My Story

Better a Has-been than a Never-was. But better a Never-was than a Never-tried-to-be. I saw this anonymous quote the other day and identified with it right away. If you know me, you know that I have been living in Los Angeles the last 15 years. In that time, I have gone back to school and received a B.A. in Film from Art Center College of Design. I had two goals while attending: One was to graduate, absorbing all that I could and my second goal was to create a strong director’s reel. I only accomplished the first goal. Art Center is a great school but an expensive one and I was left with a mountain of debt and no reel. Since then, I have worked all kinds of jobs in the film industry and elsewhere learning to survive and paying my debt. It’s been difficult but I have learned a lot of valuable lessons. One of which is, when you finish what you start, good things can happen. I saw a prime example of this a year ago when I finished writing my first feature script. An established writer, who is looking to start producing, optioned the script. It is still being shopped around by him, but regardless if something becomes of it or not, it was a shot in the arm to have somebody who writes for a living appreciate my work.

That brings me to this project. My goal was never just to write a script but rather write and direct my scripts. This is difficult to accomplish without the ability to show producers something that I have directed. As I am sure you know, the way a director demonstrates their capability is by revealing their portfolio, which is none other than a reel. The resources it takes to make a film reel can be daunting. Making a successful reel usually proves to be the biggest obstacle. And the last thing you would want to do is spend those resources on a project that wasn’t worthy of it. I have written a short film, The Revelation of Thomas Seymour, that I believe is worthy of those resources. 

What Your Resources Ultimately Do For Me.

I have the story. I have the location. I’m in the process of having sets built, but I need much more to make this film a reality. And that’s the rub, the word “reality”. The reality is I won’t be able to make this short film without your help. I can’t do it by myself. I don’t have the resources. What will your resources do for me?  Choosing to help me financially with this portfolio piece helps me move forward in achieving my career goals. It opens opportunities at film festivals with networking. It’s my calling card to producers and agents. It defines me as a filmmaker. If I am unable to produce and direct my own reel, my goals almost assuredly are unattainable. Without a reel I am just another guy who says he went to film school.

The Budget

Click on the Budget link below to view the detailed budget.

Other Ways You Can Help

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