The Book Keepers
My mom dreamed her debut book would be a breakout success. Her death interrupted that dream, but my dad was determined to spread her message and set out on his own tour. With Mom's words as our guide, we confront loss, explore spirituality, and surprise ourselves with laughter, hope and love.
My mom dreamed her debut book would be a breakout success. Her death interrupted that dream, but my dad was determined to spread her message and set out on his own tour. With Mom's words as our guide, we confront loss, explore spirituality, and surprise ourselves with laughter, hope and love.
Participating In
100 Days of Optimism
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Story
Mission Statement
Everyone experiences grief. This is an attempt to share our personal story. Check out our team page to learn about the awesome contributors lending their unique perspectives to this project.About The Project
*The S&S campaign was a success, and you can still make a 100% tax-deductible donation to the film! www.bookkeepers.movie/donate
You can mail a check with "The Book Keepers" in the memo line to:
Southern Documentary Fund
P.O. Box 3622
Durham, NC 27702
Why Now?
Coping with illness, loss and disappointment is universal and timeless. But this story is unfolding before our eyes. It's a unique opportunity to connect with a folksy, relatable protagonist who is exploring the depths of these issues in an intimate, and often-times humorous way. The father-son cross-generational aspect adds another layer. It is important to refresh this conversation.
We aim to do so in a voice that is culturally congruent, and through a medium consistent with how people consume content. On a macro level, we are living in a period of tremendous loss and displacement. That reality has a profound impact on our world and on each of us personally. How do we manage the deep psychological wounds of many of those in our society? This story is about those wounds, just in a different context.
The film tells an uplifting story focused on helping others embrace their doubts and realities. It's not a guide to avoiding discomfort. It is about accepting yourself, even when you are searching for answers. It is about maintaining perspective and working to cultivate open hearts. In that way, it is complementary to the lessons learned in my mom's book. It deals with loss, grief and suffering from an honest perspective.
THANK YOU!
Check out our updates page for more information on the story and the progress!
Incentives
$5
We Love You!
You've made us smile!
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible
$10
You're Awesome!
The above PLUS:
We'll show our thanks to you or your project or group by writing a social media shout-out. Or maybe my dad writes your name on a wall (probably the former though).
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
$25
A Friend of the Film
All of the above PLUS:
- A link to stream the finished film when it becomes available for distribution.
$50
A "Better" Friend of the Film ; )
All of the above PLUS:
- An exclusive look at a sample scene of the film.
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
$100
Spoiler Alert!
All of the above PLUS:
- An exclusive look at TWO sample scenes of the film.
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
$250
Insider
- We’ll send you a private link to a rough draft of the movie trailer.
- Your name listed in the credits of the film under "Special Thanks."
Also includes: Two sample scenes of the film. Social media shoutout. A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
Claimed: 17 of 100
$250
*ARTIST SPECIAL* Limited Quantity!
All of the above PLUS:
1-hour story consult with Catherine & Elena at StoryMineMedia via phone or videochat.
Also includes: An exclusive look at two sample scenes of the film. Social media shoutout. Credit listing under "special thanks." A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
Claimed: 1 of 5
$500
We Read You!
- A signed copy of Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening (signed by Dick Wall)
- A .pdf copy of the film's outline (with images) when it premieres.
Also includes: Two sample scenes. Exclusive link to movie trailer. Social media shoutout. Credit listing under "special thanks." A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution minus the value of the book and shipping is tax-deductible. You can opt to not take the book if you'd prefer the tax credit.
$1,000
Let's Party!
- You and a friend will be invited to join the team in New York as we celebrate the completion of the film. Travel and lodging are not included.
Also includes: A private link to a rough draft of the movie trailer. A signed hardcover copy of Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening. The film's outline. Two sample scenes of the film. Social media shoutout. Credit listing under "special thanks."A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution minus the value of the book and shipping is tax-deductible. You can opt to not take the book if you'd prefer the tax credit.
Claimed: 4 of 50
$2,500
We See You!
We will let you in on the action! You will get an invite for you and a friend to a private test screening of the film (location and schedule TBD). Travel and lodging are not included.
Also includes:
A copy of Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening. Copy of the film's outline. Two sample scenes. Social media shoutout. Credit listing under "special thanks." A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution minus the value of the book and shipping is tax-deductible. You can opt to not take the book if you'd prefer the tax credit.
Claimed: 1 of 10
$5,000
Associate Producer
See the film before anyone else + become famous! You will get two invites to a private test screening (travel and lodging are not included). You will also receive credit as an associate producer in the film credits and on IMDb.
Also includes: An exclusively private link to a rough draft of the movie trailer. A signed hardcover copy of Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening. Invite to wrap party. Two sample scenes of the film. Social media shoutout. A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.*Your entire contribution minus the value of the book and shipping is tax-deductible. You can opt to not take the book if you'd prefer the tax credit.
Claimed: 0 of 10
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
We Love You!
You've made us smile!
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible
$10
You're Awesome!
The above PLUS:
We'll show our thanks to you or your project or group by writing a social media shout-out. Or maybe my dad writes your name on a wall (probably the former though).
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
$25
A Friend of the Film
All of the above PLUS:
- A link to stream the finished film when it becomes available for distribution.
$50
A "Better" Friend of the Film ; )
All of the above PLUS:
- An exclusive look at a sample scene of the film.
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
$100
Spoiler Alert!
All of the above PLUS:
- An exclusive look at TWO sample scenes of the film.
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
$250
Insider
- We’ll send you a private link to a rough draft of the movie trailer.
- Your name listed in the credits of the film under "Special Thanks."
Also includes: Two sample scenes of the film. Social media shoutout. A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
Claimed: 17 of 100
$250
*ARTIST SPECIAL* Limited Quantity!
All of the above PLUS:
1-hour story consult with Catherine & Elena at StoryMineMedia via phone or videochat.
Also includes: An exclusive look at two sample scenes of the film. Social media shoutout. Credit listing under "special thanks." A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution is tax-deductible.
Claimed: 1 of 5
$500
We Read You!
- A signed copy of Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening (signed by Dick Wall)
- A .pdf copy of the film's outline (with images) when it premieres.
Also includes: Two sample scenes. Exclusive link to movie trailer. Social media shoutout. Credit listing under "special thanks." A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution minus the value of the book and shipping is tax-deductible. You can opt to not take the book if you'd prefer the tax credit.
$1,000
Let's Party!
- You and a friend will be invited to join the team in New York as we celebrate the completion of the film. Travel and lodging are not included.
Also includes: A private link to a rough draft of the movie trailer. A signed hardcover copy of Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening. The film's outline. Two sample scenes of the film. Social media shoutout. Credit listing under "special thanks."A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution minus the value of the book and shipping is tax-deductible. You can opt to not take the book if you'd prefer the tax credit.
Claimed: 4 of 50
$2,500
We See You!
We will let you in on the action! You will get an invite for you and a friend to a private test screening of the film (location and schedule TBD). Travel and lodging are not included.
Also includes:
A copy of Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening. Copy of the film's outline. Two sample scenes. Social media shoutout. Credit listing under "special thanks." A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.
*Your entire contribution minus the value of the book and shipping is tax-deductible. You can opt to not take the book if you'd prefer the tax credit.
Claimed: 1 of 10
$5,000
Associate Producer
See the film before anyone else + become famous! You will get two invites to a private test screening (travel and lodging are not included). You will also receive credit as an associate producer in the film credits and on IMDb.
Also includes: An exclusively private link to a rough draft of the movie trailer. A signed hardcover copy of Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening. Invite to wrap party. Two sample scenes of the film. Social media shoutout. A link to stream the finished film when it is available for distribution.*Your entire contribution minus the value of the book and shipping is tax-deductible. You can opt to not take the book if you'd prefer the tax credit.
Claimed: 0 of 10
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Phil Wall is a filmmaker who began his professional career in 2007 by launching work on "The Passing Game"—telling a story he tracked for over a decade before wrapping production in 2018. He independently produced, directed, edited and licensed his first documentary feature release, "Unbelievable is Believable, Here" in 2014. Wall's second documentary feature, "The Standard," was acquired by Gravitas Ventures and premiered in September 2020. His work has been recognized by organizations like The Southern Documentary Fund, The Virginia Film Office, Seed&Spark, and WeTransfer, and his short documentaries have been published by The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, The Roanoke Times and Sports Illustrated. He has filmed in over a dozen countries, and has directed commercial content for clients across the USA. He is native of Roanoke, VA, and a 2007 graduate of Williams College (MA).
Visit philwall.film for more info.
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