Maurice's Symphony - Short Film
A$10,566
of $10,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 12th Oct 2015 at 5:23AM.
Maurice’s Symphony is a fantasy short film about a passionate flute player who is labelled ‘deaf and dumb’ after losing his hearing. To survive, Maurice works in a factory with intellectually disabled workers in horrible conditions. Bullied by his cruel boss, he suffers an industrial accident and ends up in hospital, where he receives a life changing surgical procedure.
Based on a true story, Maurice’s Symphony is a wonderful tale that will capture the imaginations of all viewers, young and old. The beautiful fantasy steampunk setting evoke memories of classic films such as The Princess Bride, Never-Ending Story and City of Lost Children. We are aiming to create a feel-good short film that the whole family can escape into and enjoy.
We have been working on this script for almost two years now and feel the time is right for this film to be made, and that we are in an ideal position to make this film alongside a group of talented people and resources.
We have partnered with Deaf Can:Do, The Royal South Australian Deaf Society to deliver this project and create the magical world of Maurice’s Symphony.
Established in 1891 by Townsend House Superintendent Samuel Johnson as the Deaf and Dumb Mission, Deaf Can:Do is South Australia’s second oldest registered charitable service provider. Their work aims to alleviate isolation and equip people who are Deaf and hard of hearing with the assistance, knowledge and confidence to live independently and contribute to the community
Based on a true story, Maurice’s Symphony is a wonderful tale that will capture the imaginations of all viewers, young and old. The beautiful fantasy steampunk setting evoke memories of classic films such as The Princess Bride, Never-Ending Story and City of Lost Children. We are aiming to create a feel-good short film that the whole family can escape into and enjoy.
We have been working on this script for almost two years now and feel the time is right for this film to be made, and that we are in an ideal position to make this film alongside a group of talented people and resources.
We have partnered with Deaf Can:Do, The Royal South Australian Deaf Society to deliver this project and create the magical world of Maurice’s Symphony.
Major Partner
Established in 1891 by Townsend House Superintendent Samuel Johnson as the Deaf and Dumb Mission, Deaf Can:Do is South Australia’s second oldest registered charitable service provider. Their work aims to alleviate isolation and equip people who are Deaf and hard of hearing with the assistance, knowledge and confidence to live independently and contribute to the community
The Team
To date, we have engaged the following partners and key creatives:
TAFE SA - we have an arrangement with Casey van Sebille (Production Designer and Lecturer) in which the third year students in props, costumes and set construction are working in a team led by recent Adelaide College of the Arts graduate Pip Strachan and production designer Hannah Sitters. There are 10 key characters requiring steampunk costumes of varying complexity. We have allocated a production design budget of $6000.
Display of costumes and production design items prepared so far by production designer Pip Strachan and costume designer Hannah Sitters.
Examples of costumes for the characters in Maurice's Symphony prepared by Hannah Sitters.
Examples of props for Maurice's symphony prepared by Pip Strachan.
Line drawing for machine to be created in the factory by Pip Strachan.
UniSA - in an arrangement with the final year Internship And Project course, we have taken on two third-year Marketing and Communication students who have assisted us in developing our crowdfunding campaign, media strategy, our website and social media presence. We are also offering junior crew positions to final year film and animation students.
Mood Board for the factory office by Alex Nakone.
Mood Board for the ward by Pip Strachan and Alex Nakone.
No Strings Attached – in co-ordination with creative director PJ Rose and workshop coordinator Paolo Castro, the film gives a unique and exciting opportunity to actors with intellectual disability to extend their screen acting experience.
Tutti Ensemble – we are negotiating with choir director Pat Rix to have choristers from Tutti perform in the final rendition of Beethoven’s Song of Joy.
Rachael Leahcar – a finalist in the 2012 season of The Voice Australia, Rachael shot to international acclaim and is now a household name. Rachael will lend her vocal talents to one of the film's musical sequences.
Rick Chew – an internationally acclaimed composer and musician, Rick has written a number of commissioned works including operas. Rick will arrange the music for the final orchestral piece to suit a prominent flute, and also the particular timbre of Rachael’s voice.
Adelaide Steampunk community - we are engaging with Adelaide Steampunk fans, using Facebook and by recruiting interested cos-players at the upcoming October Steampunk Ball.
TAFE SA - we have an arrangement with Casey van Sebille (Production Designer and Lecturer) in which the third year students in props, costumes and set construction are working in a team led by recent Adelaide College of the Arts graduate Pip Strachan and production designer Hannah Sitters. There are 10 key characters requiring steampunk costumes of varying complexity. We have allocated a production design budget of $6000.
Display of costumes and production design items prepared so far by production designer Pip Strachan and costume designer Hannah Sitters.
Examples of costumes for the characters in Maurice's Symphony prepared by Hannah Sitters.
Examples of props for Maurice's symphony prepared by Pip Strachan.
Line drawing for machine to be created in the factory by Pip Strachan.
UniSA - in an arrangement with the final year Internship And Project course, we have taken on two third-year Marketing and Communication students who have assisted us in developing our crowdfunding campaign, media strategy, our website and social media presence. We are also offering junior crew positions to final year film and animation students.
Mood Board for the factory office by Alex Nakone.
Mood Board for the ward by Pip Strachan and Alex Nakone.
No Strings Attached – in co-ordination with creative director PJ Rose and workshop coordinator Paolo Castro, the film gives a unique and exciting opportunity to actors with intellectual disability to extend their screen acting experience.
Tutti Ensemble – we are negotiating with choir director Pat Rix to have choristers from Tutti perform in the final rendition of Beethoven’s Song of Joy.
Rachael Leahcar – a finalist in the 2012 season of The Voice Australia, Rachael shot to international acclaim and is now a household name. Rachael will lend her vocal talents to one of the film's musical sequences.
Rick Chew – an internationally acclaimed composer and musician, Rick has written a number of commissioned works including operas. Rick will arrange the music for the final orchestral piece to suit a prominent flute, and also the particular timbre of Rachael’s voice.
Adelaide Steampunk community - we are engaging with Adelaide Steampunk fans, using Facebook and by recruiting interested cos-players at the upcoming October Steampunk Ball.
How The Funds Will Be Used
We will endeavour to put every cent that is pledged onto the screen - in other words, to things that will contribute directly to the final sound and vision of the project.
COSTUMES - $2,000
SETS AND SET CONSTRUCTION - $2,000
CATERING - $3300
MUSIC ARRANGEMENT AND SCORE: $1500
LEGAL FEES - $500
INSURANCE - $700
As well as this we are backing up with other sources of funding to pay for:
CREW FEES $6200
CAST FEES $3400
EQUIPMENT HIRE $2000
COSTUMES - $2,000
SETS AND SET CONSTRUCTION - $2,000
CATERING - $3300
MUSIC ARRANGEMENT AND SCORE: $1500
LEGAL FEES - $500
INSURANCE - $700
As well as this we are backing up with other sources of funding to pay for:
CREW FEES $6200
CAST FEES $3400
EQUIPMENT HIRE $2000
The Challenges
Filmmaking is an extremely rewarding and challenging process. We have a wealth of experience in the world of film in a number of directing and producing roles over many years.
With this experience, we have taken all the steps necessary to ensure Maurice’s Symphony goes ahead and is filmed to the highest standards possible.
With this experience, we have taken all the steps necessary to ensure Maurice’s Symphony goes ahead and is filmed to the highest standards possible.
Factory Worker
Become an official backer of Maurice’s Symphony and receive regular updates
5 chosen
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Factory Foreman
Digital copy of the film, delivered in 2016
16 chosen
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Factory Boss
Digital copy of the film + exclusive digital production stills + special thanks credit
4 chosen
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Lady Leahcar
Digital copy of film + signed limited edition portrait of Rachael Leahcar Steampunk fashion shoot + special thanks credit
16 chosen / 184 available
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Balloon pilot
DVD or Blu-Ray collector’s copy of film, digital copy of film + exclusive digital production stills + special thanks credit
1 chosen / 99 available
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Captain’s Box
DVD or Blu-Ray collector’s copy of film, film poster, digital copy of film + exclusive digital production stills + special thanks credit, as well as a guest ticket to fully catered red carpet premiere in Adelaide (“Captain’s Box”) . Please note: for interstate or overseas contirbutors, flights and accomodation are not included
18 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Sideshow Ringmaster
Sponsor one of our 4 mouse actors. Rewards: Naming rights to mouse (within reason). The mouse's name will be featured in the film credits. Plus everything in the Captain’s Box.
2 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Squadron Leader
Be an extra in the film! Experience what it is to be on set for a half-day shoot. Mix with the other actors, and make your own piece of cinema history. You also receive everything in the Captain’s Box.
8 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Wing Commander
Your generous pledge will enable us to hire a classic early model car, purchase props and cater for more extras in our Port Adelaide street scene. As well as everything in the Captain’s Box, you will receive a 16x10” full-gloss mounted print of a production still of your choice, and a Producer’s invitation to visit the film set.
3 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Air Commodore
Associate Producer credit: As major financial contributor, your name will be featured in the closing film credits, and on the launch movie poster. As well as everything in the Captain’s Box, you will receive 2 VIP tickets to our 2016 screenings and major events. You will also receive a 10x16” full-gloss mounted print of a production still of your choice, and a Producer’s invitation to visit the film set.
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Jul 16
Air Marshall
Executive Producer credit: As a major financial sponsor, your name will be featured in the opening and closing film credits, on the movie poster and on major publicity. As well as everything in the Captain’s Box, you will receive 2 VIP tickets to our 2016 screenings and major events. You will also receive a 10x16” full-gloss mounted print of a production still of your choice, and exclusive access to visit the film set.
0 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Jul 16