Support “Woksape- Wisdom” — A Lakota Vision Film

About the Film

Logline:

After a cruel prank leaves him fainting,  Hoksila (Lakota Boy) journeys on a cosmic vision quest to 1876, where his LaLa—blind, mute, deaf, yet alive in visions—helps him protect the Lakota’s sacred songs from Custer and preserve their memory.

Synopsis:

When a cruel prank knocks him unconscious, Hoksila is thrust into a cosmic vision quest that carries him back to 1876. There, he finds the stories of the Lakota’s past come alive. Together, they must protect the tribe’s sacred songs from the looming threat of General Custer.

As past and present collide, Hoksila discovers that memory and heritage are not just echoes of history, but living powers that carry a people forward.

About Me

Juliana Brown Eyes (Oglala Lakota, Tongan) is a multi-disciplinary artist and filmmaker exploring Indigenous identity, ancestral storytelling, and cultural memory. My work has earned recognition including the Bill Gates Millennium Alumni Award, Tautai Arts Trust Residency, and AIMES Hooded Scholarship. I’ve been featured in Marie Claire UK, BBC, and Huffington Post, and my short film Pehin premiered at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.

In 2024, I served as a Concept Design Intern at Nike HQ, shaping global design visions. Now, as an MFA candidate in Film at NYU Tisch, I am dedicated to directing and screenwriting—creating cinematic worlds where imagination and history collide.

Why This Film Matters

This is more than a student project. It is a story about Lakota memory, survival, and the power of storytelling. It will be filmed on the Pine Ridge Reservation, ensuring that elders, children, and community voices are honored at every stage.

By supporting this film, you help bring Indigenous stories to the screen with care, authenticity, and accountability—paving the way for future Native filmmakers to lead in the industry.

Funding Goal: $6,000

I am seeking to raise $6,000 to cover the full costs of production.

Your contributions will directly support:

✦ Pre-production planning & logistics (scouting, scheduling, permits)

✦ Travel & housing for crew members on Pine Ridge

✦ Cultural consultation fees for elders & community members

✦ Wardrobe, props, and set design reflecting authentic Lakota life

✦ Culturally respectful catering sourced from local vendors

✦ Equipment rental & on-set supplies for high-quality production

✦ Post-production editing tools and software

Every dollar will go toward ensuring this story is told with integrity, beauty, and cultural respect.

Production Timeline

September 2025

Sept. 15–20: Prep for script, budget, and pre-production planning.

Sept. 21: Launch Pitch Deck for promotion and fundraising.

Sept. 25: 1st Draft of Script Due.

Sept. 25–30: Review draft, revise, begin budget completion.

October 2025

Oct. 1–10: Pre-production prep (locations, crew, vendors, horses/stunts, costumes).

Oct. 11–13: Travel to Rapid City Black Hills Powwow (scouting & casting).

Oct. 14: Upload captured content from trip.

Oct. 17: Attend Digital Theory Tech Workshop.

Oct. 22: Insurance Meeting (finalize coverage).

Oct. 23: Pre-Production Day (permits, SAG contracts, vendors, extras, stunts).

Oct. 24–31: Finalize crew, rehearsals, wardrobe, transportation.

Oct. 31: Tipi Set-Up Day – assemble and prep locations.

November 2025 — Production

Nov. 1–8: Filming on Pine Ridge Reservation (South Dakota) — including battle scenes, horses, and stunts.

Nov. 9–15: Initial Post-Production (organize footage, backups, rough cuts).

Accountability & Transparency

I will ensure responsibility through:

A detailed production budget & timeline

Ongoing feedback from Lakota elders and NYU faculty

Join Me in This Vision

By supporting "Woksape- Wisdom", you are helping to:

Amplify Indigenous voices in cinema

Preserve and celebrate Lakota traditions

Open doors for the next generation of Native filmmakers

Every contribution—big or small—brings this story to life.

Wóphila tȟáŋka (deep gratitude) for walking alongside me in this journey. Together, we can create something that honors the past, embraces the present, and inspires the future.

With love and respect,

Juliana Brown Eyes