Los Angeles, Calif.– (Wire – March 12, 2008) — A group of international movie-goers announced today that they are backing filmmaker Jessica Mae Stover’s fundraising project around her original motion picture, ‘Artemis Eternal,’ and are inviting other film fans to do the same. On the official site for the project, visitors can explore an interactive map of the movie’s development, track progress and impact production by contributing funds directly. By relying on contributors to promote the website, reach out to local press and even create press releases such as this one, Stover has cut out the middleman, and allied with the audience to break ground on a new formula for film finance, production and exhibition.
Times are rough for story-lovers. Imagine: Upon scanning the newspaper in search of movie listings, a large ad for one movie in particular demands attention; so much so that it becomes an obvious choice. Nearly everyone who decides to see this movie does so unknowing that the movie was produced by a man who both owns the theater exhibiting the film and the newspaper that advertised its showing.
Take a closer look at Regal Cinemas or another major chain and it becomes apparent that the above monopoly is not imagination, but reality. Like medieval patrons, six major media conglomerates and a handful of matrixed millionaires control the ebb and flow of art and media.
In a move that is part film, part movement, part philosophy – the audience funding ‘Artemis Eternal’ posits that throughout history patronage has only appeared to shelter artists outside of this system. “Art patronage tended to arise wherever a royal or imperial system and an aristocracy dominated a society and controlled a significant share of resources. Rulers, nobles, and very wealthy people used patronage of the arts to endorse their political ambitions, social positions, and prestige.” (Wikipedia)
Contributors are quick to chime in on message boards and Facebook, “There are a lot of people rooting for us. We’ve contributed $40,000 and only have another $60,000 to go. We’re 40% there.” Says another in e-mail, “Hundreds of millions of people are online and many will want to be a part of this. We’re thinking our odds are pretty good, especially if the press will help us ‘elevate’ our story.”
With a team of professional cast and crew out of Los Angeles, the support of an altruistic host of movie fans, Fortune 500 corporations like JetBlue joining the cause, and a leader that “resembles Joan of Arc reincarnate”; contributing to ‘Artemis Eternal’ is an adventure in itself, for those who are willing.
Still, Stover isn’t glossing over the difficulties behind this new model she’s found herself helming, “It’s a stressful undertaking. I’m an able craftsman and willing to put myself, my ideas and my intellectual property out there, but fundraising is brutal no matter how good you are. I cannot succeed alone. We need help.” This realistic and candid side to professional filmmaking has drawn aspiring artists, filmmakers and film fans who not only seek to understand the decline of movies and theaters, but to work toward improving the film experience; to contribute their hard-earned dollars to the film in hopes that other quality artists can use the model they’re helping to trailblaze.
Stover continues, “It’s like the end of the ‘NeverEnding Story.’ We need someone to name the project. To name me. Studios aren’t going to do that, the press isn’t going to do that. The audience is Bastian. We’ve really put our fate in their hands. They are the story.”
“Even if we fail we win,” says one commenter on the official site. Another adds, “This is more than one endeavor, it’s a way of life and working together to conquer obstacles.” The comments flow until someone encapsulates the spirit of the project tidily, “Only $1 to ride? Count me in. ThunderCats, ho!”
About the ARTEMIS ETERNAL project:
‘Artemis Eternal’, a short, scifi-fantasy film, is currently supported by an audience of 100 patron Wingmen and growing who proudly back quality filmmaking and artists free from Hollywood politics, and accept the challenge to create a better professional model for film production, distribution and exhibition.
This release was written and paid for by the Wingmen of ‘Artemis Eternal.’
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