Almost half-way there...

Last night in the wee hours we checked numbers and WOW, we're just about halfway there! I want to take this moment now to thank our newest backers on the project. Many many thanks to: Adam Hartzel, Bronson Dameron, Dickie Hearts, Farhad Farahmand, Sue Piantaggini, Christa Whitney, Barbara Wood, Eric Calbert, Sabra Carlin, Patty Chin, Gambitrunner, and Charne du Plessis. Thanks to all of you, we're getting closer and closer to our goal. In the last few days we've had several mini-successes. Like what? #1) A CREW. We've got 'em. and we've hooked some good ones. Everyone on board is qualified, motivated, and we will have a mix of Deaf and hearing people working on lights and camera. #2) FEEDBACK. I've asked several people, some close friends, others not, to read the script, talk about their experiences, talk about ASL, talk about cancer, talk about connection, and it's been a world of help and insight. #3) EQUIPMENT! We went to drool over some lights and cranes and it's going to be a beautiful picture. #4) SAG PAPERWORK. The union is quite an animal, and they represent some of the best. I am lucky to have such talented friends, and they are certainly worth all that the paperwork. Two next pieces of business on the schedule: #1) confirming a few locations, and making final visits to them with our shot list in hand. #2) translating lines. This is huge. If you've watched our kickstarter, you know that an English script with ASL as the intended language of line delivery requires attention to detail, meaning, and Deaf people to advise on the process. That's coming up soon. THANK YOU again everyone, and don't forget to watch our first VLOG tomorrow! You can find it here, and on facecbook.

BIG Thank You

The last few days have provided big smiles, butterflies of excitement deep in our tummies, and an important reminder: the people in our lives ROCK. Faith in fellow woman/mankind is rekindled with a sweet, sweet flame. Personal emails, facebook messages, activity on twitter and instagram, texts... support is pouring in, and it means a lot. Not only does it mean a lot to us because it boosts our confidence, but it means a lot to and FOR several communities as well. As I read these supportive comments and messages I think: this person has total belief in us, in our actors, in the value of the stories we are relaying, and in what it will mean to all their friends and family to. I have much gratitude for everyone who has reached out to tell a personal story about why this project already speaks to them; it's awesome to be a witness or something becoming much much bigger that a story we started creating in a coffee shop, or my living room. It's bigger now, and it's all of YOU. It's SHOUT OUT time to our awesome monetary backers! THANKS: Justin Jackerson, Nick Zerlentes, Laurie Schumacher, Sebastian, John Falconer, Kirk Schumacher, Mark Schumacher, Dyan Sue, Marsha Helmuth, Holly Sears, TK Mehlhaff, Mahaveer Shaktawat, BH, Geff Chang. Your support gaurantees a top-notch production, and the realization of this film on big screens around the globe.

LAUNCHED

Thanks for joining us here at the official production blog for our short film Finding June. Our Kickstarter has gone LIVE! Check us out, we are LAUNCHED. This story is close to our hearts, and is inspired by an an exceptional group of women who founded Pink Wings of Hope, a support group for women with breast cancer who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. This story follows a young woman named June, who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, is beginning a process of a surgery, and attending a support group. Her care, and her support meetings, are facilitated by an interpreter. What this creates is a unique communication dynamic, and is the platform from which we will explore the concept of communication itself. While June's circumstances seem a natural place for language barrier and cultural misunderstanding, the story does not stop there. Through her relationship with her brother, with an old friend, what she learns about other members in the group, and ultimately what she learns about herself, we come to realize that understanding one another is less about shared literal language, and more about shared experience and empathy. Stay tuned, we'll be back soon with news on our pre-production process. 28 days to go!