Donate to feature film, "For Mr. Goo"
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READING OF PAGE ONE - Next Big Quiche Project
Donate to help us help them, the voiceless who cry.
(Scroll to the bottom for video testimonials, answers, and shout-outs)
"FOR MR. GOO" (working title)
Hello, animal-friendly indie-film-supportive people. we are actively working on putting our next feature film together, a commercially viable, socially relevant, thought-provoking, suspenseful, psychological thriller, that will dramatically change things for the better for animals all over the globe by starting an honest, much-needed, thought-provoking dialogue.
We love documentaries, but this isn't another documentary or an Instagram video that only those already in the choir will watch. We have been preaching to that choir for years and our voices are raw.
FMG (For Mr. Goo) will be a full-length (around 90 minutes), live-action film, with an engaging fictional storyline, and rich dynamic, complex characters. A project not only for animal lovers and advocates but for the general public who love thrilling movies.
- Our targets are a major film festival run and worldwide distribution.
- The film is a female-lead-driven, horror, suspense-psychological thriller, with an animal-centric focus, crime elements, and some dark humor.
(Conceptual illustrations from the future live action film, "For Mr. Goo," drawn by artist Brian Gilles)
WHY THIS PROJECT, FOR MR. GOO
After Tom Kiesche (concept creator and scriptwriter) finished filming, "KillHer," and went back to volunteering with dogs, using his limited social media to try to save animal lives within his bubble, he realized that the next project, should not only be to entertain, but to reach new hearts, minds, ears, and save animal lives through creating more empathy.
WHAT'S THE URGENCY? WHY NOW?
- The ASPCA has stated that approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year.
- That's around 7,400 animals daily, in the United States alone.
- The clock continues ticking.
- We are committed. We couldn't quit if we tried, and we don't want to.
- Plus, many animal lovers who have read the script have stated, “This movie has to get made.” “This movie could make a real difference.”
FOR MR. GOO - HOW CAN YOU HELP
We need you to donate, express an interest in investing, jump on board with services, skills, talents, or in-kind donations. Also, please, SHARE this GoFundMe with other like-minded people in your communities.
You might have noticed that we've made sure to embolden the words "we" and "our" because we believe, that saving animals and creating film projects are both team efforts. One of our core beliefs is that anyone that works on or helps with a project, in any way, is part of the we. So, we are asking you to consider becoming part of us. A second core belief is that our projects are by all of us - this will be a film by all of us.
If you’re interested in hearing more about the project, reading the script, hearing the logline, collaborating with us on this or future projects, making a product donation, placing products in the film, advertising or cross-promotion, offering equipment, discounts on things we need, a location (home, office, interior of a warehouse, exterior industrial building, parking lot, remote desert or forest exterior location), a specific necessary prop or service donation, a large potentially tax-deductible donation through a 501C-3, or a sizable financial investment in the project, please contact us directlyusing the following Linktree account: https://linktr.ee/TomKiesche
If you lend us your ear for a little longer, we want to tell you about the real Mr. Goo.
THE REAL STORY OF MR. GOO
Mr. Goo’s real story has little to do with the film, but basically, Mr. Goo was a goofy stray dog Tom got to name and work with while volunteering at a Los Angeles City shelter. Mr. Goo took a little time to warm up to people, but in a very short while, he became a true volunteer favorite and was joyously adopted.
Sadly, he was returned a few days later with negative notes from someone who didn’t understand decompression (the process of letting a dog adjust to a new environment after spending time in a shelter) . In the social media posts Tom made around that time the reason cited was, “Leash issues.” Which was not an issue that any of the volunteers experienced with him at the shelter.
A few weeks later, management at the shelter system decided to euthanize him and they did.
Tom was permitted to take him out for 30 minutes before his death, and also walk him toward the “euth” room (where animals are put to sleep). He remembers very clearly a staff member who was equally as flummoxed about why Mr. Goo had been chosen to be euthanized. Tom wanted his furry friend to feel love as long as he could and has said it was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do, refusing to shed a tear the entire time they played.
Tom made Mr. Goo a promise that day, a promise to remember, a promise to change things in society so that healthy, happy animals don't have to die in cold, hard city shelters.
Fast forward to years later, the script and this fundraiser. We thought the title, “For Mr. Goo,” was a way to honor him and the thousands of other animals that didn’t make it out of the shelters. With your financial help, we will be able to make this film, and even though the title will likely change, we, at the very least, have this fundraiser in Mr. Goo’s honor. “For Mr. Goo.”
• Instagram - In Honor of Mr Goo 9/14/19 (read the description of the post)
FOR MR. GOO - WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
All quality films, even ultra-low-budget ones, require dozens of skilled, experienced professionals, and a massive amount of time. So, in order to secure a talented, passionate cast and crew, even for very friendly, minimal, indie film rates, it’s going to require funds, and before that, it’s going to require a lot of preproduction work…
Hopefully, we’ll smash our initial target goal of 20K, and monies will go toward our production and post-production costs. While we don’t yet have exact budgets, the various SAG-AFTRA low-budget contracts have limits of 300K and 700K.
Rest assured, that if there's any money left... any remaining funds will go toward animals. Most importantly, if this film is commercially successful, a portion of the profits will go toward animals in need. So, whether you donate $20, $200, $2000, or $20,000 the money you put in has several different opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
Some examples of how your donations will be used are…
$5-$99
Whether it ultimately helps to buy part of a bag of coffee, water for a crew member, puts some gas in a production vehicle… THANK YOU! We appreciate your willingness to contribute, we plan on thanking everyone on our social media. You are part of we at this level & beyond.
$100-$249
Rental fees for one lens for a day or week, C-stand or light, fake blood, a make-up kit rental... AWESOME-SAUCE BOSS! If we are able to thank you in the film’s end credits, and the IMDB, without it affecting our tax burden, or without stepping on toes, we will attempt to do so at this level & beyond.
$250-$499
A permit, a prop, wardrobe for a character, for a drone operator, poster design, part of a grip package... BANG-ZOOM to the MOON! If we are able to thank you with slightly larger credits, a short personalized thank you video without it affecting our tax burden, or without stepping on toes, we will attempt to do so at this level & beyond.
$500 to $50,000
Whether it pays for a sixth of the film, a salary, all the legal or accounting, the film’s music composition, foley, editing, effects, the casting director, insurance, location fees, all of the post-production, cutting a trailer, a high-end camera rental, or festival fees... KA-POW! HOLY COW! If we are able to thank you with a video, phone call, an invite to a premiere, a walk-on, or a set visit, without it affecting our tax burden, or without stepping on toes, we will attempt to do so at this level & beyond.
WHO YOU WILL BE JOINING
Tom Kiesche
(Writer, Producer, Actor)
Hopefully, at this point, you’ve seen some of his work as a professional entertainment artist. Possibly you’ve seen him in national commercials, on Bones, Breaking Bad, or dozens of other movies and TV shows. Maybe you’ve seen his one-man show “Love & Other Four-Legged Words” which was a celebration of pet ownership and love. Possibly you follow his social media @TomKiesche (on Instagram ) where you have seen part of his journey as a volunteer who has donated thousands of unpaid hours for decades or as an advocate and voice for animals and social causes, whether with the city and/or county of Los Angeles, the county of Ventura, animal sanctuaries, rescues, and organizations, rallies for animal rights, and/or even the Los Angeles Zoo.
WHY THIS PROJECT [For Tom]
When Tom was in middle school he wanted to become a lawyer because he thought lawyers could change the world. However, after a few conversations with a family friend and neighbor who was a lawyer, he realized what most lawyers do. In junior college, he thought he wanted to be a doctor because he wanted to help the world. But then, after some research, and some conversations with doctors, he realized what most doctors do… Plus, honestly, he wasn’t sure he had the grades, drive, or funds. In his senior year in college, he took an Acting for TV and Film class. When his peers and teacher watched the footage back, Tom watched them watching the characters he played. While the words were written by Arthur Miller and Anton Chekhov, he watched people swayed and affected by his performance and he thought he finally found something he could do to influence positive changes. Comically enough, years later, decades into his acting career, he realized what most actors do.
In his mid-50s, after a near-death experience, he finally realized it’s not about what most people do, it’s about what a very small number of people do. The world has only a few true agents of change. It doesn’t matter if you’re a plumber, janitor, car salesman, doctor, lawyer, congressperson, or an actor… anyone can influence change in the world, All they need to have is passion, commitment, and an ability to move forward despite obstacles and naysayers.
Tom’s passion for animals, being an agent of positive change, social media presence regarding companion animal issues, and his love of storytelling have all come together with this project. His volunteerism and activism have shown him things few others have seen, and his skill set and passion, and talents, beg to be utilized for a chance at real change. As Tom put it, “I could volunteer for another 1,000 hours each year till I die, and there’s no way I could help one millionth as many animals as this project can achieve. If this project helps even save one animal from brutality, early death, or trauma, then it will all be worth it."
Big Quiche
(Initial production company)
Our last feature film, "KillHer" secured a global distribution deal with Dark Sky and will have its theatrical and VOD streaming release on October 20th, 2023.
"KillHer" official trailer:
We also produced a One-Man Show that raised approximately $10,000 for shelter animals.
Here's a sizzle reel of that show... "Love & Other Four-Legged Words"
Here's the full show (one of the performances)
We also produced an animation to attempt to get animal messaging out to other audiences...
Artist Brian Gilles
Artist Brian Gilles, a dedicated long-time animal volunteer, did the concept art sketches above. To see more of his artwork and activism for dogs go to his Instagram … https://www.instagram.com/bgduke/
Watch an interview with Brian and Tom here...
OTHER KEY ELEMENTS WE WANT YOU TO KNOW…
- We already have at least two commitments from partial investors.
- FMG is a “creative,” “cause-related,” and “flexible fundraiser” and will move forward. If our goals are exceeded on this platform, after necessary production, post-production, marketing, or distributing costs, any excess will be donated to benefit animals…
- FMG is not a not-for-profit venture, so donations are not tax-deductible, with possible exceptions. Funds donated will not be returned under any circumstances. For us not to be taxed on donations, we are not able to offer anything of value in return for your donation other than a promise of doing our best for the animals, and our gratitude.
- We understand the GoFundMe minimum to be $5 (USD) and the maximum has been raised to $50,000 (USD). GoFundMe charges a transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 which is automatically deducted from each donation.
Thank you once again for taking the time to read this. We are moving forward to take a wildly different approach to make a difference in millions of animals' lives, and we truly thank you for your generosity, and your willingness to tell your social networks about this fundraising drive.
Thank you,
Team "For Mr. Goo"
Questions Answered
Feel free to ask your questions.
1. How do you see your film helping animals?
Video Answer:
2. Why $20,000?
Video Answer:
Testimonials
Jacqueline Piñol an actor, director, producer, and animal activist firmly believes it's a gripping script and will help animals.
Samantha Goodman, a retired studio successful screenplay writer and animal lover thinks it's a great concept and well-crafted and executed script.
Emily Hall, an actress, who loves dogs and fosters animals for rescue groups thinks it’s entertaining and 100% will help animals.
Ryan Jones, a working TV & film editor, volunteers with dogs and thinks it will be an excellent thrilling film.
Becca and Ashley, two big-time volunteers with LA County shelters just had to read the script, and couldn’t say enough good stuff about it.
Melody King of the Los Feliz Animal Rescue, who has been around animals and showbiz for a long time, gives her support for the project.
Tiffini Minatel, an animal professional and advocate, and a long-time friend and collaborator of writer/producer/actor Tom Kiesche, tells it as she sees it.
Anthony Robles from the Animal Welfare Data Network believes this movie will make a huge difference for animals, plus entertain many.
Tiger and her partner are big-time animal supporters and volunteers. She's read the script and thinks it'll make a difference.
Anne Welles, is a writer, director, producer, and former actor. She loved the script. She’s big into animal advocacy and believes in this project.
Roxy Astor - An original "GLOW Girl" (women’s wrestling), is a writer and producer, she is behind the project 100% and is on board to help make a difference. She's a big animal lover and supporter.
Podcast celebrity Chaplin Peggy didn’t feel like she could publicly endorse the film professionally, because of the dark themes inside of it, she offered a happy birthday & lovely testimony to Tom’s dedication to animals.
Shout outs in order
Shout Out #6
Shout Out #7
Shout out #8 and update
Shout out #9
Organizer
Tom Kiesche
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA