About
Call of the Void
$66,289
271
Call of the Void is a film about a man named Steve who struggles with his troubled past and the strong temptation to answer the “call of the void.” What is the call of the void? It's that common neurotic phenomenon -- the jolt, if you will -- by which we're tempted by a subliminal self-destructive impulse, like jumping off a tall bridge, or yanking the steering wheel at high speed….
PRODUCTION COMPANIES:
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Immaculata Pictures™ (www.immaculatapictures.com)
- Kahia Films™ (www.kahiafilms.com)
- Orange County Films (www.orangecountyfilms.com)
Dear Friends,
Dustin and Patrick here, the writers and producers of Call of the Void. This is our first feature and we couldn’t be more excited, mainly because of the incredible community of cast and crew who are willing to give their time and talent to make this film happen.
At this point you may wondering if I (Dustin, the director) have the ability and creativity to execute a feature film on a professional level. Very fair question. Here's a small compilation of my work; you be the judge:
CALL OF THE VOID EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Patrick Coffin, Dustin Kahia
PRODUCER: Lamar Sulaka
CO-PRODUCERS: Sean Saint-Louis, Robert Browning
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Peter Borosh, ACS
CAST: Michael Stuhlbarg (in talks), Malin Akerman (in talks), JT Alexander (confirmed)
We currently have an offer out to Michael Stuhlbarg to play the lead role, Steve. Michael is an established star in American theatre, film, and television. He is best known for portraying organized crime boss Arnold Rothstein in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, as well as troubled 1960s university professor Larry Gopnik in the Coen brothers' dark comedy A Serious Man (2009) which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination.
In addition to the Stuhlbarg's offer, we have an offer out to rising star Malin Akerman. She was cast as Silk SpectreII in the 2009 superhero film Watchman, a role for which she was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. The same year, she had supporting and starring roles in both The Proposal and Couples Retreat. Akerman gained her first starring roles in the feature films The Heartbreak Kid and 27 Dresses.
Already confirmed to play the supporting role of Tommy is J.T. Alexander. He has performed in numerous films and appeared on the TV show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He also played the lead role in the 10 Cent Pistol, a feature film starring Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds) and Jena Malone (Hunger Games) about two lifelong criminals who maneuver through the shady underbelly of Los Angeles in search of wealth, love, and redemption.
As a thank you for your contribution, we’ve put together some gifts for you, from an early DVD and download of the soundtrack to a private screening and in your home, to a private magic and mentalism show by executive producer (and professional magician) Patrick Coffin -- as well as a visit to the production set during filming.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
We are going to release Call of the Void independently in select theaters, Cable VOD, and on digital outlets such as Netflix and iTunes. Theaters require that we invest in local promotion, and the digital/cable outlets require us to get the film insured, transfer it to specific video and audio formats, and produce DVDs and Blu-Rays.
WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?
Very good question! Our line producer (as well as producer) Lamar Sulaka has over 20 years experience in the film industry breaking down the scripts and budgets. As a result, we've budgeted our Kickstarter goal to cover the costs of making the film, and any additional funds we receive will go toward marketing and promotion of the film. Because this film is a period piece, we also have the task of recreating the 1950's era through the use of costume design, era-accurate cars, set and construction design.
TARGET DEMOGRAPHICS
Our main target audience is men and women ages 25-39. According to the MPAA in 2013, this demographic is roughly 8.2 million people in the United States alone. So why this demographic? Because to date it is the largest among frequent moviegoers despite a decline in their numbers.
The decline can be attributed to the proliferation of unintelligent, uncreative schlock churned out by Hollywood. In the past decade and a half, Hollywood has focused on comic book superheroes and their seemingly endless sequels, quasi-porn "romances," and remakes of previous movies.
There is more than one reason for this, but a main one is the sheer lack of variety and quality. The people represented by this demo are trapped like animals in a Hollywood zoo that are fed only two or three kinds of food, and none of it edifying. If all you have been eating all your life is Ritz crackers, Kool-Aid, and Skittles, how much more are you going to appreciate a filet mignon, a bottle of fine wine and creme brule? Call of the Void stands in the tradition of the smart and suspenseful film noirs of the past.
Some of the most beloved films of all time fall under this genre, but Hollywood has unfortunately neglected to make these kinds of films, preferring instead to keep beating the same drum of comic book fluff, sequels (often years after the original movie), and sex comedies that try to out-raunch the previous ones.
We are not claiming to bring back some mythical past or “re-do” classics that should stay as they are. Our goal is to deliver compelling dramas in a way that marries the best of the old with the best of the new. It will be a revisiting and a reinventing of the genre.
This also means that we will reawaken a sleeping giant, the demographic of lost moviegoers, the 40-plus crowd I mentioned above. This is the demographic that grew up loving the classic films of the era known as the Golden of Age of Cinema. Their tastes and preferences for high-quality movies have simply been ignored. As a result, even the films (and TV shows) they show their children skip at least a generation, back to a simpler time in the history of American entertainment.
In 2013, the number of frequent moviegoers decreased among this 40+ demographic, a drop with no end in sight. They remember the films of Frank Capra, Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, John Ford, Stanley Donen, Elia Kazan, George Cukor, Fred Zimmerman, Billy Wilder, William Wyler, and Michael Curtiz -- films that set the bar for excellence and enduring appeal. Call of the Void represents the exciting opportunity to offer a new array of choices for American moviegoers.
Risks and challenges
We need to be very candid about the risk assessment. The main challenge we face is closing the deals with Michael Stuhlbarg and Malin Akerman. But this isn't some vague wish list. Although they're currently entertaining our offers and reviewing the script as we speak (er, as you read) we still need them to say "yes." So we are in conversations with their agents and managers to get this to happen. Signs so far are optimistic. In the event of any setbacks (we hope they don't occur, but it does happen), rest assured that a Plan B for acquiring comparable, exciting replacements is in place -- other familiar faces that you will know and respect, but whose names we obviously can't promise at this time. The adage holds true: the more investments from backers like you, the bigger names we can get. Actors are always seeking great material, but, as elsewhere, you get what you pay for. That is why we need your help.
Dustin's track record proves that he can gather and lead a team of professionals. On his previous short film, "Valediction," he hired James Avery (Uncle Phil from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," may he rest in peace) to star in a supporting role. Sam Page, known for his roles on "House of Cards" and "Mad Men," starred as the lead. Italia Ricci, who now has her own show on ABC Family called "Chasing Life." And let's not forget two-time Emmy Award winner Bonnie Bartlett, who also played a supporting role.
Patrick's background is in professional writing and radio broadcasting. He is an alumnus of the very first class of "Act One: Writing For Hollywood," the renowned script seminar held in the heart of Hollywood. and served as a creative development executive with Paulist Productions ("Romero" starring Raul Julia, "Entertaining Angels" starring Martin Sheen), and he's written the film treatment for the Canadian novel "Father Elijah" for a production company associated with Sony Pictures. Patrick was professional stage actor who studied at the Stratford Shakespearan Festival in Ontario. He holds advanced degrees from McGill University in Montreal, and Franciscan University in Ohio.
With your donations we have a film...without your donations we have only a script.
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Funding period
- (30 days)