HEED THE CALL revolves around an incredibly important piece of history, the moment where American women began to make their own decisions. Women behind the camera include the Writer/Director, Editor, Production Designer, Key Grip, Casting Director, and more we will undoubtedly pick up along the way!

My connection to this story runs deep... from a pool of over 35,000 applicants, my grandmother Wilma was one of only 440 women to receive a placement in the first Officers Candidate School class of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Drawing inspiration from her experience, I want to show not only the excitement that was felt when the Corps was first formed, but also the fear and uncertainty when it came to going against the social grain to pursue a life in the military.

 

STORY

 

This project is an intimate portrait of a young woman dealing with overt sexism, rumors of the "lesbian threat", and what some opposed to the WAAC were calling the "inevitable destabilization and destruction of American society at large".

 

Imagine being told you weren't allowed to do something so important. Imagine feeling as though wanting to support and protect your country was wrong. Pretty weird, right??

 

In today's world, feminism is not only about the right to be treated as equal, but also the right to a choice. Whether a woman chooses to stay at home full time with her children or dedicate all waking hours to an impressive career, equality between the sexes means being able to make either choice and receiving the support to do so.

 

Seventy-five years after WWII, women are still encountering discrimination based on their sex, and sexual orientation. And not just when it comes to the military! This story shows the beginning of feminism in earnest, when women really began to see in great numbers that they could be financially independent by pursuing work that excited them instead of assuming their only path was to become a wife and mother.

 

STYLE

 

In order to create the world of 1942, I will work with a fantastic and experienced team of industry professionals. We will follow in the footsteps of greats like Billy Wilder, Howard Hawks, and Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, capturing elements as seen in Technicolor titles such as BLACK NARCISSUS, THE RED SHOES, and ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS. Dramatic shadow effects contrasted with richly saturated colors, along with the talents of my production and costume designers, will help me create the light, space, and style to make the time period feel honest.

 

TIMELINE & STRETCH GOALS

 

WE ARE WRAPPED!

 

Slated for four days of shooting in mid-July, it was an action-packed 7 day production window including all pick-ups and returns. I have set my fundraising goal here at $10k, but we will need much more (probably 4x more) to get this film delivered.

 

Here is the reality of our budget. The first $10,000 we raise will go to Locations & Permits, Set Dressing, Cast, and Wardrobe & Styling as shown in the beautiful pie chart below:

 

 

So I guess we could make this film for $10k if a) all crew donated their equipment AND worked for free, b) we got restaurants and grocery stores to donate all the catering/craft service food, c) we somehow got vendors to rent us tents, walkie-talkies, trucks, trash bins, chairs, tables etc. for nothing, and d) we had no production insurance or contingency funds set aside in case something went terribly wrong.

 

EEK! That doesn't seem like a very safe or professional way to mount a film production, does it? So it looks like we're going to need another $23,305 for all those important things I just mentioned, as shown in this beautiful pie chart:

 

 

And so that gets us to $33,305 and we are full steam ahead! But wait... what about the rest? What about finishing funds, and getting the film out to festivals so everyone can see how amazing it is? Yep, that's going to cost us another $8,200 as seen in our third (and last!) beautifully-colored pie chart:

 

 

So this is the reality. We are looking at needing at least $41,505 to get this project delievered, and that is still on the conservative side. Needless to say, I am working hard to get as much possible donated in time, services, and equipment, but please keep this very real number in mind when you decide which incentive on the right to click on. Every dollar counts, and the incentives only get better!

 

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

 

The formation of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp is a deeply American story of patriotism and historical significance that has not only never been explored, but is tailor-made to the times. As filmmakers, we tell stories that are meant to be seen and heard, that perhaps help our audiences understand something personal or teach them an important truth. I want what any other artist wants: to connect with an audience. My long-term goal in making this short is to garner enough exposure through festival screenings domestically and internationally to attract funds for a feature. The short will serve to show not only my taste and aesthetic, but also the foundation of the incredibly layered and fascinating story I will explore in the feature film version of this project.

 

In 1942, the women of America very much wanted a way to be actively patriotic, and by the time the war ended, more than 350,000 had served in the army. Women were integral to the war effort seventy-five years ago, and they are integral now. Help me tell their story.

Thank you!

  

MORE WAYS TO HELP

 

FOLLOW US here on Seed&Spark and also on Facebook. Encourage your friends and family to follow us too!

-> If we get 500 Seed&Spark followers, we will be awarded the Filmmaker Gift Box which contains over $9000 worth of products, services, and festival waivers from their generous partners. Wouldn't that be helpful!

-> It will also qualify us for Seed&Spark's The Seed Fund, currently awarding $4000 per month in grants. So every follower counts!

 

SPREAD THE WORD. Share our posts, campaign page, and backer updates! Blow up Twitter and Instagram on our behalf using hashtags #ShesGotDRIVE, #ifshecanseeitshecanbeit, #HeedtheCall42, #thepastisfemale, and #WaacAttack! The more people we can get interested in this story, the better!

            

 

There is no way to do this without your generosity and support! THANK YOU!