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Please help us bring this youth activity to the big screen!
Film Summary
Within the intense subculture of drum and bugle corps one organization stands apart from the rest with its commitment to excellence and brotherhood, the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps from Madison, Wisconsin. Marching members from over 30 states and around the world come together for a season of competition that would test the ultimate athlete. This all male group of 150 brass, percussion, and color guard performers is steeped in tradition from its humble beginnings in 1938. A perennial fan favorite known for their kinetic style designed to get the crowd on its feet, the Scouts are known the world over for their ability to push the stadium bleachers back a few yards. This film will follow the Scouts' stories of self-sacrifice and overcoming the rigors of life on the road, while also showing the high level of maturity required by these young men to be able to perform at the very top of their activity and how their experiences ultimately shape their lives. Emphasis on preparing young men not just for the summer tour, but for the rest of their lives, elevates this corps from a mere marching band into something else entirely. Watch and listen as this unique organization positively affects the world while blowing the minds of cheering crowds throughout the country.
Who are you and why do you want to make this documentary film?
Gigantic Cranium is the name of our company. We met while we were marching members of the Madison Scouts in 1995. Mac aged out that year and Tom continued marching in 1996 & 1997. Busmates, we instantly bonded over our passion for all things related to the film world and have remained close friends after all these years. Tom became an attorney who now resides in Northern Florida and Mac went on to work as a sound editor in Northern California. Mac has worked in post production on numerous feature films ("John Carter", "Toy Story 3", "Rango", "Clerks 2"). Now that we have both been away from the Scouts and the drum corps activity for many years, we realize how much of an impact it has had on who we are today. This our chance to give back to an organization that has done so much for us by presenting it to a larger audience.
What have you done so far?
We spent a week and a half during the Summer of 2011 following the corps on our "test" shoot. It was an expensive task, but we needed to find out if this was a realistic endeavor. Equipment rentals, purchases, travel, and coordination took its toll, but we came back with great footage and an even greater story. Our sound tests also came out better than expected. We were able to recreate the sound of drum corps in 5.1 surround unlike anything that's been done before. That's why we need your help. These young men deserve to have their story told...on the big screen.
What is this money going to be used for?
It's not cheap to make a feature length documentary. We're doing everything possible to keep the costs down, but it adds up fast. This money will be used for:
� Camera & Sound Equipment
� Crew fees
� Airline tickets
� Rental cars
� Gas
� Shipping fees for sending gear around the country
� Food
� Cheap motel rooms (we will minimize this by sleeping on classroom floors with the corps staff the majority of the time)
...to shoot the Madison Scouts rehearsal camps throughout the Winter and a large portion of Spring training, continuing on through the Summer tour all across the United States ending at the World Championships in Indianapolis, IN in August. That's shooting on and off throughout the next nine months.
What is your goal and when will this documentary film be released?
We want to make a feature length documentary film that will appeal to a wide audience. This is much more than a "tour DVD" of a drum corps, this is a film that we will take to film festivals to show the world how this important organization is shaping young mens' lives through music education. Our goal is to have a finished product for the Fall of 2013, just so happens to be the 75th anniversary of the Madison Scouts.
Are you sponsored by the Madison Scouts?
We are not affiliated directly with the Madison Scouts. Our film is a wholly independently financed project and we are not receiving any contributions from the Scouts. However, as alumni we have a strong bond with this organization and have been granted previously unprecedented access to the current members, staff, and alumni for the filming of this project.
Do the Madison Scouts receive any direct financial benefit from my contribution to Scouts Honor?
While a large part of our goal for this documentary is to add to the continued financial solvency of the Madison Scouts, your contribution to Scouts Honor will be used solely for the production and distribution of the film. We strongly encourage everyone who is inspired by the amazing work performed by the Madison Scouts to contribute to the corps direct via its website: http://madisonscouts.org/Madison_Scouts/Support.html.
How can I make a contribution to the Madison Scouts?
There are a number of ways that you can make a direct contribution to the Madison Scouts, including the Madison Corps program, the DCI Fan Network, the Scouts� Benefit Search Bar, and even a specially designed Madison Scouts Visa card. All of these can be accessed via the Madison Scouts� web site at http://madisonscouts.org/Madison_Scouts/Support.html.
What happens if you don't reach your goal?
IndieGoGo will take a larger percentage of the overall contributions if we don't reach our goal. We are determined to make this project, but if we don't get all the money we need then we will have to pick and choose when we spend time with the members, staff, and alumni. We are less likely to get all the footage we need to make the film that we want to make if our funds get limited. This is why we need your help to fund and promote the film. Please share with your friends, family, co-workers, classmates, and neighbors. Lots of small contributions can make all the difference (big ones help too!).
How else can I help?
Spread the word using Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, etc. Pick up the phone and tell your fellow music fans. Host a fundraiser at a local restaurant, bar or bowling alley for our film. Talk to the band boosters at your school. Write an email to your local paper and encourage them to write an article about our film. Contact us directly and we'll give you ideas on how you can get the word out.
Be sure to check out the "gallery" tab above for additional videos and still images!
Film Summary
Within the intense subculture of drum and bugle corps one organization stands apart from the rest with its commitment to excellence and brotherhood, the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps from Madison, Wisconsin. Marching members from over 30 states and around the world come together for a season of competition that would test the ultimate athlete. This all male group of 150 brass, percussion, and color guard performers is steeped in tradition from its humble beginnings in 1938. A perennial fan favorite known for their kinetic style designed to get the crowd on its feet, the Scouts are known the world over for their ability to push the stadium bleachers back a few yards. This film will follow the Scouts' stories of self-sacrifice and overcoming the rigors of life on the road, while also showing the high level of maturity required by these young men to be able to perform at the very top of their activity and how their experiences ultimately shape their lives. Emphasis on preparing young men not just for the summer tour, but for the rest of their lives, elevates this corps from a mere marching band into something else entirely. Watch and listen as this unique organization positively affects the world while blowing the minds of cheering crowds throughout the country.
Who are you and why do you want to make this documentary film?
Gigantic Cranium is the name of our company. We met while we were marching members of the Madison Scouts in 1995. Mac aged out that year and Tom continued marching in 1996 & 1997. Busmates, we instantly bonded over our passion for all things related to the film world and have remained close friends after all these years. Tom became an attorney who now resides in Northern Florida and Mac went on to work as a sound editor in Northern California. Mac has worked in post production on numerous feature films ("John Carter", "Toy Story 3", "Rango", "Clerks 2"). Now that we have both been away from the Scouts and the drum corps activity for many years, we realize how much of an impact it has had on who we are today. This our chance to give back to an organization that has done so much for us by presenting it to a larger audience.
What have you done so far?
We spent a week and a half during the Summer of 2011 following the corps on our "test" shoot. It was an expensive task, but we needed to find out if this was a realistic endeavor. Equipment rentals, purchases, travel, and coordination took its toll, but we came back with great footage and an even greater story. Our sound tests also came out better than expected. We were able to recreate the sound of drum corps in 5.1 surround unlike anything that's been done before. That's why we need your help. These young men deserve to have their story told...on the big screen.
What is this money going to be used for?
It's not cheap to make a feature length documentary. We're doing everything possible to keep the costs down, but it adds up fast. This money will be used for:
� Camera & Sound Equipment
� Crew fees
� Airline tickets
� Rental cars
� Gas
� Shipping fees for sending gear around the country
� Food
� Cheap motel rooms (we will minimize this by sleeping on classroom floors with the corps staff the majority of the time)
...to shoot the Madison Scouts rehearsal camps throughout the Winter and a large portion of Spring training, continuing on through the Summer tour all across the United States ending at the World Championships in Indianapolis, IN in August. That's shooting on and off throughout the next nine months.
What is your goal and when will this documentary film be released?
We want to make a feature length documentary film that will appeal to a wide audience. This is much more than a "tour DVD" of a drum corps, this is a film that we will take to film festivals to show the world how this important organization is shaping young mens' lives through music education. Our goal is to have a finished product for the Fall of 2013, just so happens to be the 75th anniversary of the Madison Scouts.
Are you sponsored by the Madison Scouts?
We are not affiliated directly with the Madison Scouts. Our film is a wholly independently financed project and we are not receiving any contributions from the Scouts. However, as alumni we have a strong bond with this organization and have been granted previously unprecedented access to the current members, staff, and alumni for the filming of this project.
Do the Madison Scouts receive any direct financial benefit from my contribution to Scouts Honor?
While a large part of our goal for this documentary is to add to the continued financial solvency of the Madison Scouts, your contribution to Scouts Honor will be used solely for the production and distribution of the film. We strongly encourage everyone who is inspired by the amazing work performed by the Madison Scouts to contribute to the corps direct via its website: http://madisonscouts.org/Madison_Scouts/Support.html.
How can I make a contribution to the Madison Scouts?
There are a number of ways that you can make a direct contribution to the Madison Scouts, including the Madison Corps program, the DCI Fan Network, the Scouts� Benefit Search Bar, and even a specially designed Madison Scouts Visa card. All of these can be accessed via the Madison Scouts� web site at http://madisonscouts.org/Madison_Scouts/Support.html.
What happens if you don't reach your goal?
IndieGoGo will take a larger percentage of the overall contributions if we don't reach our goal. We are determined to make this project, but if we don't get all the money we need then we will have to pick and choose when we spend time with the members, staff, and alumni. We are less likely to get all the footage we need to make the film that we want to make if our funds get limited. This is why we need your help to fund and promote the film. Please share with your friends, family, co-workers, classmates, and neighbors. Lots of small contributions can make all the difference (big ones help too!).
How else can I help?
Spread the word using Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, etc. Pick up the phone and tell your fellow music fans. Host a fundraiser at a local restaurant, bar or bowling alley for our film. Talk to the band boosters at your school. Write an email to your local paper and encourage them to write an article about our film. Contact us directly and we'll give you ideas on how you can get the word out.
Be sure to check out the "gallery" tab above for additional videos and still images!
Team on This Campaign:
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Mac SmithDirector/Producer
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Tom TollefsenDirector/Producer
-
Garrick G-Cube
Production Assistant
