More Than Skin Deep -- Indiegogo

ATTENTION: THANKS TO YOU, WE MADE OUR GOAL

... BUT WE ARE NOT DONE YET!!!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far. We made our goal in in less than three weeks!

However, if you would still like to contribute to our project, we still need your help!

Anyone who donates NOW is contributing to our ability to afford animation graphics (for the short film version) that will illustrate in an impactful way how AVM destroys the body and the effects of certain treatments. Contributions will also go towards licensing the rights to necessary archival photos and footage.

Thank you all so much for everything. Words can express my gratitude for the generosity of each and everyone one of you.

Now, let's SURPASS our goal!

Blessings,

Jaz

NEW INCENTIVE: The next 10 people to donate $100 or more will also receive the inspiration e-book "Word Art and Affirmations" by writer/activist Leah Oviedo.

Our Story

My name is Jaz Gray. In some ways, I'm a little different from many of the filmmakers on IndieGoGo. I have had 32 procedures for one of the rarest vascular anomalies in the world-- Arteriovenous Malformation or AVM.AVMs are tangles of abnormally connected veins and arteries found primarily in the brain, head, neck and spine. Without the decelerating effect of capillaries, blood flows from the arteries with intense pressure, excessively and rapidly entering the veins. Because veins are not designed to take this amount of pressure, the vessels expand, invading and destroying any tissues or organ in the way. If left untreated, AVMs cause a range of health problems including facial disfigurement and paralysis, seizures, external and internal bleeding, blood clots and, in the most severe cases, death.

So, what will this film be about? Here is a short overview.

A passionate, determined 23-year-old filmmaker with one of the rarest but most destructive vascular anomalies in the world turns the camera on herself and others with condition to bring awareness to the plight of the defect’s survivors. At the same time, her internationally renowned surgeon and his super team of doctors are in an urgent fight to find a cure before the surgeon retires.

The film will follow Jaz from the morning of what she prays is the last of thirty-two invasive medical procedures to her participation in the most comprehensive clinical trial for an AVM medicine-based protocol (if all goes as planned). Her journey will bring her face to face with other survivors just like her and together they must come to terms with their physical scars as well as the deeper, emotional scars inflicted by a culture obsessed with unrealistic standards of beauty.

Even with this condition, in the most important ways, AVM survivors are just like you! We are passionate people with stories to tell. And I'm seeking people with a spirit of giving to help us tell it. So, here is where you come in...

The Impact

AVMs affect less than one percent of the population but hundreds of thousands of people around the world. This is the first documentary that will give voice to those affected by the defect by allowing us to speak for ourselves. At the same time, though this film is a moving, inspirational look at a life-threatening defect, at its heart, it is a universal story of struggle in the face of illness and the everyday medical heroes who risk everything to bring contentment and a cure to survivors.

This is the story of anyone who has battled almost insurmountable odds

in order to not only live but have life abundantly.

This is a story for everyone who has stood on life's floor of fears, doubts

and struggles and decided to dance anyway.

If you know that the number of your triumphs will always be

more than the number of your challenges.

If you know that God's purpose for your life is always

more than what other people see when they look at you.

Then, this is your story too!

What We Need : Investment

To make this story come to life on film, we need your financial support. Funds collected will be used for production needs including cinematography, transportation, lodging in each shooting location and editing needs including hard drives, color correction, sound mixing, and special effects. Funds will be used to complete production on the east coast, complete the short film version of the documentary (which will be used to secure additional funding and support) and beginning production on the west coast for the feature film. To keep all contributors in the loop about the progress of the documentary, regular updates with stills, clips and more will be made to our facebook page throughout the production process.

What You Receive: Return

Incentives range from personal thank-you notes to copies of the completed film to producing credit. Additional incentives will also be unveil throughout the campaign including motivational e-books, inspirational bookmarks, accessories and art created and designed by AVM patients and other talent people with stories of perseverance.

More About The Filmmaker:

Despite the odds, Jaz earned her B.S. in journalism from MTSU in 2010 where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She went on to earn the Turner Fellowship to attend Syracuse University where she received the Graduate School Master's Prize and graduated Summa Cum Laude with an M.A. in Television and Film.

Collaborators:

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Jasmine "Jaz" Gray: Producer/Director

Claes Jonasson: Cinematography

Mia Malone: Graphic Design

Karl Heinz: Editor (Film Trailer)

Leah Oviedo: Incentives (Books)

For more information on our collaborators, please visit our website [morethanskindeep.me].

Other Ways You Can Help

* SPREAD THE WORD! by joining More Than Skin Deep on facebook or twitter using the share tools below or forwarding our IndieGoGo campaign to others that may be able to help out by using the "email" option underneath the video at the top of this page.

* SHARE YOUR STORY! If you or a family member has an amazing story of triumph in the face of obstacles, please contact us at: morethanskindeepmovie@gmail.com We want to share your story with fellow contributors, facebook friends, and twitter followers.

For this campaign to be successful, it is incredibly important, absolutely vital, that this page is shared with others. The more this page is shared using the IndieGoGo share tools, the more likely IndieGoGo will be to promote our project on their homepage, facebook page and twitter account.Whether you do it once or everyday, we will be eternally grateful for anything and everything you do to help.

Thank you in advance for your prayers, well wishes, support and contributions!!!

Created By:

Jaz Gray
Producer/Director

1.4352 Complete

$7,176

Raised of $5,000 Goal

0 time left

Flexible Funding campaign

This campaign received all of the funds contributed on Sat Mar 17.

Perks

for your contribution

$5 Be Strong

You will receive a thank-you on our "More Than Skin Deep" facebook page.
$12 Be Courageous

You will receive all of the above. PLUS, On the "More Than Skin Deep" website [morethanskindeep.me], we will add your name to the "More Than Skin Deep" Thank-You page as one of the film’s backers.
$25 Be Bold

You will receive all of the above. PLUS, you will receive a digital copy of the film and a personalized thank-you note.
$50 Be Passionate

You will receive all of the above. PLUS, we will provide you with an autographed DVD of the film.
$100 Be Victorious

You will receive all of the above. PLUS, we will give you a special thanks credit on screen at the end of the film (dvd, vod, streaming, and digital download releases only)
$250 Be Unstoppable

You will receive all of the above. PLUS, you will receive a limited edition poster signed by AVM patients.
$500 Defy the Odds

You will receive all of the above. PLUS, you will receive an in-person or live video speaking engagement for your youth group, friends, etc. with the producer.
$1,000 Be Powerful Beyond Measure

You will receive all of the above. PLUS, you will receive Executive Producer credit in the film AS WELL AS lunch or dinner with the producer (in Memphis or LA).