KICKSTARTER

Funded! This project was successfully funded on September 21, 2012.

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Treasure Inside is a series of animated movies about the magic of life inside of us. Help produce a half-hour TV show!

Please help produce a TV show that broadcasts this message of the peace and beauty within every living person.
 

This is the second project with Kickstarter. The first attempt saw many pledges but the goal was not reached, so we did not receive any funding. This time we lowered the goal by connecting with student videographers instead of professionals. And something else ... There's a new movie on the website, "Driveway". (You can watch it below.)

  • Treasure! (30 seconds)

Treasure Inside is a series of animated shorts about everyone's ability to know peace living inside themselves. (The website link is below.) A major public TV station invited me to submit a compilation for possible broadcast. I am planning a 30-minute show that includes some talk about the inspiration behind them. Some funds are needed to take this exciting step.

I learned how to tap the pool of clarity inside me. Using simple metaphors, the Treasure Inside shorts talk about the value of this inner resource. I created them to help open conversations about the inner perspective of life and to describe my discoveries.

I think of the movies as an introduction to an introduction. They are not How To lessons, but poetic metaphors of my personal understandings. They're just light, funky, and fun. This experience is totally personal and I think it needs an expression that's totally personal.

The movies show the experiences of an individual. They do not have the sophistication of a professional studio. I am not a big expert or official spokesman. I'm just a student. I am not a skilled artist or aspiring filmmaker, but I've got something to say. This perspective is utterly simple and it has amazing potentials.

Feeling inside is a personal experience, but the series has won wide recognition. Treasure Inside movies are frequently broadcast on MiND-TV. They were twice awarded Best Animation at the Bucks Fever FilmFest (2009 and 2011) and Director's Choice at the Tricycle Magazine's Buddhafest (2012). A Treasure Inside collection is on DVD. They have a well-known website (www.TreasureInside.net) and a popular page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TreasureInside). Two of the movies were selected for screening in the Artist Visions Film Festival in Lambertville, NJ (2012). Magazines have featured the series: Dtown (May, 2012) and Doylestown Observer (April, 2012).

Now there are 19 movies on the website. I have many ideas for more and I plan to keep making them. Animated moves are an ideal medium for describing what I am learning, and lots of people want to learn about this possibility.

I was recently invited by the local PBS television station (WHYY, channel 12 in Philadelphia) to submit a compilation of my Treasure Inside movies. The script for a half-hour show is in progress and production is well underway.  

This Kickstarter campaign will raise the money needed to produce the tv show. It will be used for paying the student videographers, creating a new DVD, and upgrading the computer and software. Please donate any amount for these production costs. And please tell other people who might be interested.

I am happy to see that pledges met the Kickstarter goal!! This is the minimum needed and if it grows higher, great! Extra funds will go 100% towards producing more movies.

The Story of Home (5 minutes)
  • *Driveway* (5 minutes)

LINKS:

Treasure Inside Website

Treasure Inside's Message

List of Completed Movies

Joel's Story

Treasure Inside on Facebook

FAQ

  • Why do you talk about feeling life inside yourself?

    Having a love of life, knowing peace inside, feeling appreciation in the moment ... These are all personal experiences. We all try to make our lives better. In addition to improving my outside circumstances, I experience an inner sense of home.

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  • Why is inside important to you?

    The aliveness in me never changes. I learned that it is a source of a beautiful feeling of peace. When I feel inside, I discover that peace is close to me, always.

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  • Why is inside so different?

    Inside is only myself, beautiful and simple. I am learning that life is not only a bunch of complicated challenges. There's a peaceful simplicity that I discover. I know this only because I learned how to reach inside of myself.

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  • What is your experience with this feeling?

    I have a regular practice of sitting and feeling the aliveness in me. I've done this every day for 40 years. In a sense, that means nothing because that experience is always new and I am always a beginner. However, it shows me that I have a consistent source. Combined with my history (watch "The Story of Home"), it shows much more.

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  • Is this something you came up with or something you learned?

    I have a teacher named Prem Rawat. All my insight about my inner source comes from him. If you are interested in learning more, go to Words of Peace Global at http://wopg.org.

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  • Why don't you talk about the techniques you learned to feel inside?

    I learned from a teacher who is well-qualified to guide other people. This is important stuff. If you're interested, go to an expert.

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  • Why are you doing this?

    I see a big hole and watch many people fall into it. There's no reason for that because many solutions are very close. I'm no expert, but I learned something wonderful so I am putting it out.

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  • What will this funding be used for?

    There are many expenses in creating a show for tv broadcast ... hiring student videographers, creating a new Treasure Inside DVD, and upgrading some software. In addition, every movie demands a great deal of time and resources. Also, there are fees for Amazon payments and Kickstarter campaigns, and the costs of the rewards.

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28
Backers
$1,080
pledged of $950 goal
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  • Pledge $5 or more
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    3 backers

    Everyone who donates at least $5 will receive links for each finished segment of the tv program. You will be able to watch the step-by-step progress as the program is created.

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    1 backer

    Have your own ideas?? You will get links to videos so you can watch the progress of the tv program, PLUS I will seriously consider (and respond to!) any suggestions you make.

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    6 backers

    Want to see a video that's made for you?? You will receive a video Thank You from the one-and-only animated Joel, profusely expressing his gratitude ... PLUS all the above.

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    1 backer

    Want a video of Joel singing to you?? You'll get a video thank you DUET of the one-and-only animated Joel harmonizing with the flesh-and-blood real Joel (even though the real Joel has a terrible voice and may be totally embarrassed) ... PLUS all the above.

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    1 backer

    Want the whole series on DVD?? The official Treasure Inside DVD (version 3) will be mailed to your door. That includes all 19 movies that are on the Treasure Inside website, and the bonus feature "Behind the Scenes" ... PLUS all the above.

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    Want to show the movies to others?? Three copies of the Treasure Inside DVD (Give them to friends! Start conversations! Share your discoveries!) ... PLUS all the above.

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    1 backer

    Want to be on the World Wide Web?? Your name listed as a generous donor on the Treasure Inside website Thank You page ... PLUS all the above.

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    1 backer

    Want something for your wall?? A full-color glossy print of the thumbnail of any Treasure Inside movie of your choice, autographed with a cheery message from Joel ... PLUS all the above.

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    0 backers

    Want even more?? A sheet of official Treasure Inside adhesive stickers (suitable for labeling your mail, lunchbox, purse, even your bills!) ... PLUS all the above.

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    2 backers

    Want to show everyone?? An exclusive Treasure Inside t-shirt, light orange on black, with the star logo, stating "Treasure Inside" (that would refer to the treasure inside of you, believe it or not) ... PLUS all the above.

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  • Pledge $350 or more
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    0 backers

    Want to be a movie star?? (animated, that is) Be an extra in a future Treasure Inside movie. Your likeness speaking to the world! ... PLUS all the above.

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  • Pledge $750 or more
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    0 backers Limited (99 left of 99)

    Want to be part of the team?? Work directly with Joel on the next Treasure Inside movie: help choose the story, setting, and message (keeping to our Treasure Inside theme, of course) ... PLUS all the above.

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Funding period

- (25 days)