I am very pleased to announce that I am in pre-production on my LFS graduation project, a short film entitled; “Vegan Love”, which is a romantic comedy about a vegan man’s quest to find a vegan girlfriend. I have scheduled to begin shooting the film on October 4th, 2008.
Being vegan myself, I am passionate about educating people on the many positive benefits of the vegan lifestyle. Most vegan-inspired filmmakers tend to make “documentary” films that serve to educate their viewers about the fine points of veganism. While I think this approach can be very helpful on an instructive level, it can sometimes limit the practical lessons of everyday living for viewers with a vegan interest. Most people see films that allow them to escape, to laugh, to cry, to be scared, and to be entertained — along with experiencing the clever twists and surprises arraigned for them by the filmmaker.
My approach in addressing vegan issues, such as: diet, animal cruelty, and the environmental crisis in this film portrays the actors in a comedic fiction environment that will entertain viewers outside the expectations of an educational documentary. This approach is catching on within the film community as the vegan lifestyle becomes more widely appreciated and understood. We are no longer an oddity that needs to be explained. Our preferred lifestyle just makes us healthier as we live in a world of interesting times – that MIGHT catch a filmmaker’s eye, like anyone else.
I strongly believe that film, as a medium, is a powerful tool for inspiring a vast number of people about positive changes through lifestyle choices. A major concern in writing and directing is to avoid being preachy or didactic with the message of veganism. The strength of the story/journey of the main characters is the most important element of the film. If the story happens to be related to veganism, and the viewer can genuinely relate to the characters, the ideas about change have been delivered.
Once the idea, script and schedules are in place the school gives every grad student a working film budget of about £3250, and allows the student to make any kind of film they wish as long at it meets the requirements of the school (standards of quality, etc.).
I want this film to be of the highest quality possible, but I am finding it very difficult to do the film within the current budgetary constraints. My plan is to begin a fundraiser with this blog to raise an additional £1900($3800.) within the next 30 days. I have carefully worked out a budget to deliver the film at the quality that it deserves. It is a lean budget; but it works. I am asking for personal donations from those blog readers that feel strongly about promoting the vegan lifestyle, or would just like to see me succeed. I am not talking about any particular amounts; just £1-10 would be great. Donations of £10-50 will get a DVD copy of the film. Donations of £50-250 will receive a screen credit. Donations of £250 and up will receive a co-producing credit. I will accept payments in any currency through Paypal.
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