After a long awaited return from sea Everly and Mei reunite once more. Though a night of celebration and debauchery quickly turns dangerous as Everly's captain is cursed!

Kit Bellows, a mutinied man trying to make amends to his faithful crew, finds himself changed this night. With powers bestowed by ancient creatures of the sea, Bellows can finally take his revenge on those who've wronged him. It just so happens those folk are here tonight drinking in the same tavern. Though his dark powers prevent him from discerning true friend from foe.

Imagine Pirates of the Caribbean, meets The Hateful Eight, meets Scream and you have Dead Man's Jig!

Why Fund This Film

Dead Man's Jig is going to be a wild ride, but it means more than that to me. This film is about providing jobs to the talent of Los Angeles. Hollywood has had a rough go of it since COVID 19 as what followed included strikes, the devastating fires early this year, and huge runaway production.

If you're not in the film industry it could be easy to balk that Hollywood isn't suffering because of its plethora of multimillion dollar celebs. Unfortunately, the reality is those folks aren't the ones being impacted when productions film in other states because of better tax credits. It's the hundreds of thousands of people whose names scroll for minutes on end in the end credits. The long and short of it is a production is expected to hire from a particular market in order to receive those tax credits back after the film is done.

If Hollywood goes the way of the Detroit auto industry you can be assured bargaining power in other film markets will slip. Not to mention the world! SAG-AFTRA, the union that protects film actors here in the US, is one of, if not the strongest unions due of its sheer size of membership. Other unions across the world look to SAG-AFTRA as an example in their own bargaining strategies.

I've budgeted Dead Man's Jig at 3 million dollars, a low budget when we're talking union productions. However the film will employ 120+ artists, run 90 minutes, and will feature a diverse cast and crew. When Hollywood succeeds the film industry succeeds as the unions and negotiations for bargaining power happen here.

I moved to Los Angeles because I had a dream, and it's easy to see that dream slipping due to bottom line considerations. If we don't continue to support the filmmaking here in the US with projects like these, and if Hollywood fails due to talent abandonment, the quality of content we enjoy will suffer regardless of where it's made. Dead Man's Jig will be filmed here in Los Angeles no matter what! Please support my dream, this mission, and a kick ass film to boot! Thank you so much.

Why Me

My favorite stories are grand tales that center around strong characters and pulpy lore. Some films that have had a huge impact on me include Jurassic Park, Alien, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Mission Impossible, The Matrix, and Indiana Jones. All of these films also contain action.

My favorite form of action is a solid fight scene, however a lot recent movies have let me down in this regard. The reason being is I like longer form fight scenes with less cuts. Think the dojo fight scene between Neo and Morpheus in the original Matrix! Most films today cut the action up so fast I feel like I'm watching Frankenstein's monster.

The first short I directed, Dauntless and the Demigod, was my expression of the aesthetics I enjoy both from a character and action standpoint. I want Dead Man's Jig to be the feature film embodiment of what I love to see as an audience member!

Watch Casey Lloyd's award winning, fantasy-action short Dauntless and the Demigod Here!

What You're Contributing To

Below is the business plan for Dead Man's Jig. Consider your contributions as a strong sea breeze that sets us off on this amazing adventure that'll you'll get to take part in(See incentive descriptions below)!

The goal is to attach a name talent for the lead character of Everly. This will help us to attract investors to the project to provide sufficient funding to match the vision. The most direct line to high caliber talent is through a Casting Director and for that funds must be paid up front. 50% of contributions will go to this end.

Once we have a name attached we need to attract the right sales agents and/or distributors. This can be done in a variety of ways. I will be looking looking at film markets or engaging high valued publicity in trade journals. 30% of contributions will be used here.

Finally, once quality investors have been found I want to make sure that I'm protected. I don't want to get taken advantage of on my first feature film deal. So the remaining 20% of contributions will go to hiring legal representation.

Additional contributions beyond the goal of this campaign will be held in reserve to be put forth into the remaining film budget.

The Team So Far

Hannah Sulak

Hannah Sulak, returning cast member from Dauntless and the Demigod, will be playing the role of Joanna in the film. Joanna is the talented musician of Bellow's crew.

Veniesa Dillon

Veniesa Dillon specializes in Special Effects Makeup and and was trained by Ve Neil and Geneva Nash-Morgan. Ve and Geneva headed up the makeup departments on Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. She will be bringing the practical and blood effects of the script to life.

Mary Sola Spohn

Mary Sola Spohn returns from Dauntless and the Demigod and will be choreographing the sword fights of Dead Man's Jig. Mary's credits include choreographing fights with Oscar award winning talent.

Robert Chapin

Robert Chapin is a seasoned Visual Effects artist and will be overseeing the supernatural world that is Dead Man's Jig. Robert's credits include VFX on blockbusters such as Star Wars: Episode VII, Fast X, and X Men.

Julie Hackett

Julie Hackett is a returning crew member from Dauntless and the Demigod(PA). She is also a dancer and choreographer extraordinaire and will be choreographing the big dance number in Dead Man's Jig.

Incentives

Powder Monkey

Everyone who contributes to this level and beyond will receive behind the scenes updates. These will arrive via your email inbox, but not in a tyrannical sort of way, once every month to every other month at most!

Rigger

With this tier you receive your own custom piece of pirate art to share on your social media page. Tell your friends how much you love the arts, because a life without art ain't a life worth fighting for. Yarrr!

Mate

Curious which celebs I have in mind for the lead role of Everly? This tier will give you a sneak peak into a handful on the list! Plus a small amount of lore regarding the curse in the film. No major spoilers here though!

Master Gunner

Now you'll becomin privy to the true workins inside the captains head. This tier unlocks 3 pages from the actual script which will be sent to your email!

Carpenter

I'm a visual person and don't enjoy shooting a film without a good storyboard. This will give you a look inside a storyboarded scene before the film is complete!

Boatswain

For the true cinephile this tier unlocks your name in the credits! Every time you watch this film with friends you can show them that you were a major supporter of it.

Quarter Master

Want to walk the red carpet premiere with a friend? Then this incentive is for you! It will take place in Los Angeles and is included in the budget so there's guaranteed to be one! Travel and accommodations are not included.

Captain

For the ultimate supporter. For those brave and true you and a friend will get the opportunity to join us on set to watch the epic dance number be shot and to enjoy lunch with cast and crew! Only 4 available and only available to those 21 and older.

Statement of Risk

Financing feature films is a highly risky endeavor with no guarantees of recoupment or profit. However, no other industry offers the profit potential that this type of financing opportunity offers. All investors and producers adhere strictly to tax codes of the United States of America and to SEC regulations. All information, documents and contracts affiliated with this proposal are encouraged to be reviewed by external counsel and accounting professionals.