Teaser Length: 5-6 minutes
TV Show Format: One Hour Serialized Television Series
Drama Genre: Action/Crime/Drama
Hey everyone!
Trying to accomplish something pretty major here- so really need your help!
I created a TELEVISION SERIES based on the concept that extremely talented martial artists can actually PLAY the leading roles in a hit American Television Series. In Europe and Asia they use the actual artists as the lead actors all the time, but it is not typical in America, so that element of this series is very special.
The show will be in the vein of DAREDEVIL meets KILL BILL meets THE RAID: REDEMPTION- only with an ass-kicking female lead.
Then I found…
Following in the footsteps of her 5 time world champion kickboxer father, Amy has trained and performed in Martial Arts her entire life. She has won numerous first place and Grand Champion awards in multiple fighting forms around the country, and was invited to perform at the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame Extravaganza for Kung Fu Magazine. At the age of 18, she ventured on her own to Hollywood to pursue a career in film. Now in Los Angeles, Amy has transitioned into a prolific career as an action stunt woman and actress. Amy recently finished production as the lead in the Voltage Pictures action feature, LADY BLOODFIGHT directed by Chris Nahon (Kiss of the Dragon) which will be distributed later this year.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1829217/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Amy Johnston Stunt Reel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgmdHE_ZppA
After I fell in love with the fighting style Pencak Silat in the movie THE RAID: REDEMPTION (who didn’t?!)… I felt that the American audience would be privileged to get to experience the beauty and power of this martial art form as well. You’re thinking… pretty freaking good idea, right?
So who would be better for this project than the amazing and talented world-renowned Pencak Silat master…
I know! I was freaking out too! He is beyond amazing.
Yayan Ruhian found his passion in Pencak Silat and other martial arts, becoming a professional martial arts instructor. In 1988, he began teaching at Perguruan Silat Tenaga Dasar Indonesia (Inner Breathing Technique Silat School in Indonesia) and was a member of a demonstration team who performed at Festival des Arts Martiaux de Paris Bercy in Paris, France.
In 2008, Ruhian was hired as one of the choreographers for Merantau as a specialist in both Silat Harimau and Silat Minang and then went on to play co-starring roles in THE RAID: REDEMPTION and THE RAID 2. Yayan can also be seen in the up coming film Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.
CASSIE WESTON (played by Amy Johnston) is a world champion MMA fighter and master of the ancient Indonesian martial art form- PENCAK SILAT. When possessed by an angelic force, Cassie gains extraordinary abilities that she uses to fight crime in New Orleans as a super heroine and avenge her mother’s tragic death.
The series chronicles Cassie’s childhood days when her and her sister, Kate, are forced to the streets after a Haitian Voodoo Cult Leader sells their drug addicted mother into sex slavery and her mother dies tragically. Cassie then makes it her life’s mission to become a vigilante crime-fighter to rid the world of the evil that killed her mother. When Indonesian crime lord, EKO KUWAT- aka RAFAEL (played by Yayan Ruhian- The Raid: Redemption) gets word of her bestowed angelic powers, he quick becomes Cassie’s worst enemy.
The money is being used to create a 5-6 minute SHORT FILM TEASER PITCH.
The TEASER PITCH is going to be used to sell the TV Series to a Network or Production company in order to shoot the pilot.
I need the TEASER PITCH to illustrate the powerful authenticity of the Indonesian fighting style, the martial arts prowess of the talent, a sleek, professional super high-quality look to the piece and a peek into the profound emotional journey of the characters.
And as we all know… filmmaking is not cheap!!!
We have 3 shooting days!
4 days of fight choreography rehearsals.
1 rehearsal day with camera.
The piece is action packed and intricate. We are going all out and it’s going to be amazing.
Funds will go towards paying the cast and crew, locations, CGI, Special Effects, Special Effects Makeup, Post costs, extensive stunts and wire work, expensive slow motion camera, the list goes on…
A large portion of the funds will be allocated to bringing over Yayan Ruhian from Indonesia- but it is unquestionably well worth it.
Here’s one last thing I want everyone to think about… the amount of backers that we have on this project equates to more than just financial gain… it equates to AUDIENCE MEMBERS of the show!
And if can show the Networks that thousands or millions of people want to see this series go to air, Networks will not be able to ignore that type of following!
Oh, the power of social media… it’s brilliant!
KELLIE MADISON: Writer/Director/Producer
Triple-threat, Kellie Madison, is currently in post-production on the feature film, The Tank, which she wrote, directed, and produced. Set for release by Open Road Films (Nightcrawler) through Universal & Netflix, the action/thriller heavy follows six candidates in a Mars mission simulation gone awry.
Kellie has several feature films projects in various stages of development including action sci-fi, Scales, and supernatural suspense thriller Hotel 33.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0355192/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
GEORGE BILLINGER: Director of Photograph- George has camera/steadicam operated with numerous industry notable directors including, Wes Craven, Antoine Fuqua, Taylor Hackford, Steven Spielberg, Alan Taylor, Peter Weir and Joss Whedon, to name a few. George’s credits include Lincoln, War Of The Worlds, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, Avengers, Oblivion, Ray, Terminator Genisys, among others.
http://www.imdb.com/nae/nm0082452
EMC MONKEYS- Featuring:
MALAY KIM: Martial Artist http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2607993
Malay got his start in the industry after following in the footsteps of his martial brother, Xin. He began shooting and experimenting with fight choreography with his team, EMC Monkeys. It wasn’t until Malay was approached to design the action for a viral YouTube video called “Sleeping Dogs”, that he finally got to present his skills. Since then, he has been pushing himself not only to become a great director.
XIN WUKU: Martial Artist http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2444835
Rising to Youtube fame with his viral video, urban ninja, Xin Wuku quickly inspired a whole new generation of martial artists, trickers and free runners. Riding the wave he appeared on many talk shows and commercials as well as becoming an American Gladiator. Ushered into Hollywood, Xin found himself doing stunts and eventually starring in lead action roles. Even choreographing his own fights. All the while his stunt team, the EMC Monkeys, was gaining notoriety and aiming at its roots. YouTube. Xin and EMC have worked with all of the top Youtube channels such as Corridor Digital, Freddie Wong and ERB just to name a few.
CHRIS CARNEL: Stunt Coordinator known for his work on Captain America: Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy http://www.imdb.com/name/nm013869
BRANDON BOGARD: Editor Extraordinaire
JAMES WILD: Graphic Designer
James has been a creative, artist, painter, designer, Art Director, visual stylist, presentation consultant, arts promoter and businessman all his working life. He adds 35 years of commercial experience and breadth of vision to our great team.
RAM KHATABAKHSH: Composer
ANDERSON ROHR: A thank you out to Anderson for letting us use his exquisite 3-D images in our pitch video!
We actually would love to raise as much money as possible in a stretch goal… then I would be able to hire a high-end Showrunner/Writer to craft the pilot with me. (Average WGA minimum- $100,000)
Another super cool idea we are floating around is creating a GRAPHIC NOVEL to parallel the TV SERIES! Bad ass, right?
So I need some extra funds to hire a talented graphic novelist, get the comic book written, marketed and out into the world.
Networks are so big these days on have an IP to back their project, so might thought is… create one!
There are so many creative outlets we can take this project… so please think big like we are!!
I hope you guys find this series as exciting as we do. Thank you so much for your support!
Also… if we can raise more funds… I might be able to bring in more Indonesian martial artists for the teaser!
– Expenses: Kickstarter takes a 5% commission on all pledges, plus there’s another 3-5% charge for payment processing. So that’s 8-10% off the top.
– Expense of allocating many of the rewards (T-shirts, DVDs, etc…)
– Pledge total includes shipping fees. So we don’t net our goal amount.
-I would love to be able to do some storyboards to help with the vision of the project!
-With more funds we could have a more expensive production design, a high-end slow motion camera, more sophisticated special effects… even a more gourmet craft service table!! :)
Will we have enough to do what we promised to do? Yes, but just barely.
MOST IMPORTANT– MORE BACKERS = AUDIENCE MEMBERS!!