About this project
Star
Kids is a sci-fi/fantasy children’s film about four special children
who must discover who they are to save a world on the brink of
destruction. Filmed in Seattle and the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It
is designed to help kids by teaching positive values and showing
positive role models. It is being shot both as a 12 part episodic
miniseries as well as a feature film. We have shot episodes 1 & 2
and need to raise funds to successfully shoot episodes 3 and 4, and
that’s why we need your help. After watching our video, meeting me, and
checking out our rewards, I hope you'll become a part of the exciting
community we're building around Star Kids!
What's the story?
In Star Kids the earth is dying and
the Star Kids have to save it! They have special powers and are chased
by rogue government agents. On their journey they meet many interesting
characters who inspire, guide and mentor them. But in the end, they are
on their own, and if the earth is to survive they will have to go deep
within and learn to conquer their fear, hate, anger and be more unified.
What inspired Star Kids?
Star Kids inspired by my desire to show my kids inspiring films, my love of
sci-fi, anime, spiritual and fantasy films and my experiences in the
inner cities of America. But it was my inner city experiences that was
the real inspiration for Star Kids. It started when I noticed how a lot
of kids were emulating the negative media they were exposed to. Morality
was very vague and even kids who wanted to do the right thing didn’t
really know what that was and were easily lead astray by all the
negative things, people and situations around them. But what alarmed me
the most was the powerful effect negative media in all it’s forms had on
the kids.
Unfortunately, Hollywood and many in the
entertainment industry have decided that making
money and being famous is more important then helping kids. I wanted to
change that and so I was inspired to write Star Kids to give kids a good wholesome children’s film, the kind I have been
looking for but never found. And, at the same, time teach positive
values and show some positive role models. I wanted to
change that and so I was inspired to write Star Kids. Although Star Kids is for all kids, I also want to give African
American kids a good wholesome children’s film, the kind I have been
looking for but never found. And, at the same, time teach positive
values and show some positive role models. Plus in Star Kids we get to
see African American kids in some pretty interesting situations that we
usually don’t see in the movies.
Star Kids is a metaphor, and
all kids are Star Kids. As kids watch I want them to see themselves in
the Star Kids. I want them to realize they have “gifts and purpose” (as
the Elder says) and that it’s up to them to save the world.
(The Elder) (Watch a rough cut where the Elder teaches the Star Kids)
Once
Star Kids is done I hope to use it not only to influence children in a
positive way but to also bring awareness of the power negative media is
having on our children. I also want to use it as a catalyst to talk to
the filmmaking community about the importance of using our art to make
the world a better place.
Where will the funds go?
Currently we are in post
production for episodes 1 and 2 (editing, effects, music licensing,
mastering etc) and pre-production to shoot the next two episodes -
episodes 3 and 4 of Star Kids. We want these films to be of the highest
production quality possible because in the end, if we do not entertain
we will not teach. To do this we need to pay the cast and crew, rent but
ideally buy our own equipment. Feed the crew properly, pay for
insurance (2 million in liability needed for most locations). Location
fees, (such as location fees to shoot at the Award Winning Seattle
Downtown Public Library). Costume design and manufacture, props such as
an important large
painting and device. Pay for post-production processing, special 3d
motion effects, green screen studio rental. Editing, sound design and
mastering for video on demand, DVD and theatrical release. Promotion,
marketing, event and entertainment expenses etc, production office
expenses.
(Potential Location: The Seattle Downtown Library, photo by Jason Hoover)
Every bit that you give, large or small, will make a HUGE difference!
What are the plans for the film?
Most
of all we want Star Kids to teach and inspire children around the
world. Our focus is on “at-risk” kids, the kids that are most vulnerable
to the influences of the effects of negative media. To reach these kids
with the film we have formed “Community Partnerships” with youth
organizations around the world that work with kids in vulnerable
communities. Currently we have partnerships and volunteers in Seattle,
Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC. African, Australia, London, Paris,
and the list grows everyday. If you want to help us get the film out to
kids in your area please contact us.
We also plan to distribute the film though traditional independent film
channels such as film festivals, markets, VOD, DVD etc.
Who's involved?
We have a unique community based
approach to getting Star Kids made. For one, realizing that it was such a
huge project we decided to break the script up into a 12 part
miniseries. This configuration has been hugely successful for us.
Allowing us to shoot high quality productions with minimal resources.
This strategy allows us to screen the film to kids sooner by showing the
episodes as they are completed and involving a greater variety of
people in the production. For example we invite local cinematographers
to shoot each of the episodes. And each episode allows us to work with a
different crew, which frees us from the normal scheduling and budget
headaches of independent filmmaking. Click here to see the cast and crew for the Episodes.
The Youth Internship Program
Another way we have
involved youth is to have an internship program tied to the production
of the film. We recruit teens from the local Seattle high schools and
teen programs, we then pair them with local films students from schools
such as the Seattle Art Institute and the Seattle Film Institute. The
film students run the various productions departments such as light,
sound and set design etc. with the teens as their assistants. In this
way: 1. Film students get the real world production experience they
need as well as a chance to help the community. 2. The kids get to
learn about filmmaking as a possible career path. 3. We get a proper
crew which is key to a high quality production. For example, on the
shoot of episode 2 which took place in Chinatown in Seattle we had a
crew of 18.
(More on the film program)
Support the film.
We
have a really ambitious production schedule this year and we are
depending on supporters like you to make it happen. If you can, support Star Kids and help us get it to one million kids around the
world!
Other fun ways to get involved.
To make a film of
this level is a huge undertaking and that’s why we need your help. There
are many fun ways to get involved:
If you can, right now, back the project.
Donate some equipment, a product or a service.
Volunteer.
Own a business? Become a sponsor.
Send us some good leads for any help you can think of.
Be a fan!
Tell your friends!
Signup for our email list.
“Like” our Facebook page.
Got little kids, download free songs and coloring pages of the characters.
Check out the website.
THANK YOU!!!
Also please feel free to email us at starkids@mydreampower.com or contact us
Many many thanks for your generous support!
Because of you Star Kids will happen!
