From the Filmmakers...
With under a week left in the campaign we've seen some amazing momentum. And in response to a lot of questions we've received: YES, you can still donate and receive backer rewards beyond our Kickstarter target of $15,000.
Given the extraordinary response and support for the project to this point, we're working hard to reach a new fundraising target of $20,000. The funds we're raising on Kickstarter represent just a portion of our total budget, and we could really use your continued support.
With your help, we can tell this story the way it deserves to be told. Scroll down to find out how...
New Backer Reward!!
Check out the $750 donation tier... a private screening of the film for you and your friends with costumed storm troopers, made possible by members of the 501st Legion!
THE STORY
Johnny loves Star Wars. Matter of fact, ten year-old Johnny loves just about any movie he can get his hands on. On a hot summer day at home, Johnny enjoys his favorite pastime: watching his treasured VHS copy of The Empire Strikes Back.
But on this day, when Johnny watches Princess Leia give Luke Skywalker a reassuring kiss, his curiosity ignites for the first time. As the tape continues to roll, Johnny grapples with a confusing new feeling, and attempts to earn a kiss of his own...
THE FILM
Set in the early 90s, The First Hope is a film about first love, first kisses, and first impressions made possible by the movies. Here's how we're going to make it:
The film goes into production the first week of May. Right now, we're hoping you can help us raise a portion of the budget we need to get it made.
We've already received some incredible support for the film...
- It's a film indebted to the legacy of Star Wars. And yes, Lucasfilm has generously granted us clearances to the clips we need from the original VHS release of Empire!
- It's a story about the power of film. And we've been awarded Panavision's New Filmmaker Grant, which means that we can photograph the movie as it's truly intended: on 35mm film stock.
By adding your name to this list you'll help us pay for the ever expensive costs of production.
Among other things, this includes... equipment rentals, location fees, artist fees, design costs, and the 35mm film stock that is crucial to our vision of the script.
THE REASON
Growing up I, like Johnny, had an intensely personal relationship to movies. And I know I'm not alone. All of us share profound, personal, and maybe even embarrassing memories tied to our first experiences watching movies. Like it or not, our lives have been shaped in some small way by the films we grew up with.
The First Hope is a comedy, but it's also an earnest reflection on coming-of-age. It's a story about growing up in just a few, meaningful seconds.
As part of a generation of filmmakers raised on home video, this story cuts to the heart of why I make films, why so many of us started watching them, and why we continue to cherish them.
Please join me and an amazing team of filmmakers to tell this story together.
Questions about this project? Check out the FAQ
Support
Funding period
- (35 days)