Cut Down The Puppet Strings
A$3,878
of $3,500 targetyrs ago
Successful on 7th Jun 2014 at 9:59AM.
'Cut Down The Puppet Strings' is a 15 minute short film comprising live action and stop motion elements. It has been in production since late 2012 and has been a labour of love.
My name is Joshua Belinfante and I wrote, directed and edited the film. I have been making films since I was 12. I discovered stop motion in high school and this began my fascination with bringing inanimate objects to life. I always aspire to make films that give audiences a sense of wonder.
I started making 'Puppet Strings' for my final year project while studying Media / Law at UTS in 2012. Budgetary constraints meant I could only submit a trailer for the marking process along with another film. Here is the trailer that was submitted:
Cut Down The Puppet Strings Trailer from Joshua Belinfante on Vimeo.
I have now been editing the project on/off for over a year. The film came from an intensely personal place. I've never poured so much of myself, my time and money into a project than this one. At the outset I took on board ideas from the cast, crew, family and friends and let the film evolve organically. After getting deep into editing the film, I realised that the film that I had written was not the film we had actually made. What we made had evolved into something more mature, emotional, surreal and powerful. Which makes it all the more important that this film is released to as wide an audience as possible - to showcase the contributions of so many.
Now we want to continue to allow the film to evolve by inviting you; family, friends and audiences to participate in bringing this unique vision to film festival screens across the globe. What we are seeking is finances to pay for festival submission fees, DVD and bluray printing expenses and shipping and postage costs - to allow the film to be seen on as many screens as possible. Any donation big or small helps.
For those that might not be able to donate, please help get the word out there. A share on facebook, a tweet on twitter or a fun instagram post is just as valuable.
Your donation will ensure that the film is completed right and seen by audiences close, far and wide.
Thanks for taking the time to check us out.
Cheers,
Joshua Belinfante
WRITER | DIRECTOR
My name is Joshua Belinfante and I wrote, directed and edited the film. I have been making films since I was 12. I discovered stop motion in high school and this began my fascination with bringing inanimate objects to life. I always aspire to make films that give audiences a sense of wonder.
I started making 'Puppet Strings' for my final year project while studying Media / Law at UTS in 2012. Budgetary constraints meant I could only submit a trailer for the marking process along with another film. Here is the trailer that was submitted:
Cut Down The Puppet Strings Trailer from Joshua Belinfante on Vimeo.
I have now been editing the project on/off for over a year. The film came from an intensely personal place. I've never poured so much of myself, my time and money into a project than this one. At the outset I took on board ideas from the cast, crew, family and friends and let the film evolve organically. After getting deep into editing the film, I realised that the film that I had written was not the film we had actually made. What we made had evolved into something more mature, emotional, surreal and powerful. Which makes it all the more important that this film is released to as wide an audience as possible - to showcase the contributions of so many.
Now we want to continue to allow the film to evolve by inviting you; family, friends and audiences to participate in bringing this unique vision to film festival screens across the globe. What we are seeking is finances to pay for festival submission fees, DVD and bluray printing expenses and shipping and postage costs - to allow the film to be seen on as many screens as possible. Any donation big or small helps.
For those that might not be able to donate, please help get the word out there. A share on facebook, a tweet on twitter or a fun instagram post is just as valuable.
Your donation will ensure that the film is completed right and seen by audiences close, far and wide.
Thanks for taking the time to check us out.
Cheers,
Joshua Belinfante
WRITER | DIRECTOR
Synopsis and Treatment
For those that want to know more about the project.
SYNOPSIS: An astronomer struggling with the loss of her husband and daughter becomes tormented by her past and troubled by a harrowing discovery.
TREATMENT: Stavri Binney is an unlicensed astronomer who constantly prophesises of the future to avoid analysing her present and past turmoils. Through her daily sky gazing ritual she convinces herself that the sun is hurtling towards her home. The recent loss of her husband, Joseph and daughter Anna has destroyed her resolve and she chooses to ignore the threat of the sun. Rather, she waits for her world to end. Her only remaining motivation is to recreate the life that she has lost. Iron Clad is the incomplete result, a subservient metal creature that torments Stavri with her own memories, reminding her of both her late husband and daughter. Stavri is pushed to the edge of sanity. Whichever way she turns a hurtling vibrating sun awaits Stavri and her house full of misfit creatures.
You can also check out the entire production process of the film at our blog below.
http://cutdownthepuppetstrings.wordpress.com/
SYNOPSIS: An astronomer struggling with the loss of her husband and daughter becomes tormented by her past and troubled by a harrowing discovery.
TREATMENT: Stavri Binney is an unlicensed astronomer who constantly prophesises of the future to avoid analysing her present and past turmoils. Through her daily sky gazing ritual she convinces herself that the sun is hurtling towards her home. The recent loss of her husband, Joseph and daughter Anna has destroyed her resolve and she chooses to ignore the threat of the sun. Rather, she waits for her world to end. Her only remaining motivation is to recreate the life that she has lost. Iron Clad is the incomplete result, a subservient metal creature that torments Stavri with her own memories, reminding her of both her late husband and daughter. Stavri is pushed to the edge of sanity. Whichever way she turns a hurtling vibrating sun awaits Stavri and her house full of misfit creatures.
You can also check out the entire production process of the film at our blog below.
http://cutdownthepuppetstrings.wordpress.com/
CREDITS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
Starring Lorena Cappellone, Francis J Edwards, Miranda Szabo
Cinematography: Martyn Taylor
Producer: Janet Brown
Writter, Executive Producer, Director, Editor: Joshua Belinfante
Co-Director: Jeremy Belinfante
Camera Assistants : Jamie Wynen, Martin Carrol, Dimitri Zaunders, Matthew Malloy, Gabriella De Candia
Sound Recordists: Peter Delahunty, Lauren Ross, Christopher Stamoulos
Sound mix/composition: Stephen Layton
Colour: Samuel Hutchinson
Production Design: Joshua Belinfante
Art Director: Alexandra Cook
Set dresser: Xiaofu Wang
Make up: Erin Megan Sandler, Murray Jones
VFX Make up: Irene Phillips
Continuity: Rowan Tucker Evans, Jae Hee Park
Stills: Jeremy, Peter and Joshua Belinfante
Catering: Mama's kitchen,
Runner/Puppet assistant: Peter Belinfante
Special thanks: Martyn Taylor, Justin Harvey, Paul Dinning, Sharon Etter, UTS equipment store, Shlomo and Eve Ash, Monty and Rosa Leventhal, The Szabo family, Francis J Edwards, Martin Van Der Wal.
Production blog - cutdownthepuppetstrings.wordpress.com/
Cinematography: Martyn Taylor
Producer: Janet Brown
Writter, Executive Producer, Director, Editor: Joshua Belinfante
Co-Director: Jeremy Belinfante
Camera Assistants : Jamie Wynen, Martin Carrol, Dimitri Zaunders, Matthew Malloy, Gabriella De Candia
Sound Recordists: Peter Delahunty, Lauren Ross, Christopher Stamoulos
Sound mix/composition: Stephen Layton
Colour: Samuel Hutchinson
Production Design: Joshua Belinfante
Art Director: Alexandra Cook
Set dresser: Xiaofu Wang
Make up: Erin Megan Sandler, Murray Jones
VFX Make up: Irene Phillips
Continuity: Rowan Tucker Evans, Jae Hee Park
Stills: Jeremy, Peter and Joshua Belinfante
Catering: Mama's kitchen,
Runner/Puppet assistant: Peter Belinfante
Special thanks: Martyn Taylor, Justin Harvey, Paul Dinning, Sharon Etter, UTS equipment store, Shlomo and Eve Ash, Monty and Rosa Leventhal, The Szabo family, Francis J Edwards, Martin Van Der Wal.
Production blog - cutdownthepuppetstrings.wordpress.com/
STRETCH GOALS - FUND OUR NEXT FILM!
If we reach $4000 + we will be able to get our next film off the ground. One idea is a film titled 'Driven'.
I have been writing the screenplay since October 2013 when I met an actor/singer in a taxi....he was the one driving me home! We bonded and I quickly realised that I wanted to make a film for this man. So that's what I'll be doing....with your help!!
This money will help the pre-production and production costs. Each and every donation really means a lot.
I have been writing the screenplay since October 2013 when I met an actor/singer in a taxi....he was the one driving me home! We bonded and I quickly realised that I wanted to make a film for this man. So that's what I'll be doing....with your help!!
This money will help the pre-production and production costs. Each and every donation really means a lot.
How The Funds Will Be Used
PRODUCTION AND POST-PRODUCTION COSTS.
I have personally funded the production and post-production costs and with a much appreciated equity grant from UTS in 2012.
The standard festival entry fee can be anywhere from $0 - 100 depending on the time of entry and tier of the festival. Shipping and posting from Australia is expensive, particularly when it needs to be express post to make those crucial deadlines. In addition, printing each DVD and case costs around $20. As you can imagine entering 15-20 festivals starts to add up!
CREATE REWARDS.
The funds are being used to print DVDs, stickers, posters and other rewards. I am very excited to have Lonely Kids Club on board printing limited edition handmade pocket tees with art from the film!
You can check out Lonely Kids Club here.
The tees are 100% cotton, pre-shrunk, made in a sweatshop-free environment and each pocket is hand-sewn in Sydney and exclusively available as part of this Pozible campaign as a collaboration with Lonely Kids Club.
Behind The Scenes Lonely Kids Club Summer Range 2014 from Joshua Belinfante on Vimeo.
'Cut Down The Puppet Strings' centres on the life of a woman who is severely impacted by both physical and mental impairments. From the very beginning of this project, I have wanted to provide support towards those living with disabilities and impairment. I am proud to announce that 10% of all donations towards 'Cut Down the Puppet Strings' will be forwarded to Limbs 4 Life, Australia.*
Limbs 4 Life is a Victorian non profit organisation developed to provide access to support, information and resources for people in the Australian community effected by amputation.
Any donations above our target goal of '3500' will help us acquit our production costs and allow us to enter more festivals. This will also increase the donation to Limbs 4 Life.
*The donation to Limbs 4 Life will be 10% of the TOTAL amount raised. Individual tax deductions will not be possible.
The Challenges
1. Getting the film into festivals, keeping it within this budget.
Solution: We are sending to festivals with entry fees and without entry fees, festivals that are just starting out and festivals that are well established. A good mix of submissions is key to having the film accepted into festivals.
2. The film may not be 'film festival friendly'- 15 minute film of a mature nature.
Solution: targeting independent national and international festivals. For the sake of fun and for giving it a go, we will send the film to some major festivals too. A preview copy of the film has already been submitted to Cannes.
Solution: We are sending to festivals with entry fees and without entry fees, festivals that are just starting out and festivals that are well established. A good mix of submissions is key to having the film accepted into festivals.
2. The film may not be 'film festival friendly'- 15 minute film of a mature nature.
Solution: targeting independent national and international festivals. For the sake of fun and for giving it a go, we will send the film to some major festivals too. A preview copy of the film has already been submitted to Cannes.
1. Thanks on Puppet Strings' website 2. Donation to 'Limbs 4 Life'
16 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 14
1. Thanks on the Puppet Strings website. 2. Limited edition sticker stating ‘Give Stavri A Hand' 3. Donation to ‘Limbs 4 Life (international orders please contact [email protected] for shipping rates)
20 chosen
Est. delivery is Jul 14
1. Thanks on the Puppet Strings website. 2. Online copy of the film when it has completed its festival run. 3. Limited edition sticker stating ‘Give Stavri A Hand' 4. Donation to ‘Limbs 4 Life’ (international orders please contact [email protected] for shipping rates)
8 chosen
Est. delivery is Jul 14
1. Thanks on the Puppet Strings website. 2. Limited edition DVD with cover art 3. Limited edition sticker stating ‘Give Stavri A Hand' 4. Donation to ‘Limbs 4 Life’ (international orders please contact [email protected] for shipping rates)
4 chosen / 36 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
1. Thanks on the Puppet Strings website. 2. Online copy of the film when it has completed its festival run. 3. Limited edition sticker stating ‘Give Stavri A Hand' 4. Donation to ‘Limbs 4 Life’ 5. Printed Poster designed by Japanese artist Yuko Rabbit. 6. Hand made, limited edition Lonely Kids Club Pocket T-shirt with special ‘Cut Down The Puppet Strings’ art ! (international orders please contact [email protected] for shipping rates)
7 chosen / 13 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
1. Thanks on Puppet Strings website 2. Online copy of the film when it has completed its festival run 3 Limited edition DVD with cover art 4. Limited edition sticker stating ‘Give Stavri a hand!’ 5. Donation to ‘Limbs 4 Life’ 6. Beautiful printed poster designed by Japanese artist Yuko Rabbit 7. Hand made, limited edition Lonely Kids Club Pocket T-shirt with special ‘Cut Down The Puppet Strings’ art! Int orders - [email protected]
2 chosen / 8 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
1. Special thanks on Puppet Strings website 2. Online copy when it has completed its festival run 3 Limited edition DVD with cover art after festival circuit 4. Limited edition sticker 5. Donation to ‘Limbs 4 Life' 6. Poster 7. A prop from the film 8. Hand made, limited edition Lonely Kids Club Pocket T-shirt with special ‘Cut Down The Puppet Strings’ art ! 9. Sit in the edit suite during final stages. Int orders - [email protected] Supply limited!
1 chosen / 4 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
1. Special thanks credit in the film + social media 2. Online copy when it has completed its festival run 3. Sticker 4. Donation to ‘Limbs 4 Life’ 5. Poster 6. A prop 7. Limited edition personalised DVD 8. Hand made, LKC Pocket T-shirt with special ‘Cut Down The Puppet Strings’ art ! 9. Sit in the edit suite during the final stages. 10. Hand made puppet head (1 of 3) of the film’s main antagonist ‘Iron Clad’ 11. Signed Production still Int orders - [email protected]
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
1. Special thanks credit + thanks on social media 2. Online copy 3. Sticker 4. Donation to ‘Limbs 4 Life’ 5. Poster 6. A prop 7. Limited edition personalised DVD 8. Hand made, LKC Pocket T-shirt with special ‘Cut Down The Puppet Strings’ art ! 9. Sit in the edit suite during the final stages 10. Hand made puppet head of ‘Iron Clad’ (1 of 3) or if we've run out, original art from the director 11. Signed production still 12. Executive Producer credit Int orders - [email protected]
0 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14