Paint the Eyes First - Feature Film
Donation protected
First off I just want to say, this film can and will be something great and the entire team is putting 1000% into it already. I wouldn't consider doing this if I didn't think a bunch of 20 something year olds could make a film that competes with any other film out there, any other film. This project isn't mine anymore, I'm not sitting alone in my room typing a script that no one has ever read. I'm talking with 37 of the most talented creative people I have ever met about making an amazing film and talking to all of YOU about raising $25,000 for a project never attempted at my school because of its size. We are paving the ground we walk on for this project and it's something to be proud of already. Each actor and member of the crew brings something to this project that no one else can and they are on this team for a reason. This isn't a film for a school project, this isn't for the credit, it isn't to toss on Youtube for free after it's done. This is a film that is going to go somewhere and that is going to bring a host of opportunities with it. I wouldn't go through all of this trouble to try to raise $25,000 for a school project and no one on this team would either. I hope you are reading this knowing that we have something to prove, something to show, and a goal and dream to accomplish because we certainly do. I'm so excited to be a part of this team and I hope you consider joining us and being a part of this massive project.
Why now?

It's important to jump on an opportunity when it arises. I've seen unbelievable amounts of talent on my campus since I got here three years ago and there is no better time to take advantage of it.
Over 20 Wheaton students and 8 faculty from 4 different departments are involved with the project already and that number is growing every day. There are also 9 other people involved from Sweden to Cape Cod to New York. Pulling students from different majors and departments, and being able to use equipment provided by the school is invaluable and this film would not be possible on this budget without taking full advantage of this.
This is the first time a project of this stature has ever been attempted at Wheaton and it would have been dead in the water already if it weren't for the amazing Wheaton team amassing around this project.
I believe that the term "student film" has a stigma around it that isn't true. The only difference between professionals and the PTEF crew is that we don't get the fancy titles yet. With such a strong cast, crew, and support system at Wheaton, there is no better time to make my first feature film.
What is this film?
"Paint the Eyes First" is the story of an addict named James who at 19 is going to spend his first winter homeless. Wanting to keep his current state of living a secret from the loving Mr. and Mrs. Kindell, the elderly owners of a book shop that James works at, he lies and tells them he has a home and family. As the winter days grow colder James' sleepless nights in the woods become unbearable as he tries to battle his addiction. When his jacket is stolen by his drug dealer he desperately looks for a place to stay and comes upon a music conservatory. On the brink of hypothermia James opens the door and crashes into Alex, a 22 year old janitor on his first day of the job. He eventually meets Alex's wife, Sam, a painter. To Alex's opposition Sam invites James to stay with them in the conservatory at night as long as James overcomes his addiction and helps clean the conservatory. James battles his addiction and being chased by his drug dealer while Alex and Sam grapple with starting their lives and moving to New York, leaving James behind. "Paint the Eyes First" or PTEF is a film about family and shows how one can be formed in the most unlikely of places.
My goal for the character James is to show an addict as a real person instead of a monster, which I feel isn't what happens a lot of times in movies that show addiction. I want this to be a character that the audience cares about and that you'd never expect to have an addiction problem because most times, that's exactly what happens.

Who am I?
My name is Michael Kristy, I'm a 21 year old filmmaker from Cape Cod, currently attending Wheaton College (MA). I've been making films since early seventh grade and haven't stopped since. I've been planning on making a feature film during my senior year of college since my junior year in high school. My plan was to make a short film every summer until senior year, I ended up doubling that and doing six films, trying to make each one a bit longer than the one prior in order to better prepare for making a full feature. The four films I'm linking below have been completed with a crew of less than three, were all started and finished within two months, with the budget of all four of them combined being under $300.
Elmer's Theory
The Mope
Two's a Company, Three's the Crowd
Buster
I wrote "Paint the Eyes First" earlier this year and have been revising it steadily since then.
Who is in this film?
Glad you asked! Here is the line up:
Michael Kristy (me) - James
Aileen Archambault - Sam
Brendan Geiger - Alex
Michael Sadowsky - Noah
Judy Maloney - Mrs. Kindell
Charlie Corey as Mr. Kindell
Timothy J. Cox - Mr. Gusset
Crew:
Michael Kristy - Director/Writer/Editor
Alivia Cross - First AD
Jake Oshins - Second AD
Asher Trout - Assistant Editor
Manx Magyar - Location Manager
Dominick Torres - Director of Photography
Marcus Wolf - VFX Coordinator
Liz Brozski - Set Design
Drew Kimball - Costume Design
Sammy Zaidi - Production Sound
Kevin Lasit - Casting
Emma Skakel - Hair/Makeup
Earl Raney - Composer
Sophia Darby - Composer
Izacco Lozon - Grip
What is this money going towards?
There are exactly 0 Wheaton team members getting paid to work on this film. Everyone is working on it because we believe we can make something beautiful and by taking advantage of this opportunity we can make many more opportunities for our futures. That being said there are still costs:
1. The cast and crew need to be fed ~$3,500
2. Housing/transportation for cast + crew - $2,000
2. VFX - $5,000
3. Sound artist for post production - $5,000
4. Props - $1,500
5. Costumes - $2,000
6. A colorist - $2,500
7. Locations - $1,500
7. GoFundMe fees - $2,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $25,000
What do you get out of this?
Besides making our lives, there are a ton of perks that come with supporting the film. You can read more about them in the sidebar but some of the highlights are:
-A PDF download of the script
-Early access to the film -Stickers/patches
-T-shirts
-Custom PTEF watches (Bernhardt custom watch, automatic with 200m WR)
-The film slate used in the film -A day on set -A Skype session with myself and the cast
-The chance to be an extra in the film -Replica WWII leather bomber jackets (real full grain leather)
Conclusions:
I've been insanely lucky to have so much support in my life. That's not to say I haven't worked my butt off every single day to get to this point but NONE of this has been possible without the support from my friends, family, teachers, professors, etc. I can't thank you all enough for helping me over the past years. All this support has just made me want work harder and harder in order to make my dream a reality. I've always taken filmmaking seriously but I'm putting everything I have into this film. Without you none of this is possible. By supporting this project via contributing money or even just sharing this campaign, you've pushed myself and the entire team just that much further ahead and we won't disappoint. Whether you like it or not, you are apart of the team now. Let's get to work and make this film.
Why now?

It's important to jump on an opportunity when it arises. I've seen unbelievable amounts of talent on my campus since I got here three years ago and there is no better time to take advantage of it.
Over 20 Wheaton students and 8 faculty from 4 different departments are involved with the project already and that number is growing every day. There are also 9 other people involved from Sweden to Cape Cod to New York. Pulling students from different majors and departments, and being able to use equipment provided by the school is invaluable and this film would not be possible on this budget without taking full advantage of this.
This is the first time a project of this stature has ever been attempted at Wheaton and it would have been dead in the water already if it weren't for the amazing Wheaton team amassing around this project.I believe that the term "student film" has a stigma around it that isn't true. The only difference between professionals and the PTEF crew is that we don't get the fancy titles yet. With such a strong cast, crew, and support system at Wheaton, there is no better time to make my first feature film.
What is this film?"Paint the Eyes First" is the story of an addict named James who at 19 is going to spend his first winter homeless. Wanting to keep his current state of living a secret from the loving Mr. and Mrs. Kindell, the elderly owners of a book shop that James works at, he lies and tells them he has a home and family. As the winter days grow colder James' sleepless nights in the woods become unbearable as he tries to battle his addiction. When his jacket is stolen by his drug dealer he desperately looks for a place to stay and comes upon a music conservatory. On the brink of hypothermia James opens the door and crashes into Alex, a 22 year old janitor on his first day of the job. He eventually meets Alex's wife, Sam, a painter. To Alex's opposition Sam invites James to stay with them in the conservatory at night as long as James overcomes his addiction and helps clean the conservatory. James battles his addiction and being chased by his drug dealer while Alex and Sam grapple with starting their lives and moving to New York, leaving James behind. "Paint the Eyes First" or PTEF is a film about family and shows how one can be formed in the most unlikely of places.
My goal for the character James is to show an addict as a real person instead of a monster, which I feel isn't what happens a lot of times in movies that show addiction. I want this to be a character that the audience cares about and that you'd never expect to have an addiction problem because most times, that's exactly what happens.

Who am I? My name is Michael Kristy, I'm a 21 year old filmmaker from Cape Cod, currently attending Wheaton College (MA). I've been making films since early seventh grade and haven't stopped since. I've been planning on making a feature film during my senior year of college since my junior year in high school. My plan was to make a short film every summer until senior year, I ended up doubling that and doing six films, trying to make each one a bit longer than the one prior in order to better prepare for making a full feature. The four films I'm linking below have been completed with a crew of less than three, were all started and finished within two months, with the budget of all four of them combined being under $300.
Elmer's Theory
The Mope
Two's a Company, Three's the Crowd
Buster
I wrote "Paint the Eyes First" earlier this year and have been revising it steadily since then.
Who is in this film?
Glad you asked! Here is the line up:
Michael Kristy (me) - James
Aileen Archambault - Sam
Brendan Geiger - Alex
Michael Sadowsky - Noah
Judy Maloney - Mrs. Kindell
Charlie Corey as Mr. Kindell
Timothy J. Cox - Mr. GussetCrew:
Michael Kristy - Director/Writer/Editor
Alivia Cross - First AD
Jake Oshins - Second AD
Asher Trout - Assistant Editor
Manx Magyar - Location Manager
Dominick Torres - Director of Photography
Marcus Wolf - VFX Coordinator
Liz Brozski - Set Design
Drew Kimball - Costume Design
Sammy Zaidi - Production Sound
Kevin Lasit - Casting
Emma Skakel - Hair/Makeup
Earl Raney - Composer
Sophia Darby - Composer
Izacco Lozon - Grip
What is this money going towards?
There are exactly 0 Wheaton team members getting paid to work on this film. Everyone is working on it because we believe we can make something beautiful and by taking advantage of this opportunity we can make many more opportunities for our futures. That being said there are still costs:
1. The cast and crew need to be fed ~$3,500
2. Housing/transportation for cast + crew - $2,000
2. VFX - $5,000
3. Sound artist for post production - $5,000
4. Props - $1,500
5. Costumes - $2,000
6. A colorist - $2,500
7. Locations - $1,500
7. GoFundMe fees - $2,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $25,000
What do you get out of this?
Besides making our lives, there are a ton of perks that come with supporting the film. You can read more about them in the sidebar but some of the highlights are:
-A PDF download of the script
-Early access to the film -Stickers/patches
-T-shirts
-Custom PTEF watches (Bernhardt custom watch, automatic with 200m WR)
-The film slate used in the film -A day on set -A Skype session with myself and the cast
-The chance to be an extra in the film -Replica WWII leather bomber jackets (real full grain leather)
Conclusions:I've been insanely lucky to have so much support in my life. That's not to say I haven't worked my butt off every single day to get to this point but NONE of this has been possible without the support from my friends, family, teachers, professors, etc. I can't thank you all enough for helping me over the past years. All this support has just made me want work harder and harder in order to make my dream a reality. I've always taken filmmaking seriously but I'm putting everything I have into this film. Without you none of this is possible. By supporting this project via contributing money or even just sharing this campaign, you've pushed myself and the entire team just that much further ahead and we won't disappoint. Whether you like it or not, you are apart of the team now. Let's get to work and make this film.
Organizer
Michael Kristy
Organizer
East Sandwich, MA