MUTED follows Lena Gladwell, a black mother who struggles to get police & local media involved when her teenage daughter disappears. Read more
MUTED follows Lena Gladwell, a black mother who struggles to get police & local media involved when her teenage daughter disappears.
About this project
The Story
Muted follows Lena Gladwell, a mother whose world is shattered when her teenage daughter Crystal disappears. Springing into action, Lena attempts to enlist the help of the press and the police. Expecting the full support of law enforcement and local media, Lena quickly learns the painful and tragic lesson that all missing persons are not created equal.
Our Team
*Our director is the very talented Rachel Goldberg (Neighbors, Rosita Lopez for President), a 2012 HBO/DGA Directing Fellowship finalist, 2010 AFI Directing Workshop for Women participant and named one of "30 Emerging Filmmakers to Watch" by Film Independent.
*Actress/Writer Brandi Ford penned the script and was inspired to write the film after learning about the real missing person cases of Mitrice Richardson, Phoenix Coldon and Romona Moore. Brandi's feature version of Muted was in the final round of the 2013 Sundance Screenwriters Lab.
*Actress/Writer Tara Tomicevic has taken on the role of producer and is excited to share a story she feels will connect with all. Tara spoke about Muted on Good Day Sacramento:
*Tina Pavlides, owner of Still Standing Productions, keeps us on track as our diligent Line Producer.
*The multi-talented Danette Wilson (seriously, she's awesome both in front of & behind the camera) is our hard-working Production Manager.
*The dynamic duo of Greg Cruser and Lex Benedict will be handling post-production under their Longlost Pictures banner.
*Matthew Owyang is our dynamic Social Media Manager.
Casting is currently underway so stay tuned as we look forward to bringing you tons of production updates!
How does this whole pledge thing work?
This is the beauty of Kickstarter - your money is handled by Amazon.com and does not leave your bank account until our goal is reached! If $15,000 is not raised by our deadline, all pledges are cancelled and you keep your money. Please, help us NOT let that happen! :-)
For those of you who prefer a visual breakdown...
$14,999 = Funds nothing! We don't receive a penny if we raise this amount or less.
$15,000 = Success! After Kickstarter & Amazon both take their cut (approximately 10% total or $1500) we'll have the absolute bare bones amount needed to shoot this film.
$18,000 = Funds a reasonable day rate for our cast and crew, upgrades our production design and covers basic editing costs.
$23,000 = Funds additional post-production needs such as sound mixing, color grading, light visual effects and score composition and upgrades some of our equipment.
$25,000 = Funds film festival submission fees, marketing materials and venue fees for the screening.
What's In It For You
We have some exciting rewards that we're happy to offer to thank you for joining our team! Everything from a Facebook/Twitter shout-out, photographs from the set, homemade cake pops and chocolate-covered Oreos (YUM!) and invitations to the private screening. If there's a reward you'd love to have that's not currently being offered just send us a message using the blue "CONTACT ME" button next to our picture and we'll see if we can make it happen.
We can't begin to describe how excited we are to begin production on this film! We have a story to share and hope you'll participate in bringing it to life.
Stay connected by liking us here: www.facebook.com/mutedthemovie
*Special thanks to Longlost Pictures, Hugo Carbajal, and Martin Tapalla for helping us create the above video & graphics!
**Proud participants of Kicking It Forward: http://kickingitforward.org
Risks and challenges
Making a film is a huge undertaking that always brings challenges and risks such as unforeseen weather situations, actors dropping out, and locations having to change. However, we feel 100% capable of completing this film given our experience, commitment to the project and massive preparation.
Challenge #1: We hope to shoot this film in late July or August. We'll do everything we can to make that happen if funded. The cast and crew who are currently attached have made themselves available for this window. However, we have not cast two of our main characters, Crystal and Lena. We hope to attract great actors, and great actors can be busy. There is a chance that we find the perfect actors to play the roles but they are unavailable this summer, pushing us back until September. We'll do all we can to avoid this as we'd rather not slow down the project's momentum.
Challenge #2: After the film is shot, we'll need to edit it. If we meet but do not exceed our bare minimum goal of $15k, and if we are unable to find a donor who will match our Kickstarter funds, it will take us a bit longer to raise the amount needed to edit and score the film. This challenge can be overcome as it only requires finding more money but that will take time.
Despite these challenges, we are confident in our team's ability to complete this film because of the following:
*Our team has a ton of DIY experience - We're used to keeping costs low and filling multiple roles on set. We know how to keep the process moving even when external factors are working against us.
*We KNOW this script intimately - We've spent a LOT of time with this story. This means we know it well enough to make quick decisions about content and tone and what can stay or go from the script without sacrificing quality.
We’re planning everything down to the last detail, from production insurance to contingency plans to lookbooks so that we can concentrate on the most important part: telling a good story.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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No money will be deducted from you unless the campaign reaches its goal. However, the sooner you pledge the better. Once we reach our goal, Amazon will charge your card for your desired pledge amount on the date our campaign ends (June 30, 2013).
*If you need any help with the donation system, please email MutedTheMovie@gmail.com and we will gladly walk you through the process.
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No. Only you and the project owners will be able to see your pledge amount.
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Major sad face! The rules of Kickstarter dictate that if we do not reach our goal we receive nothing. It is a 100% ALL or NOTHING system.
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Cast & crew, equipment, locations, insurance, catering and craft services, post production, and overall movie magic!
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Major happy face! Every extra penny will contribute to the production value of the film and help cover additional items such as film festival submission fees, score/music clearances and marketing costs.
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It’s in the works! In fact, the feature screenplay for Muted recently advanced to the final round of the 2013 Sundance Screenwriters Lab.
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Please spread the word! Share this link via email, Facebook, Twitter or good old-fashioned word of mouth. We’re also happy to accept in-kind donations so if there’s something you believe our cast & crew could use, please contact us at http://mailto:MutedTheMovie@gmail.com.
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Absolutely!
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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 of the person that is to receive the reward and we'll follow through.
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Email MutedTheMovie@gmail.com and we will be happy to hear from you.
Rewards
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Pledge $1 or more
5 backers
IN THE WINGS - Access to production updates and behind the scenes info plus a thank you shout out on our Twitter & Facebook pages.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $1 or more
25 backers All gone!
EARLY BIRD - The first 25 backers, no matter the amount, receive the $35 level PROPONENT reward as a thank-you for getting our Kickstarter ball rolling!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $5 or more
27 backers
ALLY - Your name listed in the Special Thanks section of our website as someone who made this film possible plus the IN THE WINGS rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $10 or more
41 backers
SUPPORTER - Digital download of exclusive behind the scenes footage and first peek at the trailer plus the ALLY rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $15 or more
18 backers
FRIEND - Digital download of our Muted poster (perfect for a screensaver or new cover photo on your Facebook page) plus the SUPPORTER rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $25 or more
51 backers
PATRON - Password-protected digital download of the completed film one week before its official online release (after its film festival run) plus the FRIEND rewards.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $35 or more
12 backers
PROPONENT - A production postcard (perfect keepsake to remind you of how you helped make a movie!) plus the PATRON rewards.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $50 or more
48 backers Limited (2 left of 50)
ADVOCATE - Special Thanks IMDb credit. Your name will forever be connected to this film in the Special Thanks section of IMDb plus the PROPONENT rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $75 or more
4 backers
ACTIVIST - Hard copy of the signed "Muted" script and YOUR INPUT on our poster creation plus the ADVOCATE rewards.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $100 or more
30 backers Limited (170 left of 200)
GROUNDBREAKER - YOUR NAME in the film credits in our "Digital Producers" section, DVD of the completed film mailed to your home and a handwritten thank-you card from the director & producers plus the ACTIVIST rewards.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $150 or more
3 backers
CHAMPION - YOUR FACE in one of the missing posters used in the montage of our title shot AND half a dozen chocolate-covered Oreos or Rice Krispy Treats courtesy of Sugar Swag Bakeshoppe (available for Los Angeles pickup only or add $10 for shipping & handling) plus the GROUNDBREAKER rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $250 or more
8 backers
BENEFACTOR - Invitation for you & a guest to the Los Angeles premiere and exclusive wrap party for cast & crew with reserved seating and a special shout out at the screening during the intro to the film (transportation & lodging not included) AND half a dozen delectable cake or brownie pops courtesy of Sugar Swag Bakeshoppe (available for Los Angeles pickup only or add $10 for shipping & handling) plus the GROUNDBREAKER rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $500 or more
3 backers Limited (7 left of 10)
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER - Ever wanted to say you've produced a film? Now you can! Choose this reward and you'll receive an IMDb Credit as an Associate Producer plus the BENEFACTOR rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $1,000 or more
1 backer Limited (4 left of 5)
CO-PRODUCER - This reward takes the producing thing one step further and gets you an IMDb credit as Co-Producer and an invitation to join us on set for 1 day (transportation & lodging not included) plus the BENEFACTOR rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 left of 3)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - This reward offers the top of the line status as our EP. You'll constantly be updated during all phases of production and also be sent an early cut of the film as we are editing so that you get a sneak peek into our development. In addition to being invited to the screening, you'll also be invited to all the film's special events. (transportation and lodging not included). You'll get all the bells and whistles of every reward listed AND you'll get to be a real part of the filmmaking process!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world
Funding period
- (30 days)
