In 2009, Apple launched the iPhone 3GS with the slogan: "The fastest, most powerful iPhone yet."
Technology has always been a part of human affairs and there isn't anything more human than love. Many have recently wondered what technology has been doing to dating. You can present whatever self you want to the world. Surface talk has replaced "real straight talk about souls." You can accept or reject potential dates with the swipe of a finger. An Instagram filter makes you artsy, whereas hard work did before. Appearance is everything in a world where you are your Facebook profile.
But technology has always been present. Are cell phones and the Internet any different than letters or the telephone? Are we the same as our parents and grandparents - just with fancier gadgets? Or is this is a brave new world?
Phoebe has a Tinder date in an hour and a half. Keith has a Tinder date in an hour and a half. Can you guess where we're going with this one?
In a cafe, bubbly Ashlee explains to the shy MIT grad student Phoebe the Text Delay Theory and past relationships. At a bar, apparent writer Clay and frat bro Keith discuss the discovery of America and its relation to dating; their favorite porn genres; and the Manic Pixie Dream Girl.
Along the way, others drop in on them: a surly bartender, a rational Neo-Nazi, a couple excited of Beats from out on the road, a hypocritical preacher, an intellectual feminist, a scientifically-illiterate MIT humanities professor, and a barfly philosopher.
Interspersed are interviews with couples who met through the decades of the twentieth century, from exchanging letters during the Korean War to meeting online.
All leading up to the Tinder date. This is: "The fastest, most romantic love yet."
How does it feel?
I am Shane Butler, the person who has been talking to you over these past few paragraphs. Haven't they been nice? I've enjoyed them. I hope you have too. TFMRLY will be my second feature film. Last year, I made Down the Cape:
It was a great learning experience with a very limited crew (two people for the majority of the time). We shot it in 17 days with only 4 full days. From pre-production to post, it took us under a year. I met some great people and part of the band is getting back together. India Pearl (Charlotte in Down the Cape) will be playing Ashlee, Chris Goodwin (Jamie) will be playing Keith, and Topher Hansson (Caleb) will be playing Clay. I'm looking forward to upping the ante with some lovely familiar faces and exciting new ones.
$2500 is a lot of money, so what exactly is your money going toward? (And points to people who got my reference above.)
This is purely for our wonderful sound guy Quinn Wilson. Sound is incredibly important and often overlooked. Quinn is the only man for the job. He's a production sound mixer, boom operator, and all-around audiophile. With a hard nosed obsession for quality sound and professionalism, Quinn strives for the highest fidelity sound he can record and mix, and is inspired daily by the work of top level production sound mixers in the professional field.
However, he is not the only expense for this film. The rest of the money will be raised through other means (mostly through debt), but my credit rating and future wife really wouldn't like that, so keep reading if we pass our goal and you want to contribute...
What if we (hopefully) go past our goal? What then will your money be for? But what is money for in general? Is it not a human construct? Is it not just meaningless paper? If paper is meaningless and I revolve my life around it, is my life meaningless? What is life?
$4,000 - Food! Food is good. People like to eat it and we also need it to survive. Food is also expensive probably because of global warming or something. I'm like the worst director ever, so without this stretch goal, I will not have food on set and the cast and crew will starve. Don't let that be on your conscience.
$7,000 - For our wonderful cinematographer, Casey Preston, a Boston-based videographer and performer. He is motivated by a desire to connect with an audience, whether it be acting onstage, producing a video, or playing in his band.
$10,000 - Right now our cast is devoting their time out of the goodness of their hearts and the love of art or whatever this thing is. I want to pay them. It is as simple as that.
BONUS REWARD: For $5, get 2 comedy passes to any regular $5 show of Rob Crean's THE GAS at Great Scott in Allston.
You even just clicking on my project is super awesome. I seriously appreciate every click, dollar, or even derisive laugh after reading the little description. To even be thought about in terms of what I'm doing creatively is cool. That said, I could not make the best film I can without you. Even if you can't donate anything, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a minute to like our Facebook page or share the project with people you know. Feel free to ask me anything. Shoot me an email at duelinghamiltonproductions@gmail.com or use the kickstarter message contact thing.
Thanks again,
Shane
Risks and challenges
Doing anything creative is quite difficult and Murphy's Law always seems to reign supreme on any set. We have a tight production schedule, but we have a fantastic, experienced team. Casey Preston is an experienced commercial and independent cinematographer. Quinn Wilson is as professional and passionate as they come. Most of the cast and locations are set. Many of them are reliable and great friends (except Chris Goodwin, the guy's a mess).
Also, as I have said above, this is not my first feature film and this time, we have more experienced people, so the process will be all the smoother.
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Funding period
- (37 days)