Main fundraiser photo

Filming A Summer to Remember

Donation protected
Summary

After a bully learns of his father’s abused past and one special summer camp, he sets out to make his father’s 30-year camp reunion unforgettable.

The Story

A middle-aged single father, Steve, struggles to turn his son Ricky’s life of bullying around.  On a day when Ricky has already tested his dad's nerves, Steve learns his first love will not attend the upcoming camp reunion.  As punishment, Steve forces Ricky to clean their attic. While knee deep in dust bunnies and boxes he stumbles across one of Steve’s childhood journals.  Little does Ricky know that what he is about to read will change both his and his father’s lives forever.

Ricky gets a glimpse back to the mid-1980’s where his father gets smacked around by the school bully.  If that is not enough torture, his home life is growing increasingly rough and physical.  To give Steve a break from being bullied, his mother decides to send him off to summer camp. While at camp Steve gains what will be life-long friendships.

The story of his dad's summer serves as an inspiration for Ricky as he sets out to help create the surprise of a lifetime for his father.

Reward Levels






Project Background

Jeff Frey spent 15-years writing this story, loosely based on the life changing experiences of attending a summer camp during his formative years.  Wanting to get this right the first time, Jeff took this time to form a heartfelt tale of romance lost, friendships built, and how bullying affects everyone involved.  This multi-threaded story was built on the life lessons that Jeff has learned over the years.

One Stoplight Productions CEO and feature film writer, Lindsey LaForest, was approached to read the screenplay and offer advice on the next steps Jeff could take. Immediately, Lindsey decided that this story was perfect for expanding the repertoire of the company and plans began to under take the project.  Since 2016, Lindsey and Jeff have been working toward the goal of making this film reach the big screen.

This will be the largest project to date for One Stoplight Productions.  Respecting the content and the quality of the screenplay, the budget for A Summer to Remember has been built off of hiring some of the most talented filmmakers in the Toledo area and the production team is seeking to hire great actors and actresses with a focus on Ohio and Southern Michigan where the screenplay is scheduled to film in June 2018.

Key Personnel

Writer: Jeff Frey


As an only child hailing from Waterville, Ohio, Jeffery M. Frey was always intrigued in different genres of movies to spark creativity. After high school Jeff joined the U.S. Army traveling the world while always trying to keep high moral by entertaining his fellow soldiers. After raising his step daughter with his wife, Jeff has been involved in stand-up comedy, radio, and had his own podcast called Freyday Rehab. Still feeling that there was something missing and always drawn to film, he spent the better part of three years researching how screenplays are written. In that time he wrote his first screenplay called “A Summer to Remember” which is based on childhood memories of summer camp.

Producer: Lindsey LaForest


After being introduced to the filming scene in 2015, Lindsey wrote two feature length screenplays that would be come to be termed as “slashomedies.”  Her drive to see these movies made into reality was the force behind the creation of One Stoplight Productions.  Her energy and love of telling stories on screen continues to push the company to expand the number and quality of films being produced in the Toledo area.  Lindsey is acting as an Executive Producer for A Summer to Remember as will oversee that all production and post-production activities and design.

Producer and Editor: Clinton LaForest


Clint was introduced to filmmaking during his curriculum while attending Bowling Green State University as part of the Visual Communication Technology program.  Having focused on another path, he found himself working as a web developer for WGTE Public Media where he then began getting involved with both film and television production.  Now, as co-owner of One Stoplight Productions with his wife Lindsey, Clint has expanded his film production skill set as COO and the primary editor for the company.  He also wrote and directed One Stoplight Production’s 2017 award winning short, The Keepsake.  During production of A Summer to Remember, Clint will assume multiple hats as producer during pre-production, audio engineer during filming, and editor during post-production.

Director: Larry D Williams II


Started his filmmaking career as a hobby creating music videos and basketball highlight videos for himself and his friends . This hobby quickly turned into the ideal dream job. Larry Attended the Film school at University of Toledo where his passion continued to grow. Graduating in 3 years Larry became very interested in the image aspect of filmmaking and set his studies in Cinematography and Digital color grading post graduation. Larry has directed many projects in the past ranging from short films to internet videos and has worked on countless other projects covering majority of the jobs on a set.   Larry is the Director for A Summer to Remember.

Director of Photography: Dustin Mills


Dustin Wayde Mills is a self-taught filmmaker who got his start with his feature debut (The Puppet Monster Massacre) in 2011. Since then he's directed 25 features and shorts. His goal has always been to take low budget indie filmmaking to the next level by setting challenges for himself with each new project he takes on. As the Director of Photography for A Summer To Remember, Dustin will be stepping outside his comfort zone of indie horror to help create beautiful images to compliment the heartfelt screenplay and performances.

Budget 

Cast: $3,500
Crew: $7,150
Locations: $4,160
Equipment and Wardrobe: $3,590
Business Expenses: $6,600

Total: $25,000

This budget does not contain any profit for One Stoplight Productions or reimbursement for the initial investors in the film.  Clinton LaForest, Lindsey LaForest, and Jeff Frey are be donating their time to make this film happen.

Contingency Plans

One Stoplight Productions is committed to the production of this film.  We have a secondary budget which does not include the same level of monetary commitment that the posted budget includes.  In order to accomplish the movie at the smaller budget, we will be reducing our budget for the soundtrack, equipment, the production design for the locations and cast wardrobes, and the amounts set aside to hire a larger crew.  This budget total is $17,000

One Stoplight Productions believes in assuring that our cast and crew are both paid in some small way for their time and dedication.  If we do not achieve the lessened budget, we will be looking into other methods of reimbursing our dedicated cast and crew not currently under contract.  These methods may include differed payments or profit sharing upon mass distribution of the film.

Any overages in earnings will be applied toward the film directly, building upon the soundtrack, production quality, and entrance fees to film festivals.  Our team of producers are in agreement that we want to ensure the highest quality for this film to represent the content, the cast, and the crew in the best light.  If we approach an overage, we will be announcing our plans for stretch goals at that time.

A Personal Note

The first two feature films of One Stoplight Productions were made possible by the support of the public and our generous donors.  We are in awe of the support we have received in the past and are hopeful that we can count on the same support for this latest endeavour.

Thank you for all your support now and in the future!  Please donate, share, and help this project become the best film it can be.

Donations 

  • Shannon Guthrie
    • $25 
    • 5 yrs

Organizer

Clint LaForest
Organizer
Haskins, OH

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.