--Update 02-19-15-- Every watercolor portrait print now comes SIGNED by Mark Chiarello!
“Is This Heaven?” is the most complete telling of Pete Hill's life and storied baseball career in the Negro leagues. It's a full length documentary that will shed light on an amazing ballplayer whose talents are largely unknown and the intriguing posthumous story surrounding him. The film investigates the possible disturbance of his grave at Burr Oak Cemetery while watching on as historians look for his final resting place elsewhere. More layers to Pete Hill's story come to the forefront as further research uncovers errors on his National Baseball Hall of Fame plaque and the process of correcting it begins.
The film is currently running about 1 hour and 20 minutes long and consists of many interviews with Pete Hill’s descendants, as well as historians with knowledge about Pete Hill, the Negro leagues, the players, owners, fans, franchises, etc.
"Is This Heaven?" is about the importance of documenting history and its value. If our history is not learned and retold, then it will be lost forever. The forgotten legends of America's pastime, like Pete Hill, are an example of such importance.
The film is nearing completion. The formal interviews have been done and much of the film has been edited. What is needed now is B-roll, stock footage, studio time to complete the soundtrack, and compelling images to visually represent the story being told.
About the Filmmaker
Keith Carmack studied Sound Design at Columbia College Chicago. He not only shoots and edits his work but writes original scores, as well. Keith currently works as a videographer for 44FLOOD and is credited for his work in Ben Templesmith's THE SQUIDDER and DAGON, as well as menton3's KATABASIS. Keith is also slated to appear in the upcoming TOME II: MELANCHOLIA anthology, contributing an original song to the CD.
Budget:
This is the big one. Stock footage can be very expensive, but I needed to use a few clips to fully tell the story. I have gotten quotes on everything used (down to the frame) and went through the permissions process to be able to use the footage in this film.
B-Roll: $700
The film needs a few more visuals before it is finalized. Equipment rental and travel expenses are needed to get the last few critical shots.
Studio Time: $1150
I have written and recorded a majority of the music in my home studio but there are some things that you have to be in a recording studio for. Luckily, I have a contact at a studio that can give me a great rate for finishing the soundtrack. After that, we will move it over to the mastering suite to polish the album and get it out to you.
Post-Production: $500
A few designs and effects shots need to be worked out.
DVD Production: $1000
The final movie will be printed, packaged, and shrink-wrapped to be sent to you.
Coffee: $50
Need it
CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!
Always feel free to email me through Kickstarter if you have any questions or are interested in upgrading your pledges. I am here to help you in any way that I can!
SHIPPING INFO & RETURN POLICY
All pledges have U.S. shipping and handling already included!
International backers, I did a country-by-country breakdown of the packages and approximate weights to determine this average amount.
All sales are final. Packages may be insured by your request, and all claims for damaged packages/goods must be made with the shipping carrier.
Pledge Rewards!
* DVD
Get your very own copy of Is This Heaven? with extras and a soundtrack download. Also known as an Amaray case, the DVD case is the standard retail packaging format for DVDs.
* 11x17" Pete Hill watercolor portrait print by Mark Chiarello.
Update: Now comes SIGNED by Mark Chiarello!
Will be printed on Sundance Felt paper, a thick watercolor paper. Mark Chiarello is the VP Art Direction & Design for DC Comics and co-created the critically acclaimed Batman: Black & White mini-series for which he received an Eisner Award in 1997 and again in 2003. As a painter, Chiarello has worked on such projects as the Batman story Batman/Houdini: The Devil's Workshop and Clive Barker's Hellraiser. He was also the first colorist on Mike Mignola's Hellboy. In 2007 Chiarello co-authored "Heroes of the Negro Leagues," from Abrams Publishing, featuring his Negro League paintings.
* Original Soundtrack
Get your digital copy of the music from the film. Original score by Keith Carmack as well as title sequence music by Nathan Taylor. It will be available to download in several formats.
* Is This Heaven? Cap
Polyester foam and mesh back with adjustable plastic snap tab closure.
* Is This Heaven? t-shirt
100% cotton pre-shrunk t-shirt available in ALL men's/women's sizes. These t-shirts are silkscreened by hand by me! I will ask for your size, cut, through a survey.
* Esther by menton3
This beautiful piece of original art has been gifted by artist menton3 to support this Kickstarter. He created the piece for the Silent Hill: Past Life four-issue comic book series published by IDW Publishing in 2010. It’s his character design for one of the main characters, Esther, and was done in watercolor, pen/ink, and marker going edge-to-edge on 11x17” card stock. The piece was published in the trade paperback edition that collected the series.
Risks and challenges
The film has already been funded through the main production stage. We're seeking to raise minimum costs needed to finalize the project. We have a team in place with experience in packaging and shipping, ready to fulfill all pledges as quick as possible. Copies of the movie itself will be released upon completion of the films festival run.
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Funding period
- (30 days)