OUT ON A LIMB - a short film
Donation protected
THE GENESIS
We began with a relatively simple goal: to write and produce a short film that explored both a mother-son relationship and meditation. After nearly two years of collaborative writing our script organically evolved, one week at a time, into an elaborate and epic period piece called "Out on a Limb"
LOGLINE
"In the Old West, a soul-searching son returns home to rescue his ill-fated mother."
SYNOPSIS
"Out on a Limb" is an intense family drama which focuses on a pivotal moment in the relationship between a mother and son.
Jonah, 30s, used to rob trains and spent some time in prison but is currently going through a spiritual transformation which began with his discovery of meditation after encountering Swami Vivekananda at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
Rosa May, Jonah's mother, once built the "hottest house west of the Mississippi" and was married to Daniel, the love of her life and Jonah's father. Twenty-five years after Daniel's sudden and mysterious death, Rosa May - now in her 60s - is being evicted from the remote family cabin where she has been living alone, trapped in the ruins of a once beautiful life.
After a winter away, Jonah, returns home with a surprise plan to help Rosa May make a new start in life only to find her in the act of trying to kill herself.
A tense, awkward night ensues where Jonah desperately tries to persuade his mother to embark on a new chapter of her life. This turns into a bitter struggle between hope and despair which bares their innermost vulnerabilities and culminates in personal discoveries which will forever change their lives.
WHY MAKE THIS FILM?
Our initial plan was to begin production in early 2020. Then COVID happened. Writing during the pandemic not only gave us an additional six months to develop our characters and story, but also drew our attention to the relevance of our story's themes to the current state of many people's lives.
"Out on a Limb" portrays a family in the aftermath of a dramatic upheaval caused by unfortunate circumstances. We see the mental trauma caused by the sudden death of loved ones, which is only exacerbated by the characters' total isolation. Within that isolation there is an intense longing for a past life that is inevitably out of reach. And finally, it examines the necessity of having tools to cope with our mental distress, lest it turn into mental illness which can destroy our lives.
This is a story that both offers compassion to people currently facing difficult circumstances while also presenting the hope that we can heal and come through to a life of peace and genuine fulfillment.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
"Out on a Limb is a story about turning inward. The characters we focus on are trapped not only by the circumstances of their lives but more importantly by the contents of their Minds-whether they know it or not.
In directing this film, I'm focused on examining the relationship between the inner and outer world while centering the practice of mindfulness and meditation as an essential tool for self-actualization. My hope is that this project can shine a gentle light on this important subject and possibly illuminate the path forward for others."
~Filip Kojic
THE PLAN
Pre-production - February '21 - April '21
Production - 5 days in late April/early May '21
Post-production - May - August '21
Festival Submissions - August - December '21
Release - 2022
HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED
We have locked the historical Butch Cassidy childhood home in Circleville, Utah as our primary shooting location.
The funds that we raise will be used to pay for our locations, cast and crew, production design, rentals, craft services, accommodations, transportation, post-production and all other facets of film production.
This means a large portion of the budget will be used to provide jobs to people in the film industry who may currently be struggling to find work. It will also bring an economic boost to the people and businesses of Circleville, Utah, a small town of 300 residents.
As this is will be a union film, we will be complying with the SAG-AFTRA safety protocols related to COVID-19. This means that testing, PPE, a COVID compliance officer and other related items will be a part of the budget.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
George Christopher Tronsrue (Writer/Producer/Actor)
George began his career in Chicago, his hometown, and has compiled over 60 credits in film, tv and theatre. He has established himself as a go to Mandarin-speaking American actor with over 20 credits in Chinese tv and film including the largest role ever for a Caucasian actor on Chinese tv in "Red Star over China." An ardent student of languages, history and religion, "Out on a Limb" is his screenwriting debut.
Filip Kojic (Writer/Director/Editor)
Filip Kojic is a filmmaker and artist from the former Yugoslavia. "Out on a Limb" is the 4th short fiction film that he has written and directed. His film "HUH" was a finalist for the top prize in the shorts competition at the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival. Other short films include "There There" and "The Great Rage." Currently, he lives in Los Angeles where he's making moves, chasing dreams and practicing art/inner exploration.
PERKS
All donors will receive a digital copy of the finished film. Also, anyone who is generous enough to give $1000 or more will receive, at the very least, an associate producer credit.
Thank you in advance and we are sincerely grateful for any contributions you may make in helping to bring this film to life!
~George and Filip
We began with a relatively simple goal: to write and produce a short film that explored both a mother-son relationship and meditation. After nearly two years of collaborative writing our script organically evolved, one week at a time, into an elaborate and epic period piece called "Out on a Limb"
LOGLINE
"In the Old West, a soul-searching son returns home to rescue his ill-fated mother."
SYNOPSIS
"Out on a Limb" is an intense family drama which focuses on a pivotal moment in the relationship between a mother and son.
Jonah, 30s, used to rob trains and spent some time in prison but is currently going through a spiritual transformation which began with his discovery of meditation after encountering Swami Vivekananda at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
Rosa May, Jonah's mother, once built the "hottest house west of the Mississippi" and was married to Daniel, the love of her life and Jonah's father. Twenty-five years after Daniel's sudden and mysterious death, Rosa May - now in her 60s - is being evicted from the remote family cabin where she has been living alone, trapped in the ruins of a once beautiful life.
After a winter away, Jonah, returns home with a surprise plan to help Rosa May make a new start in life only to find her in the act of trying to kill herself.
A tense, awkward night ensues where Jonah desperately tries to persuade his mother to embark on a new chapter of her life. This turns into a bitter struggle between hope and despair which bares their innermost vulnerabilities and culminates in personal discoveries which will forever change their lives.
WHY MAKE THIS FILM?
Our initial plan was to begin production in early 2020. Then COVID happened. Writing during the pandemic not only gave us an additional six months to develop our characters and story, but also drew our attention to the relevance of our story's themes to the current state of many people's lives.
"Out on a Limb" portrays a family in the aftermath of a dramatic upheaval caused by unfortunate circumstances. We see the mental trauma caused by the sudden death of loved ones, which is only exacerbated by the characters' total isolation. Within that isolation there is an intense longing for a past life that is inevitably out of reach. And finally, it examines the necessity of having tools to cope with our mental distress, lest it turn into mental illness which can destroy our lives.
This is a story that both offers compassion to people currently facing difficult circumstances while also presenting the hope that we can heal and come through to a life of peace and genuine fulfillment.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
"Out on a Limb is a story about turning inward. The characters we focus on are trapped not only by the circumstances of their lives but more importantly by the contents of their Minds-whether they know it or not.
In directing this film, I'm focused on examining the relationship between the inner and outer world while centering the practice of mindfulness and meditation as an essential tool for self-actualization. My hope is that this project can shine a gentle light on this important subject and possibly illuminate the path forward for others."
~Filip Kojic
THE PLAN
Pre-production - February '21 - April '21
Production - 5 days in late April/early May '21
Post-production - May - August '21
Festival Submissions - August - December '21
Release - 2022
HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED
We have locked the historical Butch Cassidy childhood home in Circleville, Utah as our primary shooting location.
The funds that we raise will be used to pay for our locations, cast and crew, production design, rentals, craft services, accommodations, transportation, post-production and all other facets of film production.
This means a large portion of the budget will be used to provide jobs to people in the film industry who may currently be struggling to find work. It will also bring an economic boost to the people and businesses of Circleville, Utah, a small town of 300 residents.
As this is will be a union film, we will be complying with the SAG-AFTRA safety protocols related to COVID-19. This means that testing, PPE, a COVID compliance officer and other related items will be a part of the budget.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
George Christopher Tronsrue (Writer/Producer/Actor)
George began his career in Chicago, his hometown, and has compiled over 60 credits in film, tv and theatre. He has established himself as a go to Mandarin-speaking American actor with over 20 credits in Chinese tv and film including the largest role ever for a Caucasian actor on Chinese tv in "Red Star over China." An ardent student of languages, history and religion, "Out on a Limb" is his screenwriting debut.
Filip Kojic (Writer/Director/Editor)
Filip Kojic is a filmmaker and artist from the former Yugoslavia. "Out on a Limb" is the 4th short fiction film that he has written and directed. His film "HUH" was a finalist for the top prize in the shorts competition at the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival. Other short films include "There There" and "The Great Rage." Currently, he lives in Los Angeles where he's making moves, chasing dreams and practicing art/inner exploration.
PERKS
All donors will receive a digital copy of the finished film. Also, anyone who is generous enough to give $1000 or more will receive, at the very least, an associate producer credit.
Thank you in advance and we are sincerely grateful for any contributions you may make in helping to bring this film to life!
~George and Filip
Co-organizers (2)
George Christopher Tronsrue
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Filip Kojic
Co-organizer