October 13, 2011 Update

The recent launch of my indiegogo campaign has been, like many things before, a learning experience that has for certain stretched me beyond my comfort zone.......What I don't say explicitly in the video or text pitch is that my boyfriend of 10 years was robbed and murdered during the 10-year span that this project chronicles. I don't articulate how that single 9mm bullet to his skull killed a part of me too or how painfully my life was re-arranged around this intrusive ending and the darkness that followed....I left that much of the details out of the entire indiegogo pitch intentionally; that story and all the personal ways....click here to read the full update.

INTRODUCTION

For as long as I can remember, Ive had an insatiable interest in how people define their life experiences in ways that are purposeful rather than pointless. I suppose this springs from the personal torment I feel whenever I see someone - whom most others have given up on - give up on themselves, give up on life.  Contrary to popular belief, young people are not the only at-risk people on the planet.  Adults are worth saving too.

For 13+ years as a transformational counselor, Ive worked extensively with scores of adult clients to reframe ordinary challenges and extraordinary crises into bearable and empowering narratives.  I have offered everything I could to my clients to help them restore hope and rebuild their lives chapter by chapter.  I have drawn from my expertise in psychology, spirituality, religion, metaphysics, mythology, literature, science; I have offered everything but my personal story - which has above all things served as the greatest testament that any challenge can be faced, remixed and made meaningful. I call this process crossfading, because I strongly believe when we remix our minds, we can remix our lives.  

ABOUT ME

My name is Neycha.  Im an artist, crossfader and change agent.  Very recently, I retired from my private counseling practice because Ive felt a pressing need to share from behind the couch my personal story.  I realize that the work I've done for 13 years on a couch could have been done just as effortlessly on a stage - like Bob Marley.   I look forward to taking my work of inspiration and empowerment on the sofa back into the realm of my artistry, where I began.  My newest project intends to encourage, inspire, transform.

www.neycha.info

THE PROJECT   "a resounding message of hope and survival..." -Dr. Linda Jordan-

I have combined my 13+ years of experience as a visionary in the field of personal growth with my 20+ years as a singer/musician into a short film and multimedia project that focuses on the last decade of my life from 2001 to 2011.  I offer my personal struggles woven together with my creative and professional background as a candid snapshot of confronting and overcoming the challenges of living, loving and evolving. 

SYNOPSIS

The story begins just days after 9/11 when my first album the dirty side up, which had already been scheduled for release, exploded on to the New York City music scene garnering more press and label interest over the next 6 months than I had been prepared for.  I was grateful and ambivalent in equal doses - defenseless against the steady reminders of the closed tombs most things in New York had become, including myself.  

Over the next ten years I was confronted with any number of heart-wrenching situations that tested my will to live at its very core.  Conceptualized as a short film, companion album, and stage performance, this digital diary of my story documents my coming back from the edge of living and learning to see the world in color again.

IMPACT

It is my sincere hope that each of you reading this along with many others will find some resonance with the universality of my story and what I believe to be the deep issues we all experience at some point in our lives.  It is the fear of failure, being alone, not mattering;  having to wrestle with the haunting question of is this all there is?, and ultimately challenged to make make something meaningful out of our lives and life experiences. This short film/multimedia project reflects and magnifies our relationships to loss, love, creativity, religion, death, transformation, vulnerability, change and so much more.  In the end, it is a pleasant reminder of the human spirts tendency to rise up in the face of great odds.

I  teach by what Ive learned.  I desperately hope to inspire others by what Ive lived through.  

STAGE OF PROJECT

I have self-funded and completed much of Phase 1, which includes a completed book of prose and about 1/3 of my upcoming album.  I am currently in the process of completing Phase 1 (album) and Phase 2 (short film) simultaneously for release this winter, but not without your help!  

FUNDRAISING GOAL

My goal is have 500 people contribute at least $21 to my campaign over the next 21 days to help me to reach success in raising 10k in 21days.  A successful fundraising campaign will allow me, through this project, to expand my message of hope and transformation to a much broader audience; particularly those generally underserved and in need of inspiration most.  I hold the vision that this goal is  timely, manageable and within my reach.  Will you contribute?

HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE SPENT
The money raised will go towards both music and film studio rental costs in addition to hiring professionals to record, mix, film and edit. The 21-day fundraising campaign schedule ensures that we finish the short film and companion album on schedule allowing us to not only capitalize on crucial corporate partnerships before the close of the 4th quarter, but it also allows me to share the first phase of this massive project with you this winter in a film screening and launch party. 

WHAT IF WE EXCEED OUR FUNDING GOALS?
Once Phase 1 and 2 are complete, there are other expenses that come along with sharing and producing my story in multiple formats - including book printing, CD and DVD manufacturing, marketing tools, advertising, stock footage license fees, publicity, stage rehearsals, theater rental, production costs among other things.  In the event that this project exceeds the funding goal, you can be assured that all additional funds would be used to cover the above expenses.  

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Besides your financial contribution, the second most important thing you can do to help is to share this link and project with everyone you know - by email, facebook, twitter, your church or civic organization, etc.  Ask them to help by supporting a project you believe in.  You can be assured that your contributions are helping me to extend my lifelong passionate commitment to helping others transform their stories and lives into something exquisite and meaningful.

HOW AND WHY INDIEGOGO
Indiegogo offers a unique and secure platform to raise funds.  Contributions to Indiegogo campaigns are made by credit card online through a secure and safe server.      Your information will not be kept, or used in any other way. Indiegogo along with the credit card company keeps 7% of each contribution and if my total fundraising goal is not reached, Indiegogo will withhold an additional 5%.  You will only be charged your contribution level once!   However, should you desire, you can contribute more than once.  

In exchange for your contributions, youll receive some fascinating perks.  Check them out on the side.    

GRATITUDE

I thank you kindly in advance for your financial contribution and commitment to helping me share this goal with as many people as possible in 21 days.  I sincerely appreciate you!