Indie Filmmakers Use KICKSTARTER to Garner Start-Up Funds for Comedy Feature “SPORTS FANS”
Hollywood, CA – Indie Filmmakers Jason Horton and Adam Rudder are
creating a new breed of partnership, combining the forces of their
millions of YouTube fans and a ‘dream team’ of experts and industry
veterans to bring their buddy-comedy “SPORTS FANS” to the big screen.
With distribution already in place, Horton and Rudder are literally
turning their loyal fans, sports lovers and YouTube subscribers into
film financiers, using the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to acquire
start-up funds necessary to attach key name talent. The young
filmmakers have already created strategic industry alliances with over
40 major feature film credits under their belt to keep the project
moving and solidify the additional financing for the project.
These collaborations include Mark Koesterer and his Sports Studio
Ventures, Hollywood’s premiere consultant for scripted sports content,
which is co-owned by Jack Giarraputo’s Happy Madison Productions. Also
involved are: Mark Ellis, who has directed and coached Oscar winning
actors and Hall of Fame athletes in over 30 movies grossing more than
one billion dollars at the box office; sports agent Doug Schaer and
his Silent Partner Media (SPM), a niche, creative and strategic
marketing firm, which connects properties within the sports,
entertainment and music industries; and Dave Hickey, former Promenade
Pictures Vice President of Development and Acquisitions; and
additional key industry associations to be announced at a later date.
While other indie filmmakers have turned to the public to raise money,
none have had this many assets attached or been as ambitious. Using
this blueprint of funding and affiliations, Horton and Rudder are
trailblazing a new wave of filmmaking that could revolutionize the way
indie films are made. “We feel honored that everyone believes so much
in the project that they have agreed to come on board before we have
any money to pay them,” Rudder said.
Horton and Rudder are also working with a talented team of YouTube
heavy-hitters, including MysteryGuitarMan, Jenna Marbles, Elie
Seckbach (ESNEWS), Nikki Limo, and SupRicky06, who rake in millions of
views on their popular YouTube channels.
“Sports Fans” follows two die-hard fantasy baseball geeks as they road
trip across the country, visiting baseball’s most renowned stadiums in
search of autographs. Along the way, they untangle a love triangle and
get caught up in misadventures with major sports figures. Described as
baseball’s version of “The Hangover”, this rip-roaring road trip buddy
comedy celebrates baseball and its fan culture. One reader at a major
network said it was one of the “strongest female characters” she has
read in a long time. A major producer called it “one of the best
scripts” he has seen on his desk.
Jason Horton is an actor/writer/comedian who regularly performs sketch
and improv comedy and has been seen in over 150 million-viewed videos
on YouTube. He is a Staff Writer and content creator for Maker
Studios and continues to act in and write for popular YouTube channels
Totally Sketch & The Station. He also writes and develops for Rogue
Pictures IamRogue.com. Horton is represented by Dana Wickens (phone:
310-417-4877 / email: Dana@levityent.com).
Adam Rudder is an independent filmmaker, screenwriter and founder of
Moocha Pictures, which is the primary production company for “Sports
Fans.” Previously, Rudder served as a Production Manager for Disney’s
“Oceans,” the highest budgeted ‘natural film’ of all time, 1st AD for
the feature film “Refuge From a Storm” starring Michael Madsen,
Producer of the feature “Pushing Thirty,” and Director/Producer of a
dark-comedy web series. Before specializing in film and more recently,
social media, Rudder spent over 10 years honing his skills as an Event
Planner/Music Promoter and co-founder of the non-profit EcoAid
Productions. Rudder can be reached at: info@moochapictures.com.
“Sports Fans” is set to launch its 30-day fundraising campaign on
Kickstarter on Tuesday, August 23, 2011.
“Sports Fans” can be found at
www.kickstarter.com/projects/sportsfans/sports-fans-the-movie