Fundraising for "They Chose The Sea" film
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
My name is Nnamdi Kanaga and I'm an actor and filmmaker based in Bozeman Montana. A while ago I shared my new film project with the world and launched a Kickstarter campaign (http://kck.st/32qvztl) to raise funds for the project. The project is titled "They Chose The Sea" and it's based on the revolutionary Igbo Landing of 1803.
My campaign goal was set for $35,000 and we were able to raise $5,785 thanks to our amazing supporters. Unfortunately, the Kickstarter campaign is All or Nothing (meaning that we don't get any money unless we reach the $35,000 goal) and so far, we have not been able to reach the full goal. I was encouraged by friends to open a GofundMe to continue with the crowdfunding since this platform is more accessible, popular, and has no time limits. While we continue to work on the project and raise more awareness, this is now the official crowdfunding platform for this film.
All rewards from the previous campaign still stand:
Any amount donated at all: You will be credited under "Special Thanks" in the film
$100 or more: Signed copy of final film poster
$250 or more: Digital production album and a signed copy of the script
$500 or more: "Associate Producer" credit
$1500 or more: "Co-executive Producer" credit and a special invite to the film premiere.
THE PROJECT
They Chose The Sea to celebrate the brave Igbo ancestors that were stolen from their land and brought to America enslaved. This film highlights the power and honor of our ancestors who chose the protection of their god and death over the alternative of life and slavery in a foreign land.
This project is not a counter against the horrendous and cataclysmic effects of slavery upon black people in America (still going on till this very day), but a very conscious effort to showcase the strength and power of our ancestors as opposed to the predominant narrative of suffering and oppression often associated with films about slavery.
WHY NOW?
"When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard no welcomed, but when we are silent, we are still afraid, so it is better to speak"
-Audre Lorde
From the director:
In 2018, new to Montana and seriously struggling with finding my place as an artist in the treasure state, I told myself that I was going to make three films highlighting Black lives and amplifying black voices in three years. Little did I know that in those three years, the world will face an era where issues affecting black people will become predominant. With the success of my feature film debut, The Hail Mary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lej_Nag25yg&t=1s), I was more than convinced to revisit a story I had wanted to tell so badly. A story I encountered in 2018 whilst working on a school project.
They Chose The Sea is inspired by the historical Igbo Landing story about our Igbo ancestors who came to America enslaved but chose death over the option of life and slavery in a foreign land. This film celebrates a black story that is not popular in mainstream media. The year 2020 was a very tough year for Black people all over the world and one would wonder how we were able to “breathe” despite all the racial afflictions we faced. It’s no news that Black people have resisted and displayed their strengths in many ways over the past 400 years and are still doing that to this very day. An apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. The blood of our ancestors runs deeply through our veins, hence this project.
I decided to tell this story for two major reasons;
1. To celebrate a black history that does not highlight oppression and pain but the power of resistance and strength displayed by ancestral Igbo people in America. Also to reintroduce this history to the world as it is not popular in mainstream media. I want this story to be celebrated and talked about.
2. To motivate black people all over the world and remind them of our strength as a people. When we think of how we have continued to fight against oppression, we should remember that the strength and power of our ancestors live inside us.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Actors - We intend to film this with authentic representation in mind and getting the right cast is of paramount importance. The film will be in Igbo language- which is what the ancestors spoke at that time. Montana isn’t diverse with actors of color so we’d need to bring actors from out of state to maintain the historical accuracy historical these roles demand.
Transportation, Accommodation, and Feeding - We would need to fly in out of state cast and accommodate them. We are planning to film for three days, so we’d need either a hotel or an Airbnb accommodation. Our cast and crew would also need to be well taken care of in order to give their best on set.
Production Design - Retelling an event that happened in 1803 would of course require a meticulous production design. We would need to create a set that resembles the deck where the enslaved Igbos were kept. We’d also need a lot of period props and set design to properly portray this event. The other locations in the film would also need to be set properly to effectively achieve an 1800s look.
Costume, Makeup, and Hair is another aspect that needs to be properly handled. We would need to buy period clothes and costumes for our cast and in the scenario where we can’t buy, we’d have to make them ourselves.
Equipment - Because of how powerful this story is, we want to capture it with the best equipment available. It is my heart desire that we use an ARRI Alexa to film this project. I have one of the best cinematographers out here in Montana and his work speaks for itself. We hope to use a professional camera, light and sound equipment. We would also love to adequately pay every crew that will bring their best to this project.
COVID - Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the film industry has implemented a number of necessary changes. We will provide a Covid-19 compliance officer on-set along with the proper PPE including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, wipes, and cleaning supplies in order to keep everyone involved with the production as safe as possible.
Post-Production - After filming is completed, we’ll love to go into post-production immediately and this aspect is usually very expensive. Editing, Color, Sound, VFX are very important in carrying out the full vision of the film. Also, publicity, marketing and film festivals are important aspects we’d need to cover in order to bring this story to the world but unfortunately, they can be very expensive.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP US
We appreciate every support we can get. Not everyone is able to support financially but please if you can, share this campaign within your sphere of influence via email and social media. If you know anyone who is able to help, please do not hesitate to spread the word, and let’s all bring this film to life.
Facebook: They Chose The Sea
Instagram: @theychosetheseafilm
Nothing is too small to make a dream come true, so I am beyond grateful for any support that is put towards bringing this historical event to life.
Thank you.
My name is Nnamdi Kanaga and I'm an actor and filmmaker based in Bozeman Montana. A while ago I shared my new film project with the world and launched a Kickstarter campaign (http://kck.st/32qvztl) to raise funds for the project. The project is titled "They Chose The Sea" and it's based on the revolutionary Igbo Landing of 1803.
My campaign goal was set for $35,000 and we were able to raise $5,785 thanks to our amazing supporters. Unfortunately, the Kickstarter campaign is All or Nothing (meaning that we don't get any money unless we reach the $35,000 goal) and so far, we have not been able to reach the full goal. I was encouraged by friends to open a GofundMe to continue with the crowdfunding since this platform is more accessible, popular, and has no time limits. While we continue to work on the project and raise more awareness, this is now the official crowdfunding platform for this film.
All rewards from the previous campaign still stand:
Any amount donated at all: You will be credited under "Special Thanks" in the film
$100 or more: Signed copy of final film poster
$250 or more: Digital production album and a signed copy of the script
$500 or more: "Associate Producer" credit
$1500 or more: "Co-executive Producer" credit and a special invite to the film premiere.
THE PROJECT
They Chose The Sea to celebrate the brave Igbo ancestors that were stolen from their land and brought to America enslaved. This film highlights the power and honor of our ancestors who chose the protection of their god and death over the alternative of life and slavery in a foreign land.
This project is not a counter against the horrendous and cataclysmic effects of slavery upon black people in America (still going on till this very day), but a very conscious effort to showcase the strength and power of our ancestors as opposed to the predominant narrative of suffering and oppression often associated with films about slavery.
WHY NOW?
"When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard no welcomed, but when we are silent, we are still afraid, so it is better to speak"
-Audre Lorde
From the director:
In 2018, new to Montana and seriously struggling with finding my place as an artist in the treasure state, I told myself that I was going to make three films highlighting Black lives and amplifying black voices in three years. Little did I know that in those three years, the world will face an era where issues affecting black people will become predominant. With the success of my feature film debut, The Hail Mary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lej_Nag25yg&t=1s), I was more than convinced to revisit a story I had wanted to tell so badly. A story I encountered in 2018 whilst working on a school project.
They Chose The Sea is inspired by the historical Igbo Landing story about our Igbo ancestors who came to America enslaved but chose death over the option of life and slavery in a foreign land. This film celebrates a black story that is not popular in mainstream media. The year 2020 was a very tough year for Black people all over the world and one would wonder how we were able to “breathe” despite all the racial afflictions we faced. It’s no news that Black people have resisted and displayed their strengths in many ways over the past 400 years and are still doing that to this very day. An apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. The blood of our ancestors runs deeply through our veins, hence this project.
I decided to tell this story for two major reasons;
1. To celebrate a black history that does not highlight oppression and pain but the power of resistance and strength displayed by ancestral Igbo people in America. Also to reintroduce this history to the world as it is not popular in mainstream media. I want this story to be celebrated and talked about.
2. To motivate black people all over the world and remind them of our strength as a people. When we think of how we have continued to fight against oppression, we should remember that the strength and power of our ancestors live inside us.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Actors - We intend to film this with authentic representation in mind and getting the right cast is of paramount importance. The film will be in Igbo language- which is what the ancestors spoke at that time. Montana isn’t diverse with actors of color so we’d need to bring actors from out of state to maintain the historical accuracy historical these roles demand.
Transportation, Accommodation, and Feeding - We would need to fly in out of state cast and accommodate them. We are planning to film for three days, so we’d need either a hotel or an Airbnb accommodation. Our cast and crew would also need to be well taken care of in order to give their best on set.
Production Design - Retelling an event that happened in 1803 would of course require a meticulous production design. We would need to create a set that resembles the deck where the enslaved Igbos were kept. We’d also need a lot of period props and set design to properly portray this event. The other locations in the film would also need to be set properly to effectively achieve an 1800s look.
Costume, Makeup, and Hair is another aspect that needs to be properly handled. We would need to buy period clothes and costumes for our cast and in the scenario where we can’t buy, we’d have to make them ourselves.
Equipment - Because of how powerful this story is, we want to capture it with the best equipment available. It is my heart desire that we use an ARRI Alexa to film this project. I have one of the best cinematographers out here in Montana and his work speaks for itself. We hope to use a professional camera, light and sound equipment. We would also love to adequately pay every crew that will bring their best to this project.
COVID - Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the film industry has implemented a number of necessary changes. We will provide a Covid-19 compliance officer on-set along with the proper PPE including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, wipes, and cleaning supplies in order to keep everyone involved with the production as safe as possible.
Post-Production - After filming is completed, we’ll love to go into post-production immediately and this aspect is usually very expensive. Editing, Color, Sound, VFX are very important in carrying out the full vision of the film. Also, publicity, marketing and film festivals are important aspects we’d need to cover in order to bring this story to the world but unfortunately, they can be very expensive.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP US
We appreciate every support we can get. Not everyone is able to support financially but please if you can, share this campaign within your sphere of influence via email and social media. If you know anyone who is able to help, please do not hesitate to spread the word, and let’s all bring this film to life.
Facebook: They Chose The Sea
Instagram: @theychosetheseafilm
Nothing is too small to make a dream come true, so I am beyond grateful for any support that is put towards bringing this historical event to life.
Thank you.
Organizer
Nnamdi Kanaga
Organizer
Bozeman, MT