A FILMMAKER from Thornbury on the verge of releasing his first feature-length film is calling on residents to help support the project through fundraising and social media awareness.
Former Castle School pupil Matt Kane, 26, moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to pursue a life of stage and screen, and recently stepping behind the camera, with his latest project, independent film “Auggie” seeing him serve as both director and co-writer.
The production is seeking to raise $40,000 in funding to ensure its completion as well as generating support on social media to boost the film’s profile, which could see the film get pitched to big names in the film industry, opening doors to film festivals and a wider audience.
Having already raised more than $32,000, the film has been official given a green light, but has until October 14 to reach its overall target.
“It honestly feels life changing,” said Matt, “we are going to make a movie, and that is amazing!
“We are so excited to get started. I am nervous but I am so confident in the team and our ability to do it.
“In this case, money buys time and people. With a project like this that has such a small budget, you have to gather a team of crew and actors who like the script enough, and to like me as the director enough to want to spend two and a half weeks shooting with me all in the faith that I will make something good out of it.”
Among Matt’s credits prior to moving stateside are BBC’s The Cut, Skins, Casualty and The Six Wives of Henry VIII, with his roles since including The Last of Robin Hood, alongside Kevin Klein and Dakota Fanning, and ABC’s Once Upon a Time.
Also featuring heavily in Auggie’s production is cinematographer and fellow former Castle student Natasha Mullan, who, having made the trans-Atlantic jump with Matt six years ago, has had her name on the credits of an incredible array of films and TV shows including The Revenant, True Detective and War for the Planet of the Apes.
Auggie explores augmented reality – the mixing of computer-generated images with real life – and the potential affects it could have on a person’s desires, in a time when technology can provide instant gratification.
Centring on main character Felix, the film sees him feel distant from his family as major changes take place, taking comfort in Auggie, a computer generated “perfect” woman created by his subconscious and a pair of hi-tech smart glasses.
With an increasing addiction to the technology, Felix loses sight of what truly matters and is eventually faced with a choice when reality catches up with him.
With more than 1,100 likes on the page already, the film sits on the threshold of making the cut to pitch to producers the Duplass Brothers, with
“It is a simple click to follow the film,” said Matt, “and by doing so you can get updates and incentives as well as helping us realise this dream.”
He added: “I am so grateful for the support from our community, the way the word has spread and people have gone out of their way to help see this film come about.
“It really means the world to me, everyone’s support means more than words can say and I can’t wait to be able to share Auggie with everyone!”
To find out more about Auggie, follow its progress and donate to the campaign, visit www.auggiemovie.com
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