Skate Night - Roller Rink Zombie Comedy
Donation protected
What is Skate Night?
Hi! My name is Logan. I'm a film professional based in Brooklyn, New York. Skate Night is a short film passion project that’s close to my heart.
This action-packed zombie-comedy short (or zom-com, as I like to call it) follows a dad and his teenage daughter at their favorite roller rink's annual Halloween party, but this year's 1980s-themed bash abruptly turns to HELL ON FOUR WHEELS when the roller skaters mysteriously start to transform into zombies.
The look and content of the film will take inspiration from the ‘80s theme—think John Hughes meets John Carpenter. This extends to format, as well: we will be shooting parts of the movie onto physical tapes with a camcorder! The footage will then be converted to digital, with its authentic VHS style intact. For the pieces we shoot digitally, we will be using the tape as aesthetic inspiration to match the look during editing.
A little background on me: I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker ever since picking up my first camera to make YouTube videos in my backyard as a 13-year-old in 2009 with my little brother, Mac, and our neighbor/best friend, Sam. I received my BA in Studies in Cinema & Media Culture in 2018, and I've been writing Skate Night on and off since 2016. Now, you can help me make it real.
About the Crew
Personally, I have worked in film as a Set Production Assistant, a Health and Safety Supervisor, and most recently as a Location Coordinator on Netflix’s Black Rabbit (out next year). In my free time, I have also enjoyed producing a few indie shorts and music videos. After years of on-hands experience, I finally feel ready to make my own short for the first time since I was a student.
Of course, I’m also bringing Mac and Sam onto the project (this isn’t our first go-around; we made a zombie movie in a local cemetery as kids), plus a talented crew of friends, artists, and film professionals alike, with recent work on television, independent and theatrical films, music videos, sculpture, illustration and more!
I am a big believer in emphasizing the fun parts of filmmaking, and I like to look at the crew as a collaborative team of creatives and problem-solvers. With the help of everyone involved—the cast, crew, and YOU—we will be able to put together a wonderful film that's been in the making for almost a decade!
What We Need
We're looking to raise $15,000 to cover pre-production and shooting costs. This money will go towards:
- Food and lodging for the cast and crew - $4,500
- Location fee to pay for the roller rink - $2,000
- Film insurance (just in case!) - $2,500
- Tape to shoot the film on camcorder!
- Grip and electric equipment rentals (lights, stands, sandbags, etc.)
- Camera and sound equipment rentals (lenses, microphones, etc.)
- Props and Set dressing
- Special effects make-up
- Wardrobe
If our fundraising goal isn't met, the funds will still be invested into the short and we will continue searching for funding elsewhere to make the project happen.
Risks & Challenges
Our two biggest challenges on this project are shooting parts of it on camcorder and teaching everyone on the cast and crew to roller skate (well, not everyone, but a lot of our exciting action and fight sequences take place on roller skates, so practice will be key)! Thankfully, we have experience when it comes to both! The plan is to shoot mainly on a cinema camera and use a Panasonic Mini-DV camera for B-Roll and Plate shoots for inspiration and use in editing.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you're not able to contribute monetarily, there are plenty of other ways to help.
Please share this page across your socials
Things that we are looking for that you may have:
- Roller skates to be borrowed 12/1/24–12/4/24
- A van (or minivan) to help up get cast and crew upstate 12/1/24– 12/4/24
- 80's wardrobe (think bright and lively)
- Electric equipment
- Aperture 1200d
- Amaran F22c
- Halloween decorations
- Connections in Accord, NY
- Borrowing your Costco membership!
Organizer
Logan Jones
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY