Thanks so much for your interest in UPENDED. I couldn’t make it without you!
As you may know, I was one of eight women chosen for the 40th anniversary class of AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women. As part of the program, I recently completed Election Night, which has already been invited to five notable festivals – allowing the film to qualify for an Academy Award nomination.
Talking to Peri Gilpin (Frasier) and Jake Johannsen during Election Night
With the momentum and support of AFI, I’m now making Upended.
But in spite of everything AFI is doing to support female filmmakers, the number of women directing film and television is still appalling.
In order to do my part to change these statistics, I need a strong dramatic film to pair with the award-winning comedies, in order to expand my opportunities as a working director… with the ultimate goal that I will become a Producing Director and be able to hire more women.
The emotional reason… This is the most personal film I’ve made since my Academy-honored documentary Five Wives, Three Secretaries and Meand it’s time to dig back in and tell the tougher stories again.
The next obvious question… Why should you support me?
-Your contribution is not-for profit tax-deductible through the Creative Visions Foundation, with the support of AFI.
–Women direct 12% of television and a whopping 4% of studio films. Supporting this film is a way to actively invest in changing the status quo and helping me to be on the right side of those statistics.
-The script has drawn tremendous talent to the project. (more to follow)
-And finally, you’ll be making an investment in my future as a filmmaker, for which I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful
There’s also all the other fun stuff. You’ll be the first to know when we’re invited to festivals, so you can join us as part of the team (where you can hang with Amy – the coolest, nicest person ever). You’ll get swag – t-shirts, posters, Blu-Rays. AND, of course, you’ll be acknowledged in the credits of the film.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (single card): $10,000
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (shared card): $5000
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: $2500
BENEFACTOR: $1000
FRIEND: $500
Thank you for being awesome.
Love, T.