Istoria, INC

WHY ARE WE MAKING A FILM ABOUT COURAGE AND FAITH FOR TEENS?

You and I know that today, even well-adjusted teenagers suffer from not seeing their Catholic values affirmed by popular media. But with The Oath, we will make their beliefs "cool". They will be proud of them. Other teens will want to join because we made our eternal values shine and be revered today.

I came to Louisiana with the dream of creating a wholesome film for teenagers. It would have treasure hunts, friendships, sorcerers pranks, and it would also have religion as a normal part of life.

Most teens search for an ideal. If no demanding goal is presented to them, they will seek one anywhere even in the wrong places. So The Oath would propose and give teens a higher Catholic calling, a heroic and exciting one for young people.

PROTOTYPE COMPLETED, NOW BRINGING SCRIPT TO PERFECTION

Three years later, we have created a Proof of Concept. A Proof of Concept is a prototype made with a modest budget to help executives envision what the ultimate film could be like.

We also have a long draft of a script written by a the producer and a series of writers who each brought their complimentary talent to the story. It is also a draft that incorporates from America and France the Christian communities, the historical landmarks of when the Faith arrived there, their challenges and victories through the ages until today.

Both Proof of Concept, excerpt of the script and connections with the dozens of Catholic communities we work with are alluded to further in this presentation and more substantially upon request.

And today, I am asking for your help to bring the script filmic quality to an award winning level with a successful script writer. His skills will greatly increase the film’s chances of success. With such a writer, it will not be feasible to attach a world-famous actor with Faith to the production.

A FILM LED BY PROVIDENCE

When I started to live in New Orleans, I knew only a few people. But they, and the Church, formed a family to help at what I can describe as a cultural work of charity.

The odds were not in our favor: a Catholic initiative in an industry that is no friend to The Faith, a modern film in a Church that is prudent, an ambitious project from a community with limited means. But I think the good Lord favored our work.

Surprisingly, the COVID confinement helped. I was offered a roof over my head far away from the city and near that immense, immersed jungle called the Bayou.

William G. whisked me along on high-speed boats through narrow channels where any oncoming vessel would spell disaster.

That’s were local young families ventured out at night to catch frogs carefully grabbing creatures with green eyes because the red ones belonged to alligators.

Naturally, our script absorbed characters and situations like a sponge.

WHERE IS THE SCRIPT AT?

Lack of ideas is not a problem. If a film script is typically 120 pages long ours is already 300 pages long. But this is normal. First, a story gains its “baby fat” then it becomes “lean and mean.”

Within the next six months, we must restructure everything, trim it down, add obstacles and victories in Act II and develop further the top five characters.

Then, we will we bring it to the renowned writer.

SOME SCENES AND THE VALUES THEY CARRY

Here is a brief selection of scenes.

Scene: The young Max, descendant of Cajuns, has become cynical. But his hunger for an ideal is reawakened by the pathetic attempts of an awkward French boy to become a hero.

Values: Loyalty, heroism, friendship.

Scenes: A constant battle between the boys and a New Age sorcerer. Values: Sins and virtues according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church versus politically correct do's and don'ts.

Scene: The old Holy Mass is overheard in a monastery. Value: Beauty, reverence and tradition.

Scene: A young lady seems heart broken, but a word of celebration for a future baby changes everything for her. Value: Protecting and welcoming the unborn children.

Scene: In a French hamlet surrounding a monastery, teens demonstrate an unusual care for the younger and the older alike. They carry a classical books of literature in their back pockets. Value: Homeschooling.

Scene: The stained-glass window depicting the Woman in the Sky of the Apocalypse comes to life. As she prepares to give life, the dragon awaits to devour the child. Those scenes mirror the path of the young pregnant lady. Value: there is a supernatural dimension to any life.

WHAT IS SCRIPT WRITING LIKE?

Scriptwriting is an art with principles perfected over thousands of years. As I write, I continuously return to the foundational structure of all great narratives.

One must have the discipline to sit and write for hours every day. I start before breakfast with a session when my mind is unencumbered, allowing me to quickly identify in the writings of the day before what works and what doesn’t.

This discipline can stretch over years. Fortunately, we already have three years behind us.

Each Saturday, I review the latest writings with our writing advisor, Tony S. These meetings result in "homework" assignments for me. I might, for example, need to create three scenes that show the heroes' guilt.

Sometimes, a new character or dimension are needed. This means new research and new interviews. Each addition requires readjusting the entire story.

At some point, I print the hundreds of scenes on colored cards and post them on a long wall. This gives a bird’s-eye view of the story and allows me to manually rearrange the scenes in order to explore new possibilities.

WHO PARTICIPATES IN THIS FILM?

When I started, I used my savings from working at EWTN (Mother Angelica’s television network). I knew the money would only last so long, and it dried up. But by the Grace of God, people provided just enough, just in time.

However, I understand it also requires that I communicate to the faithful what is needed and when it’s needed.

It is in that spirit that I speak to you about the next six months.

And if I pause, partners that are starting to be efficient will move on to other projects and volunteers will lose motivation. So, the time to help is definitively now.

"Would you consider donating $50, $100, or even $1,000 or $5,000 if you're able to?"

Note:

​No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.

WHAT IS OUR COST BREAKDOWN?

Your help and offering would be used in the following way.

Research, travel and meet successful scriptwriter: $1,600

Research, travel and meet “A - List“ actor: $1,600

Research, travel and meet French studio executives and form background actors:

$3,200

Script advisor ($600 x 6 months): $3,600

Author/Producer’s compensation, writing and research

($2,000/month x 6 months): $12,000

Final script writer's salary first 4 months ($4,000 x 4): $16,000

Attorney fees, script contract and copyrights: $2,300

Administration assistant ($600 x 6 months): $3,600

Administration, software and platform subscriptions: $1,500

Audiovisual editor: $2,000

Technology support: $700

Miscellaneous: $1,900

TOTAL as estimated: $50, 000

THIS WORK OF ART WILL BE YOURS AND MY LEGACY TO THE NEXT GENERATION

You will officially be celebrated as part of the final creation. when the film will be distributed in some theaters, churches, regions nations and streaming platforms.

CONCLUSION

So, congratulations if you have decided to make this film one of your works of Mercy.

If you've already contributed, I extend my heartfelt thanks. If you're unable to support at this time, I ask for your prayers. Consider forwarding this link to your friends.

May the Lord bless you and all children around the world.

Daniel Rabourdin, Producer, with this campaign’s team: Patricia, Lisa, and Frank.

Bishop Dominique Rey in Toulon, France bless

the Proof of Concept first filming day.

Note:

​No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.