HELLO!

I’m Cane Wilson, a second-year Cinematic Arts MFA student at the University of Texas at Arlington. Fresh off my last two films, Bright Eyes and Steady Hands (Best Director and Editing at College Filmmakers Film Festival, Best Student Film at Waco Independent Film Festival) and Apostle of Sorrow which is about to start its festival run, it’s time to start production for my next film…

THE STORY

Buckshot Odyssey is a character-driven short film about a boy named Moose who was separated from his sister through adoption. After receiving her address from his incarcerated father, Moose must run away from his overbearing grandfather to reconnect with his sister.

WHY THIS FILM?

This is a very personal film for me. After spending the latter half of my adolescence in the foster care system, I’ve been thinking about this idea for as long as I can remember. The foster system is rarely addressed in film, and when it is, it’s addressed with somber acceptance. As a foster child, your future is dictated by the mistakes of your guardians. It strips you of your individualism, and you feel powerless as a ward of the state. However, this film isn’t about the trauma of being ripped from the life you had. It’s about reclamation and putting power back into your own hands. Buckshot Odyssey is the untold story of countless people like myself who have been separated from their family by the state. This story is supported by themes of religious abuse, abandonment, and self-empowerment.

VISUAL STRATEGY

The film is told through a mixture of early memories on VHS home video, recent memories on camcorder footage, and real-time shots on a Blackmagic Pyxis with Atlas Anamorphic lenses. The best way to describe it is “Found Footage” style mixed with traditional cinematography techniques. This was partly inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky’s Nostalgia, whose visual style blended dream sequences, memories, and real-time seamlessly with different techniques.

INSPIRATION

Inspiration for this story came from many different films, each of them offering different perspectives on childhood that I found to be relatable. Harmony Korine’s Gummo gives a realistic perspective on young children living in poverty through different cameras and non-linear structure. Jonah Hill’s Mid-90s explores the relationship between siblings experiencing negligence. Sean Wang’s Didi portrays the isolation of finding identity while growing up.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DONATING TO

We have a sizable crew of incredibly talented artists who come together and work through long shoot days, and they need to be fed. In addition, we need help with wardrobe, props, set dressing, and actor fees. I’ll of course be self-funding to the best of my ability, but your donation will be greatly appreciated and will go directly to the production of this film.

Thank you so much for reading, and please share this around so we can reach a wider audience!

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*We're also open to any other ideas or ways of supporting any of the areas listed like food, transportation, props, etc.

BACKER REWARD

A donation of any amount will get you credited in the special thanks for the film, and you will be personally contacted about screening and festival details.

You will also receive a special thanks in my heart, because this film means so much to me and I’m so happy you want to help create it.

PREVIOUS WORK:

Bright Eyes and Steady Hands