A Dream Born from Friendship, Anchored in Reality
Picture two college buddies, Okan and Johnny, sprawled in Johnny’s dorm room at Northwestern University, 1986, after a perfect, spontaneous day on the Lakefill during Armadillo Day. Okan, visiting from LA, and Johnny, still in Evanston, had lived every moment fully—laughing, wandering, soaking in the joy of the present. As Wham!’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go faded into Depeche Mode’s People Are People, Okan turned to Johnny and said, “Today, we lived in the moment the whole time. We can do this anytime—we just need to focus on what’s real, what’s in front of us, and live it fully.” That truth, born in a dorm room nearly 40 years ago, still binds us—one in the vibrant streets of Istanbul, the other in the quiet heart of Ann Arbor. It’s the heartbeat of Catman-Doo: The Uniters, a YouTube series that’s more than a show—it’s a movement, a tribute to our lifelong friendship and the power of your story to light up a blurry, post-truth world.
Takım Böyle Tutulur Excerpt (3:50) – A Sneak Peek at Okan’s Past Work
This is the dream you’ve been carrying, too—the one stirring in your heart, yearning to share what makes you you. We need you to join us, to make Catman-Doo: The Uniters a reality, to create something as timeless as It’s a Wonderful Life, where every person’s story—no matter how quiet or bold—sparks hope, connection, and unity. Life can be truly wonderful when we unite with nature and other human beings.
The Soul of Catman-Doo: The Uniters
In a world spinning out of focus, where truth blurs and voices fade, passion is our anchor. For Okan, it’s the street cats of his Istanbul neighborhood—those wise, whiskered philosophers Mark Twain called “perfect in their independence of character” and Ernest Hemingway praised for their “emotional honesty.” As John N. Gray writes in Feline Philosophy, these cats “possess as their birthright a felicity humans regularly fail to attain,” defaulting to happiness when threats are removed. They are The Uniters in Catman-Doo’s life, tethering him to reality, to integrity, to himself. For Johnny, it’s bringing people together, building bridges with trust. For you, it’s your own “uniters”—your art, your kindness, your fight—that keep you grounded. As Gray notes, “Humans need something other than the human world, or else they go mad.” Catman-Doo: The Uniters is a raw, unscripted, vlog-style series—5-minute bursts of heart narrated by Catman-Doo (voiced by Okan), our Scooby-Doo-inspired guide. Like Scooby, he’s got fears and flaws, but his deep bond with cats keeps him real. His narration is minimal, as raw and real as the stories themselves, speaking only what the moment demands—no polish, just truth. With barely-there editing, every episode will revolve around a theme drawn from the footage, like hope or perseverance, or exactly what the moment in question calls for, sharing stories of real people—painters pouring their souls onto canvas, skateboarders soaring through fear, teachers lighting up young minds, animal rescuers saving lives—each finding their own “uniters” to weave a worldwide tapestry of resilience that proves our differences don’t divide us; they unite us.
Our Story: Okan and Johnny
We’re Okan and Johnny, co-producers and brothers by choice, pouring our hearts into Catman-Doo: The Uniters. Okan, the creative soul, crafts stories from his seaside neighborhood in Istanbul, where street cats—those independent, honest creatures—have taught him humility, truth, and the art of staying real. Johnny, our master of connection, rallies support from Ann Arbor, turning dreams into reality with his gift for building trust and community. Together, we’ve tasted success’s highs and stumbled through mistakes, from that Armadillo Day in ‘86 to today, learning that reality—raw, imperfect, and beautiful—is where true connection thrives. This series is our love letter to that truth, a celebration of friendship, humility, and the courage to live authentically.
How It Works—and Why It’s Your Dream
We’re starting scrappy, filming with phones and heart, just like the dreamers we’ve always been. In our first month, we’ll share clips from Okan’s past projects—gritty footage of girls’ soccer games pulsing with joy, disability sports radiating resilience, rallies and celebrations buzzing with hope, and
Scene from Takım Böyle Tutulur (11:00) – Dive into the Full Experience
(Cameo by former Dutch footballer Pierre Van Hooijdonk)
For those curious, this 11-minute scene offers a raw glimpse of Okan’s 2004-05 documentary—learn more on IMDb. Stay tuned for an exclusive U.S.-shot scene from Takım’s final moments in our next update! These snippets are our Bedford Falls, a glimpse of the unfiltered magic we can create together. Then, we’ll introduce Catman-Doo and his feline Uniters, their quiet presence laying the foundation: passion anchors us all.
• Phase 1: Building the Heart
- Okan will direct and narrate, kicking off with 5-minute vlogs of friends—painters, volunteers, animal lovers—whose “uniters” ground them. Each episode will revolve around a theme drawn from the footage, like hope or perseverance, or exactly what the moment in question calls for, with minimal narration and editing to keep it raw and real. These episodes will spark trust, community, and the belief that every story matters.
• Phase 2: Your Story Takes Center Stage
- As our crowdfunding grows, we’ll fling the doors wide open. Got your own “uniters” that keep you real? Grab your phone, film a clip, and send it to us—Okan and Johnny will guide you to make it shine. Whether you’re a poet weaving words, a parent teaching love, or a pet rescuer saving lives, your story is the soul of our series.
• Phase 3: Weaving a Worldwide Tapestry
- With your support, we’ll scale up, blending stories from every corner of life into a vibrant, uplifting series, each episode anchored by a theme drawn from the footage—hope, courage, or whatever the moment demands. Johnny will stretch every dollar to amplify voices, while Okan crafts episodes that ignite joy, hope, and connection, keeping the raw, real spirit alive.
Where Your Money Goes
We’re raising $6,000 (including fees) to bring Catman-Doo: The Uniters to life, keeping it scrappy and true to our raw, real vision. Under Johnny’s careful oversight as funds organizer, every dollar will fuel our dream with transparency:
• Preproduction/Equipment/Production (42%, $2,500): Covers four months ($625/month, all included) for pitch videos, promos, and Phase 1 episodes, including smartphones, lighting, and local shoots with cats and guests.
• Editing (42%, $2,500): Four months of in-house editing ($625/month, including editing software and editor) to keep episodes raw yet clear, reflecting the moment’s truth.
• Marketing (8%, $500): Social media ads on @CatmandooUnites (X), catmandoounites (IG), @catmandoounites (TikTok), Catman-Doo: The Uniters (FB), and CATMAN-DOO The Uniters / @CATMANDOOunites (YouTube) to spread our worldwide tapestry and invite more voices.
• Contingency (8%, $500): A buffer for unexpected costs and fees to keep us on track.
This lean budget, rooted in our DIY ethos, ensures every cent powers authentic storytelling and community connection, with smartphones at the heart of our scrappy vision—maybe even sparking a future partnership to keep the cameras rolling.
Why Support Us?
Your donation isn’t just money—it’s a declaration: “I believe in stories. I believe in friendship. I believe in uniting. I believe in reality.” Every dollar fuels episodes, boosts quality, and invites more voices—your voice. You’re joining Okan and Johnny, two friends who’ve learned, from that Armadillo Day in ‘86 to now, that humility and truth are life’s greatest victories. You’re helping us prove, like in It’s a Wonderful Life, that every life ripples outward, touching countless others. This is the dream you’ve always held—the one where your “uniters” matter, where connection wins, where reality shines.
How to Join Our Community
• Share Your Story: What are your uniters? Film a quick clip of the passion or connection that keeps you grounded and send it to us. Okan will weave it into our themed episodes, making you a star of Catman-Doo: The Uniters.
• Fund the Spark: Your donation, big or small, powers our episodes and lifts up voices like yours. Johnny will ensure every cent builds our shared dream.
• Spread the Fire: Share our campaign with friends, family, and your community via @CatmandooUnites (X), catmandoounites (IG), @catmandoounites (TikTok), Catman-Doo: The Uniters (FB), and CATMAN-DOO The Uniters / @CATMANDOOunites (YouTube). Every share weaves another thread into our worldwide tapestry of unity.
A Call from Okan and Johnny
Okan and Johnny here, two buddies who’ve laughed, stumbled, and grown together across decades and continents, from that unforgettable Armadillo Day to today. Catman-Doo: The Uniters is our dream, but it’s yours, too—the one you’ve felt in your heart, waiting to burst free. Let’s build a digital Bedford Falls, where Catman-Doo’s cats, your “uniters,” and our shared stories remind us to stay real, remain connected, and shine… on our way to a wonderful life. Share your story. Fund the spark. Together, we’ll create something unforgettable—a movement that proves every life grounded in reality matters.
Donation Update for GoFundMe Story
Title: First Donation Milestone Reached!
We’re over the moon to announce our first donation—$300, which is 17% of our initial $1,800 goal (30% of our $6,000 target)! A huge thank you to our amazing supporter for kicking this off. This is just the beginning of building CATMAN-DOO: The Uniters—a community united by stories, cats, and passions. Please join us, share your tale, or contribute to help us reach the full $6,000 for pre-production. Every bit counts!
Stay connected! Please follow our YouTube channel and social media accounts for teasers and trailers:
YouTube: CATMAN-DOO The Uniters (@CATMANDOOunites)
X: @CatmandooUnites
Instagram: @catmandoounites
TikTok: @catmandoounites
Facebook: Catman-Doo: The Uniters
With gratitude, whiskers, and unbreakable friendship,
Okan & Johnny, Co-Producers of Catman-Doo: The Uniters
Organizer and beneficiary
John Bolz
Beneficiary