies ourselves!). If you're not interested in how movies are made, bring a book and a pillow and grumpily wonder what all the fuss is about! (If you cannot bring a pillow, one can be provided for you.)
Pledge $350 or more Pledge $350 or more
Everything listed above PLUS you can keep a prop or piece of wardrobe from the shoot! It's first-to-donate, first-to-choose on this one. Possibilities include (but are not limited to) a fake dead fish, a polished wooden box, and a two-way mirror. Exciting memorabilia that I'll be sad to part with.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Everything listed above PLUS we will do a private screening of the finished product at your home, where members of the cast and crew will come over and COOK YOU DINNER. (Disclaimer: we are not professional cooks. But we are clever, and friendly, and we will not poison you. That is my solemn promise.) If you do not live within driving distance, then you will receive an alternate care package personally selected (and created) by my crew and I that is guaranteed to make you feel special and loved. (No refunds, but we are willing to try again if our gift fails to make you feel special and loved!)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Everything listed above PLUS you will be listed as an Executive Producer in the credits. Your name will show up "above the line," including on any promotional materials (posters, DVD/Blu-ray covers, etc.) and you will be a Seriously Big Deal. Not to mention my personal hero.
Pledge $3,500 or more Pledge $3,500 or more
Listen, I'm sure we can work something out. Need a chauffeur for a weekend? A car wash? Dog sitting? Someone to shoot your wedding/graduation/bar mitzvah/childbirth? E-mail me and lets talk.
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In addition to having written and directed ten shorts, Travis has been writing feature-length scripts for years now (he's a two-time finalist for the Sundance Institute's Screenwriters & Directors Labs, and he has submitted again this year... perhaps third time's the charm?), and he is eternally grateful to you for helping him make "The World of Missing Persons" his crowning achievement.
