LAURA
Greensboro, North Carolina | Film Short
History
LAURA
Greensboro, North Carolina | Film Short
History
2 Campaigns | North Carolina, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,635 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
44 supporters | followers
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About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
The Story
THE LEGEND:
The trial of Tom Dula (Dooley), who hung for the murder of Laura Foster, was the first highly-publicised crime of passion in American history, bringing national attention to the foothills of North Carolina. Tom Dooley was tried, convicted and executed for the crime, but to this day, the true circumstances of who actually killed Laura Foster remain a mystery. There are many theories, but the truth remains buried.
THE FILM:
Based on the legendary tale from Appalachia, LAURA tells the story from the perspective of Laura Foster, the tragic figure at the heart of the legend.
This May, we filmed a Proof of Concept, filming on location in Monroe, North Carolina. We had an amazing time shooting the project, helping us solidify the look and feel of LAURA. Now, we are proceeding with the next phase: Creating a short film project. This project, which encompasses a fully story arc within its shortened run time, will serve two purposes: to provide us with a film that can be submitted to film festivals worldwide, and to generate interest from potential investors in funding the full-length feature film.
For the short, we will be filming at Marshall Farm in Walnut Cove, North Carolina. The location offers some great locales, including reconstructed period cabins, and beautiful trails and clearings that offer our production the best resources for creating a powerful, beautifully-shot historical film.
The Marshall Farm - Our New Filming Location
THE CAST:
L-R: CARRIE ANNE HUNT as Laura Foster; RUSSELL SHEALY as Tom Dooley; JOANNA LOWER as Ann Foster Melton; and JEREMY CARR as Wilson Foster.
THE CREATIVE TEAM:
The film was spearheaded by Charles Soots, who lived near the areas where the actual events took place. In 2018, he met with filmmaker Steven Hancock (Our War), to start fleshing out the story idea. Both Steven and Charles have a great love of history and storytelling and found the Legend of Tom Dooley to be extremely compelling both from a character standpoint and as an unsolved mystery.
Our most recent addition to the creative team is Benjamin West, an acclaimed cinematographer and editor based in the Triad. Ben has been garnering praise for several of his short film projects, including most recently, Dear Brother, for which he won Best Cinematography at the Foothills Film Festival. It was that project which grabbed the attention of Steven Hancock and Carrie Anne Hunt, who were eager to work with him on the project - Ben's artistic vision and ability to evoke emotion and visually tell a moving story is unparalleled.
On location for the Proof of Concept, Ben shows the team a take from behind the camera.
WHAT WE NEED:
In order to fully achieve what we want to accomplish with our project, we require a total of $3,975 for the film. These funds will be utilized in three different areas.
1. Cast: Paying the actors for their performances in the film. Our incredible team of actors are working for a fraction of their usual rates out of love for the project.
2. Crew: Paying the crew for their work on the project. This also includes our horse trainer and animal wrangler that will be with us to ensure the safety of both the animals and cast and crew. Our crew, just like our cast, are working for a fraction of their usual rates because they love the story and are passionate about telling it.
3. Location Rental: We are looking to film at the Marshall Farm in Walnut Cove, NC. In addition, we're also looking at a day of filming in and around Ferguson, North Carolina, where the actual events of the story took place.
4. Catering: Help us keep the cast and crew well fed, so that they can perform their best.
5. Wardrobe: We have an incredible costume designer (Jessica Hagens) on board, who is making us custom historically accurate pieces for the film. Attention to this kind of detail is vital to creating the world and immersing the audience. Your contributions will help pay for the materials and labor needed.
6. Art Department: Because this is a historical piece, we are making sure to have all of the props and set dressings that we might need to make everything feel authentic. While we are able to borrow some of these things, there are others that need to be purchased or built.
7. Covid-19 Materials: While the Coronavirus Vaccince is currently being distributed, we are still planning to take precautions while on set, by providing masks and gloves, and sanitation supplies, to keep our set a safe and clean environment for all of our cast and crew.
8. Miscellaneous: Will cover any unforseen expenditures that may occur, as often pop up when filming.
WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN:
For your contributions to our campaign, you will receive our gratitude plus some exclusive perks. These will include access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content, digital copies of the Proof of Concept and Director's cut of the short film, plus a beautiful 11x17 print of our film's poster, autographed by members of the cast and crew. At whatever level you choose, you will help us be one step closer to making this project a reality.
RISKS AND CHALLENGES:
As filmmakers, we understand that unexpected situations arise for each production. Films can get delayed in shooting, either due to recasting or weather conditions. And in very rare circumstances, productions can be shut down, never to resume. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought additional challenges to filmmakers, with current restrictions limiting the number of people on set, testing for the virus, and providing everyone involved with the proper training and protective gear.
However, all of the filmmakers working on LAURA have succeeded in seeing projects through to the end, so with your contributions, you will see this project completed, no matter what challenges may arise. We are also working to follow the Covid-19 guidelines as laid out by the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG-AFTRA), to make sure our cast and crew remain safe and healthy while on set.
We hope you will consider taking this journey with us, to help create a film that will be the most dramatic, and historically accurate, version of the Tom Dooley and Laura Foster story. With your help, we can bring a worthy film to life, and inspire others to delve deeper into this infamous North Carolina legend.
Sincerely,
Steven Hancock
Co-Writer/Director, Laura
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Cast
Costs $600
These funds will allow us to pay members of the cast for their involvement in the film.
Crew
Costs $1,500
These funds will allow us to pay members of the crew for their involvement in the film.
Costuming
Costs $1,000
These funds will allow us to rent/make costumes for our principal cast members.
Location Rental
Costs $300
These funds will allow us to rent the locations for filming.
Catering
Costs $200
Will allow us to provide food for the cast and crew while on set.
Covid-19 Materials
Costs $150
Will allow us to purchase masks, gloves and cleaning supplies to comply with Covid-19 regulations.
Miscellaneous
Costs $225
Will cover any unforeseen expenses that arise on the film set.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
CAST:
CARRIE ANNE HUNT as Laura Foster
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2471791/
RUSSELL SHEALY as Tom Dooley
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8528494
JOANNA LOWER as Ann Foster Melton
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11400190/
JEREMY CARR as Wilson Foster
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6532747
CREW:
STEVEN HANCOCK: Co-Writer/Executive Producer/Director
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6283816/
CARRIE ANNE HUNT: Co-Writer/ Executive Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2471791
BENJAMIN WEST: Cinematographer/Editor
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9958638/
ANNETTE SAUNDERS: Associate Producer / Horse Trainer / Animal Wrangler
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10631940
JESSICA HAGENS: Costume Designer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12560385/
GABRIEL TUFANO, Jr.: 1st Assistant Director
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5134745/
BENJAMIN HYMAN: Sound
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9414861/
CHARLES SOOTS: Special Dedication "In Memory Of;" Original Creator
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
The Story
THE LEGEND:
The trial of Tom Dula (Dooley), who hung for the murder of Laura Foster, was the first highly-publicised crime of passion in American history, bringing national attention to the foothills of North Carolina. Tom Dooley was tried, convicted and executed for the crime, but to this day, the true circumstances of who actually killed Laura Foster remain a mystery. There are many theories, but the truth remains buried.
THE FILM:
Based on the legendary tale from Appalachia, LAURA tells the story from the perspective of Laura Foster, the tragic figure at the heart of the legend.
This May, we filmed a Proof of Concept, filming on location in Monroe, North Carolina. We had an amazing time shooting the project, helping us solidify the look and feel of LAURA. Now, we are proceeding with the next phase: Creating a short film project. This project, which encompasses a fully story arc within its shortened run time, will serve two purposes: to provide us with a film that can be submitted to film festivals worldwide, and to generate interest from potential investors in funding the full-length feature film.
For the short, we will be filming at Marshall Farm in Walnut Cove, North Carolina. The location offers some great locales, including reconstructed period cabins, and beautiful trails and clearings that offer our production the best resources for creating a powerful, beautifully-shot historical film.
The Marshall Farm - Our New Filming Location
THE CAST:
L-R: CARRIE ANNE HUNT as Laura Foster; RUSSELL SHEALY as Tom Dooley; JOANNA LOWER as Ann Foster Melton; and JEREMY CARR as Wilson Foster.
THE CREATIVE TEAM:
The film was spearheaded by Charles Soots, who lived near the areas where the actual events took place. In 2018, he met with filmmaker Steven Hancock (Our War), to start fleshing out the story idea. Both Steven and Charles have a great love of history and storytelling and found the Legend of Tom Dooley to be extremely compelling both from a character standpoint and as an unsolved mystery.
Our most recent addition to the creative team is Benjamin West, an acclaimed cinematographer and editor based in the Triad. Ben has been garnering praise for several of his short film projects, including most recently, Dear Brother, for which he won Best Cinematography at the Foothills Film Festival. It was that project which grabbed the attention of Steven Hancock and Carrie Anne Hunt, who were eager to work with him on the project - Ben's artistic vision and ability to evoke emotion and visually tell a moving story is unparalleled.
On location for the Proof of Concept, Ben shows the team a take from behind the camera.
WHAT WE NEED:
In order to fully achieve what we want to accomplish with our project, we require a total of $3,975 for the film. These funds will be utilized in three different areas.
1. Cast: Paying the actors for their performances in the film. Our incredible team of actors are working for a fraction of their usual rates out of love for the project.
2. Crew: Paying the crew for their work on the project. This also includes our horse trainer and animal wrangler that will be with us to ensure the safety of both the animals and cast and crew. Our crew, just like our cast, are working for a fraction of their usual rates because they love the story and are passionate about telling it.
3. Location Rental: We are looking to film at the Marshall Farm in Walnut Cove, NC. In addition, we're also looking at a day of filming in and around Ferguson, North Carolina, where the actual events of the story took place.
4. Catering: Help us keep the cast and crew well fed, so that they can perform their best.
5. Wardrobe: We have an incredible costume designer (Jessica Hagens) on board, who is making us custom historically accurate pieces for the film. Attention to this kind of detail is vital to creating the world and immersing the audience. Your contributions will help pay for the materials and labor needed.
6. Art Department: Because this is a historical piece, we are making sure to have all of the props and set dressings that we might need to make everything feel authentic. While we are able to borrow some of these things, there are others that need to be purchased or built.
7. Covid-19 Materials: While the Coronavirus Vaccince is currently being distributed, we are still planning to take precautions while on set, by providing masks and gloves, and sanitation supplies, to keep our set a safe and clean environment for all of our cast and crew.
8. Miscellaneous: Will cover any unforseen expenditures that may occur, as often pop up when filming.
WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN:
For your contributions to our campaign, you will receive our gratitude plus some exclusive perks. These will include access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content, digital copies of the Proof of Concept and Director's cut of the short film, plus a beautiful 11x17 print of our film's poster, autographed by members of the cast and crew. At whatever level you choose, you will help us be one step closer to making this project a reality.
RISKS AND CHALLENGES:
As filmmakers, we understand that unexpected situations arise for each production. Films can get delayed in shooting, either due to recasting or weather conditions. And in very rare circumstances, productions can be shut down, never to resume. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought additional challenges to filmmakers, with current restrictions limiting the number of people on set, testing for the virus, and providing everyone involved with the proper training and protective gear.
However, all of the filmmakers working on LAURA have succeeded in seeing projects through to the end, so with your contributions, you will see this project completed, no matter what challenges may arise. We are also working to follow the Covid-19 guidelines as laid out by the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG-AFTRA), to make sure our cast and crew remain safe and healthy while on set.
We hope you will consider taking this journey with us, to help create a film that will be the most dramatic, and historically accurate, version of the Tom Dooley and Laura Foster story. With your help, we can bring a worthy film to life, and inspire others to delve deeper into this infamous North Carolina legend.
Sincerely,
Steven Hancock
Co-Writer/Director, Laura
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Cast
Costs $600
These funds will allow us to pay members of the cast for their involvement in the film.
Crew
Costs $1,500
These funds will allow us to pay members of the crew for their involvement in the film.
Costuming
Costs $1,000
These funds will allow us to rent/make costumes for our principal cast members.
Location Rental
Costs $300
These funds will allow us to rent the locations for filming.
Catering
Costs $200
Will allow us to provide food for the cast and crew while on set.
Covid-19 Materials
Costs $150
Will allow us to purchase masks, gloves and cleaning supplies to comply with Covid-19 regulations.
Miscellaneous
Costs $225
Will cover any unforeseen expenses that arise on the film set.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
CAST:
CARRIE ANNE HUNT as Laura Foster
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2471791/
RUSSELL SHEALY as Tom Dooley
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8528494
JOANNA LOWER as Ann Foster Melton
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11400190/
JEREMY CARR as Wilson Foster
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6532747
CREW:
STEVEN HANCOCK: Co-Writer/Executive Producer/Director
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6283816/
CARRIE ANNE HUNT: Co-Writer/ Executive Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2471791
BENJAMIN WEST: Cinematographer/Editor
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9958638/
ANNETTE SAUNDERS: Associate Producer / Horse Trainer / Animal Wrangler
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10631940
JESSICA HAGENS: Costume Designer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12560385/
GABRIEL TUFANO, Jr.: 1st Assistant Director
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5134745/
BENJAMIN HYMAN: Sound
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9414861/
CHARLES SOOTS: Special Dedication "In Memory Of;" Original Creator