|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Sept 22, 2010 13:30:21 GMT -8
I posted this a few weeks ago on the ST General Chat thread, but it definitely has 'legs' and deserves its own thread: American Anthem - Short Track Speedskating Moviewww.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/AmericanAnthem?ref=ts Plot Outline: A brash speedskater unwillingly accepts the challenge of returning to competition if he trains a high-functioning autistic struggling to get into an elite Pre-Olypmic short track speedskating program for teens.
The fictional story takes place at the United States Olympic Education Center (USOEC), based on the campus of Northern Michigan University (NMU), in Marquette.---------------------------- The movie is just a concept right now. The website is updated regularly - and if you're a short track fan, I think you'll find it interesting to watch this film progress. You don't have to be a FB member to check it out - but you'll have to log in to give 'em a 'Like'! And please do... this is a unique opportunity to give fanbase support to people who are giving 'voice' to the sport we love! Tags: Short Track Speedskating
|
|
|
Post by jcarr on Sept 23, 2010 21:05:05 GMT -8
Thanks for posting this Laura. I'd like to give a little information about the project:
I'm John Carr, the screenwriter and at this rate the director of American Anthem. This is an indie effort at the moment, unless something changes.
Please check out the photos, test video, and artwork. Let me know if you have questions. I know people are weary about a film involving their sport. This is not 'Ice Princess' or 'The Cutting Edge'. It's a more human story set in the breathtaking landscape of ST. Why ST? Because it's never been done before and I'm surprised nobody has ever considered it in Hollywood.
Also, I spent over a year writing and developing this by interviewing skaters and coaches across the Midwest, and attended ST practice every week here in Minneapolis. I did everything possible to make sure I didn't write in a vacuum.
People such as Levi Kirkpatrick and even the USOEC Director, Jeff Kleinschmidt, have been instrumental in this effort and helped however they could. Jokingly, Jeff tells me he wants Brad Pitt to play his part, but if I had $20 million for Brad, I'd rather spend it on the cinematography necessary to capture races from a skater's perspective. One thing at a time, and we're not at that point.
Dan Stoloff, the cinematographer of the ice hockey film 'Miracle', has interest to join the production once I get funding. I want him and he wants to be a part of it. He's been a big supporter and has done everything he could to help after reading the screenplay and reviewing Levi's Point of View (POV) device tests. He was convinced this would make a great film.
Northern Michigan University read the screenplay and gave permissions for me to use NMU logos and references. That would have to be finalized if this becomes a production.
Funding will be a challenge because any film about ST will have questions from investors and producers as to if Apolo would be a part of it in some way. I've already been asked that by the few indie producers I met. He is the face of ST, just as much as Michael Phelps is the face for swimming.
Apolo was receptive about looking over the screenplay and pre-production materials. He was very approachable. For an indie struggling to become a production, this was much appreciated. If he has interest, his role can be anywhere from a cameo to supporting, or even behind the scenes. The greater his involvement, the better the chances we could work out funding and producing issues.
Going into the photo sessions with some actors over the summer, I told them this is more than just a movie. Mall Cop is a movie. This concept could be part of a larger effort to ignite and sustain interest in the sport beyond the Olympics. I told them even though they'll do concept photos and video, it could be possible people like Kimberly Derrick, Simon Cho, Apolo Ohno, Katherine Reutter, JR Celski, and many others from the National Team would see them, and not just producers.
Before I finish, I'd like to say I want this to be something speedskaters would be honored to have in their film collection someday, and pull out to tell people, "This is what speedskating means to me". Just as much as those of us with autistic children would pull out to tell people, "This is what it means to me for an autistic teen to go the distance".
Sincerely,
John Carr
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Sept 26, 2010 10:34:43 GMT -8
Thank you so much, John for your insights on this - I'm thrilled to hear about the progress of this movie through the eyes of its screenwriter, and I'm sure that our readers here appreciate it as well.
It would be AMAZING if Apolo took some role in backing this film. He's often stated his commitment to promoting the sport - so it seems to be a good fit!
Admittedly, my personal fan-dom has moved beyond Apolo (I’m truly a “go ALL Y’ALL!” person now), but I still give him tremendous credit for 'expanding my world'. Apolo himself and my love for the Winter Olympics as a whole provided the inspiration for what I do to raise awareness of ST. I've met so many wonderful people in the short track community, and I'd love to see the sport grow. I appreciate that you’re of a like mind, John!
I have a limited involvement in the sport - mostly from a fan's perspective. I’ve rejoiced with the triumphs, and sat in silent heartbreak with those whose dreams were unfulfilled. My ‘mother’s heart’ has put me on my knees in the stands when those unthinkable and devastating injuries happen. I have the utmost respect for the skaters who 'leave everything on the ice ' - blood, sweat and tears...
Thank you, John, for telling their story!
|
|
|
Post by quietpirate on Sept 26, 2010 11:57:18 GMT -8
A movie like this would be awesome. I just started learning everything I can about short track speedskating. Thanks to this forum I learn something new everyday.
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Sept 27, 2010 15:25:09 GMT -8
LOL - cute shirt from fan 'Maria' in support of Apolo's involvement in American Anthem! Whadd'ya say, Apolo? Just DO it!
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Nov 3, 2010 7:03:48 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by jcarr on Nov 29, 2010 9:34:43 GMT -8
Hello,
A lot has been going on, and I thought I'd write something and post it out on the Facebook fan page if you want to read more.
As I've met and interviewed skaters during this project, I learned many travel on their own expense to American Cup, or even World Cup when it's in the U.S. From different states, I head nearly time and time again parents, coaches, and skaters tell me membership dwindles and they're concerned about the survival of the sport in America. I see this first hand here in Minnesota
I'll admit I don't understand everything, but I have come to care about the sport, and the USOEC. When I learned the USOEC still struggles for funding and almost faced closure of all their programs at one time, it bothered me because most of America dosen't know about its importance.
I allowed a group to have access to the script. They have 18 months to decide what to do with it. I did this because I need to focus on my family, and see if they can keep the ball rolling. If they purchase the "property" (script), I will give 25% of the earnings to the USOEC.
I’ll personally deliver it to Jeff Klienschmidt. This is my contribution to keep the script in motion, and give something to the USOEC and their programs. Anyone who has worked with me can tell you I’ll keep my word in regards to finance. My session actors, illustrators, photographer can tell you that too.
Hopefully everyone will be OKAY with this. Since I wrote about the USOEC, I'd like to see any percentage I ever get go there first.
Sincerely,
John Carr
|
|
|
Post by bp on Nov 29, 2010 13:06:37 GMT -8
Sounds interesting. I'd like to know more. I tried the facebook link, but I couldn't get it to work.
|
|
|
Post by jcarr on Nov 29, 2010 19:21:40 GMT -8
It's currently located at facebook.com/AmericanAnthemI need to confirm if I can still keep the photos and media up during the time of review.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2010 20:53:24 GMT -8
Kudos to you jcarr for the donation to USOEC. Hope all is going well and moving forward.
|
|
|
Post by jcarr on Nov 30, 2010 4:52:22 GMT -8
Like anywhere I've been, I'm told the industry just isn't interested too much in sports movies. I find this hard to believe, thinking about The Blind Side and how well it did.
Three sports dramas are slowly bubbling to the surface that might make execs feel different. (not in any order)
Matador - it's a true story about the first female professional bullfighter
On Red Ice - it's a based on true events about a girl joining an all male high school hockey team in Canada.
American Anthem - You guys know this, but it's fictional. I pitch this has the greatest potential both in cinematography and storytelling. You'll get a lot of support from the ST community.
We'll see what happens. I'm really trying.
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Dec 1, 2010 3:37:49 GMT -8
Thanks for the update, John, and for re-posting the Facebook link. This is something we'd all like to see happen!
|
|
|
Post by jcarr on Dec 2, 2010 4:07:29 GMT -8
Hi, Anyone have a contacts to a ST club in Beaverton or Portland, Oregon? An indie filmmaker named Mark Vetanen has interest in trying some test video of American Anthem out there. This is part of trying to keep the ball rolling. If we could get 20+ minutes of video from the story, this can really help. I live in Minneapolis, but I'll help where I can. Mark would be the director of this test video. You can contact John Carr for details. jtc.carr@gmail.com They'd need some help from the community if they want to try this test video. Borrow some skin suits, lend a few skaters. We're trying...
|
|
|
Post by jcarr on Dec 3, 2010 19:26:07 GMT -8
This is also posted out on the American Anthem FB page:
CALLING OUT TO THE ST COMMUNITY! Can anyone lend Mark Vetanem some skin suits, gear, or even access to slide boards, training facilities, or anything else out in the Portland area? Contact John Carr for details. We'll start the test filming in under two weeks because this test footage must be done by the end of January, 2011.
If you are a skater out in the Portland area and want to be a part of this, that would be great.
Remember, this is test video of the full story. It'll be around two hours and it's not the end product. It's part of pre-production to show the format of the film to some producers. For a full-blown production, this would be tossed and done all over again on location and with a budget.
Think of this as a mock up.
jtc.carr@gmail.com
Sincerely,
John Carr
|
|
|
Post by jcarr on Dec 9, 2010 17:40:12 GMT -8
Portland-based filmmaker Mark Vetanen will be in the process this weekend of selecting a cast and crew. He has 90 actors to choose from for this "test film". If you're in the Portland, Oregon area and would like to do tryouts or even lend support with ST consulting, equipment, or access to facilities, this would be appreciated. Filming takes place in January, February, and possibly March. All of it is a part-time effort. We will create a "test film" that will focus on the story telling, the characters, and the emotions for Amazon Studios and Warner Brothers. This test is created to show what more can be achieved if we had a fully budgeted film. We are seeking $2000 in donations to make the test film. Make a donation to the American Anthem Short Track Speedskating Test Video fund. Or even, if you're a speedskater in the Portland, Oregon area, donations of your time, equipment or help to get access to facilities would be appreciated. This test will include video of races and point of view video from the skater's perspective. The length of this test, when edited, would be around two hours. If we get funding, the test video will be tossed and the real film will be made. The funding more than likely includes a sale of the script to the studio and/or producers. We are trying to give a voice to the sport and to the USOEC. As I've written before, 25% of any sale of the script within the next 18 months goes to the USOEC and its programs. It's been a long road, and more people join in the effort everyday. They're not speed skating fans either, but I know they will be after we finish this initial test. Please consider this, and Happy Holidays. www.indiegogo.com/American-Anthemjtc.carr@gmail.com
|
|