Climbing the Tree

As we have moved forward with production of this film, we've written two grant proposals, but really relied on people who have known about the film and close family friends for funding. The budget isn't high-cost. I was hoping to get $8500 from 3 investors. And with each request we have heard great supportive words:
- Sounds wonderful
- Can't wait to see it
- Great work
- Impressive
- What an amazing script

While I wish each of these words came with a dollar value, they don't. My DP is very concerned that we won't be able to have the equipment and crew that we need to make this film look decent. And I agree with him. We are concerned. Times are tough. And it doesn't help that our production schedule was pushed up three weeks, which means we're doing heavy fundraising around Christmas. Not an easy time for anyone.

But I think we've developed a fantastic Investor Prospectus. After reading this, who wouldn't want to be a part of this amazing film project?

The script is great. The cast is amazing. And we have a talented and skilled production and post-production crew. But ultimately, it's all about the story, which is inspiring, funny and bittersweet. The little film has the potential to go ALL THE WAY. We just need one person, or 3 people, with enough faith in that. $20,000 worth of faith. Better yet, can 100 of our film followers donate just $50 each to get us going?

Our first (and so far, only) investment has come from a single parent with 3 kids, who's working PT as a teacher at CSU Sacramento. That is true giving. And when I'm rolling quarters to buy bread for my daughter's lunch, I wonder about those NO's that I have gotten. It's disheartening. At the same time, I know that it's all relative and I can't begrudge those who have their own lives, their own families, and their own travels they're involved in. What is their motivation to invest in this dream?

I have done my fair share of fundraising, and film has always been the most difficult. People will give to charities, to cure diseases, even to performance groups and art museums, but film is its own beast. At some level it's perceived as a luxury. People love movies, going to movies, fantasizing about movies. But even experienced investors know it's a huge gamble, and for many potential investors, they just see a big black hole. But film itself is bigger than that. It's the place where dreams are made. Everyone loves a good movie. It's like good music. It touches something deep inside our humanity, going back to drawings on cave walls.

So I am climbing the tree, and moving forward with faith that someone, somewhere, will believe in this film and help bring it to life. I do truly believe that it will be good enough to recoup everyone's investment, including my own, which is substantial already, not counting the soul points I'm paying out. It's wicked funny, which in the end I think life should be... full of laughter.




May everyone be blessed this holiday season,
Maria Collette Sundeen
Producer/Director/Co-Writer

In Wonderland

Alice is one of my favorite childhood characters. My friend Delfina thinks that it's weird; maybe that's why I like it. That's where we are right now, in a magical place.... we have a unique and creative key crew; an energetic and inspirational group of actors; a beautiful, hypnotizing location -- and all we're waiting on is the infusion of dollars to make the film process move forward and escalate into "go" mode.

There is this strange nervous feeling about being in a lovely place but yet feeling at the same time that it's not quite right.

We're going to have to do another casting session for those last little pieces that are missing. We're now seeking support crew members. And the investment... oh, the investors. When the DP says we need a dolly, an extra lens, and a generator, my heart sinks. How can we make this happen? We need our angels now to join us at the table.

So on this wonderful Thanksgiving day, I give thanks for the talented people, the amazing location, and the people who are jumping in on this fabulous film.

And I will light a candle that the believers pitch in not only with their excitement and their support and their love, but also with an investment that will help make this dream -- this dream for all of us involved in the film -- come true.

Blessings to all.

Moving at Light Speed

With the change in dates, we have lost one key person to our cast, the lovely Mawiyah Johnson. She has other work and we're very sad. She is just beautiful to look at on screen and very very talented.

On Monday I'm bringing in two new actresses to fill in the missing pieces.

Angela Nicole (Hostess)

I'm also doing FT fundraising and making lots of calls. It is a brutal process and although I have done my fair share over the years, it gets no easier. But the story is powerful, funny and well-crafted. The team is great and experienced, and the cast is nearly pitch-perfect. The machine looks good.

Victoria Dorazi (Joan)
This should theoretically encourage more Yes's then No's but it is a tough time in the world and I have heard my share of tough stories. Ultimately it's all relative... here I am cooking grilled cheese sandwiches for my daughter and telling her to wait to get new clothes that actually fit. We have a goal this year and that's what it's all about.

There are a lot of things to finish up -- most of which cannot be completed without a fat check in hand. These include:
- Insurance
- Worker's Comp
- Light and camera rentals
- Food deposits
- Transportation rentals

The last few days have been a whirlwind. Is it already Thursday? I'm not so far from light speed. Technically, the speed of light = 299 792 458 m / s, approximately 300,000 kilometres per second or 186,000 miles per second. In the last 3 days I have driven 300 miles and flown to Dallas and Wichita and back. Tomorrow I'm flying to So Cal until Sunday, and hopefully will confirm another small funder during the process. These days, I am the light.


All is going well and we are on top of it. Once the funds come in, we will be settling into 5th gear and cruising. Donations are gratefully welcomed.