Obedient high schooler Henry Roberts has been best friends with Jay Marconi for as long as he can remember. But things are starting to change. Henry serves as a passive witness to the tension that divides them after Jay admits he was rejected from college and has to make a decision about his future.
Obedient high schooler Henry Roberts has been best friends with Jay Marconi for as long as he can remember. But things are starting to change. Henry serves as a passive witness to the tension that divides them after Jay admits he was rejected from college and has to make a decision about his future.
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Story
Mission Statement
It is important that the fundraising process not only benefits the project, but people, local artists, and the community of Philadelphia as well by incorporating them throughout development. Our student team is not much older than our protagonists, which makes this a story to be told right now.About The Project
“Fire in an Empty Room” tells the story of Henry Roberts, a hardworking high school student stuck between his future and his self destructive best friend Jay Marconi. The script explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and independence. At the heart of the story lies the struggle between compassion and corruptive violence which, if left unattended, can grow like a flame into a house fire. Jay represents a hot anger, passion, and life. In contrast, Henry represents cold anger, calculated, melting and hardening. This project is especially meaningful to me because I believe in the characters and reality embedded within the story that many students face when pondering their futures’. Entering college, I felt lost in some ways. I was weighed down by fear of the future while I drifted apart from the people I had known my whole life. My hope is that in making a film I wish to see myself, I can help someone feel less alone with their fears. If I can help create an experience surrounded by a talented and passionate crew, then I can walk away knowing my time and energy was well spent. I am grateful for the exciting opportunity to bring likeminded people together and help create an impact on an audience."
- Kurt Ammermann, Writer and Director of Fire in an Empty RoomThis films brooding tone and stylistic aesthetic has been described as Thelma & Louise meets Dazed and Confused with two turbulent boys on the cusp of adulthood at the center.
From top to bottom: Ian Coyle (Producer), Kurt Ammermann (Director), Saba Ahmed (Director of Photograhpy)
This is a story that the Producer and Director feel confident and passionate about telling. As young men, we've had the unique experience of coming of age in a time of uncertainty. We have both described this film as a cathartic performance for all the unexpressed emotions we have felt growing up. For one reason or another, lifelong friends split apart. Neither one knows why; despite them both wondering. We are blessed to have to oppourtunity to bring this thesis to our audience. As we are both preparing to graduate college, we feel a sense of wonder and (albeit less dramatic) uncertainty that our main characters Henry and Jay feel throughout the film. We are in the prime position in both of our lives to bring our personal struggles and stories to the screen.
Which...
Makes this the perfect time to crowdfund!!
Despite the many restrictions COVID has presented to film production on all scales, our team is determined to see this story through and ensure that it gets filmed in 2021. With a set limited to key crew and 2-4 actors a day, we will be providing resources and guidelines to keep every member of this film (and their loved ones) safe and secure amid unsafe conditions. Much like a fire spreading in an empty room, our team is riding high from the momentum of the pre production process. Our storyboards are drawn, test shooting has been done, and hype within our social circle has been generated. We know people want to see us make this film. Our team is composed of creative young college students who have strong networks of supportive friends and family that love to fund their projects. We are bringing this story to every person that has felt obscured by the pressure of time and has lost a strong relationship due to forces out of their control. We hope to heal our own mental wounds along with giving the curently wounded another resource to listen to as story containing the words and emotion that they have had a hard time expressing themselves.Incentives
$15
Instagram Shout Out and Follow
Earn a special shout out via our Instagram page as well as a follow!$25
Early Access To The Film
Pledge $25 to have your email address added to a list of people who will get to view the final cut of Fire in an Empty Room before it officially premieres!
$50
Digital Process Pack
Pledge $50 to recieve a digital folder including: PDF of the final script, Producer's notes, original storyboards with their on-screen comparisons, & screenshots Kurt's digital framing he used to map out certain shots.
*Includes early access to the film$100
BTS Photos/Outtakes
Pledge $100 to have your email address added to a Drive account where you will receive early access to Behind the Scenes photos as well as a compilation video of outtakes!
*Includes early access to the film$250
Become An Extra
Pledge $250 to become an extra for the pivitol party scene at the end of the movie!Transportation/Lodging not provided by filmmakers.
*Includes early access to the film
**We take COVID restirctions very seriously and will be filming this scene safely outside with a limited number of cast/crew on set.Claimed: 0 of 7
$500
Executive Producer Credit
Pledge $500 to recieve an Executive Producer Credit Limited to 1.
*Includes early access to the filmClaimed: 0 of 1
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
Instagram Shout Out and Follow
Earn a special shout out via our Instagram page as well as a follow!$25
Early Access To The Film
Pledge $25 to have your email address added to a list of people who will get to view the final cut of Fire in an Empty Room before it officially premieres!
$50
Digital Process Pack
Pledge $50 to recieve a digital folder including: PDF of the final script, Producer's notes, original storyboards with their on-screen comparisons, & screenshots Kurt's digital framing he used to map out certain shots.
*Includes early access to the film$100
BTS Photos/Outtakes
Pledge $100 to have your email address added to a Drive account where you will receive early access to Behind the Scenes photos as well as a compilation video of outtakes!
*Includes early access to the film$250
Become An Extra
Pledge $250 to become an extra for the pivitol party scene at the end of the movie!Transportation/Lodging not provided by filmmakers.
*Includes early access to the film
**We take COVID restirctions very seriously and will be filming this scene safely outside with a limited number of cast/crew on set.Claimed: 0 of 7
$500
Executive Producer Credit
Pledge $500 to recieve an Executive Producer Credit Limited to 1.
*Includes early access to the filmClaimed: 0 of 1
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Kurt Ammermann - Writer/Director
“I am excited to work with such an amazing crew to create my first real, one-of-a kind film.”
Ian Coyle - Producer
“I’m excited to contribute to telling a story that reflects a lot of the social and personal pressure that I faced when I was at the age of our characters. I’m hoping for this to be a very fun, cathartic experience!”
Saba Ahmed - Director of Photography“I’m excited to overcome the challenges the current pandemic presents to filmmakers and be back in production”
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