About this project
In 2011 I followed some of the guys of Hollywood MMA around for 5 months, making photographs and getting to know them as people, and not just fighters. Over that time I became good friends with many of them, and decided in late 2011 that I wanted to make my senior thesis project for my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree, a project bringing to light what mixed martial arts truly is, and not a convoluted idea of what the sport is about.
I started filming Why I Fight in March of 2012, and wrapped filming in January of 2013, traveling all over Indiana to film them training, interview them, and catch a few of their fights. With the exception of one day of filming, every second of footage that was shot, was shot by me. Originally my plan was to do the entire documentary 100% independently, but after trying to balance jobs, personal life and the documentary, it quickly became too much for just one person to handle.
The funds I'm hoping to raise in this Kickstarter will go towards DVD production, backer rewards, and the hiring of a professional editor to help me craft and shape this story into the story it needs to be. I've been handling all the expenses out of pocket for this project for over a year now, and for this final leg I can't get it done without you.
There's some really neat rewards to the right, from as simple as a sticker and a copy of the finished DVD, to custom made MMA board shorts with the Why I Fight logos pressed on (using the same process that is used on fight shorts that will see time in the cage), signed gloves and more.
I can't thank everyone enough for the continued support of this project.
Just a quick note, I'll be getting in touch with backers that purchased signed DVDs/Prints about which fighter they would like to sign their rewards before shipment. Please note that all signed DVD's will be removed from their shrinkwrap packaging to be signed.
Risks and challenges
The largest question mark about this is ultimately when the final DVD can be sent off for production. My goal is to have this piece fully edited and ready to go by summer, but everyone working on this project isn't able to work on this like a full time job. We all have other outside commitments, but promise you, this is important to everyone involved. I can't wait to see this project through, and get it out for people to see it.
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Funding period
- (31 days)