Shoplifting from American Apparel Movie

Much Gratitude

SFAA is now an officially funded IndieGoGo campaign!

We couldn't have done this without all your support. So thank you, and spread the good cheer. We will be filming in June. : )

If you would like to view updates, please visit the SFAA Blog, Sangha FIlms, or read below for further links and articles on the filming process and performers involved.

The Beginning

Over the past few years, literary works by Tao Lin have gained increasing popularity, drawing thousands of fans    to the unique worlds created in Richard Yates, Eeeee Eee Eeee, and Shoplifting from American Apparel.  When Lins novella was released on Melville House, director Pirooz Kalayeh entered negotiations with the author and publisher to bring the project to the silver screen. Initially planning on a lavish budget with producer Mark Parsia (Co-producer, THE HUMAN WAR), the economic downturn catalyzed a new approach to the film that would utilize both documentary and narrative techniques to highlight writers within the virtual world (Noah Cicero, Brad Warner, Bebe Zeva, Jordan Castro, and Tao Lin) and incorporate new media and animation techniques   to reflect the novellas nuances alongside the current economic challenges of creating independent cinema. 

(Our DP, Andrew Crighton adjusts a light)

The Film

Part absurdist documentary and part cinematic realism, Shoplifting from American Apparel moves between    the life of the actual writer who has written the popular novel on which the film is based to the mishaps of a ragtag film crew who offer each other challenges to make certain scenes despite having unnecessary stunts go horribly wrong, budgetary constraints, and other unforeseen creative roadblocks.

The Plan

Your investment will allow us to begin production in Hollywood in June 2011. Support would also allow us to   enrich the film by hiring additional crew to handle production and animation effects, audio engineering, an original musical score, and the production and shipment of unique Backer rewards. To incentivize donations, we are uniting with Mirror Image Media Solutions, 3EyedBear, Jeffrey Brown, and other artists to produce a wide variety of exciting products -- all of them exclusive to this ten-week campaign period.

Throughout the production, well maintain a project blog about the films progress and post plenty of photos and bonus videos. The film is set to be released in 2012 (provided the world doesnt end) and will ship out in a sleek, glossy DVD sleeve.

(Page 12 from the storyboard of the film)

FAQ's:

Why Indie Go Go?

We have always believed in involving local communities in the movies we've made, from bringing interns onboard to giving lectures/holding discussions at schools as well as supporting local businesses. Indie Go Go gives us the opportunity to reach out globally and enable supporters like you to be part of our movie making process. 

Why did you switch from Kickstarter?

We didn't think we would make the project goal of 37K in the 54 days that were left. We also realized that Indie Go Go offered a better platform because we had the type of film that could be made for less than 10K if it needed to go that route. The film is basically in flux according to what will actually happen during filming, as well as trying to meet what has been written in the script. But if we suddenly can't film a segment because an actor doesn't show, or we don't have enough funds to shoot a particular element, then that will become a part of the film as well. 

(James Roehl gets make-up done in his official SFAA tee shirt)

What if I already donated to Kickstarter?

If you re-donate to Indie Go Go, you will receive a free SFAA tee shirt (as worn by the actors in the featurette). If you donated at an amount that now includes a tee shirt as part of the donation tier, you will receive an additional tee shirt (see picture above).

Is the pledge amount publicly displayed?

No, only you and the project owner can see the details.

(3EyedBear's "Talking Tree" paper toy - one of the many gifts for backing the project)

What's the biggest seller?

The biggest seller is the $25 package supporter DVD with bonus features, a digital download of the soundtrack, and your name in a special "thank you" section of the credits.

We personally love the "Talking Tree (Voice Not Included) paper toy made by 3EyedBear (see picture above).

When do I get my DVD and other incentives?

DVDs and all other items will be shipped out at the film's release in 2012. Items that are digitally based (extended trailer, paper tree toy, etc.) will be sent to backers as links via e-mail.

Can I get a Flash icon of the talking trees as my profile pic on Facebook, Twitter, etc?

We are working on this as a donation incentive if we need to raise post funds in July. If we exceed our project    goal in June, then we will offer them to project backers. The details are still in the works.

(James Roehl and Brad Warner contemplate the scene)

Who are all the actors in the beginning of the film?

Brad Warner is a Zen guy who publishes books. He plays the part of the "movie" Tao Lin (Sam).

Jordan Castro is a writer. He plays the part of the "real" Tao Lin (Sam).

Noah Cicero is a writer. Sangha Films made a movie of his novella THE HUMAN WAR. He plays the "actual"  Noah Cicero (Luis).

James Roehl plays the "movie" Noah Cicero (Luis).

Is this film like the movie Adaptation?

No. We have actors and the real people who are associated with what happened in the novella. So, as much as it will be a "film" or a "faux documentary," there will also be actual things that are happening in the film that are absolutely real and documentary. Think "American Splendor" meets "Jackass" and that would be closer to the film's end product.

What does everyone ask for?

Everyone has been asking for the limited edition chapbook with work from Tao Lin, Jeffrey Brown, Charles Yu, Noah Cicero, Jordan Castro, Brad Warner, and others, this is definitely an item for collectors in the future. We cannot give any extras away though. We will give two copies to contributors, and no more than a hundred will be made. Each copy will be numbered.

Why did you choose to meld faux documentary, documentary, and narrative elements?

We wanted to blend all the elements until it was difficult to tell what was fiction and reality.

(Andrew Crighton, Noah Cicero, Mark Parsia, TJ Hellmuth, and Pirooz Kalayeh on a break from shooting)

What is the inspiration for all the animation?

We wanted to mirror what was happening between the faux documentary, documentary, and narrative portions of the film.

If you mean artistic inspirations, then we would mention Jean Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Ilya Kabakov, Jeffrey Brown (we mentioned Jeffrey), Art Spiegelman, and Marjane Satrapi.

Who are the film directors that have inspired you?

Akira Kurosawa, Caveh Zahedi, Abbas Kiorastami, Woody Allen, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriquez, and Richard Linklater. 

Who are the animators for SFAA?

Jeffrey Brown drew the trees and the movie poster, and some other things that will only be seen in the full length feature.

Pirooz Kalayeh did the hand drawn elements.

Brian Lee is the chief animator and does all the gmail chat sequences shown in the featurette, and will be doing almost 90% of all the animation in the full length feature.

Will there be any famous actors in the movie?

We may have some cameos. We will mention cameos on the blog and website.

Can I come to a day of shooting on the film? Can I be in the movie?

The film has been almost fully cast. There are still opportunities to play extras and some speaking roles when we film some live readings in Hollywood. We will be posting casting and audition notices through the Screen Actors Guild and SFAA Blog.

Do you think you'll raise so much money in 74 days?

Maybe.

(Pirooz Kalayeh, Mark Parsia, and Jordan Castro watching dailies)

Do you think this movie will be successful?

We have no idea. We like making it though. It's fun to watch a lot of the things that will probably not even get into the movie.

Do you like trees?

Yes.

Donate if you like trees.

*SHIPPING DOMESTIC+INTERNATIONAL IS INCLUDED FOR REWARDS*

*ORIGINAL SCORE FOR THE FEATURE WILL BE COMPOSED BY SONNY MISHRA.

To view the featurette or learn more about the film, please visit Sanghafilms.com.

About Sangha Films and ILIKENIRVANA

Sangha Films was formed in 2008 by filmmakers Pirooz Kalayeh and Thomas Henwood. Their breakout film launched last year with THE HUMAN WAR a feature length narrative set in 2003 that chronicles a day in the life of an Ohio teen that has to reassess his life after the declaration of the Iraq War coincides with his crumbling relationship and a violent attack. It debuted at The Appalachian Film Festival and continues to build momentum throughout the festival circuit. 

Since filming their first feature, Pirooz Kalayeh has gone on to document the life of Brad Warner - a controversial Zen master who has sought to strip away the sheen off many taboo topics in Zen Buddhism and exhibit a    healthy dose of reality to his readers. The documentary spans across America and covers Warners entrance into Japan, his work with the Suicide Girls, and includes talks from his book tour for Sex, Sin, and Zen, performances with Zero Defex, as well as archival footage from Warners life. Like SHOPLIFTING, the film will be released in a united effort from Sangha Films and ILIKENIRVANA.

The project is located in New York, NY; Solon, OH; Youngstown, OH; Long Beach, CA; and Hollywood, CA. Indie Go Go lets us choose one.