Do you want an off-the-rails adventure comedy full of tropey goodness? How about just watching a grown man run around and fight imaginary dragons? This movie is for you!
Do you want an off-the-rails adventure comedy full of tropey goodness? How about just watching a grown man run around and fight imaginary dragons? This movie is for you!
Participating In

Hometown Heroes 2017
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Story
Mission Statement
The director is under 25 and autistic. The script passes both the Bechdel and Mako Mori Tests. Plus, we'll continue to make a conscious effort to have a gender-balanced and diverse cast and crew. And of course every step of creation will take place in the historically blue-collar city of Duluth, MN.About The Project
A dark shadow descends over the wondrous port city of Duluth -- the shadow of a dark lord and his nefarious machinations. Duluth has stood firm against the corruption, but his sphere of influence is vast. Soon this land of kindness and generosity will succumb to the Knaves of Industry, just like all the cities before it...
But not while Gleahan of Eastvale still breathes.
Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry is a fantasy-infused adventure comedy about Mark, an opportunistic asshole who gets caught up in Gleahan's delusional quest to take down this "Dark Lord." Filmed in Duluth, MN by budding filmmaker Samuel T Weston, it's already gained the support of several influential names and notable faces throughout the city.
Sam has grown an eclectic body of work through short films like "Translating Minnesota Nice," "Jedi Coworker," "Oracle," and "How Sports Feel to People Who Don't Like Sports." Now, in partnership with the Duluth Film Collective, he's ready to make the leap into feature films.
Gleahan is on its way off the ground. We could just do it the way we always have, by cobbling together a cast and crew of enthusiastic volunteers and praying that everything goes right on set (or that we can salvage the footage we get). But with your help, we can take this film from half-assed to whole-assed and make Gleahan soar.
What do I get?
Well first off, you get an off-the-rails movie full of tropey goodness. Seriously, you won't regret it. Not like Mark regrets joining Gleahan's quest.
You also get one of our fabulous rewards, which you can check out to your right. They're pretty straightforward and can give you lots of nerd-cred. Think about it: some day in the future, someone will stop you at a convention and ask, "Hey! Is that from Gleahan?" And you can proudly say "Yeah! I backed the movie on Seed&Spark!"
Oh, and you get to add fuel to a growing Minnesota film industry.
Wait... An industry?
That's right! We're not just a one-and-done project: we truly believe that Minnesota (and especially Duluth) can be a new major film hub. We're home to thousands of great locations across the state, and thousands more creative people who can use those locations to their fullest.
Look no further than our supporting organization, the Duluth Film Collective -- it's full of every kind of filmmaker and film lover out there, and the cooperative network we've built has only gotten stronger over the years. With their talent and your support, there's no way Gleahan won't get made!
How do I know you'll actually pull it off?
Because Sam has completed every project he set his mind to.
Because we have a team of filmmakers and film lovers encouraging us every step of the way.
Because so many people are already excited, we can't afford to not pull it off.
Because we refuse to let anyone down.
We will make this film, and it will be a fun ride!
Where do I sign up?
See that button at the top of the page that says "Make a Pledge"? Click it and enter an amount that works for you. Even $1. We're happy to have any support you can give.
In fact, you don't even have to contribute money! This campaign is part of Seed&Spark's Hometown Heroes Rally, so even if you just hit Follow you're still helping us! Extra-excited? Share the campaign with your friends!
With your help, we can make this movie truly great.
Incentives
$1
You Have Our Thanks
You're amazing and get a thank-you message straight from director Samuel T Weston! We also guarantee that you'll get updates on every step of production, all the way through distribution.
Contribute before October 1 and we'll also announce your name on the last day of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival! (with video evidence, of course)
$5
Bragging Rights
On top of a thank-you from the director, your name will be proudly displayed in the credits of the final cut!
$5
The Carl Kassell Treatment
Sam listens to a lot of NPR, and somehow he got it into his head that you'd like to have Gleahan's voice on your phone. You get a personalized, in-character voicemail greeting to let your friends know how awesome you are!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
Claimed: 0 of 250
$10
Honorifics Galore!
Everyone in this movie has some crazy honorific given by Gleahan. And at this level he'll bestow one upon you!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)$15
Display the Colors
We'll send you a pack of custom wallpapers for your computer, your phone, your magic mirror, or any other device that displays images with color!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$20
The Film!
You get a digital download of Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry! Huzzah!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$20
The Music!
You get a digital download of the orchestral score to Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$20
The Story!
You get a digital download of the Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry shooting script!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$25
Virtually All Of It
Wallpapers, Script, Soundtrack, the Movie, and the Honorific -- You get all of the downloads!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$50
Banners and Tabards
An exclusive poster or t-shirt: the choice is yours...
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
$50
Your Face. In The Movie.
The name says it all. Come to Duluth, be on set for a day, and have your likeness forever memorialized in audio-visual form. One day, people will look back on this movie and say "look at that wonderful fellow! They made this possible!"
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)Claimed: 3 of 100
$100
CDs are Vintage, Right?
You get a high-quality CD copy of the orchestral score to Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital download)
$100
I Have The Movie In My Hands
You get a DVD & Blu-Ray copy of the finished movie!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
$100
A Feast
Come have a potluck with us in Duluth! Meet the cast and crew, share some food with a dash of Minnesota hospitality, and see an early cut of Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
Claimed: 0 of 100
$150
Like A Book
You get a signed, hand-bound copy of the screenplay!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
$250
Tavern Talk
Do you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin? Come to Duluth and have a beer with the producers, all expenses paid!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
Claimed: 0 of 100
$250
Pick Two
Pick any two of the rewards above. Yes, even the limited rewards!
$250
For the Treasure Hoard
This Collector's Edition will include a unique cover, physical copies of the movie and the soundtrack, as well as a behind-the-scenes DVD with exclusive interviews and commentary tracks.
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)Claimed: 1 of 500
$500
Pick Three
Pick any three of the rewards above (yes, even the limited rewards!) and claim your Associate Producer credit!
$1,000
EVERYTHING.
You just took a big chunk out of our funding goal! At this point, you deserve to have literally every reward we have to offer, as well as Executive Producer credit!
Claimed: 1 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.
$1
You Have Our Thanks
You're amazing and get a thank-you message straight from director Samuel T Weston! We also guarantee that you'll get updates on every step of production, all the way through distribution.
Contribute before October 1 and we'll also announce your name on the last day of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival! (with video evidence, of course)
$5
Bragging Rights
On top of a thank-you from the director, your name will be proudly displayed in the credits of the final cut!
$5
The Carl Kassell Treatment
Sam listens to a lot of NPR, and somehow he got it into his head that you'd like to have Gleahan's voice on your phone. You get a personalized, in-character voicemail greeting to let your friends know how awesome you are!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
Claimed: 0 of 250
$10
Honorifics Galore!
Everyone in this movie has some crazy honorific given by Gleahan. And at this level he'll bestow one upon you!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)$15
Display the Colors
We'll send you a pack of custom wallpapers for your computer, your phone, your magic mirror, or any other device that displays images with color!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$20
The Film!
You get a digital download of Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry! Huzzah!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$20
The Music!
You get a digital download of the orchestral score to Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$20
The Story!
You get a digital download of the Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry shooting script!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$25
Virtually All Of It
Wallpapers, Script, Soundtrack, the Movie, and the Honorific -- You get all of the downloads!
(plus the thank-you and your name in the credits)
$50
Banners and Tabards
An exclusive poster or t-shirt: the choice is yours...
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
$50
Your Face. In The Movie.
The name says it all. Come to Duluth, be on set for a day, and have your likeness forever memorialized in audio-visual form. One day, people will look back on this movie and say "look at that wonderful fellow! They made this possible!"
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)Claimed: 3 of 100
$100
CDs are Vintage, Right?
You get a high-quality CD copy of the orchestral score to Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital download)
$100
I Have The Movie In My Hands
You get a DVD & Blu-Ray copy of the finished movie!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
$100
A Feast
Come have a potluck with us in Duluth! Meet the cast and crew, share some food with a dash of Minnesota hospitality, and see an early cut of Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
Claimed: 0 of 100
$150
Like A Book
You get a signed, hand-bound copy of the screenplay!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
$250
Tavern Talk
Do you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin? Come to Duluth and have a beer with the producers, all expenses paid!
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)
Claimed: 0 of 100
$250
Pick Two
Pick any two of the rewards above. Yes, even the limited rewards!
$250
For the Treasure Hoard
This Collector's Edition will include a unique cover, physical copies of the movie and the soundtrack, as well as a behind-the-scenes DVD with exclusive interviews and commentary tracks.
(plus the thank-you, your name in the credits, and the digital downloads)Claimed: 1 of 500
$500
Pick Three
Pick any three of the rewards above (yes, even the limited rewards!) and claim your Associate Producer credit!
$1,000
EVERYTHING.
You just took a big chunk out of our funding goal! At this point, you deserve to have literally every reward we have to offer, as well as Executive Producer credit!
Claimed: 1 of 10
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Samuel T Weston is a fantasy writer-turned-filmmaker who grew up all around Minnesota (and we mean all around) and ended up in Duluth. His craft has improved with every short film he's set his mind to since moving here, and now he's ready for his first feature.Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry came to him all at once during the 2017 Duluth-Superior Film Fest as "Don Quixote for the Millennial Era," and he completed the script in just a few weeks. Sam tries not to take himself too seriously, lest the Pretentiousness Bug get to him.
Don Millikan III describes himself as an eclectic enigma that cannot be defined -- but we can try! His flowing locks, epic beard, and big personality have become a cornerstone of Duluth's drinking culture, matched only by his love of cooking and a fierce loyalty to those he's come to call friend. When he first read the script for Gleahan and the Knaves of Industry, he exclaimed "This is me, distilled!" Don is a majestic being who cannot be tamed.
Matthew Dressel grew up in Michigan, then made film trailers in LA before moving to Duluth where he lives with his wife and daughter. In 2014 he noticed all the artists in Duluth and asked "where are the film people?" So he formed the Duluth Film Collective, which has become a powerhouse of filmmakers and film lovers in the Twin Ports. In 2016 he won the IFP MN Screenwriting Residency for his script The Other Man, and has four scripts currently in various stages of production. He tries to bury his 2012 web series Let's Kill John Stamos!, but his character was one inspiration while Sam wrote the character of Mark.
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