From the CAST and CREW :

See UPDATES below! (NEWEST UPDATE 03.10.11)

The Film, Our Story

In an alternate 19th century, dust-bowl Kansas, a young boy witnesses his parents murder and is forced to survive in an underground child fighting ring. Only the wealthiest are invited to attend these secret communities to bet on the children for their own amusement. However, one among them is determined to find her abducted son ... whatever the cost.  

Shot in Nashville, Tennessee (the last vestige of truly independent filmmaking) on a budget so low your head would spin, the award-winning steampunk short film Nickel Children has been to more than 20 festivals and conventions.  We've had amazing help from the worldwide steampunk community, but now we need a little more assistance from the world at large. 

The Impact

The question we get most often is: "When/Where can I buy the DVD?" 

Despite the constant festival screenings and awards, we haven't made a single dime as filmmakers (we make films because we have no choice).  In fact, it has cost us money to go to all of these festivals and conventions.  Simply put, without financial assistance, there never will be a Nickel Children DVD.

And that breaks our hearts, because this one short film has not only awed fans with its story, effects, characters, and world ... but it has, without being preachy or saccharine, touched people with its sensitivity to the serious problem of child trafficking.  

We're amazed, proud, and enormously blessed.  We want to have a professional record of the film.  A DVD.  And we want you to have the DVD, too.

It takes a good deal of effort and assets to put out a DVD.  Time and resources (particularly money) must go to proper video compression, final sound mix, authoring, printing costs, etc--professional services that we simply have to pay for. That's where we hope you will come in.

What You Get

Step right up!  We've got your Nickel Children logo stickers (see right) to
replace the old Apple stickers on the rear windows of your cars.  Signed Scripts--see how a film changes from script to screen!  Nickel Children collectible trading cards, some common, some uncommon, a few rare--all
yours (and, to help you collectors, a special website listing all of the cards
and other information is coming soon).  Special Thanks in the film's end
credits, and on IMDB.  We've also got a limited number of 5 16x20 posters/prints of the DVD cover art by legendary artist Sam Shearon,
who did album art for Rob Zombie and other notable acts: check him out at www.mister-sam.com.  This art will be amazing, and only five of these posters
will exist in the entire world.  (You'll have to take care of framing.)

UPDATES!

Update, 2/26/2011: Mister Sam has graciously offered to sign
those posters given with the Sheriffs package.  And the posters will be
heavyweight 20x24, not 16x20 as originally thought!
UPDATE: 3/1/2011: Director Kevin Eslinger will also sign those 20x24 Sam Shearon posters for you lucky Sheriffs!
UPDATE: 3/2/2011:  We added a new perk: Anastasia's Seekers!  This comes with an 11x14 poster of the Sam Shearon Nickel Children artwork, signed by director Kevin Eslinger.  Also included: access to our secret site.  This is where we will be posting all development materials (concept art, story ideas, reference materials, anything and everything) for our upcoming project: a feature-length film in the steampunk/gaslamp-fantasy vein!  Anastasia's Seekers will have exclusive access to this secret site, and will be able to comment and engage with director Kevin Eslinger and team throughout the development of the feature film! Those who have the Sheriff package will also get these.

UPDATE: 3/10/2011: Soundtrack content added to the DVD! 7 tracks including 2 bonus tracks from the unbelievably talented Keith Stacey.  Also, catch the incredible full fiddle solo from Jennifer Halenar.
_____

Not to mention the DVD itself.  The big shebang!  Which includes a photo gallery (containing behind the scenes stills, continuity shots, location-scouting shots--everything we have) as well as a short featurette
in which director Kevin Eslinger discusses the genesis of Nickel Children and special effects supervisor Justin Eslinger walks you through the creation of the film's strange world.

And with all but the $10 donation level, you get multiple copies of the DVD, so you'll have an early start on your Christmas shopping. 

We're proud of the perks, and we think that you will be, too.  And then there's the film:

Other Ways You Can Help

Share this campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and beyond.  We need all the help we can get.  If we cannot meet the funding goal, we will hold your donation until we can find alternate funding sources.

Also, if you haven't already, please check us out at the official Nickel Children page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NickelChildren

Thank you!