We're seniors at JMU making our first feature film about finding your passion and having the courage to follow it. Read more
We're seniors at JMU making our first feature film about finding your passion and having the courage to follow it.
About this project
You made it to our Kickstarter page! Congrats! Welcome. Now what's this all about?
We're JMU students making a feature film. Our first feature film. We've got a dream and a plan, but we need your help to make it happen.
Read below for the synopsis. Scroll further down to see production stills and listen to our original music!
I'm bored. Give me the gist, and make it quick.
A film student accidentally makes a viral video and gets discovered by the world. As his fame builds, so does the pressure to create. His fear of what comes next manifests within his gifted imagination, comes after him, and tries to kill him. He's on a downward spiral until a girl falls into his life and introduces him to a new world.
Ok, sounds interesting...but, what is this so called "Kickstarter"?
Kickstarter is an all or nothing fundraising tool that brings people together so that cool and unique projects can happen. For every donation you get a reward. Donating is easy and takes less than 1 minute! Kickstarter is all or nothing meaning we HAVE to reach our goal of $8,000 in order to get the money, however there is no limit to what we can raise. We HOPE to raise MORE than $8,000 to make the project even more epic.
Ok...well, what can I do?
You can support us financially by giving us any level of contribution that you can, even if it's just $5. And even if you can't contribute financially, you can share this page and help spread the word to all of your friends and family! Help us get our message out!
Like/Share/Follow our Facebook Page!
Synopsis:
Hunter Allen, a senior film student nearing graduation, has to make a choice, to follow his passion of filmmaking or not.
Hunter has little direction and isn't the best at school, but he does have a gifted imagination. He creates a short video that unexpectedly goes viral on the internet. What we see is a true artist that gets discovered by the world. His over night success brings money, fame, and an amazing opportunity with a major Hollywood studio. Hunter however, acted on pure passion, and has no idea how he made his video. As his fame grows so does the pressure to recreate. Hunter's fear begins to infect his gifted imagination and haunt him in his daily life.
He's on a downward spiral until a girl - Violet - crashes into his life and introduces him to a new world. Hunter has to face his biggest enemy, himself. With the help of true friends, Hunter must learn to follow his heart and rediscover his passion, before his fear stops him.
So...What's the status of the project now?
Jake has put everything he has made throughout college into this project. We've got a bunch of our own equipment and shot some of the hardest scenes in the movie. We shot a 3 minute continuous scene with a steadicam, a scene under water in a lap pool, another in a private movie theater, and even a scene with a Lamborghini. Believe it or not... we still have the majority of the movie to shoot. That's where YOU come in!
The Story
Who's in involved?
A bunch of awesome people...
Jake Williams: Writer, actor, director, dream chaser, coffee consumer, car guy, photographer, and guacamole eater.
Riley Hanlon: Director of photography, slackliner, long boarder, and chipotle lover.
Lisa fox: Actress, fashion expert, pretty good at grammar
Curtis Winiesdorffer: Actor, poet, grip, tallest guy on the team.
Matt McCurtrie: Actor
Beau Robinson: Actor
Sydni Brawley: Actress
Danny Gilani: Actor
Nathan Gomes: Grip, occasional monster, joke teller.
Dan Stein: Grip, tech guy, assistant editor, camera assistant
Matt Burke aka "Burky": Music/guitar/ambient tracks
Nick Citrone: Editor, camera assistant, music/drums
Matt Hichar: Music/keys
Zoe Cooper: Painter
Alethea Spencer: Make up
...and we can't wait for more people to join the team!
$8,000 is a ton of money...What heck are you going to spend it on?
Making a movie is just like starting a business. When you start a business you need a well thought out plan and seed money to give it the chance to grow. We need AT LEAST $8,000 to make this project happen.
Getting a movie scene by an audience is vital as well as a main challenge. The main way to do this is to bring your film to a film festival. It costs anywhere from $30-$100 just to apply to a festival. $2,000 of the budget will be reserved for applying to film festivals, traveling, and marketing the film.
Ok...Then what's the other $6,000 for?
Making a movie takes hundreds of hours of work from not just one individual, but a team of people. In order to ensure quality and creativity we need to support a team that is completely dedicated to the overall project. Making a movie gives the chance for creative minds from numerous fields to collaborate. With this money we plan to create...
Creative:
- A completely original soundtrack as well as scoring for the film from a variety of musicians.
- Make up
- Original art work (props, movie poster, T-Shirt designs)
- Web site
- Post production
Logistics:
- Actors
- Set design & supplies
- Food & Water
- Gas
Equipment:
- Riley and Jake have acquired an immense amount of their own camera gear, which will be used for the film. We will be able to use part of the budget to rent high-end camera gear, lighting, and sound equipment. We hope to get a Quadcopter - small camera helicopter - for aerial shots.
Samples of our original soundtrack:
(Music by: Matt Burke, Nick Citrone, Matt Hichar)
Risks and challenges
There are countless risks and challenges...
The biggest challenge would be not making it and having to deal with the fact that we could have made something really special and unique, but weren't able to.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
Rewards
-
Pledge $5 or more
1 backer
////PRODUCTION DIARY//// Access to our private blog. See new exclusive content and behind the scenes footage about where the film is at. Plus you'll probably see some pretty funny bloopers!
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $10 or more
4 backers
////ORIGINAL SONG//// For just $10, download a brand new, exclusive song that will be featured on our original soundtrack....You also get access to the PRODUCTION DIARY
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $25 or more
5 backers
////SPECIAL THANKS IN THE CREDITS//// You will be thanked BY NAME in the closing credits of our film and on our website. You're awesome and we want the world to know it!
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $30 or more
3 backers
////ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK//// You'll receive a digital download of the STEPS SOUNDTRACK....AND the previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $40 or more
0 backers
////BE AN EXTRA//// You're awesome, and we want awesome people to be a part of the project. You'll be added to a private group where you'll receive an invite to a shoot taking place in the near future around JMU. Whether it be a party scene, a classroom scene, or a scene on campus YOU can be there. YOU can be a part of the movie....AND the previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $50 or more
2 backers
////PRIVATE LINK TO SEE THE FILM////Watch the film in your own living room with your dog and some popcorn! For a limited time, we'll send you a private link for you to watch the film online on your own time...AND the previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $75 or more
0 backers
////READ THE SCRIPT//// Dive into the story! We'll send you a PDF of the script
AND the previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $100 or more
4 backers
////12x18 ORIGINAL PRINT FROM THE OLDOWAN MEDIA SHOP//// Check out Jake's original photographs. Pick one out and well send it your way!....AND the previous rewards.
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $150 or more
2 backers
////A SIGNED DVD OF THE FILM//// You'll get the STEPS DVD signed by the cast & crew along with a personal thank you message!....AND the previous rewards.
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $250 or more
0 backers
////SIGNED PRODUCTION STILL//// You'll get to choose a limited edition production still signed by the CAST and CREW from the Steps website!....AND the previous rewards.
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $250 or more
1 backer
////SIGNED MOVIE POSTER//// You'll receive the official Steps movie poster signed by the key members of the cast and crew!....AND the previous rewards
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $500 or more
1 backer Limited (19 left of 20)
////ONE HOUR PHOTO SESSION//// Need family portraits or professional head shots? Set up a time with Jake and and you got 'em!...AND the previous rewards****LIMITED TO HARRISONBURG,VA or GREATER BOSTON AREA****
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $1,000 or more
1 backer Limited (7 left of 8)
////ASSOCIATE PRODUCER//// As an associate producer, you will be given credit as such on IMDB, the films official website and our closing credits, as well as an open pass to come observe filming whenever you like. You are now a critical part of the crew's infrastructure and it could not happen without you. You also have our undying gratitude and affection. YOU also get, A PERSONAL INVITE (plus one) to the private screening of the film with the cast and crew!...AND the previous rewards.****Screenings in Virginia & Greater Boston Area****
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers
////18x24 CANVAS ART//// You get to choose ONE original 18x24 canvas print from the film signed by the CAST & CREW. All the options will be shown on the official Steps website...AND the previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $3,000 or more
1 backer Limited (3 left of 4)
////MOBILE SCREENING & CANVAS ART//// Jake & Lisa will come screen the movie with you or a group of people at your home! Ask us questions and learn about the sequel! We'll also hand deliver your signed 18x24 canvas print from the movie ....AND the previous rewards.****LIMITED TO GREATER VA/NJ/MA areas****
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 left of 2)
////PRIVATE CAPE COD PARTY//// OK. You're awesome and because you're awesome we're going to show you an awesome time. Nothing fancy, but a whole lot of fun. We're talking homemade guacamole, fire pit with s'mores, and a private screening of the movie set up on a projector in the back yard....AND the previous rewards.****Sorry travel not included. You'll have to find your own way to the Cape. Don't worry, we'll give you directions :) ****
Estimated delivery:
Funding period
- (30 days)
