Our proof-of-concept examines the deep-rooted toxic masculinity that can manifest in the arts. Lies and Imitations is about the culture and egomania that fosters complacency and makes young men feel entitled to take rather than earn, no matter if they're stepping on others to do so.

Story

DEVON is a struggling sidewalk artist trying to make ends meet. When a chance encounter with his idol, the world renowned painter MILO PELL turns hasty and confrontational, Devon is left disillusioned. Left to wander the streets of the city, Devon happens upon a mysterious speakeasy, Club Diplopia - where those who get in borrow the identities of others for the evening. A no-strings-attached atmosphere to explore your deepest desires via someone else’s life.

Devon feels the thrill of fame and public identity for the first time in his life, and decides not to let go of it. By breaking the club’s strict rules, Devon leaves himself behind and supernaturally takes Milo’s identity for himself, opening the gate to overnight success. He awakes in the morning to find everything he’s ever wanted - but at what cost?

 

 

Current Status: Financing / Pre-Production

We are hoping to secure funding through a multitude of channels – crowdfunding (in 1 to 2 installments), grassroots fundraising (prizes, events, etc.), and grants. Currently, we are hiring crew and locking in locations. 

We are set to film on May 27th through May 30th, 2022 and will head into post-production shortly after in the Summer before submitting to fall and winter festival deadlines.

Genre

Lies and Imitations is a surrealist neo-noir drama short film. Over the course of one night, our story turns from one about a modest and aspiring artist into a mind-bending mystery thriller. And there’s no turning back.

 

 

Themes

Devon is impressionable to a fault. He represents the desperate desire to be seen that so many in our culture strive for. And in many ways, he represents a class of entitled young men who see success as something they’re owed. Lies and Imitations, while positioning him as our protagonist, is about the dangerous measures people take in the erasure of others for their own self interest.

What makes art “original”? That’s one of the biggest questions I asked myself in writing Lies and Imitations. For instance, is there such a thing as originality, or is originality just a combination of the things that inspire us? 

 

All above concept artwork by Alexander Lu

Funding

*The above pie chart is based off a total budget of $13,980 - we are only crowdfunding a portion of the budget.

Here is what the contributions would be going toward:

Locations: Securing locations around NYC including: an apartment, hotel room, and rooftop/nightclub.

Equipment: We are working with a fantastic Camera and Sound crew who will need support and insurance for their state-of-the-art equipment. 

Cast & Crew: Our hard working team will receive compensation and budgets, depending on the department. 

Transportation: We would rent an Equipment Van and pay for parking around NYC.

Food: To feed our wonderful cast & crew!

Production Design: We are fairly reliant on the look of each location so there will be fairly minimal set dressing and we will be investing in key props for our characters.

Wardrobe: Our costumes are essential to the look of our characters.  

 

Location

Inside a dark and perplexing speakeasy. Outside the glistening lobby of the Whitney Museum. The twisting and turning underbelly of midtown’s subway system. The pristine view from a luxury hotel room.

   

    

Lies and Imitations will be filmed here in New York City, and securing these locations is integral to making our film. 15% of the budget is going to securing the harder-to-book spots, such as the nightclub and hotel room. We want to capture the mysterious allure of NYC nightlife, and to do so takes resources and time. Luckily, we’re well on our way in securing these locations, but it’s critical we reach our goal so we can pay them for their spaces. That’s why we need your help!

I’m so proud to be filming in New York. And I’m excited to show you the interesting places we have in store for the film.

 

COVID-19 Safety Plan

We are paying close attention to the COVID-19 numbers in NYC. Our crew size is compact and efficient; we will be upheld to all current CDC Guidelines during production. Most pre-production meetings have been held virtually so far and will continue that way or in small groups before our larger Production Meetings and our film shoot. The mask mandate will be administered per the CDC’s guidance as of May 2022.

 

Director's Note

 

First and foremost, thank you for contributing and supporting this incredible crew. Your contribution not only helps secure the cost of making the film, but adds to our resolve in making it the best it can be! 

Around the time I began working on the feature length script for this, much like its protagonist, I too was grappling with my place in an increasingly competitive artistic field. When the world shut down, I questioned a lot about my work going forward - the kinds of questions everyone in this discipline asks themselves. Compounded by a family emergency, life had never felt this uncertain. But from that uncertainty came a decision to turn it into something positive! I’m so excited to bring together such capable and talented crew members and make something together. 

We’re crowdfunding this film so that we’ll have something to show anyone interested in helping tell the full version of this story in a feature. This is our proof-of-concept! 

I want our crew to embrace our influences and put forward our own inspirations into the film. I think everyone in one way or another can connect to the story. And more than anything, I really wish to entertain you with the finished film. Thank you for reading, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for contributing!

Love,

Evan Murray

 

Spread the Word!

If you love our campaign but are unable to contribute right now, we appreciate your support by sharing the campaign! Our Team is reaching out to their separate networks; we've hoped to inspire you to share with yours too. 

Please share our campaign via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, however you want! We can't do this without you!

We've also provided some examples of copy to post on social media below. Feel free to copy and paste!

 

Help filmmaker @evyarrum by supporting his mind-bending film, LIES AND IMITATIONS, about a compulsive artist that stumbles upon an unorthodox and dangerous path to success at the expense of his idol. Join them on @seedandspark: bit.ly/liesandimitations

 

I'm so excited to see the film, LIES AND IMITATIONS, by award-winning director/writer @evyarrum, be made in NYC this spring! Support them on @seedandspark: bit.ly/liesandimitations