Laura Jane Turner

As most of us in this wonderful arts industry know, we usually need some sort of funding to get us to our end destination. Whether it's funding for development, venue hire, artist fees, catering, hiring of film equipment, post production, costumes, props, travel costs for festivals... Oh, did I say travel costs? Yup!

You know that really awesome film CURVE that I've been sharing all over social media? The one that's had over 150,000 trailer views on Youtube? Yes, that one! Well I have some SUPER EXCITING news! It's having its WORLD PREMIERE at the TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL in NYC!

Curve will screen alongside short films starring Meryl Streep, Danny DeVito, Ethan Hawke, Natalie Portman, and Whoopi Goldberg. With special appearances/talks from Tom Hanks and Tina Fey!



The one catch is though, that I have to provide my own flights and accommodation. 

The target I've listed is only $800.... Which doesn't even come close to covering HALF of my expected flight costs, let alone accommodation, transport, food, makeup/hair/dress/other fun premiere expenses.. I'm not asking for you to sponsor my entire trip (and please note, it is a business trip, not a holiday!), I just need a bit of a helping hand with covering all the crazy costs.  Yeah, I like that term; a helping hand.

I've continually supported my friends and industry folks campaigns, whether it be donating or sharing on social media. So I would be forever in your debt if you could allow me some of that same support. If you're not in a financial position to donate (I completely understand and empathise with that position), sharing the campaign is just as important - because maybe someone who can donate will see it and be able to lend that helping hand!



This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and every single donation helps me edge closer to this dream come true.

LJT x x

My target is set at a very low $800 - and that's due to equal parts fear of not reaching target, and hating having to ask for financial support. (Unfortunately it's such a necessary evil in this industry).

I know, I know, I've been told not to feel bad asking for help because, yes, I do work very, very hard and this is one of the BIGGEST opportunities of my career - so I bit the bullet and created this campaign in the hopes that those that can, will help me on my journey.

My approximated costs for this trip are as follows :-

Flights - $2000
Accommodation - $1000
Public Transport - $290
Make up / Hair for premiere / All other preparations - $500
Food - $250

The funds raised from this campaign will go directly into my flights and accommodation. No funds raised will be used for premiere related luxuries, such as hair and make up, dress and shoes, etc. I am using my own savings for these expenses, and have saved more than double the amount of my target for these and other costs.

I also have to budget for any lost income, and of course still need to pay my rent and bills back home. These expenses are not included in this campaign.

The biggest challenge for me with this campaign is getting it finished and launching it. I hate, hate, hate asking for money. I hate the hate mail associated with putting myself in such a vulnerable position. The biggest challenge for me as an individual is the fact that I constantly have to raise money to do the things most people can afford. It creates a fear of judgement, because let's be honest, judgement is inevitable, especially when you're always asking for help. So, on the advice of many friends and industry associates, I have to get over that fear and ask. Because this is the opportunity of a lifetime.

I understand that most of the people I pitch this campaign to will be other artists, who also have no money, who I've already campaigned at a hundred times asking for the financial support they can't possibly provide.

So I have to hope that those that want to support will share this campaign on social media and that it might reach those that will be able to donate. Because what an opportunity I have right now. This could be the turning point in my career. This opportunity has the potential to change everything. The people I will have the opportunity to meet, to talk with, to learn from are limitless if I can get to this World Premiere.