"Life & Death"
A$1,225
of $10,000 targetyrs ago
Closed on 31st Jul 2013 at 10:39PM.
"Life & Death" began as an idea I had 2 years ago. It's the story about Ned Chambers, an Actor who works as an "Extra" on the longest running TV series in Australian history: "Homicide Investigation Unit". Ned has been working on the show for a number of years, playing the role of various corpses from episode to episode. But when the show is finally axed and Ned no longer has a steady job, he flies into a panic and realises he must get another acting gig as soon as possible. After Ned speaks to his agent and gets a copy of a script for a TV Pilot called "Life & Death" (a show about a Detective who sees "dead" people and helps them solve their murders), Ned knows that getting a role on this show could be his best chance at success!!!
After developing the story and writing numerous drafts over the last 2 years, "Life & Death" is now ready to go into production. There's just one problem: funding. The current budget for the film is $20,000. I have access to half that amount and now I am starting a campaign to raise the additional half of the budget.
What do I plan on doing with that money? It's quite simple really. In order to make the best film I can possibly make, the money I seek for the film will be used to hire key department heads, e.g. Director Of Photography, who is responsible for photographing the images for the film. Along with his key Assistants (Gaffer and Camera Assist), the total cost for that department is $6,000. A Sound Recordist is responsible for capturing all the sound on a film set. Total cost is $2,000. We will need an Art Director, who is responsible for the look and design of the locations we use. Total cost $1,500. "Life & Death" requires Special Effects Make-Up for certain scenes to show Ned at work as an "Extra" (see example below). Total cost $600. 
At this stage in the production, we have a completed script that is 20 pages in length. I have cast the crucial lead role of Ned Chambers. Ned will be played by Robin Brown, a talented up and coming young Actor who is currently studying at "The Actors Lab" in St.Kilda. Robin is currently undergoing a physical transformation for the role, where he is required to gain 10kg of muscle so he can portray Ned in the present as well as the past. It is this dedication to his craft and to the role of Ned Chambers that highlights how serious we are about making a great film.
I, Sam Eliopoulos, the Writer and Director of "Life & Death", have been involved in the film industry in various forms for over fifteen years. I studied acting at The Neighbourhood Playhouse under Vikki Blanche (1997-2000). There was a time when I was like Ned and worked as an Extra, in the hope of one day landing my big break. It never eventuated, which is OK because I feel far more comfortable working behind the camera.
After years of writing away at my own screenplays, I eventually went and studied at the JMC Academy in South Melbourne (2009-10). While I was there I made a short documentary called "Teach" which won the award for "Best Documentary".
Since graduating I have made 2 short films: "Cooking With Clive (2011)" and "Government Funding Body (2012)". I thoroughly enjoyed making both films and the experience of developing a project from the ground up is something that gives me great satisfaction and pride, but going in I knew I didn't have all the resources i needed to make the films as great as they could have been. (Have a look for yourself on my website www.smellslikefilms.com). This is why I am here asking for your help.
We hope you enjoyed our video and we can't wait to start filming "LIfe & Death" later this year. Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will play a major role in helping make "Life & Death" the best film it can possibly be.
Regards
Sam Eliopoulos
PS To quote another independent up and coming Filmmaker named Zach Braff, always end your message with a cute dog. 
Sit Winston sit. Good dog. Woof!!!
You will receive a personal "Thank You" email from me, telling you what a wonderful, kind, and generous person you are.
1 chosen
Est. delivery is Jul 13
On top of getting a personal "Thank You" email from me, telling you what a wonderful, kind, and generous person you are. You will also receive a digital download copy of the film for being being so "awesome".
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
You rock!!! Not only will you receive a personal "Thank You" email from me, telling you what a wonderful, kind, and generous person you are, you will also be thanked in the closing credits. And because your completely and utterly awesome, you will also receive a personal DVD copy of the film.
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
Oh wow!!! That's so generous of you. Well for all that money you deserve something special. Like the rewards listed above, you will receive a personal "Thank You" email from me extolling your generosity and kindness, a personal DVD copy of the film and a "Thank You" credit in the film. And last but not least, you will receive two tickets to our premiere screening and after party (VIC residents only).
5 chosen / 45 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
Oh my goodness!!! Well for all that money you deserve something REALLY special. Like the rewards listed above, you will receive a personal "Thank You" email from me extolling your generosity and kindness, a personal DVD copy of the film and a "Thank You" credit in the film. You will also receive two tickets to our premiere screening and after party. Oh and one last thing, you will get to be an extra on our film, where you'll get to hang out with the cast and crew (VIC residents only).
1 chosen / 19 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
I'm officially speechless!!! What can I say? Well for all that money you deserve all the rewards listed above. You will receive a personal "Thank You" email from me extolling your generosity and kindness, a personal DVD copy of the film and a "Thank You" credit in the film. You will receive two tickets to our premiere screening and after party. You're also invited to our wrap party. And most importantly, you will get a "Producer" credit on the film (VIC residents only).
0 chosen / 5 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
HOLY S--T!!! You are offically the greatest person on Earth. What more needs to be said. You will receive a personal "Thank You" email from me extolling your generosity and kindness, a personal DVD copy of the film and a "Thank You" credit in the film. You will receive two tickets to our premiere screening and after party. You're also invited to our wrap party. And most importantly, you will get an "Executive Producer" credit on the film (VIC residents only).
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14