WHAT IS THIS?

Hello everyone, this is Callum, Emma and James here and we're part of the BIG PICTURE production team, spearheading a talented cohort of film-makers and artists specialising in independent short film across Wales!

Much to our excitement, we're currently working on our next, but FIRST community-funded film, ‘DEAD SHEEP VALLEY’; which follows David and Julie, two farmers on a gritty, post apocalyptic trek through the Welsh countryside. David and Julie will contend with vicious bandits, a unnatural monstrous presence stalking them, and the lingering grief of losing their son all whilst searching for the haven of 'Sanctuary'.

Both myself and my colleagues understand just how important collaboration is. It is essentially the life blood of the TV and Film industry; and that is why I am always looking to offer opportunities to not only other independent professionals but also some of the most wonderful and impressive people I have had the professional pleasure of working with, who sometimes simply (through no fault of their own) can’t catch that big break.

So we have elected to taking matters into our own hands!

Whilst myself and this collection of talented individuals are very familiar with this process in previous projects and productions, and have been hard at work trying to connect with people and bring more independent projects into reality; naturally, as part of this process, comes the funding.....

It is a brutally grinding part of the process and always an elephant in the room. But it needs to be done. We love what we do, and we want to make something of it and share what we love doing, so here we are.

Your donations will not only go toward the pre and post-production aspects of this current film but will also help us elevate these wonderful people, putting their heart and soul into this and many more projects to come from all of us!

Because of course it’s not just a writer, director, actor or a runner who make a film come to life; it’s the entire crew and every one of YOU who are so kind to donate (if you are in a position to do so).

WHAT ABOUT US?

It's all well and good us asking for YOUR money, but what have we given to this production so far? As well as our passions, time and efforts; taking into account the donations made by our own kind crew, we've invested just as much as we're asking from the community.

With a cinematography equipment investment of over £1250, our in-house licensed armourer sourcing R.I.F (Realistic Imitation Firearms) investment of £400, and our costume investments of £150.

This proves how committed we are as a team of like minded creatives towards this production.

WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE?

Your donation will go toward the securing of locations, equipment and a wide variety of resources needed to bring a project like this together.

However, please see a pre-production cost breakdown plan below to help illustrate this clearer:

Pre-production is our fundamental building block of this filming process, as it is any; and as it stands, any donations made at this point (pre-April) will go towards funding the fuel and catering costs that are undoubtedly needed in order to transport and feed our hardworking cast and crew.

As well as this, donations will also go towards the acquisition and hire of equipment that we haven't already managed to source (see more below), and marketing/location costs that we haven't already covered.

Once we're done filming comes a whole other process, and we've accounted for that too. The post-production process is arguably not as gruelling as the pre-production process but just as important.

Any donations made during this period (post- Mid April) will go towards the above cost breakdown allocation, including a post-production marketing budget, our film festival submission budget(see more below) and most importantly, our cast and crew gratuity payments.

It's just to show how grateful we all are, for everyone's hard work, from the runners working night and day on set, to the VFX artists working behind the scenes. And these payments will be a combination of donations, and ours.

FURTHERMORE

As well as this, it's important to understand how much your donation means to the organic arts industry and the equally organic process such as this, especially when we live in a very automated age.

This is passionate art, being made my passionate artists, from scratch. It's as simple as that. And in the end, it will show.

We’d also love to offer something special for those who donate! Of course if you do donate, for starters you will be invited to a premier, private screening of the film upon completion.

Whilst like some other projects, we cannot offer a supporting artist’s or ‘extra’s’ role due to the nature of the film, those who donate will however get to see exclusive footage/stills from behind the scenes, updates and progress reports from us as a cast and crew.

Please also do go and follow our Dead Sheep Valley Instagram for public updates, and promotional releases!

In addition to this, we’d currently like to offer;

WHAT’S NEXT?

Currently, we have a very exciting teaser trailer in post-production. Where does the time go?!

In the mean time, thank you so much if you have decided to donate! We all appreciate it, and you, very very much.

AND WHAT THEN?

Well? What then? Good question!

When the film is done, and screened, and (undoubtedly) up for nominations at the Oscars...

We'll be sending DEAD SHEEP VALLEY around the UK and International festival circuit, ensuring that our community and production collaborators are continuously thanked and credited as they rightfully should be.

We've got our eye on some festivals which we think would be a fantastic suit for D.S.V, these include, but aren't limited to:

And many more....

Until then watch this space!

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"They're just farmers..."

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