HER STORY: A Modern Tale of Slavery

Short Film (16-18 mins)

Drama (Silent film) 

Shooting in Vancouver Canada

To be shot on RED

A SOCIAL ISSUE: THE STORY BEHIND THE FILM

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

As a film maker, I've always felt that if I'm going to tell a story, it should be important.  When I came across a Salvation Army poster a few years ago it impacted me like no other media I've seen.  It read , "There are more slaves today than in any other time in history".   I started researching the subject and was shocked to find that hundreds of thousands of young women and children are trafficked into North America every year, the majority of them being for the sex trade. 

Human trafficking is an underground criminal activity that governments and police admit is difficult to track.  It is believed that the only way to fight it is by public awareness, stop the demand and the supply will diminish.  

I am a firm believer in using my abilities and resources to do something good.  I know that with support of our communities we can impact people the way that Salvation Army poster impacted me. 

-Aaron Au

FILM SYNOPSIS

A young Asian girl, stripped of her identity, is forced into an underground brothel to work off a debt she can never repay.  She's drugged and abused until she's forced to make a decision, her body for her soul.

After learning to cope with her imprisonment, she takes advantage of a messy situation and breaks for her freedom.  Unfortunately the world is not what it seems to be and where she's going is as foreign as where she came from.

OUR STORY

The script, vision, and story behind this project has been praised by many film industry professionals including actor/producer Tom Welling (Smallville, Hellcats), director/producer Peter Deluise (Stargate SG-1) and Co-Executive Producer Rob Maier (Smallville).  Unfortunately due to the subject matter, traditional short film funding grants in Canada have declined to be a part of this project.  It is our belief that the social community will see importance of this story and assist in spreading the word about the tragic social issue of human trafficking and sexual slavery. 

THE TEAM

Writer/Director/Producer Aaron Au is following his multi award winning film "The Tea Master" with his second short film.  It is designed to push his creative limits and challenge both himself and his cast and crew.  Aaron's unique directing style draws from his experience as an actor, stunt performer, and fight choreographer.  He also combines Asian and North American film techniques to create what is becoming his signature cinematic style.   

Co-Executive Producer's Kimani Ray Smith, Dylan Collingwood and Robert Mitchell of Titlecard Pictures will be overseeing the film's production.  Titlecard most recently completed the feature film "Cole" which premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival and won Best Canadian Feature at the Atlantic Film Festival.

We are extremely fortunate to have Barry Donlevy as our Cinematographer.  Barry is a 3 time LEO award nominee with a win in 2006 for his work on the hit TV show Smallville.

THE COMPLETED FILM

The first goal of the film is to premiere at one of the world's elite film festivals; Cannes, Sundance, TIFF, etc.  This will give the film the most exposure and lead to many more screening in festivals around the world.

After traveling the film festival circuit and accumulating as many awards it can, the film will be offered to organizations like The Salvation Army, Canada Fights Human Trafficking, and The Future Group as a tool in their campaigns against human trafficking.

Any proceeds from the sale of the completed film will also be donated to one of the above organizations.

FUNDING THE PRODUCTION

The budget for the film came in at over $150,000 but because of the team's industry connections, it can done for much less.  $10,000 is needed to get the film completed and $10,000 for post production and festival submissions.

The requested funds via Indiegogo will be stretched immensely and will cover items like food, insurance, rentals, locations, music rights, and screeners.

All cast and crew members will be volunteering their time and equipment to the project. 

TIME LINE

Principle photography will begin the weekend of April 30th and will continue on the following weekend.  The planned production is for 5 shoot days. 

Once filming is complete, post production will be roughly 6-8 weeks upon which festival submission will begin and the cast and crew screening will be held.  The film will travel the festival circuit for 12-16 months. 

INCENTIVES

The incentives we're offering allow supporters to be attached to the film.  We're offering credits from "thank you's" to "Executive Producers"  as well as giving invitations to visit set or attend the cast and crew screening event.  

PITCH PACKAGE & SCRIPT

Full artistic and technical pitch package and script is available upon request. 

To view a private screener of director Aaron Au's award winning film "The Tea Master", please send a request.

***Any questions or concerns feel free to email directly to aaron@titlecardpictures.com

www.quadrant2productions.com/her-story

www.titlecardpictures.com