By: Selina
Through “This Week in Crowdfunding,” you’ll find five of the
best projects Trust the Dice found hosted on crowdfunding sights this week.
These are Films/Web Series’/Shows of varying lengths and genres that we believe
in. If you like any of the projects you see here, donate to them, tell your
friends, and/or post it on social media.
These projects don’t just need money, they need people to
care and spread the word that they exist.
Support creativity. Support indie artists.
Remember that every actor, director, writer, and movie you
have ever fallen in love with had to start somewhere.
Trust the Dice does not, and will not, accept payment from project
creators for
appearance on this list. Projects are chosen solely on the merit of the
idea,
proposal, and people involved.
5 – Granny
Crowdsource Platform:
Indiegogo
Director: Dave
Burrowes
Writer: Dave
Burrowes, Dean Burr
Other Staff: Joel
Hagen (Producer), Lucy Rennick (Producer), Oscar Partridge (Director of Photography),
Tel Benjamin (Actor)
Amount Requested:
$15,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $1,080 raised by 19 backers.
Type of Goal: Flexible
This was a really tough week for this article. I wasn’t even
able to finalize it until late Saturday night because there were so many
awesome projects being crowdfunded this week. Choosing between them took a
significant amount of time.
Granny stood out
to me as an awesome, over-the-top, hilarious horror.
The mix of horror and comedy is always a great start for a
film in my book. The creators explain the film as what would happen if a
grandmother just snapped one day. Nightmare on Elm Street with Freddy Kruger
replaced by your sweet little grandma.
More than once you’ll see the creators use the term “ozploitation.”
I’ll be honest, I had to look it up myself, but once I did I had to admit that
the definition put this film right up Trust the Dice’s alley.
Ozploitation began in the 70s right after the R-rating made
its way to Australia. It was originally “Aussiesploitation” but was shortened not
long after its conception. From that explanation, it’s pretty easy to figure
out everything you need to about the genre.
I think it’ll be hilarious to watch a little granny on her
rascal chasing her grandson around with a chainsaw. The amusing image that
appears in my head when I think of that isn’t something I can ignore.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$7.62 – Facebook Shout Out – You did us a solid today, and we’re gonna thank
you publicly for it. Hope you’re not afraid of mass adulation because you’re
about to be adored by the masses.
Highest Fund Reward:
$2,287,200 – One-Man Studio – Well, you’re tops. We’re gonna use this money on
out next project (a feature film set in space – it’s going to be awesome), and
you’re now an executive producer on both Granny and the upcoming feature. You
also get the set visit, VIP screening, T-Shirt, Poster, signed script, and
digital download perks. Also a one of a kind collectors Granny Mug.
4 – Silver Stream
Crowdsource Platform:
Kickstarter
Director: Grace
Kiley
Writer: Grace
Kiley
Other Staff: Natalia
Bougadeliis (Cinematographer, Co-Producer), Ally Schreiber (Actor), Cynthia
Dillon (Screenplay Consultant, Acting Coach), Janine Mills (Associate
Producer), Liz Turner (Associate Producer), Ecegul Bayram (Production
Designer), Emory Parker (Editor), Amrinder Singh (Line Producer),
Amount Requested:
$8,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $186 raised by 5 backers.
Type of Goal: All
or Nothing
By the time I finished reading the first sentence of this
Kickstarter page I could pinpoint Silver
Stream as a tearjerker. Moving on into the page the story just gains a
depth that I can absolutely respect. When you pair that kind of storytelling
with the passion shown in the trailer for this film, it’s difficult to consider
any possibility but success.
I was particularly drawn in to a portion of the inspiration
material where a woman met her biological mother and found she was surprised
that the meeting filled her with rage. I wasn’t adopted, but my father was an
asshole and I met him for the first time in over a decade about two years
before his death. The rage I felt kept me shaking for a long time after that
meeting.
Of course, some of the answers to the questions I had helped
that rage grow… but I see the similarity in emotion there.
When you have a project like this that is so closely
inspired by real-life emotions and events, it’s easier to get absorbed by the
plot. If the script is well done, I see absolutely no reason why anyone would
be able to ignore Silver Stream.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$5 – Thank Your – You’ll receive a hearty thank you for our Facebook page and
regular email updates on the production. Welcome aboard.
Highest Fund Reward:
$1,000 – Associate Producer – Receive an Associate Producer Credit on screen
and on IMDB and an invitation to the New York Premiere
3 – Ripple
Crowdsource Platform:
Kickstarter
Director: Min-Wei
Lee
Writer: Min-Wei
Lee
Other Staff: Ayza
Akhtar (Producer), Jean Ng (Line Producer), Alex Hass (Director of
Photographer), Kristi Palmer (Production Designer), Zoe Yi (Concept Art),
Josephine Change (Poster Art)
Amount Requested:
$9,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $5,265 raised by 35 backers.
Type of Goal: All
or Nothing
Domestic abuse is a subject very close to my heart. As
previously mentioned, my dad was an asshole. It was a long time before anything
was actually done about it, though I’m certain plenty of people in our building
and in our family knew about it.
For some people it’s easy to just turn away from something
because it’s ‘none of their business’ or because they don’t think it’s ‘their
place’ to get involved. I will never understand that train of thought. The
final time my father laid a hand on my mother, I’m certain it would have been
much worse if my soccer coach hadn’t grabbed him and forced him to leave. It’s
always your place to stand up for someone being hurt. If it’s too dangerous to
step in yourself, there are other methods of helping – such as getting the
victim out of the situation or calling emergency services.
This film is a student project that focuses not only on
domestic abuse, but on the inaction of people close to the victim. It’s based
on a real situation that the writer/director found herself in and has been
significantly well thought out and planned.
With a message as important as this film has, and the sheer
level of planning that’s been done, Ripple
is an important film to consider if you’re looking into helping an indie film
this week.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$10 – Facebook Shoutout – A personalized Facebook Thank You note from our
director, Min-Wei Lee.
Highest Fund Reward:
$5,000 – Executive Producer – From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much
for your incredible generosity. In addition to all previous rewards, you will
be made our film’s sole Executive Producer and will receive this credit on our
official IMDb page. You and a guest are also invited to dinner with director
Min-Wei Lee and producer Ayza Akhtar (New York Only).
2 – The Hun
Crowdsource Platform:
Kickstarter
Director: Tyler
Mendelson
Writer: Tyler
Mendelson
Other Staff: Christopher
Ireland (Director of Photography)
Amount Requested:
$23,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $6,272 raised by 39 backers.
Type of Goal: All
or Nothing
This was the first film I saw this week that really
resonated with me. I went through roughly forty other films and this one stayed
near the top of my list at all times, regardless of what other projects I
pitted it against.
War movies can be thrilling, dramatic, and highly
informative. Sometimes they suffer from a lack of realism in the way soldiers
handle their jobs and emotions. In the case of The Hun that wouldn’t be a problem. The writer/director of this
film is a former Marine. He is a sergeant that served in Afghanistan five years
ago. Undoubtedly, he understands combat better than any layman writer/director –
regardless of how much research they do.
Mendelson explains in the trailer for The Hun why he chose to highlight World War I and tries to show the
importance of his story.
This film has been incredibly well thought out and has a knowledgeable
team behind it. It’s a project that will find success if it is funded.
It’s current funding status – with just over $6,000 donated –
was reached in only five days. That’s a lot of money for just under a week of
fundraising. Clearly, I’m not the only one that sees potential.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$5 – The War Bond – A heartfelt thank you, thank you for your support in our cause.
Highest Fund Reward:
$5,000 – The Hun – All previous rewards, Cast and crew signed prop from The
Hun, 1 doughboy uniform.
1 – The Man from
Death
Crowdsource Platform:
Indiegogo
Director: Stephen
Reedy
Writer: Stephen
Reedy, Justin Giddings, Ryan Welsh
Other Staff: Eric
Lim (Actor), Mike Moh (Actor)
Amount Requested:
$9,500
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $3,340 raised by 25 backers.
Type of Goal: Flexible
There’s very little I can say about this project that isn’t
said on the Indiegogo page or in the trailer. The creators of this film are very
experienced in what they do – none of them seem to be new to the entertainment
world or crowdfunding in general. As a result, we get to see a much more
polished product with a much more well-thought out and well-written proposal.
The trailer alone has some sick fight scenes and graphics.
Sure, Westerns REALLY aren’t my thing, but there are exceptions and this film
looks like it could be one. There seems to be a bit of fantasy woven into the plot
– in the form of what they call a “psychic list.”
The Man from Death started
its existence as a short film, this Indiegogo page is the creator’s attempt to
turn it into a feature film.
I attempted to find a link to the short film, but I could
only come up with a video highlighting the visual effects. You can see that
video above, but – be warned – it’s gory. I could definitely live without the
massive amount of eye damage, but that’s my personal problem/preference.
Ignoring that, it’s still an interesting look into what we might see in the
finished feature film.
Their rewards are pretty decent also. They have everything
from admission tickets to a game night with the creators to awesome swag. An
interesting addition that I don’t see a lot of, is at the $200 mark. If you
donate that much, two of the writers of this film (who have 62 IMDb credits
between them) will read your script and call you to talk about your work and
offer aid in fixing it up. Clearly, that’s not a reward meant for everyone, but
for writers just starting out it’s a huge deal.
To show our support for The
Man from Death, Trust the Dice has donated a small amount toward the
success of this film.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$5 – Thank you + Firstborn Children – Holy mother of He Who Shall Not Be Named!
Thank you! And not only shall we than you with a social media shout-out, a
silly video, and an e-mail, we’re going to up the ante and name our firstborn
children after you! (This is totally real, totally going to happen. Why would
you even doubt it? So the kid has 300 middle names. Big deal. Deal with it.)
Highest Fund Reward:
$9001 – Power Level: it’s over 9000!!! – Your power level is so high, it broke
our power meter! You get the full VIP treatment: we will fly you in from
anywhere in the world, put uou up in a hotel for a night, and then send a car
to bring you to the reading – where you will have a seat of honor. Eric will
also dress up as Vegeta from DBZ and give you a personal tour of Los Angeles.
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