Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary
A$8,965
of $8,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 17th Oct 2015 at 12:55AM.
“A man’s house is his castle and fortress." - Sir Edward Coke (The Institutes of the Laws of England, 1628)
But could one man's doughnut van be his castle too?
Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary is a short film that captures the story of Nick Tsiligiris, an 80 year old doughnut maker. Nick has been tempting locals and visitors alike with the delicious scent of his freshly made hot jam doughnuts, at Footscray train station in Melbourne's inner west, everyday since 1979.
Up until 2014, Nick worked out of his old caravan underneath the pedestrian footbridge at the Footscray Railway Station. It was at this time the Regional Rail Link began their major redevelopment of the station and it was the fate of Nick and his rusty old doughnut caravan that resonated in the hearts and minds of the local community.
Would the caravan disappear in the face of a $3.7 billion dollar rail project or would an old man's passion for his doughnuts and community prevail?
This film is being produced through Open Channel’s Raw Nerve production initiative, supporting three teams to make a short film with a small budget contribution and ongoing production assistance.
The best stories we tell are the ones we are most familiar with. Ones that resonate from the wellspring of our own experience and empathy.
When we were thinking of a story to document on film, there was only one we felt we really wanted to tell. The story of Footscray, Nick Tsiligiris and his Olympic Doughnut van. As film makers, we want to tell stories that give oxygen to people and their stories that are often overlooked. These stories often fall through the cracks of our constantly over-stimulated society. The story of Nick and his doughnut van is one of those that could have easily fallen through those cracks.
Our film will be an ode to Footscray, one of the most culturally and economically diverse suburbs in Australia, as well as a man who has captured the hearts and minds of people with his doughnuts and zest for life. The inspiration for the donutumentary of Olympic Nick was through word of mouth from local businesses and members of the community. We were regaled with various stories of Nick’s trials while remaining in business during the Footscray Station rebuild. As we researched further into the stories and began talking with Nick, it became very apparent that the majesty and iconic status of Nick and his doughnuts were something that warranted a film.
This is a story about our passions in life.
A story about community and what that means.
A story about change.
But essentially this is a story about a man, his doughnuts and his strength of character. And it is a story that deserves to shine through the cracks of life and be told.
Ian and Rachel met over a 4 day film making course last summer. Both coming from very different backgrounds (physiotherapy and journalism) they applied to the Raw Nerve Production Initiative 2015, supported by Open Channel. In a large field of applicants, their film was selected to be professionally produced with the possibility of a mainstream television screening.
"When we heard about local doughnut legend Nick Tsiligiris we instantly felt: this is a story we want to share with the world. And... we won! So now we're turning our idea into an actual film, which is very scary but exciting at the same time!" - Rachel Morssink
RACHEL MORSSINK (WRITER/DIRECTOR)
IAN TRAN (DIRECTOR/PRODUCER)
TESSA MANSFIELD-HUNG (PRODUCER)
DAVID FRANJIC (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)
But could one man's doughnut van be his castle too?
Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary is a short film that captures the story of Nick Tsiligiris, an 80 year old doughnut maker. Nick has been tempting locals and visitors alike with the delicious scent of his freshly made hot jam doughnuts, at Footscray train station in Melbourne's inner west, everyday since 1979.
Up until 2014, Nick worked out of his old caravan underneath the pedestrian footbridge at the Footscray Railway Station. It was at this time the Regional Rail Link began their major redevelopment of the station and it was the fate of Nick and his rusty old doughnut caravan that resonated in the hearts and minds of the local community.
Would the caravan disappear in the face of a $3.7 billion dollar rail project or would an old man's passion for his doughnuts and community prevail?
This film is being produced through Open Channel’s Raw Nerve production initiative, supporting three teams to make a short film with a small budget contribution and ongoing production assistance.
Why make this film?
The best stories we tell are the ones we are most familiar with. Ones that resonate from the wellspring of our own experience and empathy.
When we were thinking of a story to document on film, there was only one we felt we really wanted to tell. The story of Footscray, Nick Tsiligiris and his Olympic Doughnut van. As film makers, we want to tell stories that give oxygen to people and their stories that are often overlooked. These stories often fall through the cracks of our constantly over-stimulated society. The story of Nick and his doughnut van is one of those that could have easily fallen through those cracks.
Our film will be an ode to Footscray, one of the most culturally and economically diverse suburbs in Australia, as well as a man who has captured the hearts and minds of people with his doughnuts and zest for life. The inspiration for the donutumentary of Olympic Nick was through word of mouth from local businesses and members of the community. We were regaled with various stories of Nick’s trials while remaining in business during the Footscray Station rebuild. As we researched further into the stories and began talking with Nick, it became very apparent that the majesty and iconic status of Nick and his doughnuts were something that warranted a film.
This is a story about our passions in life.
A story about community and what that means.
A story about change.
But essentially this is a story about a man, his doughnuts and his strength of character. And it is a story that deserves to shine through the cracks of life and be told.
About the creative team
Ian and Rachel met over a 4 day film making course last summer. Both coming from very different backgrounds (physiotherapy and journalism) they applied to the Raw Nerve Production Initiative 2015, supported by Open Channel. In a large field of applicants, their film was selected to be professionally produced with the possibility of a mainstream television screening.
"When we heard about local doughnut legend Nick Tsiligiris we instantly felt: this is a story we want to share with the world. And... we won! So now we're turning our idea into an actual film, which is very scary but exciting at the same time!" - Rachel Morssink
RACHEL MORSSINK (WRITER/DIRECTOR)
IAN TRAN (DIRECTOR/PRODUCER)
TESSA MANSFIELD-HUNG (PRODUCER)
DAVID FRANJIC (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)
What is crowdfunding?
This is our first crowdfunding campaign and so it may also be the first time you have encountered a crowdfunding campaign as well.
So, what is it? Crowdfunding is asking a crowd of people to donate a defined amount of money for a specific cause or project in exchange for various rewards. It has been used to help fund Barack Obama's presidential race, exploding kitten card games, smart phone watches and campaigns to abolish slave labour in 3rd world countries to name just a few. In this case, the amount you pledge will help us fund the completion of our film as well as allowing you access to bevy of unique gifts and experiences only we can provide.
Which means.. everybody wins!
So throw caution to the wind, take out that line of credit and sell that 2nd kidney that you didn't really need anyway and get pledging and enjoy the spoils of your spend.
So, what is it? Crowdfunding is asking a crowd of people to donate a defined amount of money for a specific cause or project in exchange for various rewards. It has been used to help fund Barack Obama's presidential race, exploding kitten card games, smart phone watches and campaigns to abolish slave labour in 3rd world countries to name just a few. In this case, the amount you pledge will help us fund the completion of our film as well as allowing you access to bevy of unique gifts and experiences only we can provide.
Which means.. everybody wins!
So throw caution to the wind, take out that line of credit and sell that 2nd kidney that you didn't really need anyway and get pledging and enjoy the spoils of your spend.
PLEDGE FAQ
When and where will the screening be? Sunday 29th of November at 5pm at the Sun Theatre
How The Funds Will Be Used
To make this short film happen we really need your support. The film is currently in the post production phase which is where we need your help.
The money raised from the crowdfunding campaign will go towards:
- production costs including sourcing further content for the film, camera equipment, crew and marketing
- post-production costs including a professional editor, colour grading, sound design, sound mixing and licensing of copyright material
We will also be entering the film in numerous Australian and international film festivals to share our love of a good story with as many people as possible.
If we don’t reach our funding target, all pledges will be cancelled and your payment will not be processed.
So it’s all or nothing, and the clock is ticking! Because really, who doesn't like a good story about life, love and doughnuts?
So far, we have had great support from members of the local community with whom we have shared the story of our project and now you can too!
PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH & SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OLYMPIC NICK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OlympicNickADonutumentary
Twitter: https://twitter.com/olympicnickfilm
Instagram: @olympicnickfilm
The money raised from the crowdfunding campaign will go towards:
- production costs including sourcing further content for the film, camera equipment, crew and marketing
- post-production costs including a professional editor, colour grading, sound design, sound mixing and licensing of copyright material
We will also be entering the film in numerous Australian and international film festivals to share our love of a good story with as many people as possible.
If we don’t reach our funding target, all pledges will be cancelled and your payment will not be processed.
So it’s all or nothing, and the clock is ticking! Because really, who doesn't like a good story about life, love and doughnuts?
So far, we have had great support from members of the local community with whom we have shared the story of our project and now you can too!
PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH & SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OLYMPIC NICK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OlympicNickADonutumentary
Twitter: https://twitter.com/olympicnickfilm
Instagram: @olympicnickfilm
Doughnut entree
Did you ever want to get famous on the interweb? Get an electronic high five and shout out on our social media channels and feel the love.
5 chosen
Est. delivery is Nov 15
Hot Jam
Put your name behind Nick and the film! You'll be feeling warm and gooey like a fresh jam doughnut and we'll thank you with a SUPPORTER CREDIT on the Olympic Nick website.
8 chosen
Est. delivery is Oct 15
Raising Dough
Support the film, get the film! This pledge will get you a digital download of the completed film sent directly to your email. PLUS you'll receive a supporter credit on the Olympic Nick website.
44 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 15
To Do or to Donut
VIP attendance at our exclusive private screening of Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary held at the Sun Theatre, Yarraville is definitely something TO DO! Dress up in movie premiere style and enjoy: - a red carpet arrival - professionally taken photo to keep - doughnut and drink on arrival - private film screening - live acoustic music performed from the film - access to screening after party at The Sun Theatre private bar PLUS a supporter credit on our website PLUS a digital download of the film!
70 chosen
Est. delivery is Nov 15
Pump up the Jam
Personalised Food Tour of Footscray by Olympic Nick filmmaker & local Ian Tran. Want to get to know Footscray & all the flavours it has to offer, then Ian is your man. The crew gets the perks of his knowledge every lunch time on a shoot day but now is your chance! He'll show you the best places to go in Footscray, order for you, pay for you, pull out your chair and of course get you some of Melbourne's best doughnuts from Nick himself.
10 chosen / 5 available
Est. delivery is Nov 15
Donut Panic
Wine and Cheese is so 2005, today it's all about wine and doughnuts. For being such a generous soul you will receive a limited edition Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary red wine generously supplied by Vinomofo, online wine merchants. The bottle will be signed by the team for posterity. Nothing like a fine drop of red with a fine drop of jam. On top of this you will receive a golden ticket to the screening PLUS a supporter credit on our website AND a digital download of the film!
12 chosen / 38 available
Est. delivery is Dec 15
Doughnut King
For being such a legend, we'll have chef Eddie Huynh (of Taxi Dining Room, Bistro Guillame and Gordon Ramsay), create your own ultimate doughnut flavour AND give you naming rights in your honour. (Up to 50 designed in collaboration with Eddie, the recipe and naming rights)* PLUS a supporter credit on our website + a digital download of the film + a ticket to our private screening + a bottle of our special edition Olympic Nick wine + a high five *only available within 20km of Melbourne CBD
2 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Dec 16