"The Lifters"- A Chapman University Thesis Film

Ben Dame- Director
Andie Huff - Producer

Hi Friends! Thanks for visiting our GoFundMe page for our Chapman University Thesis Film “The Lifters”. Scroll to the end to see some fun incentives for donating!

 

The Lifters is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of modern Southern California. The Lifters, focuses on a rag-tag group of 7th graders hell bent on doing something. When the boys decide to plan the biggest heist of the year, things suddenly stop going according to plan; The Lifters must learn about leadership and camaraderie in order to get away with their prize.

 

Our story puts a close lens on the themes of adolescent rebellion and leadership by combining elements from our favorite coming-of-age and heist films.

 

Backstory

This story started Freshman year when Andie and Ben met and had an idea to combine Andie’s love for coming-of-age movies with Ben’s love for high-stake heist films. Together, the two created a unique storyline that combines all the action and adventure of Ocean’s 11 while still having the heartfelt moments of Stand By Me.

 

The Lifters is related directly to our passion and love for the craft of filmmaking. We were initially excited by this story due to its core focus on adolescent rebellion. As filmmakers, we believe that rebellion is a universal part of the coming-of-age process - as well as the film-making process. Through this thematic link we connect our experience as filmmakers with The Lifters experience as a rag-tag team of thieves.

 

Why we need your help:

Filmmaking is an exceedingly expensive artform; and our particular story includes a variety of costly production expenses in order to be told in a way that is honest to our original vision. These extraneous costs include funding for our actors under the age of 18, which also includes the hiring of a studio teacher which is a costly expense, the rental of a “kick-ass” golf-cart that lends itself as the escape vehicle for the heist, as well as the rental of a large store location to shoot the heist itself within. Our story is told directly through The Lifters Point-of-View, in order for the audience to feel the pressure and drama of the situation - we need elaborate set pieces that exaggerate the stakes of the heist for The Lifters.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, any amount big or small would be unbelievably helpful in making this movie a reality! We begin production in April and couldn’t be more excited to show you all what we’ve spent the last few months working so hard on! Thank you and thank you again we appreciate all of you!

Here is a list of our amazing key crew!

Ben Dame- Director

Andie Huff - Producer

James Bragg - Director of Photography

Samantha Gladson - Production Designer

Aleia Jacobs - Editor

Rohan Dias - Writer

Jeremy Schiedt - Writer
Macy Bernstein- UPM

DONATION INCENTIVES!
$50- Thank You in the Credits!
$100- Thank You in the Credits AND Early Preview Link before the screening
$250- Thank You in the Credits, Early Preview Link, AND some free "The Lifters" goodies!