About this project
Brief Synopsis
Mahogany Sunrise is a romantic, action drama about a downhearted IT guy named Jackson who longs to be a musician. After being sent to a border town for work Jackson stumbles upon a duffel bag full of money. Thinking he’s hit the jackpot he takes the money. He later meets and falls for a charismatic burlesque dancer named Mercedes. But Jackson quickly learns that this new found fortune comes with a price as he finds himself on the run from her ex and his gangbanger crew along with two hitmen who want the money back.
Mahogany Sunrise is a hip, lovers on the run story with themes of greed, arrogance, chance encounters, finding love, taking chances and following your heart to do what you're meant to in life. Jackson and Mercedes are two star-crossed strangers that happen to meet, inspire each other and fall in love. In the end their love must survive greed and the relentless pursuit of those that want to kill them.
Last August we shot promotional trailers as proof of concept. The crew was comprised of experienced filmmakers and actors from the Austin film scene many of which will be returning for the feature. We shot with the state of the art RED Epic digital camera. The trailers debut last November at The American Film Market (AFM). Exhibited to foreign and domestic film executives and distributors the trailers were highly praised assuring us that the film we are trying to make will be a marketable commodity.
Inspiration for writing the story
This is a project I’ve been writing for many years. They always say write what you know and I can really relate to the main character Jackson and his desire to be a musician but feeling that his creativity is being stifled by working in the IT field. A struggle many creative types find themselves in when trying to balance their passions with their necessary day jobs.
Another motivation for writing the story stems from my love of music and wondering what inspires an artist or musician. Also I’ve always been fascinated by fate and chance especially how lovers meet. Jackson and Mercedes are two people from very different lives that meet by chance, inspire each other and fall in love.
The story is loosely inspired by the Mexican Girl chapters of Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road'. In these chapters of the book Sal Paradise meets a Mexican girl named Terry at a bus station in Los Angeles and for the next fifteen days they are "together for better or worse". For those of you that have read 'On the Road' what if Sal had stayed with Terry and they made a life together? Either way their lives were forever changed as their souls collided in this all too big world.
Mahogany Sunrise features lowriders, shoot-outs, burlesque, gangs, hitmen, chase scenes and a much sought after bag of loot. But there’s more to it, ultimately it’s about falling in love, taking chances, realizing your dreams and following your heart to do what you’re meant to in life.
What are we raising funds for?
The money raised will go directly toward the production costs to make a full feature film to include insurance, permits, paying actors and crew, lodging, travel, craft services, props, costumes/wardrobe, editing, music rights, marketing materials and securing locations.
Production is slated to begin this Summer shooting in the Austin, TX area and a Texas border town that has yet to be finalized. We will be shooting with the RED Epic and we have a fully loaded grip truck with all the required camera gear and lights at our disposal.
Here is some behind the scenes action from the promo shoot. This was day 7 a stunt heavy day. In this scene Jackson boldly confronts Chato at his hideout.
Promo shoot production stills:
The duffel bag and the lowrider:
T-shirt Designs
Here are some of the ideas for t-shirt designs. These can be on white or colored t-shirts. Let us know what you think!
1. "Take the leap. Find the muse. And run."
2. "Mahogany Sunrise" - The Gun
3. "All you need for a movie is a gun and a girl." Girl/sun silohuette
4. "Take the leap. Find the muse. And run." Guitar silohuette
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Funding period
- (36 days)