Flies in Amber

I originally got into the entertainment business because I love storytelling. So much so that I invested my college years in studying "stories"; I specialized in Creative Writing at NYU. Somewhere along the way, I feel as if I lost my voice. I've sacrificing nights/weekends/holidays for years at a survival job, only to funnel almost all of what I make back into my career (headshots/classes/workshops) in hopes of producing mere opportunities. This no longer feels like intelligent business acumen, and I feel powerless. I've looked around at my fellow actors still standing, so talented and interesting and lovely, and recognized them floundering in this same stagnant place. Still daring to hope, glittering eyes fading like oxidized gems, the "It" factor sapped by dead ends and unfulfilled promises.

I decided it was high time to invest my money and energy into making something lasting. Something that provides the opportunity for us as artists, both in front of and behind the camera, to create our own success. Our own art. Our own STORY. I reached out to my very talented and brilliant friend, Kwesiu Jones, and asked him to join in this journey with me as my co-producer.

Enter: "Flies in Amber."

"Flies in Amber" is a story about hope, family, and forgiveness. A "fly in amber" is an entity literally trapped in the past, a fly in hardened tree sap, a relect fashioned into jewelry and worn as a badge of beauty. Title character AMBER is a prickly, lonely young woman smothered in self-doubt stemming from childhood abandonment. Caught spying on her estranged father and thrust into his world for a night, she uncovers a family secret that shakes down the foundation of her reality and opens her up to an unexpected ally... her previously unknown, privileged football star brother, BRYAN.

I wrote "Flies in Amber" with a low budget in mind, knowing I would self produce. Therefore, I've kept locations and scope simple. We've worked the dialogue to convey the strengths of our "brother-sister" relationship, and I have no doubt our friendship will transcend the screen and create cinematic magic. We've hired on a gifted cinematographer. We have, and are committed to, investing as much as possible into our project. We have limits to what we are feasibly able to do on our own, and this is where we are asking for you to join in and become a part of our story. Contributions of any amount are humbly accepted with the utmost gratitude.

BREAKDOWN OF OUR $1000 BUDGET:

• $600: crew. Cinematographer, gaffer, sound, make-up.
• $150: lighting kit
• $150: Meals for cast and crew, craft service
• $100: Wardrobe and set design
• Budget is very tight, and any amount exceeding $1000 will be utilized for post production and editing costs.  

INCENTIVES:

As incentives for your gracious donations, we've provided a few incentives:

• $15 or more: A personalized thank-you card
• $25 or more: Your own signed DVD of "Flies in Amber"
• $50 or more: Signed DVD, Poster, and Special Thanks on rolling credits
• $100 or more: Signed DVD, Poster, and Producer Credit both on IMDB and in the rolling credits
• $250 or more: Signed DVD, Poster, and Executive Producer Credit on IMDB and rolling credits. Expenses-paid dinner with cast and creators.

Thank you so much for your support during this exciting new journey. If you have any questions or input, please contact us at [email protected]. Many thanks and blessings!

Emily and Kwesiu