Harper
Farmington Hills, Michigan | Film Short
Drama, Sci-Fi
This is a film about a woman who is trying to save her husband. It's also a morality story about a woman who must learn how to regain the ability to trust. Most desperately, this is a story about a woman who is doing everything she can with what she is given, and how that makes her dangerous.
Harper
Farmington Hills, Michigan | Film Short
Drama, Sci-Fi

2 Campaigns | Michigan, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $13,312 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
147 supporters | followers
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This is a film about a woman who is trying to save her husband. It's also a morality story about a woman who must learn how to regain the ability to trust. Most desperately, this is a story about a woman who is doing everything she can with what she is given, and how that makes her dangerous.
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Synopsis
Jane is a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail, who spends her days fixing cars for her host, in exchange for a place to stay. Or at least, that's how she hopes it would appear. But her host has begun to notice the strange broadcasts she sends at night and the mysterious device she moves from hiding spot to hiding spot. Hesitant to trust anyone with her secret, Jane denies knowledge of all questionable suggestions. But when an unexpected visitor comes knocking on the front door, Jane must act fast and smart to prevent the consequences of her secret from harming her host.
Given Circumstances
This story takes place current day, near the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. It is September.
Harper is from approximately 2208. The setting of this film takes place in a house that belongs to Jim Boulder’s - a Trail Angel in his 60’s, who’s sole purpose in living in this location is to take in hikers along the Appalachian Trail.
Appalachian Trail Thru-hikers usually begin the trail in March/April, if they are hiking North from the Southern Terminus in Georgia. Southbound hikers usually start in May/June in Maine. Our story takes place in September, when the majority of thru-hikers should be closer to their endpoint, no matter what terminus they began at.
Who am I?
Hi, I'm Bradley Michael - Writer and Director on Harper. I'm in a constant state of searching for inspiration and fulfillment, two attributes that I achieve through working in film. It was always what I knew I could do to change the world. My drive for telling quality stories began when I was 9 years old, and over my years in university as well as my career to date in the professional world, I've made it my goal to refine this passion into a plan. It's my goal to work towards sustaining myself as a professional filmmaker. Translated; I enjoy the process as much as I enjoy the product.
One of my favorite things to do in the world is to talk to people. I love a good conversation - finding out things about a new person, hearing other people's thought processes and value systems and why they feel the way they do about what they do. In my work as a moviemaker, I emulate that. I like stories that explore a human connection; stories or characters that touch on some idea of what it really means to be a human being. I like stories that spark good conversation between inspired people.
Harper is the next step for me because I think that now, more than ever, people need to be pushed. Our story highlights a woman from a future not so far away from ours, who is responsible for a major technological breakthrough that has changed the world as we know it. This story needs to be told because people need to be reminded that we as human beings are capable of great things. The message of this story is encouraging. Harper is an intelligent, resourceful woman and a hero by many definitions; the most important of which being that she is an idol of our time - we want to emulate her. This film contains strong subtext that I aim to share with my audience; Harper comes from a better time, and I think that time is still to come - that’s why this film matters.
Director's Statement
I vividly remember walking off the plane when I visited Nepal in 2015 and knowing that, although I was on the same planet, I was in an entirely different world. I was cut off from everyone and everything I knew. I remember the acute feeling of distance - of knowing just how far away I was from the comfort of familiarity. I felt alone. I felt scared. I felt excited. I even felt a little bit romantic. Much is similar for our hero. Perhaps the most mysterious aspect of Harper is how incredibly relatable she is, just under uncommon circumstances. Although we will be touching on elements of science fiction and new technology, it is important to me that throughout all of this story, we see Harper is a human being.
Harper’s presence and the mystery that surrounds her is what draws me most to this story. There are several opportunities to observe her when she is alone and I like that she has an agenda that she reserves. There are moments of isolation when Harper is most real and not afraid to show her vulnerable side. She's not our typical hero. While she has a clear goal to find her husband, her current situation finds her stranded. These opportunities when Harper is alone give us a lot of freedom to show the depth of her frustrating situation.
Narrative Themes
There are numerous narrative themes in this story that our core crew is using as guidelines as we move through Development and Pre-Production.
This is a story about a woman who is trying to save her husband.
Perhaps the most important underlying theme of this film, is that this is a story about a woman who loves her husband and will do anything to find him - including breaking the space-time continuum. This is the part of Harper that is most human. Everything she does is in the better interest of saving the one she loves.
This is a story about a woman who regains the ability to trust.
For most of us, the people that we trust are people that we’ve known for years. A common, reoccurring relationship dynamic in this story is the portrayal of trust. Harper is not in a situation where she could possibly trust anyone but herself - it would be smart. The secrets that she keeps go beyond personal information. She is also, however, a victim of broken trust. This is something that we see in the moments that she is alone. She is in pain. She has been betrayed by the person that she loves.
This is a story about a woman who is doing everything she can we what she is given.
Harper’s quick reflex and wit disguise it well, but the fact of the matter is, she is desperate. This is also what makes her a dangerous person.
Building off these narrative themes, the artistic approach to this film will be informed by the way that Harper is feeling - I want to see our world through her eyes. I want our audience to feel shocked in a non-superficial, organic way, but ultimately be left feeling encouraged that there is more to our reality than the limits we set for ourselves.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Digital Storage
Costs $320
We will be shooting large format [6-8K] since we will be involving Special FX. We need space!
Production Insurance
Costs $1,200
This will be a large production, and we need to protect ourselves from accidents.
Talent Rates
Costs $1,350
This project demands a lot from our actors, and this amount is needed to involve the talent we want.
Props, Set Dressing and Wardrobe
Costs $2,400
Some props and set pieces will need to be built to the specific creative vision of the film.
Equipment Rental
Costs $3,000
This is the cost for all lighting, grip, audio and camera gear needed for production.
Pre-Production and Production Personnel
Costs $6,500
The minimum negotiated rate total to involve professional team members.
About This Team
Writer/Producer/Director
Bradley Michael
Bradley Michael was born and raised in Michigan's Detroit area. He has long been a lover of film and theatre, graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2012 with B.S in Fiction Filmmaking. Since graduating, Bradley has worked in the camera department of feature films Papou and Horse Camp, starring Dean Cain. Bradley's full length play So Long Until Tomorrow was produced in 2014 at The AKT Theatre Project in Wyandotte, MI.
Most recently, Bradley completed a feature length documentary, The Artist Collective Project: Mitten, and two short dramatic films - The Mountaineers of Katoomba, and Windows.
Bradley is also an avid traveller, having visited Australia, Japan, Nepal, Utah's Zion area, and is currently preparing to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in the spring of 2019.
He currently resides in Farmington Hills, MI.
Producer
Melissa Ramsey
Melissa has spent the last several years working behind the scenes in the film industry. As a kid, she always had her nose in a book, from the classic H. G. Wells "The Time Machine" to Star Wars novels. Her love of movies came later with no less enthusiasm. As a producer on Harper, she wants to give her audiences the same thrills and excitement as the generations of filmmakers before her.
Director of Photography
Joshua Tyron
Josh Tyron is owner and key creative at SideCar Studios. Josh has worked on national commercial campaigns, comedy shorts, full-length feature films, and countless personal projects promoting arts and culture within his community.
He is a director and cinematographer, based out of Grand Rapids, MI.
Production Designer
Michael Bessom
Michael Bessom was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Kalamazoo College with a focus on directing. Michael was a regional finalist for the Society of Directors and Choreographers - Directing Fellowship Competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
His work earned him the opportunity to be an assistant director for the ACTF/NNPN MFA Playwrights Workshop at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Michael then went on to join the apprentice program at Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre Company. Most recently Michael was living and working in Los Angeles as a production coordinator.
Editor
Andrew Wecht
A 2015 Film & Television/Sound Design graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Andrew is constantly practicing the art of film and expanding his horizons through a lifelong and joyful pursuit of self-betterment. He has edited music videos, commercial projects for tv, and short films featured at numerous film festivals—most notably Orlando Film Festival, CayFilm, Savannah Film Festival, and Richmond International Film Festival. He looks forward to working closely with the team to bring Harper to life!
Gene Knific
Composer
Pianist, composer, and arranger Gene Knific has won four ASCAP Young Jazz Composers awards and 8 Down Beat Magazine awards for his performances and compositions in jazz and contemporary categories. An active composer, Knific had his work Relapse performed and recorded by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2016 and his cello concerto premiered in fall of 2017 at the University of Oklahoma. Knific’s work as an arranger has brought him to write for multiple orchestral recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios in London, where he is currently helping to oversee a large scale progressive rock album by lead guitarist of the award winning band Syzygy, Carl Baldassarre. Earlier in 2016, he was commissioned to write ten Great American Songbook arrangements for the Merling Trio, which will culminate in an album to be released in 2018. Knific has performed internationally with The Western Jazz Quartet, and also worked with jazz masters such as Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenón, and Kevin Mahogany. In 2015 Knific was selected to participate Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. directed by Jason Moran. His own debut jazz album will be released in winter 2018.
Knific Resides in Chicago, where he performs with synth-pop quintet IVERSON.
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Synopsis
Jane is a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail, who spends her days fixing cars for her host, in exchange for a place to stay. Or at least, that's how she hopes it would appear. But her host has begun to notice the strange broadcasts she sends at night and the mysterious device she moves from hiding spot to hiding spot. Hesitant to trust anyone with her secret, Jane denies knowledge of all questionable suggestions. But when an unexpected visitor comes knocking on the front door, Jane must act fast and smart to prevent the consequences of her secret from harming her host.
Given Circumstances
This story takes place current day, near the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. It is September.
Harper is from approximately 2208. The setting of this film takes place in a house that belongs to Jim Boulder’s - a Trail Angel in his 60’s, who’s sole purpose in living in this location is to take in hikers along the Appalachian Trail.
Appalachian Trail Thru-hikers usually begin the trail in March/April, if they are hiking North from the Southern Terminus in Georgia. Southbound hikers usually start in May/June in Maine. Our story takes place in September, when the majority of thru-hikers should be closer to their endpoint, no matter what terminus they began at.
Who am I?
Hi, I'm Bradley Michael - Writer and Director on Harper. I'm in a constant state of searching for inspiration and fulfillment, two attributes that I achieve through working in film. It was always what I knew I could do to change the world. My drive for telling quality stories began when I was 9 years old, and over my years in university as well as my career to date in the professional world, I've made it my goal to refine this passion into a plan. It's my goal to work towards sustaining myself as a professional filmmaker. Translated; I enjoy the process as much as I enjoy the product.
One of my favorite things to do in the world is to talk to people. I love a good conversation - finding out things about a new person, hearing other people's thought processes and value systems and why they feel the way they do about what they do. In my work as a moviemaker, I emulate that. I like stories that explore a human connection; stories or characters that touch on some idea of what it really means to be a human being. I like stories that spark good conversation between inspired people.
Harper is the next step for me because I think that now, more than ever, people need to be pushed. Our story highlights a woman from a future not so far away from ours, who is responsible for a major technological breakthrough that has changed the world as we know it. This story needs to be told because people need to be reminded that we as human beings are capable of great things. The message of this story is encouraging. Harper is an intelligent, resourceful woman and a hero by many definitions; the most important of which being that she is an idol of our time - we want to emulate her. This film contains strong subtext that I aim to share with my audience; Harper comes from a better time, and I think that time is still to come - that’s why this film matters.
Director's Statement
I vividly remember walking off the plane when I visited Nepal in 2015 and knowing that, although I was on the same planet, I was in an entirely different world. I was cut off from everyone and everything I knew. I remember the acute feeling of distance - of knowing just how far away I was from the comfort of familiarity. I felt alone. I felt scared. I felt excited. I even felt a little bit romantic. Much is similar for our hero. Perhaps the most mysterious aspect of Harper is how incredibly relatable she is, just under uncommon circumstances. Although we will be touching on elements of science fiction and new technology, it is important to me that throughout all of this story, we see Harper is a human being.
Harper’s presence and the mystery that surrounds her is what draws me most to this story. There are several opportunities to observe her when she is alone and I like that she has an agenda that she reserves. There are moments of isolation when Harper is most real and not afraid to show her vulnerable side. She's not our typical hero. While she has a clear goal to find her husband, her current situation finds her stranded. These opportunities when Harper is alone give us a lot of freedom to show the depth of her frustrating situation.
Narrative Themes
There are numerous narrative themes in this story that our core crew is using as guidelines as we move through Development and Pre-Production.
This is a story about a woman who is trying to save her husband.
Perhaps the most important underlying theme of this film, is that this is a story about a woman who loves her husband and will do anything to find him - including breaking the space-time continuum. This is the part of Harper that is most human. Everything she does is in the better interest of saving the one she loves.
This is a story about a woman who regains the ability to trust.
For most of us, the people that we trust are people that we’ve known for years. A common, reoccurring relationship dynamic in this story is the portrayal of trust. Harper is not in a situation where she could possibly trust anyone but herself - it would be smart. The secrets that she keeps go beyond personal information. She is also, however, a victim of broken trust. This is something that we see in the moments that she is alone. She is in pain. She has been betrayed by the person that she loves.
This is a story about a woman who is doing everything she can we what she is given.
Harper’s quick reflex and wit disguise it well, but the fact of the matter is, she is desperate. This is also what makes her a dangerous person.
Building off these narrative themes, the artistic approach to this film will be informed by the way that Harper is feeling - I want to see our world through her eyes. I want our audience to feel shocked in a non-superficial, organic way, but ultimately be left feeling encouraged that there is more to our reality than the limits we set for ourselves.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Digital Storage
Costs $320
We will be shooting large format [6-8K] since we will be involving Special FX. We need space!
Production Insurance
Costs $1,200
This will be a large production, and we need to protect ourselves from accidents.
Talent Rates
Costs $1,350
This project demands a lot from our actors, and this amount is needed to involve the talent we want.
Props, Set Dressing and Wardrobe
Costs $2,400
Some props and set pieces will need to be built to the specific creative vision of the film.
Equipment Rental
Costs $3,000
This is the cost for all lighting, grip, audio and camera gear needed for production.
Pre-Production and Production Personnel
Costs $6,500
The minimum negotiated rate total to involve professional team members.
About This Team
Writer/Producer/Director
Bradley Michael
Bradley Michael was born and raised in Michigan's Detroit area. He has long been a lover of film and theatre, graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2012 with B.S in Fiction Filmmaking. Since graduating, Bradley has worked in the camera department of feature films Papou and Horse Camp, starring Dean Cain. Bradley's full length play So Long Until Tomorrow was produced in 2014 at The AKT Theatre Project in Wyandotte, MI.
Most recently, Bradley completed a feature length documentary, The Artist Collective Project: Mitten, and two short dramatic films - The Mountaineers of Katoomba, and Windows.
Bradley is also an avid traveller, having visited Australia, Japan, Nepal, Utah's Zion area, and is currently preparing to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in the spring of 2019.
He currently resides in Farmington Hills, MI.
Producer
Melissa Ramsey
Melissa has spent the last several years working behind the scenes in the film industry. As a kid, she always had her nose in a book, from the classic H. G. Wells "The Time Machine" to Star Wars novels. Her love of movies came later with no less enthusiasm. As a producer on Harper, she wants to give her audiences the same thrills and excitement as the generations of filmmakers before her.
Director of Photography
Joshua Tyron
Josh Tyron is owner and key creative at SideCar Studios. Josh has worked on national commercial campaigns, comedy shorts, full-length feature films, and countless personal projects promoting arts and culture within his community.
He is a director and cinematographer, based out of Grand Rapids, MI.
Production Designer
Michael Bessom
Michael Bessom was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Kalamazoo College with a focus on directing. Michael was a regional finalist for the Society of Directors and Choreographers - Directing Fellowship Competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
His work earned him the opportunity to be an assistant director for the ACTF/NNPN MFA Playwrights Workshop at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Michael then went on to join the apprentice program at Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre Company. Most recently Michael was living and working in Los Angeles as a production coordinator.
Editor
Andrew Wecht
A 2015 Film & Television/Sound Design graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Andrew is constantly practicing the art of film and expanding his horizons through a lifelong and joyful pursuit of self-betterment. He has edited music videos, commercial projects for tv, and short films featured at numerous film festivals—most notably Orlando Film Festival, CayFilm, Savannah Film Festival, and Richmond International Film Festival. He looks forward to working closely with the team to bring Harper to life!
Gene Knific
Composer
Pianist, composer, and arranger Gene Knific has won four ASCAP Young Jazz Composers awards and 8 Down Beat Magazine awards for his performances and compositions in jazz and contemporary categories. An active composer, Knific had his work Relapse performed and recorded by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2016 and his cello concerto premiered in fall of 2017 at the University of Oklahoma. Knific’s work as an arranger has brought him to write for multiple orchestral recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios in London, where he is currently helping to oversee a large scale progressive rock album by lead guitarist of the award winning band Syzygy, Carl Baldassarre. Earlier in 2016, he was commissioned to write ten Great American Songbook arrangements for the Merling Trio, which will culminate in an album to be released in 2018. Knific has performed internationally with The Western Jazz Quartet, and also worked with jazz masters such as Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenón, and Kevin Mahogany. In 2015 Knific was selected to participate Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. directed by Jason Moran. His own debut jazz album will be released in winter 2018.
Knific Resides in Chicago, where he performs with synth-pop quintet IVERSON.