After a screening of Jenny's Wedding, we sat down with internationally renowned artist Don Bachardy, (who lived with writer Christopher Isherwood from 1953 until Isherwood's death in 1986) and asked him how he thought the film could influence attitudes towards same-sex marriage. Here's what he had to say:
Why this campaign makes a difference!
Great video from a woman who totally relates to Jenny's struggle about why supporting this film means so much.
From the Heart Productions
1455 Mandalay Beach Road
Oxnard, CA 93035-2845
Thank you!
Team Jenny's Wedding
Sean Evans of Back to the Movies did a video interview for his YouTube channel about the making of "Jenny's Wedding" and our Indiegogo Campaign. Check it out below!
Hello, everyone! We are very excited to have so many supporters and we wanted to talk a little bit more about why we are trying to raise this money. We have shot a beautiful film, post production is going great, and we are on track to release it by the end of the year.
The main reason we are doing this Indiegogo Campaign is to raise money for the soundtrack. And think about it... when you go to a wedding, and you're at the reception. the disc jockey is spinning a vast array of classic tunes. But while it doesn't cost anything to play those songs in a hotel ballroom... it costs quite a bit to play them in a movie. And can you imagine American Graffiti or Dazed and Confused without all the awesome music those films had? Can you imagine Risky Business without "Old Time Rock and Roll"?
If we raise this $150,000, we will be able to afford the kind of artists that will truly bring Jenny's Wedding to life. By licensing recognizable songs from known musicians, the movie will be in a much better position for a wide release, which means that its message will be shared with a MUCH larger audience!
Thank you for your support! And we hope you'll join our team!
Welcome to the Indiegogo Campaign for "Jenny's Wedding"!
Jenny Farrell (Katherine Heigl) has led an openly gay life - except with her conventional family. When she finally decides to start a family and marry the woman they thought was just her roommate, the small, safe world the Farrells inhabited changes forever. They are left with a simple and difficult choice - either change with it or drown.
Last November, MM Productions completed principal photography on the film "Jenny's Wedding" and they are currently in post production.
Made independently, this film is the kind of movie the studios used to make all the time. It is about real people, the problems they face, and
the personal courage it takes to resolve them. It is also about
transformation and love.
Both moving and funny, it has an important message to send, and our goal is to ensure it reaches a wide audience.
Tom Wilkinson - (Eddie) is a two time Oscar nominee for the films "In the Bedroom" and "Michael Clayton". His portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in the HBO mini-series "John Adams" garnered him Golden Globe and Emmy wins for Best Supporting Actor. He has appeared in over sixty motion pictures, including "Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol", "The Best Marigold Hotel", "Batman Begins", "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", and "Shakespeare in Love".
Linda Emond - (Rose) has appeared in such films as "Julie & Julia", "Stop-Loss", and "Across the Universe". On television she appears regularly on "The Good Wife" and "Law & Order: SVU". A veteran of the stage, her most recent appearance was on Broadway in "Death of a Salesman", opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Mike Nichols, for which she received her second Tony nomination.
Grace Gummer - (Anne) is known for her work on "Zero Hour" in which she portrays FBI Agent Paige Willis and "The Newsroom" where she plays Hallie Shea. She recently appeared in the Noah Baumbach indie "Frances Ha".
Alexis Bledel - burst onto the scene for her portrayal of Rory Gilmore in the hit TV show "Gilmore Girls". She has since starred in such films as "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants", "Sin City", "Tuck Everlasting", "Post Grad", and "The Conspirator". She has also appeared in a recurring role on AMC's "Mad Men".
Michelle Manning - attended USC Film school and began her career working with John Hughes, producing the films "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club". In 1986, she made her directorial debut with the film "Blue City", starring Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy. In 1991, Manning began working for Paramount Pictures as senior vice president of production, and was later promoted to president of production.
Gail Levin - has over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. As the Executive Vice President of Features Casting at Paramount Pictures from 1999-2009, Gail supervised the casting of all feature films produced by the studio. She has personally cast such iconic films as "Almost Famous", "Jerry Maguire" and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape".
Our goal is to raise $150,000
We shot a beautiful movie which is currently in post-production. The money we raise will allow us to license incredible music and reach the widest audience possible. Now we know what your next question is... how can you help? That's easy, like any good wedding, we've created...
Everything from downloads of exclusive digital content, to DVD and Blu-Rays, Signed Limited Edition Posters, Signed Screenplays, Signed Production Stills, and Signed Wedding Albums featuring all the photos from Jenny's Wedding!
Once the film is finally done, we want you to come celebrate with us! We will be having special screenings in various cities (listed below) that will include Q&A sessions with writer/director Mary Agnes Donoghue, producers Michelle Manning and Gail Levin, and actress Katherine Heigl (subject to availability).
The creme de la creme Perk we're offering is a package that includes coming to the premiere, dinner with the filmmakers and the most unique souvenir from the film: the actual wedding dress Katherine Heigl wears in the movie, which is a once in a lifetime chance to own our most important piece of memorabilia!
UPGRADES
- If you purchased the T-shirt for $100, but decide you want to come to the screening instead, simply donate the additional amount, and select No Perk. Then send an email to Jennysweddingprod@gmail.com with the subject line UPGRADE and explain your upgrade so we have a record of it when it comes time to account for Perk Fulfillment.In addition to all of the goodies we're offering, there's also a chance for you to attend...
Current Scheduled Cities:
- Los Angeles
- Cleveland (where the film was shot)
Note: We will make every effort to schedule as many cast members as possible to be at these screenings, but obviously, everything is subject to peoples' schedules.
As of now our screenings are tentatively scheduled to take place in November, but those dates are subject to change. Everyone who plans to attend the screenings will be given adequate notice to make travel accommodations if need be.
From the Heart Productions is a non-profit allowing projects to crowdfund with tax deductions. They give extensive education for crowd-funding campaigns utilizing the wisdom from Carole Dean's book The Art of Film Funding.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our campaign.
What is the song in the Indiegogo Video and update videos?
- "Same Love" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Mary Lambert. Find out more about Macklemore at Macklemore.com
So how does the tax deduction work, and the donations to PFLAG?
- From the Heart Productions is our fiscal sponsor and registered as a 501c3. All donations go through them and are 100% tax deductible. For more information on From the Heart Productions, you can visit their Indiegogo Page HERE. At the conclusion of our campaign, we are going to make a separate donation to PFLAG Cleveland, an amazing organization that has been incredibly supportive of this project.
If I don't want to select a Perk, can I still make a donation and get the tax deduction?
- YES! Just select "Contribute Now" and you'll see a selection that allows you to just make a donation.
When is the movie coming out?
- We are in post production. The movie has been shot and it is currently being edited. Then we have to license the songs, write the score, do the sound and color correction, etc. Once that stuff is done, we'll begin submitting to festivals and find a distributor. But it is our hope we are able to release by the end of the year.
Will the entire cast be at the screenings?
- We are going to do our best to get everyone to every screening but our priority is to have as many cast in attendance for the Q&As so it will mostly depend on everyone's schedules in regards to that.
Who are the two women in the video? Is the movie about them?
- No, the movie is not about Laurie and Betsy. They were introduced to us via mutual friends and agreed to be interviewed for our video to show the reality of our film's subject.
This looks like a really big movie... why are you on Indiegogo?- Thank you! But actually, our budget was very small in comparison to most films. Depending on how much money we raise over our goal, we might be able to license big, recognizable songs we normally would not have been able to afford. Music is in integral part of making the best possible movie.
When will we get to see pictures of the poster, the coffee mug and t-shirt?
- Soon! We are designing them as we speak and will get photos up on the Indiegogo Page ASAP!
How can I have a screening in my city?
- If we get enough requests from specific cities, we will see if we can arrange a screening in your city!
Can you explain the Expected Delivery Dates and how that works?- As of now, the soonest we'll be able to do a public screening is next Fall, and we are hoping to be in theaters by Christmas. At that time, you'll receive all of the Perks that can be given out, such as the screenplays, posters, wedding albums, and production stills. When the film is released on home video a few months later, everyone will get their DVDs and downloads. As for any Perk such as a t-shirt, mug, hat, prop, etc., as soon as the campaign concludes, and the items are ready to ship, they'll go out.
NEW PERKS
- The Save the Date Magnet is an EXCLUSIVE PERK independent of all other Perks.
