<div><strong>Hello! </strong>
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<div>My name is Oliver William Staton, and I make films as a way to explore life. Fresh off a world premiere of a Japan-based production, I'm back in the U.S., ready to dive into a project that's a little strange, a little surreal, and a lot of fun...
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<div><strong>THE STORY</strong>
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<div><strong><em>BIG STEPS</em></strong> is about a disillusioned office worker who endures a lonely and mundane existence until he starts seeing visions of Bigfoot. He tries to rid himself of these hallucinations, until he realizes that Bigfoot might actually be a sign of something missing from his life. This sparks a search for renewed purpose - something we all need from time to time.
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<div><strong>WHY THIS FILM?</strong>
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<div>In a world teetering on the edge of cynicism, <strong><em>BIG STEPS</em></strong> dares to embrace the absurd and the sublime. This film isn't about escaping reality - it's about reclaiming it, about finding those sparks of joy and curiosity that the daily grind tries to snuff out.
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<div>Imagine a world where the mundane isn't just endured but transformed. Where every day holds the potential for discovery, not because it's perfect, but because we choose to look at it through a lens of possibility. I invite you to rediscover that part of yourself that still believes in magic, in the unexplainable, in the power of taking a step into the unknown.
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<div>This film is a love letter to that hopeful voice inside us all, the one that whispers that life can be more than routine, that something extraordinary might be just around the corner. It's about holding onto that sense of wonder no matter how much the world tries to convince us otherwise. With <strong><em>BIG STEPS</em></strong>, we're not just telling a story. We're lighting a beacon of hope.
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82055479_1723840861655261_r.png" width="100%" />
<div><strong>VISUAL STRATEGY</strong>
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<div>The visual journey mirrors the emotional one. The protagonist's life swings between two extremes: the gray monotony of his routine and the vibrant, surreal moments that stir something deep within him. When he's stuck in the mundane, the camera remains still, colors muted, the world around him lifeless. But when the wonder begins to sneak back in, the frame bursts to life with dynamic shots, rich colors, and warm tones.
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<div>This isn't just a shift in scenery - it's a visual awakening! The contrast between these two states serves as a cinematic heartbeat, drawing the audience into the protagonist's inner conflict. Through this lens, we explore the magic hidden in the everyday.
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<div><strong>INFLUENCES</strong>
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<div>Inspiration is drawn from filmmakers who understand the strange beauty of life, those who see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. David Lynch's <strong><em>TWIN PEAKS</em></strong> informs the quirky, unpredictable atmosphere of our story. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's <strong><em>AMÉLIE</em></strong><em> </em>guides the way we capture wonder, framing the world through the eyes of a protagonist who dreams beyond the ordinary.
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82055479_1723839953762412_r.png" width="100%" />
<div>And then there's the quiet tension of Sofia Coppola's <strong><em>LOST IN TRANSLATION</em></strong> where a character's desire to act contrasts with their inability to do so. It's in these spaces of stillness and yearning that <strong><em>BIG STEPS</em></strong> finds its voice.
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<div><strong>PRODUCTION TEAM</strong>
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<div>Our diverse team is coming together from all around the world. Here's the awesome team helping to bring the vision to life!
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82055479_1723515759425666_r.png" width="100%" />
<div><strong>Oliver William Staton</strong> - Director
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<div><strong>Benjamin Sivo</strong> - Writer
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<div><strong>LaTaryion Perry</strong> - Producer
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<div><strong>Andy PML</strong> - Cinematographer
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<div><strong>BRING THIS VISION TO LIFE</strong>
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<div>...now, here's where you come in.
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<div>While I am self-funding a portion of this film, we are here seeking support to complete financing. Any donation helps us meet our crowdfunding campaign goal, and you'll be part of a creative journey to explore and express, at an emotional level, a layered human experience.
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82055479_1723840612769695_r.png" width="100%" />
<ul>
<li>The Talent - 9.2%
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<li>The Crew - 38.5%
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<li>Equipment (camera, lights, sound, and more) - 16.1%
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<li>Craft Services - 7.5%
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<li>Production Design - 11.5%
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<li>Post-Production - 5.7%
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<li>Legal (insurance, permits, and more) - 11.5%
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<div>Check us out and share the vision to help us reach a wider audience! Thank you so much!
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<div>*<strong>Share </strong>this page on Instagram or Facebook.
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<div>*<strong>Send </strong>it to a friend or a family member who might be down to support this film.
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<div>*<strong>Have time to spare?</strong> Help us out as an extra on set or a production assistant. <em>Just DM me if you want to support in this way!</em>
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<div>*<strong>Like and Comment</strong> on the posts about this campaign, interaction boosts the post so the right people can see it.
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<div>*We're also <strong>open to any other ideas or ways of supporting</strong> any of the areas listed in the breakdown like food/transportation/props etc.
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<div>No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to your GoFundMe.
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<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigsteps_shortfilm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow us here</a>!
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<div>#ReconnectingWithWonder
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<div>#ChicagoFilmmaker
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