Yard Sale Paparazzi Pics

The Inspiration fundraising yard sale was a great success. In fact, it inspired us to hold another in July. Before checking out the glam photo spread below... remember to visit the Inspiration IndieGoGo page and make your donation. Help us meet our $5000 fundraising challenge in the next few weeks!! Thanks for supporting indy film!

People came in waves on the first official day of summer to score cheap stuff and offer donations and words of support. Thanks to everyone who bought something and wished us well!

Our Executive Producer Martin beckoned passersby to check out the goods for sale... including the magical blue fog machine next to him (hmm... did someone buy that? Was Donna Summer in the 'hood that day?) Note the low angle shot... adding to Martin's always imposing physical presence.

Production Designer Rachel and Director Jackie added a dash of high-class retail style in their crisp cotton aprons... with big pockets to hold lots of cash!

IS Films Board Member Glen impersonates The Fonz from Happy Days in a nod to Henry Winkler, one of Emerson's illustrious alumni.

Note the 21st century update to a Polo shirt instead of the Fonz's leather jacket. Ayyyy.

Glen practices for his future coronation as the epic film producer of the 21st century. All he needs is a crown, a handful of Oscars and a Palm D'Or.

Okay... we got a bit punchy toward the end of the day.

Yes... Martin can now officially claim to shedding blood, sweat and tears for Inspiration.

We will never hear the end of it.

Yard Sale Rakes in Cash

Selling treasure, trash and everything in between... the Inspiration yard sale was a rousing success. The team pulled in $682.54. (A big shout-out to the woman who offered up the change in her pocket... that 4 cents could make all the difference!)


Our Executive Producer Martin, Director Jackie, and Production Designer Rachel counted up the spoils... and made plans for a second yard sale next month. Note their awesome Inspiration t-shirts. Visit the Inspiration shop to get your own and help spread the word about the project and IS Films!

More yard sale photos to come (but really, the cash photo is the one that counts!)

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And be sure to visit the Inspiration IndieGoGo site to make your donation. Help us meet the $5000 fundraising challenge by the end of July!

Find Your Inspiration at Our New Shop!!

The Inspiration shop is now up and running. Pick up a t-shirt (or two) and wear it proudly all summer to help spread the word about the film. Click the link below to visit the shop.

Visit the Inspiration Shop

A portion of every sale will go to help finance the making of Inspiration too! So shop early and often! Thanks for supporting independent filmmaking!

IndieGoGo Fundraising Kick-Off!

Fundraising efforts for Inspiration are underway on all fronts. The team has joined with IndieGoGo.com in a challenge to raise $5,000 for the film's production.

It's fast and easy. Click on the bold word Inspiration in the box below and sign-up for IndieGoGo... an e-mail and password are all that's required. Then click on the Contribute Now $ button. For only $50 your name will appear in the film's credits as a supporter. For only $1,000 you can be listed as an Associate Producer!

Every little bit... even $10... helps us reach our goal. So skip a couple of vanilla lattes or mango martinis and contribute the savings to Inspiration. And share our IndieGoGo link with everyone you know!

The team thanks you in advance for supporting Inspiration and independent filmmaking! Now GoGo!!

Inspiration Spotlight: Director Jackie Carr

What's your background and why do you want to work in film?
I am a storyteller through and through. I started in theater because it was more accessible, but I always knew I would end up in film. I've always been drawn to story and myth and been fascinated by the ways in which we pass histories and form realities and escape from our daily lives. Storytelling is such an intrinsic part of human culture and, on top of being the most prolific visual method of storytelling, film also provides the most freedom and realism. I'm a big proponent of realism!

Why did you want to direct Inspiration?
That segue couldn't have been better if I planned it. It was undoubtedly the realistic qualities of the script that drew me to the story and even more to the characters. Though I hate qualifying myself as a "female" filmmaker, the fact that the script deals with three beautifully written female characters was a big draw. More than anything, I loved the way that this very personal story of a young girl and her quest for answers about her father is so reflective of humanity's quest for truth.

What do you want the audience to come away with from seeing the film?
I want audiences to relate to Claire, to understand her questions and take solace in her inspired quest. I think people will find it hard not to internalize her struggle on some level and think of their own questions and seek their own answers. For what is inspiration if not an answer to a question... and as Claire shows us, those answers are never black and white.

What are your three favorite movies... and why?

1. American Beauty
( I usually follow that up with a "need I say more".. but I'll elaborate slightly.) It was the first film that effected me on a profoundly real level, the first time I saw my truth on film.

2. Garden State
Many have critiqued, perhaps it makes me a product of my generation and I'm sure there are plenty of Zach Braff haters out there, but I find Braff's labor of love to be inspiring both dramatically and practically as a fellow filmmaker. Every aspect of the film was relatable, simple and pure. And who doesn't want to believe that love conquers all?

3. I'm gonna go ahead and say Revolutionary Road. Now I know it doesn't come out til later this year, so I haven't seen it yet, but I feel confident reserving this spot for my favorite power couple, Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet. Yes Winslet plays opposite Leo ... again... but really with Mendes directing how can they go wrong? (I of course reserve the right to alter this if my expectations are not met. In which case the third position would hands down go to Little Miss Sunshine... need I say more?)

One Man's Trash... Creates a Treasure of a Film

As part of the comprehensive fundraising campaign for Inspiration, the team is leaving no stone unturned... From the technological savvy of an online donation page on the IS Films web site -- to the decidedly low-tech but always profitable neighborhood yard sale.

We've been collecting donations of everything from baby clothes and antique glassware to artwork and furniture. Our gifted production designer Rachel is even going to create and sell cookies with the Inspiration paint blot on them... a truly inspired idea!

The date has been set for June 21st... And we expect sales at major big-box retailers and Amazon.com to plummet that morning as we fill our coffers. Stay tuned for updates!

Team BBQ

Our Exective Producer Martin hosted a lavish barbecue this weekend for the Inspiration creative and production team.

The party gave everyone on the team a chance to connect and discuss strategies for the film. Okay, actually, we talked a bit about the project, drank beer, dodged errant Frisbees and soccer balls, and debated what to do with a fully stocked fridge that had decided to give up the ghost. Martin also began shooting a micro-short about an iconic white bucket... which will likely bypass theatrical release and go straight to DVD. Or YouTube. Or maybe someone's ipod.

Watch for profiles of the Inspiration team here in the coming weeks as well as the latest updates on fundraising activities and new developments for IS Films.