Typically the films spotlighted in our Fund This Film column are found on Kickstarter or Indiegogo. This week, I’ve found a project to share that is conducting its crowdfunding efforts through the lesser-known site RocketHub. By “I’ve found,” I should point out that I was made aware of the film by a hometown acquaintance with a minor onscreen role, via his Facebook page. It’s a small connection that has even less bearing on my decision to showcase the project than the fact that Freaks and Geeks actor Samm Levine co-stars (he is the one cast member of that show who really needs to be in more stuff), but I like to offer full disclosure.
The film in need is titled Sidewalk Traffic, and it’s written and directed by Anthony L. Fisher, whose past work on the short Reason TV documentary Abandoned in Guatemala: The Failure of International Adoption and the Groundhog Day-ish short comedy Bed Head can be watched online (here and here). In addition to Levine, it features Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse), MTV’s Kurt Loder and comedians Tom Shillue (Mystery Team), Dave Hill and Jordan Clifford (the guy I know). In the lead role is Johnny Hopkins (Kick-Ass), who plays a struggling filmmaker who has just become a father. Another relative unknown, Erin Drake, plays the female lead, I’m assuming his wife.
Sidewalk Traffic has already finished shooting around New York City and now seeks post-production funding for things like sound design, color correction, the soundtrack and the costs of submitting the film to festivals (goal: $25,000). Cinematographer David Kruta, who shot the 2013 Sundance competition title Concussion (it also just played LAFF this week), recently discussed the project with Filmmaker Magazine, comparing it to the classic work of Woody Allen and more modern films he influenced, like Sleepwalk With Me and Tiny Furniture. Kruta also pointed out his effort to give this a more cinematic look than other character-oriented movies of its ilk, particularly of the mumblecore variety. Check out his reel here and watch the film’s campaign video below.
Do you want to see this film? Enough to help fund it?
Related Topics: Fund This Film
