The Gospel According to Stephenson
Colorado Springs, Colorado | Film Feature
Horror, Sci-Fi
Awakening after a century-long sleep, a "real life" vampire with seemingly supernatural powers leverages our vampire-crazed culture to spread his twisted gospel and establish his kind as the dominant species on our planet. Standing in his way - a skeptical cop and the tools of modern science.
The Gospel According to Stephenson
Colorado Springs, Colorado | Film Feature
Horror, Sci-Fi
1 Campaigns | Colorado, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $35,027 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
226 supporters | followers
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Awakening after a century-long sleep, a "real life" vampire with seemingly supernatural powers leverages our vampire-crazed culture to spread his twisted gospel and establish his kind as the dominant species on our planet. Standing in his way - a skeptical cop and the tools of modern science.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
The Story
"The Gospel According to Stephenson" is a vampire film with the theme of the believer vs. the skeptic at the very heart of the film's conflict. The story concerns the appearance of what appears to be a supernatural being in our modern society - Stephenson - and how the worldview of the people he comes in contact with colors their perception of him. Those with a supernatural worldview – “The Believers” - see him as an evil being needing to be stopped in the name of God and morality. Those with a naturalistic world view – “The Skeptics” - see vampirism as a disease that needs to be understood, and if necessary, cured.
Awakening after a 117-year sleep, Stephenson (Matt Block) - a hybrid form of human being with vampire-like characteristics – discovers a world he could never have imagined. Capitalizing on modern society’s pop culture obsession with vampires, he lures followers into adopting the vampire “lifestyle,” with its promise of an amoral and responsibility-free existence. As the centerpiece of his master plan, Stephenson appeals to the human desire for immortality to promote his own Gospel of "Eternal Life, Guaranteed" - the foundation of his new religion.
Standing in Stephenson’s way are the forces of modern law enforcement and scientific skepticism, embodied by Officer Sam Bowden (Jason Coviello) and Doctor David Bradford. With the assistance of Detective Karen Harper, they slowly unravel the mysteries of Stephenson’s existence and work to stop him from implementing his plans to divide and conquer our society.
Complicating matters is Police Chief Dobson (Tony Todd), who sees Stephenson as the embodiment of evil and of Satan’s influence in our world. Also caught in the crossfire is Sam’s wife Jessica (Jessica Duffy), a recovering alcoholic who is severely tempted by Stephenson’s promise of a responsibility-free (and eternal) life. Eventually, the fate of her husband and perhaps the world turns on her decisions.
By exploring religious, scientific and political themes within a horror / science fiction framework, our goal is to encourage people to re-examine their worldviews and belief systems while being entertained by a straightforward, fun, and darkly satirical vampire tale. With all the current political debate about the role of religion in government, we are excited about exploring the clash between belief systems and objective, scientific reality in a unique and entertaining fashion. Much in the same way that pop culture visionaries such as Gene Roddenberry ("Star Trek") used fantastical settings to explore "hot button" cultural issues, we hope that our science fiction / horror setting will allow us to examine these issues without being heavy handed or - despite the subject matter - preachy.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Marketing Expenses
Costs $3,500
Without publicity, no one knows we are here. Sad but true...
Make Up Artist
Costs $2,500
It's a vampire movie. We all know that vampire movies need good makeup FX.
Pre-production Cast and Crew
Costs $8,500
Making a GOOD movie means lots of prep - rehearsing, location scouting, and planning every shot.
Director
Costs $5,000
Yes, the director needs to eat too, especially during pre-production - a full time gig.
Legal Services
Costs $5,000
Lawyers are expensive. But important.
Craft Services Food
Costs $2,500
You don't want our cast and crew to starve, do you?
Prop Package
Costs $1,000
We need to get to work right away building our props and set dressings - here's your chance to help!
Key Grip
Costs $1,000
What's a Grip or Gaffer? They control the lighting, and we need them to plan out our shots too.
Production Designer
Costs $5,000
We have an amazing fight scene set in an operating room during surgery. Help us build our set!
Cinematographer
Costs $1,000
We need our cinematographer to help plan our shots - critical to smooth, successful shoot.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
John Schuermann - Writer / Director / Composer: John has been an active filmmaker and film composer for 25 years, with numerous shorts and feature films under his belt including SO SHALL YOU REAP, HALCYON, and THE CREEP BEHIND THE CAMERA. With "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO STEPHENSON," John hopes to make a film that approaches the vampire genre from a truly unique and thoughtful point of view - one that explores how our society would actually react to the arrival of what appears to be a supernatural being in our midst. The themes of science vs. religion and the skeptic vs. the believer have always been of extreme interest to John, and he hopes to explore those themes within this film.
Jim Musante - Producer / Creative Consultant: As a man of science (psychotherapist), Jim brings decades of professional experience exploring the human psyche and personal narratives - themes that are central to this story. As a screenwriter and songwriter in his own right, Jim's role as creative consultant brings a unique combination of creative affinities to the production environment. He is also the head of his own entertainment development company: BITxBITxBIT Productions.
Matt Block: Actor, "Stephenson": Matt Block is an actor known for Until Dawn (2014), People of the Book (2013), Terminal Legacy (2012), and Occupy Your Heart (2012). He received his B.A. from Colorado State University in Performing Arts. He then went on to do a study abroad via a Continued Education Program with Florida State University in London. Later he attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Acting for Film from New York Film Academy and eventually his M.A. in Acting for Screen from the Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London. He was the lead actor in CSU's The Distance From Here which won best show in Region VII of KCACTF in 2008.
Jason Coviello: Actor, "Sam Bowden": Jason Coviello is an outstanding actor and director, known for Ink (2009), The Shadow Walkers (2006), Suburban (2008), and The Creep Behind the Camera (2014). Jason also has extensive television credits including THE RED ROAD, MANHATTAN, Amazon's new Pilot EDGE.
Jessica Duffy: Actress, "Jessica Bowden": Jessica Duffy was born on in Denver, Colorado, USA but currently lives in L.A.. She is known for her work on Ink (2009), The Inner Room (2011), Dirty Little Trick (2011), and In the First Degree (2013). Jessica currently lives in L.A. but is eager to return to her hometown to perform in "The Gospel According to Stephenson." More info on Jessica can be found at her website www.jessicaduffy.net.
Ralph Giordano - Production Manager: Ralph has been involved with film and video production for over 25 years. He writes, produces, and directs video productions ranging from commercials, training and marketing videos, to short independent films and videos. He is a co-creator of the Pikes Peak Film Council, manager of the Peak Film Forum, and has served on the Colorado Springs Film Advisory Board. Ralph is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production.
Margot Schuermann - Editor / Marketing Manager / Creative Consultant: Margot is a world-class Creative Consultant and Copywriter. Her award-winning work has been featured in Ad Week and praised by The Denver 50, The Show and the Miami Addys. After earning degrees in Psychology and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin, she completed a post-graduate degree in copywriting from the Miami Ad School while studying in Chicago, Hamburg, Miami, Minneapolis and New York. Since then, Margot has worked at top ad agencies worldwide including Leo Burnett in Chicago and Phillip and Keuntje in Hamburg, Germany. But despite her jet set credentials, Margot’s love of the mountains and the Colorado Springs area keep her firmly planted right here.
Rick Kartis – Associate Producer: Rick Kartis is not new to movies, television, or the stage. Rick has written short stories and has written and directed many local and national television commercials and radio spots. He has acted at the Fine Arts Center and at the Pikes Peak Center plus worked with the Star Bar Players. Two of his biggest accomplishments were winning First Place in 1987 for the annual StarAwards for “The Best :30-spot in Television” (as writer, director, producer, actor), as well as creating the area’s longest and most involved screenwriters group in 1995: The Pikes Peak Area Screenwriters (PPAS).
Aaron DePry - Director of Photography: Aaron has been working in high-end production for the past six years. He has worked with a variety of clients (UCCS, University of Colorado Boulder, Western Union, PPCC, and Cripple Creek) and celebrities (The Shins, Sarah Barilles, Tony Todd, and Tommy Hinkley). As a cinematographer Aaron draws inspiration from the works of Roger Deakins (Skyfall, No Country for Old Men) and Matthew Libatique (Requiem for a Dream, Iron Man). His most recent works include The Creep Behind the Camera (Producer), Sarah Barilles "I Choose You" (DP), and the Gospel According to Stephonson trailer (DP). Currently Aaron also works as an instructor in the Visual and Performing Arts Department at The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. As an instructor he teaches his students the fundamentals of lighting and composition as well as the art of short form story telling.
Kevon Ward – FX Make-up Artist: Kevon Ward has had an intense passion for art from a young age, creating home movies and participated in high school theatre where he first exposed himself to makeup. While attending the Art Institue of Colorado he began an internship with LaFond FX, creating sets, props, and theme design for haunted houses, amusement parks and film. His first feature "Hans Crippleton: Talk to the Hans" features several effects by Kevon including makeup, set fabrication, puppetry, animatronics, graphic design, and digital post production. Refining these crafts earned Kevon a spot on this upcoming season of Face Off, a hit reality TV show where special effects makeup artists put their skills to the test.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
The Story
"The Gospel According to Stephenson" is a vampire film with the theme of the believer vs. the skeptic at the very heart of the film's conflict. The story concerns the appearance of what appears to be a supernatural being in our modern society - Stephenson - and how the worldview of the people he comes in contact with colors their perception of him. Those with a supernatural worldview – “The Believers” - see him as an evil being needing to be stopped in the name of God and morality. Those with a naturalistic world view – “The Skeptics” - see vampirism as a disease that needs to be understood, and if necessary, cured.
Awakening after a 117-year sleep, Stephenson (Matt Block) - a hybrid form of human being with vampire-like characteristics – discovers a world he could never have imagined. Capitalizing on modern society’s pop culture obsession with vampires, he lures followers into adopting the vampire “lifestyle,” with its promise of an amoral and responsibility-free existence. As the centerpiece of his master plan, Stephenson appeals to the human desire for immortality to promote his own Gospel of "Eternal Life, Guaranteed" - the foundation of his new religion.
Standing in Stephenson’s way are the forces of modern law enforcement and scientific skepticism, embodied by Officer Sam Bowden (Jason Coviello) and Doctor David Bradford. With the assistance of Detective Karen Harper, they slowly unravel the mysteries of Stephenson’s existence and work to stop him from implementing his plans to divide and conquer our society.
Complicating matters is Police Chief Dobson (Tony Todd), who sees Stephenson as the embodiment of evil and of Satan’s influence in our world. Also caught in the crossfire is Sam’s wife Jessica (Jessica Duffy), a recovering alcoholic who is severely tempted by Stephenson’s promise of a responsibility-free (and eternal) life. Eventually, the fate of her husband and perhaps the world turns on her decisions.
By exploring religious, scientific and political themes within a horror / science fiction framework, our goal is to encourage people to re-examine their worldviews and belief systems while being entertained by a straightforward, fun, and darkly satirical vampire tale. With all the current political debate about the role of religion in government, we are excited about exploring the clash between belief systems and objective, scientific reality in a unique and entertaining fashion. Much in the same way that pop culture visionaries such as Gene Roddenberry ("Star Trek") used fantastical settings to explore "hot button" cultural issues, we hope that our science fiction / horror setting will allow us to examine these issues without being heavy handed or - despite the subject matter - preachy.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Marketing Expenses
Costs $3,500
Without publicity, no one knows we are here. Sad but true...
Make Up Artist
Costs $2,500
It's a vampire movie. We all know that vampire movies need good makeup FX.
Pre-production Cast and Crew
Costs $8,500
Making a GOOD movie means lots of prep - rehearsing, location scouting, and planning every shot.
Director
Costs $5,000
Yes, the director needs to eat too, especially during pre-production - a full time gig.
Legal Services
Costs $5,000
Lawyers are expensive. But important.
Craft Services Food
Costs $2,500
You don't want our cast and crew to starve, do you?
Prop Package
Costs $1,000
We need to get to work right away building our props and set dressings - here's your chance to help!
Key Grip
Costs $1,000
What's a Grip or Gaffer? They control the lighting, and we need them to plan out our shots too.
Production Designer
Costs $5,000
We have an amazing fight scene set in an operating room during surgery. Help us build our set!
Cinematographer
Costs $1,000
We need our cinematographer to help plan our shots - critical to smooth, successful shoot.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
John Schuermann - Writer / Director / Composer: John has been an active filmmaker and film composer for 25 years, with numerous shorts and feature films under his belt including SO SHALL YOU REAP, HALCYON, and THE CREEP BEHIND THE CAMERA. With "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO STEPHENSON," John hopes to make a film that approaches the vampire genre from a truly unique and thoughtful point of view - one that explores how our society would actually react to the arrival of what appears to be a supernatural being in our midst. The themes of science vs. religion and the skeptic vs. the believer have always been of extreme interest to John, and he hopes to explore those themes within this film.
Jim Musante - Producer / Creative Consultant: As a man of science (psychotherapist), Jim brings decades of professional experience exploring the human psyche and personal narratives - themes that are central to this story. As a screenwriter and songwriter in his own right, Jim's role as creative consultant brings a unique combination of creative affinities to the production environment. He is also the head of his own entertainment development company: BITxBITxBIT Productions.
Matt Block: Actor, "Stephenson": Matt Block is an actor known for Until Dawn (2014), People of the Book (2013), Terminal Legacy (2012), and Occupy Your Heart (2012). He received his B.A. from Colorado State University in Performing Arts. He then went on to do a study abroad via a Continued Education Program with Florida State University in London. Later he attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Acting for Film from New York Film Academy and eventually his M.A. in Acting for Screen from the Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London. He was the lead actor in CSU's The Distance From Here which won best show in Region VII of KCACTF in 2008.
Jason Coviello: Actor, "Sam Bowden": Jason Coviello is an outstanding actor and director, known for Ink (2009), The Shadow Walkers (2006), Suburban (2008), and The Creep Behind the Camera (2014). Jason also has extensive television credits including THE RED ROAD, MANHATTAN, Amazon's new Pilot EDGE.
Jessica Duffy: Actress, "Jessica Bowden": Jessica Duffy was born on in Denver, Colorado, USA but currently lives in L.A.. She is known for her work on Ink (2009), The Inner Room (2011), Dirty Little Trick (2011), and In the First Degree (2013). Jessica currently lives in L.A. but is eager to return to her hometown to perform in "The Gospel According to Stephenson." More info on Jessica can be found at her website www.jessicaduffy.net.
Ralph Giordano - Production Manager: Ralph has been involved with film and video production for over 25 years. He writes, produces, and directs video productions ranging from commercials, training and marketing videos, to short independent films and videos. He is a co-creator of the Pikes Peak Film Council, manager of the Peak Film Forum, and has served on the Colorado Springs Film Advisory Board. Ralph is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production.
Margot Schuermann - Editor / Marketing Manager / Creative Consultant: Margot is a world-class Creative Consultant and Copywriter. Her award-winning work has been featured in Ad Week and praised by The Denver 50, The Show and the Miami Addys. After earning degrees in Psychology and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin, she completed a post-graduate degree in copywriting from the Miami Ad School while studying in Chicago, Hamburg, Miami, Minneapolis and New York. Since then, Margot has worked at top ad agencies worldwide including Leo Burnett in Chicago and Phillip and Keuntje in Hamburg, Germany. But despite her jet set credentials, Margot’s love of the mountains and the Colorado Springs area keep her firmly planted right here.
Rick Kartis – Associate Producer: Rick Kartis is not new to movies, television, or the stage. Rick has written short stories and has written and directed many local and national television commercials and radio spots. He has acted at the Fine Arts Center and at the Pikes Peak Center plus worked with the Star Bar Players. Two of his biggest accomplishments were winning First Place in 1987 for the annual StarAwards for “The Best :30-spot in Television” (as writer, director, producer, actor), as well as creating the area’s longest and most involved screenwriters group in 1995: The Pikes Peak Area Screenwriters (PPAS).
Aaron DePry - Director of Photography: Aaron has been working in high-end production for the past six years. He has worked with a variety of clients (UCCS, University of Colorado Boulder, Western Union, PPCC, and Cripple Creek) and celebrities (The Shins, Sarah Barilles, Tony Todd, and Tommy Hinkley). As a cinematographer Aaron draws inspiration from the works of Roger Deakins (Skyfall, No Country for Old Men) and Matthew Libatique (Requiem for a Dream, Iron Man). His most recent works include The Creep Behind the Camera (Producer), Sarah Barilles "I Choose You" (DP), and the Gospel According to Stephonson trailer (DP). Currently Aaron also works as an instructor in the Visual and Performing Arts Department at The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. As an instructor he teaches his students the fundamentals of lighting and composition as well as the art of short form story telling.
Kevon Ward – FX Make-up Artist: Kevon Ward has had an intense passion for art from a young age, creating home movies and participated in high school theatre where he first exposed himself to makeup. While attending the Art Institue of Colorado he began an internship with LaFond FX, creating sets, props, and theme design for haunted houses, amusement parks and film. His first feature "Hans Crippleton: Talk to the Hans" features several effects by Kevon including makeup, set fabrication, puppetry, animatronics, graphic design, and digital post production. Refining these crafts earned Kevon a spot on this upcoming season of Face Off, a hit reality TV show where special effects makeup artists put their skills to the test.