Jake Speer

"END OF DAYS" UPDATED REWARD:
For our final 10 days leading up to the end of our campaign we are offering supporters an update to the $150 Vacant Vessels reward. Between now and the end of the campaign supporters who choose this reward will also receive 2 extra tickets to the show as well as an official, super exclusive, once in a life time, personalised print of Jake Speer from the show, signed with a message of thanks! So spread the word and start pledging and help get us over the line before time runs out. This may be our only chance to save the world from The Invasion of the Body Snatchers!


 
They're coming. Yes and you're next! Yes all of you! The Invasion of Bodysnatchers is on its way. There's no escape. One man can save the world from its horrible demise. Yes, Jake Speer is that man. He needs to tour his one-man play of Science Fiction terror all over the country. Jake Speer needs to warn us all. This one-man play will frighten! Astound! It will claw at your very being. But it just may save us all! Give generously and just perhaps Jake Speer may save the world from The Bodysnatchers!

The Invasion of the Bodysnatchers is a one man testimonial of the classic 50's film and novel, where one actor, that actor being Jake Speer, is the all the star cast. After a small town in southern California is taken over by a strange bodysnatching alien life form, it is up to one man to warn the world and save the human race from total extinction. 

WHO WE ARE:

Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Jake Speer. 



That's me ^. I'm not a Bodysnatcher... Yet. I'm an actor and producer. I first came across "Bodysnatchers" when I was having a chat with my old drama school teacher, Peter Cox.


That's him ^. Also not a bodysnatcher, but he is a wonderful director. You can tell by that very directorial pose he is striking.

Peter has long wanted to do a one man show of "The Invasion of The Bodysnatchers" as he has been a fan of the story and of 50's Sci-Fi B movies in general. So once Peter shared his idea with me, and I read "Bodysnatchers", I was hooked and together we set in motion the journey that we are currently on. 

WHERE WE'RE GOING:

Our ultimate goal is to create an awesome little show that we can tour wherever we want and tell as many people as possible about The Invasion of The Bodysnatchers. But for starters, we want to get "Bodysnatchers" performed in Sydney. Then from there we'd like to take the production to the Riverina area of New South Wales, where Peter and I are from. 

Currently we're in the development stage, but things are about to move really fast! We have a script. We have a set design. Now its time to start making it all a reality. From here, Peter and I need two weekends where we can hire a rehearsal space and start getting this play up on the floor. That way we can detail the script and address all our production issues so we can bring out the hammer and nails and start building the set.

Once all our production elements are sorted and our team is assembled. We plan to have a week long rehearsal period in Sydney in the lead up to a weekend run consisting of two or three performances of "Bodysnatchers" at a small Sydney venue sometime in the middle of 2015. 

Following that initial run of the show, and any feedback we receive, we plan to tour the production in the Riverina area of New South Wales in the towns of Leeton and Wagga Wagga. Bringing productions to regional communities is a passion of mine, and of Peter's. And those two towns hold very special places in our hearts.

After our small tour of regional New South Wales it is time for a longer Sydney run. By now the show would of hopefully had close to eight performances and really found it's feet, so it is ready for the big smoke. We would love to see "Bodysnatchers" run for close to a week in Sydney towards the end of 2015.

At the conclusion of the larger Sydney run, the show can then tour wherever it so pleases. We would love to take it around Australia and even overseas!

BUT NOT WITHOUT YOUR HELP!




  

WHAT WE NEED:


This is our set design ^. Thanks to the very talented Mr Ian MacDonald. This is what we need to construct to be the foundation of our production. All up, the cost for the design and construction of our set will be around $3,000.

Once we get our set built we can start to add the next layer. Props, costumes and make up. We need to transport the audience to apocalyptic, black and white, 1950's, small town America. The entire production will be in black and white. It's our little nod to the B movies of years gone by. So all the sets, props, costumes and even the actor will need to be "grey-ed" up. To do all this we need around $2,000. For the materials and items themselves as well as the labour to construct them. And trust me, there are some pretty wacky props needed for a Bodysnatcher invasion!

Another key production element, and one that will take this show to the next level is the projection. The two large screens attached to the set will be doused by projectors to help transport our audiences and create the changing landscape of our story as well as some of the crazy characters that we meet along the way. These crucial pieces of equipment will cost around $1,000.

While all the construction is going on Peter and I need time to rehearse! We need two weekends of script development rehearsal as well as production rehearsals in the lead up to our first Sydney performance. We need to be able to hire a venue to house these very crucial rehearsals in.

After we have all of that under control and our show is ready for a performance, we need enough funds to take care of venue costs, promotions and advertising. A costly, yet essential part of any successful production. 

It is an ambitious schedule and tour but we believe we have a production that will "wow" audiences all over the world. This is your chance to be apart of the making of this show. Without your help, there is no show. So please donate generously and help save the world from... THE INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS!