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STEP BACK - Short Film Project

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THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY GOFUNDME PAGE:


ABOUT ME:
My name is Leo and I am the producer of this upcoming short film entitled "STEP BACK".

Over the past ten years I have been supporting young people in many different areas, ranging from working within schools, to working in Feltham young offenders prison.

I am passionate about improving the outcomes of young peoples's lives, and I am hoping that this film will be a platform that can bring about positive change in the lives of many.


WHY I NEED YOUR SUPPORT:
The reason I would love your support is because I believe this film has the potential to impact many lives.  It not only addresses key issues that young people are facing in society today, but it also has a positive message that many will be able to relate to, both young and old!

With knife crime in England and Wales rising to record highs (as published by the Office for National Statistics), there is a need for more youth interventions, more trauma informed approaches, more after school activities, and in general more platforms that young people can access to help steer them away from making the wrong choices in life.  This is one of the reasons why I have decided to embark on this project, as the films looks at the impact of knife crime, and the consequences that come with it.  However, it not only touches on knife crime, but visually demonstrates that young people have choices (no matter what situations they find themselves in), and they have the power to shape their destinies through the choices they make.

I am hoping that this film can be used a resource for people who work in youth organisations and establishments to help them in engage in positive conversations with young people around the different topics that are covered in the film.


WHAT WILL THE DONATIONS BE USED FOR:
All donations will be used for the production and post-production of the film.


ABOUT THE FILM:
The story of the film is an original concept, and is a cross between a drama and a sci-fi.  The film follows the life of Marcus (tag name "Legs"), a 16 year old boy caught up in gang culture.  On his 16th birthday Marcus and his friends visit a trainer shop, but instead of buying the trainers Marcus decides to steal them.  When he attempts to leave the shop, he is confronted by a shop assistant where an altercation breaks out, and Marcus ends up stabbing the shop assistant and unknowingly leaves him in the shop to die.  Consequently, Marcus is found guilty for murder and sent to prison.

Whilst in prison, Marcus himself gets stabbed in the showers as an act of revenge for the shop assistant who died in the trainer shop, and now Marcus is the one who finds himself in the back of an ambulance... but this is where the story takes a dramatic twist!  As Marcus takes his last breath he suddenly opens his eyes again and realises he's not dead, but instead he has woken up in his bedroom!! MARCUS DIDN'T DIE - HE WENT BACK IN TIME,  ONE YEAR EARLIER, and woke up in his bedroom as a 15 year old boy... 

... BIG TEASER RIGHT!! Come on... LET'S MAKE THIS FILM HAPPEN, and you'll see what lies ahead for Marcus! I can promise that you will not be disappointed!


ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM
I am honoured and privileged to be working with Little Drops Production  who were responsible for the short film Amani which received 1 million views in 4 days. 


ABOUT THE ACTORS
I am very excited to announce that I have secured three of the main characters in the film and I am overjoyed that:

Xavien Russell who featured in the hit series Top Boy 1 & 2 as the character Michael, will be playing the lead role of Marcus. 

Curtis Kantsa who featured in the hit movie Blue Story as "Tiny Madder" will also be co-starring in the film.  

Angie Le Mar the multi-award winning, comedy legend will be playing the role of Marcus's mum.

Pic: Xavien Russell

This is what Xavien Russell had to say about the film:

" When the story was first presented to me I was very moved by it, and the story was only told to me via video call that I had with Leo.  I know that if I was touched by it, it's definitely going to have the same effect on you guys.  This film needs to happen! I love this story because it has a crazy twist on it with a different perspective, but it also comes from an authentic place, and it's genuine.  I think whoever is watching it will relate to it in some sort of way and I feel that people can learn valuable lessons from it.  Any support from you guys will be a massive help, so if you can, please donate!  I'm really excited about this film and I can't wait for it to happen, because I think you will enjoy it!  Thank you everyone. "


Pic: Curtis Kantsa

This is what Curtis Kantsa had to say about the film:

" Hopeful, Heart felt, Empowering!  These are the words that come to mind about Step Back.  As a short film set in the urban world of London those aren't the words you'd usually expect, but they fit perfectly.   After reading the script I felt something.  Something real and heartfelt that I haven't felt in a script set in urban London since Blue Story.  It left me with a deep sense of longing and hope for the London youth, because it is ultimately a film about choices and how your current life, is to large part, a product of a culmination of the choices we make and that we have the power to shape our futures.  I immediately felt that this needed to be seen by young boys everywhere because I wanted them to feel the same hope I felt after reading it and feel empowered to take their future into their own hands.  Once I'd acknowledged these things, I was in! "


Pic: Angie Le Mar


FINALLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR DONATIONS!  

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

God Bless,

Leo Powell

CLICK HERE to follow me on Instagram 
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • £10
    • 4 yrs
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Leo Powell
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England

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