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About the Scene
The scene is about Chakshoo, a young street worker who visits his friend Pooja every evening. He brings her sweets and snacks, and they have fun conversations with each other. But this scene takes place after Pooja has already become addicted to sniffing glue. She is less interested in Chakshoo’s company and only interested in getting more glue. She eventually asks Chakshoo if he has brought her any, and Chakshoo must decide what he can do for his friend.
We shot this scene during our pre-production trip in March. The experience was instrumental in helping us prepare to shoot the final film. It is a spec scene and won’t be in the film, but gives you a glimpse into our style and the characters. You can read more about the evolving story and characters on the About page. Please contribute however you can so that we can make the final film. Thank you for watching!
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Meet Pooja: Priyanka Sharma
Priyanka is an incredible actress. As soon as she walked in to audition, I knew she was going to be in our film. During the workshops, she gave moments that stunned all of us in the room and she made me forget that we were there making a film. She would so seriously become the character, then look up suddenly and smile and ask, “Was that good?” She has a bright future ahead of her.
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Meet Chakshoo: Pratik Katare
Pratik is an enormously talented young actor. He is always ready for a take and adds so much to the characters we give him. In between takes, he keeps the crew laughing and is a great pleasure to work with. He recently starred in the hit film, Shakal Pe Mat Ja, and starred opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 2009′s Paa.
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Why Are We Making This Film?
There are few things more fascinating than the imagination of a child. Since entering film school, I knew I wanted to make a film where the lead characters were children navigating a very adult world. Then I saw many films coming from India about children living in poverty. But they portrayed the characters as dark and depressed. That was different from my experiences in India and from what I witnessed. I want to make this film to show the true spirit of India.
The film will be approximately 15 minutes long and we plan to submit to international film festivals, especially those with human rights and social justice themes. Most of us have just graduated from university, and this marks our first big film project. If you support this film, then you’re also supporting our careers as filmmakers.
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What Your Contribution Does
The estimated budget for production is $25,000. This includes all expenses necessary to shoot the film. We will pay the entire cast and crew, feed them, and house them if necessary. We will also use professional equipment. Your contribution will go strictly towards the production of the film. We are taking responsibility for all of our personal expenses, including airfare.
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Want Your Contribution To Be Tax-Deductible?
We are proud to be fiscally sponsored by the San Francisco Film Society, which allows us to offer tax-deductions on contributions of $250 or more. If you’d like to make a tax-deductible contribution of $250 or more please click on the button below.
Please note that The San Francisco Film Society takes 10% of all contributions. If you are not interested in a tax-deduction and would like more of your contribution to go to the project, please use the button at the top of the page.
You can also write a check to: San Francisco Film Society. Please include “Chakshoo – FSP1349″ in the memo line and mail to: 39 Mesa Street, Suite 110, The Presidio, San Francisco CA 94129-1025.
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Other Ways to Contribute
You can also write a check to Oliphant Films with Chakshoo in the memo line. Mail to: 4040 Blair Ridge Road, Chino Hills, CA, 91709
If you can’t contribute money, but you still believe in this project, please ‘like’ our facebook page and share our website with everyone you can.
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Check Out The Short Scene We Shot in August!
We took a trip to India in August and shot a short scene for fun.
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The Goal
We want to raise $10,000 that can go towards production of the film.
Our goal is to raise this by November 1st, and to start filming in December, 2011.
We’ve currently raised: $9331. Help us get to our goal!
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Filming the Scene: Stills
Check out some stills from filming the scene. We shot on Madh Island, a small Island off the coast of Mumbai. The photos were taken by the very talented Mumbai-based photographer Akshay Bhoan.
Check out the contribution levels and the great rewards below!
For other ways to contribute, and to find out how to make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here.
We've wrapped production! Thanks to all of you for supporting us so far and check back soon for fundraising updates.
$50 OR MORE – GANDHI BAG
We love you. We’ll give you the downloadable copy, and 2 DVD copies - one for yourself, and one to give to a friend, to educate them on this important issue.
You'll also get one of these beautiful cloth bags from eCoexist. Read more about them by clicking on the image. 39 Left!
10 Contributions So Far
$100 OR MORE – HANDLOOM BAG
We love everyone the same, but especially you. We’ll give you the downloadable copy, 2 DVD copies, and a beautiful colored cloth bag from eCoexist.
Your donation will help support the entrepreneurial women who create these bags as a primary source of income. Read more about the bags by clicking on the image. Only 11 Left!
9 Contributions So Far
$250 OR MORE – AKANKSHA ART
Wow. You’re really, really awesome. We’ll give you an eCoexist Gandhi Inspirational Bag, 2 DVDs, the downloadable copy, and artwork from the Akanksha Foundation.
Your donation will support the Akanksha Art Workshops run by and for deserving children. Read more about the Art by clicking on the image below. 17 Left!
3 Contributions So Far$1000 OR MORE – A GOOD PERSON
You’ll also get all of the above, and perhaps the best gift of them all: we'll give $200 of your donation to our producer's orphanage on Madh Island. This will support one or more child’s education for a year. We'll also give you framed images of the children you supported.
1 Contribution So Far
$200 Given to Orphanage So Far
$2500 OR MORE – A GOOD PERSON
You’ll get a downloadable copy, 2 DVDS, both bags, Akanksha Artwork and the best gift of them all: we'll give $500 of your donation to our producer's orphanage on Madh Island. This will support three or more child’s education for a year. We'll also send you framed images of the children you supported.
