Self Portrait deals with an innately American concept - divorce. By approaching this concept in a new way, through the reliving of the same family dinner from three different perspectives, we are bringing into question the authenticity of memory as a whole.
Self Portrait deals with an innately American concept - divorce. By approaching this concept in a new way, through the reliving of the same family dinner from three different perspectives, we are bringing into question the authenticity of memory as a whole.
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Story
Mission Statement
Every person's perspective matters, every side deserves to be told. Self Portrait touches upon the universal faculty of memory, regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender. As such, we are a diverse group of individuals who have banned together to tell a story dedicated to ensuring every voice is heard.About The Project
“I have tricks in my pocket - I have things up my sleeve - but I am the opposite of the stage magician. He give you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.” - Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie
When my parents first told me they were getting divorced, I was shocked. To me, at 8 years old, they were happy. I had never seen them fight, never seen the divide that was forming between them. To me, the world my parents lived was not the world I’d grown up in. My memory of my family was colored by my own bias. My reality of my parents' marriage was not their reality.
Flash forward 15 years. I was having a conversation with my younger cousin about a couple we both knew. The wife had cheated on her husband, but he had decided to forgive her and fight to preserve the marriage. My cousin was disgusted. She thought the wife was evil for cheating, and the husband was spineless for staying. She saw in black and white.
But the world is not black and white, and reality is subjective. As I thought more about our conversation I realized how truly complicated relationships are. I have loved both people who have been cheated on, and people who have cheated. I have avoided taking sides in divorces and breakups alike. Because the world is messy and reality is an illusion.
From these thoughts, Self Portrait was born. For me, Self Portrait is an attempt at understanding. It is an opportunity to explore the complexities of memory from all angles. To honor and understand every persons' reality.
Incentives
$5
Least We Could Do
You helped make this project possible, the least we could do is give you a thank you in the film credits!
$10
Fill in the Frame
You're already a patron of the arts, why not play one on camera? We invite you to join us on set* as an extra, where you will play an audience member. This scene will most likely be shot on July 1st, our first day of filming! All filming takes place in New York City.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
*Disclaimer - limited to the first 50 confirmed contributors. Travel not included.
$15
What's in a Name?
You know you are truly great if your name becomes an adjective:
lynchian - (adj.) having the same balance between the macabre and the mundane found in the works of filmmaker David Lynch
freudian - (adj.) relating to or influenced by Sigmund Freud and his methods of psychoanalysis, especially with reference to the importance of sexuality in human behavior
shakespearean - (adj.) of, related to, or having the characteristics of Shakespear or his writings
Let us help you get there! We will turn your name into an adjective and share the meaning on our social media platforms.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to be an extra*
$25
Improv with Us
This one's for all our actor buddies out there! Ninjas, you know who you are ;-)
Ever been asked to improvise around a dramatic set of circumstances in the audition room? Come hone that skill with our fabulously talent producer Rosalie in an improv class unlike any you've taken before. Class will be held in NYC on June 17th, 1:00-3:00pm, specifics location TBD. (Travel not included)
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to be an extra*
Claimed: 11 of 25
$30
The Self Portrait
To thank you for your contribution, directors Corrie and Ben will combine (a)their complete lack of artistic ability with (b)their non-dominant hand to give you an original crayon portrait of yourself. You will receive a digital copy of your portrait and full mocking privileges.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
$30
Fantasy Bio
NOW EXTENDED THROUGH THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN!
Ever wanted to be an astronaut? A mad scientist? An alien? Live out your dream life in a personalized Fantasy Bio, written by director Benjamin Algar.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
$40
From the Cookbook
Don't tell Grammy, but we're handing out some secret family recipes! Join us and be surprised with a recipe from the family cookbook.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $30 or less
$40
Audition Coach
Big audition coming up? Calm those fears with a 30 minute Skype coaching session with audition coach and our on of our amazing producer Rosalie Tenseth! ($50 value, offer valid through 12/31/2017).
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $30 or less
Claimed: 3 of 5
$50
Resume Reimagined
Really make your resume pop! Our producer/acting coach extraordinaire Rosalie will help create or revise your acting resume to help it really stand out to casting directors and agents alike.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $30 or less
Claimed: 1 of 5
$75
R and R
What's more relaxing the sitting back and listening to your newest audiobook? For your contribution we will send you an audiobook code usable on any Audible audiobook available. Relax and enjoy!
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $40 or less
Claimed: 0 of 40
$85
Family Time
Receive a voucher for either A Night of Babysitting (up to 4 hours) or a Tutoring Session (up to 1 hour) with director/writer Corrie Legge. ($100 value, offer valid through 12/31/2017).
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $40 or less
$100
Linking the Favor
Want to see the final product from the comfort of your own home? Get this perk and receive a digital copy of Self Portrait for your own viewing pleasure after the completion of our festival run.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $75 or less
$150
Behind the Curtain
You're a behind the scenes kind of person, aren't you? Well, for you we pull back the curtain. You will receive a digital copy of Self Portrait with additional, behind the scenes footage, upon the completion of our festival run.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $75 or less
$250
Actor Package
For your contribution you'll receive both an acting reel edited by director/editor Ben AND a 1/2 Skype career coaching session with writer/director/actor Corrie. Buy it for yourself or gift it to your favorite actor; you're choice!
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $100 or less
Claimed: 3 of 5
$300
Ask Me Anything (AMA)
Meet privately with directors Corrie and Ben for your opportunity to ask anything you want to know! In person meetings available for those local to NYC; Skype meetings available for anyone beyond the NYC area. (Travel not included)
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 0 of 5
$750
Creative Control
For your contribution, our director/editor Ben will cut together your short film or video up to 10 minutes in length. Get creative. This could be a wedding video, athletic recruitment video, or music video. Anything is possible!
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 1 of 2
$1,000
Pay It Forward
For your generous contribution, we will spread the love even farther. Corrie and Ben will spend a day volunteering at a local progressive charity or non-profit of your choosing.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 0 of 5
$1,500
Welcome to the Family
Welcome to the Self Portrait family! For your contribution you will receive a Associate Producer Credit, officially joining our crew (includes IMDb credit).
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 0 of 5
$2,500
Head of Household
Not only will we welcome you to the Self Portrait family, you'll be head of the family with an Executive Producer Credit! (includes IMDb credit)
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 0 of 5
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Least We Could Do
You helped make this project possible, the least we could do is give you a thank you in the film credits!
$10
Fill in the Frame
You're already a patron of the arts, why not play one on camera? We invite you to join us on set* as an extra, where you will play an audience member. This scene will most likely be shot on July 1st, our first day of filming! All filming takes place in New York City.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
*Disclaimer - limited to the first 50 confirmed contributors. Travel not included.
$15
What's in a Name?
You know you are truly great if your name becomes an adjective:
lynchian - (adj.) having the same balance between the macabre and the mundane found in the works of filmmaker David Lynch
freudian - (adj.) relating to or influenced by Sigmund Freud and his methods of psychoanalysis, especially with reference to the importance of sexuality in human behavior
shakespearean - (adj.) of, related to, or having the characteristics of Shakespear or his writings
Let us help you get there! We will turn your name into an adjective and share the meaning on our social media platforms.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to be an extra*
$25
Improv with Us
This one's for all our actor buddies out there! Ninjas, you know who you are ;-)
Ever been asked to improvise around a dramatic set of circumstances in the audition room? Come hone that skill with our fabulously talent producer Rosalie in an improv class unlike any you've taken before. Class will be held in NYC on June 17th, 1:00-3:00pm, specifics location TBD. (Travel not included)
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to be an extra*
Claimed: 11 of 25
$30
The Self Portrait
To thank you for your contribution, directors Corrie and Ben will combine (a)their complete lack of artistic ability with (b)their non-dominant hand to give you an original crayon portrait of yourself. You will receive a digital copy of your portrait and full mocking privileges.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
$30
Fantasy Bio
NOW EXTENDED THROUGH THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN!
Ever wanted to be an astronaut? A mad scientist? An alien? Live out your dream life in a personalized Fantasy Bio, written by director Benjamin Algar.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
$40
From the Cookbook
Don't tell Grammy, but we're handing out some secret family recipes! Join us and be surprised with a recipe from the family cookbook.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $30 or less
$40
Audition Coach
Big audition coming up? Calm those fears with a 30 minute Skype coaching session with audition coach and our on of our amazing producer Rosalie Tenseth! ($50 value, offer valid through 12/31/2017).
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $30 or less
Claimed: 3 of 5
$50
Resume Reimagined
Really make your resume pop! Our producer/acting coach extraordinaire Rosalie will help create or revise your acting resume to help it really stand out to casting directors and agents alike.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $30 or less
Claimed: 1 of 5
$75
R and R
What's more relaxing the sitting back and listening to your newest audiobook? For your contribution we will send you an audiobook code usable on any Audible audiobook available. Relax and enjoy!
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $40 or less
Claimed: 0 of 40
$85
Family Time
Receive a voucher for either A Night of Babysitting (up to 4 hours) or a Tutoring Session (up to 1 hour) with director/writer Corrie Legge. ($100 value, offer valid through 12/31/2017).
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $40 or less
$100
Linking the Favor
Want to see the final product from the comfort of your own home? Get this perk and receive a digital copy of Self Portrait for your own viewing pleasure after the completion of our festival run.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $75 or less
$150
Behind the Curtain
You're a behind the scenes kind of person, aren't you? Well, for you we pull back the curtain. You will receive a digital copy of Self Portrait with additional, behind the scenes footage, upon the completion of our festival run.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $75 or less
$250
Actor Package
For your contribution you'll receive both an acting reel edited by director/editor Ben AND a 1/2 Skype career coaching session with writer/director/actor Corrie. Buy it for yourself or gift it to your favorite actor; you're choice!
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $100 or less
Claimed: 3 of 5
$300
Ask Me Anything (AMA)
Meet privately with directors Corrie and Ben for your opportunity to ask anything you want to know! In person meetings available for those local to NYC; Skype meetings available for anyone beyond the NYC area. (Travel not included)
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 0 of 5
$750
Creative Control
For your contribution, our director/editor Ben will cut together your short film or video up to 10 minutes in length. Get creative. This could be a wedding video, athletic recruitment video, or music video. Anything is possible!
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 1 of 2
$1,000
Pay It Forward
For your generous contribution, we will spread the love even farther. Corrie and Ben will spend a day volunteering at a local progressive charity or non-profit of your choosing.
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 0 of 5
$1,500
Welcome to the Family
Welcome to the Self Portrait family! For your contribution you will receive a Associate Producer Credit, officially joining our crew (includes IMDb credit).
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 0 of 5
$2,500
Head of Household
Not only will we welcome you to the Self Portrait family, you'll be head of the family with an Executive Producer Credit! (includes IMDb credit)
Also includes:
- Thank you in the credits
- Invite to set as an extra*
- Digital copy of crayon portrait
- One additional incentive valued at $150 or less
Claimed: 0 of 5
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Corrie Legge - Screenwriter, Co-director, Actor
Corrie was born and raise in a small suburb of Portland, ME (the real Portland). She has been acting professionally in New York City for several years. SELF PORTRAIT is her directorial and screenwriting debut. However, she has been a content creator since she was old enough to produce improvised action films with brother as her co-star and her father as DP. In addition to acting, she loves anything outdoors including skiing and triathlons.
Benjamin M. Algar - Co-director, Editor
Much like a used paperback novel, Benjamin M. Algar's path to filmmaking bears the footprint of a studious practitioner. And much like an absurd metaphor, Benjamin M. Algar likens his career path to a used paperback novel. Both are true.(He also likes poetry, and asides.)The origin story begins in Old Lyme, Connecticut, home to an evaporated fishing industry and the namesake of Lyme's disease. He was taught to unapologetically embrace uniqueness and to follow his passions. It was within the world of the novel that Ben felt most safe and understood. With the spark lit, Ben eventually escaped the haven of Old Lyme, Connecticut, and pursued the life of a storyteller.(which his parents unsecretly hated until he started making money and then things were okay,I guess.)Ben's scripts and films tend to study the minutia of small town America and the dynamics of dysfunctional families. His work is best characterized as drama with arthouse narrative effects and uncanny imagery. Ben is always eager to engage in any conversation that includes the work of David Lynch.CUT TO: PRESENT DAY - Ben is a broadcast commercial film editor by day and filmmaker by night (and usually by day). Confused, always. Interminably happy. And a goof.Rosalie Tenseth - Producer
Rosalie is thrilled to be producing SELF PORTRAIT with this dream team! A professional actor for over 28 years, Rosalie took filmmaking into her own hands in 2013. Her writing and producing credits include 4 festival shorts including the award-winning FAILURE GROUPIES, currently in development as a feature (www.failuregroupies.com). She was hired to direct an 11 episode series, AFTER, with a cast of 17 and 14 locations that she’s guessing no one else was crazy enough to take on. As she looks at the rough cuts in post, it’s clear the work was worth it. TRENDING a series has been a concept in development since 2015 when she brought together a group of actors and shot experimental footage to explore strong diverse female characters. After putting together a variety of edits, TRENDING sizzles screened at some local filmmaker events and fests and got such great laughs and feedback that Rosalie created a new pilot and series that is loosely based on her hilarious, brilliant, tough-loving Grandmother Marvel. As an actor you may have seen Rosalie die as Evelyn on CBS’s LIMITLESS, throw people under the bus the first two seasons on LMN’s “I LOVE YOU BUT I LIED, be that quirky friend on HBO’s hit series HIGH MAINTENANCE, teach Tina Fey how to line dance on 30 ROCK and be accused of murder on LAW AND ORDER. Whether it’s acting, filmmaking or stand-up, Rosalie just wants to tell a great story.
Erin Zapcic - Producer
Erin Zapcic is an actor, producer, princess, and cheap wine enthusiast. She is a dyed-in-the-wool Jersey girl, and says "pork roll" but not "cawfee". She loves pirates and mermaids but curiously hates the ocean, and she can be counted on to contribute random facts to nearly any conversation.
Victoria Prather - Producer
Always in search of that perfect, top shelf rum cocktail, served in a Mason jar. Seen frequently on vacation with her children and small dogs.
Edith Bukovics - Actor
Edith Bukovics hails from Vienna, Austria and holds an MA (Hons) in English from Cambridge University where she performed in numerous critically acclaimed theatrical productions. Subsequent London theatre credits include lead roles in Peer Gynt (Arcola) and Polygraph (Soho Theatre). Her first leading screen role was in the powerful Greek-Cypriot film ‘Secret Paths’ and she has gone on to work with BAFTA and FIPRESCI award-winning film directors such as Vadim Jean and Julian Kemp. Stand-out feature film roles include Natalie in the romantic comedy My Last Five Girlfriends and Camilla in the psychological thriller Fossil. Since moving to New York she has enjoyed collaborating on new plays such as Kacie Devaney’s “The Unknowns” (Theatre at St Clements) alongside her ongoing screen work. She is next slated to appear alongside Amber Tamblyn and Jackie Cruz in writer/director Danny Ward’s new feature film “Cleveland.”
Away from the camera, Edith is a published writer and co-founder of the international acting support network and blog “Actors Gone Global”. She consults for Liquid Entertainment Ltd. with a feature film and sci-fi TV series currently in development.
Russell Kohlmann - Actor
Russell is ecstatic to be a part of this wonderful, unique project. There are always many sides to a story - at least as many as there are people involved - and this piece explores that beautifully. Director, actor, writer, producer, goofball extraordinaire... You may not have seen Russell in anything major yet, but he has plans to dominate 2018. "Take your broken heart and make it into art." -Carrie Fisher. AKA #SelfPortrait.
Ivylyn Nickel - Actress
Ivylyn has been an actress since she was 6 years old and is a natural on camera. She is a gymnast, cheers, plays soccer and is a zookeeper during the summers. Ivy is very passionate about acting, animals and the Carolina Panthers.
Jamal Solomon - Director of Photography
Being from Brooklyn has left an indelible mark on Jamal's cinematography --
"Finding the beauty in that visceral environment and how the two interacted with each other was always fascinating to me. Even at a young age, when I didn't understand art, [I knew] THIS was ART."
Jamal has been working in the industry for 5 years in New York City, as well as internationally. Shooting short films, feature length movies, as well as artistic videos for brands and artists has brought him the insight of understanding the needs of all types of stories and genres. In 2014, he won the Zeiss Precision Image Award; and recently, his contibution behind the camera on the short film Flowers, allowed for the film to win Best Short at the American Black Film Festival. It is now slated screen on HBO until the summer of 2017. For him, these momentous achievements cemented the belief that improvement is key and should be utilized in strengthening each and every frame.Alberto D'Fonseca - 1st AD
Alberto D'Fonseca is originally from Brazil, where he attended the Fine Arts program at the Universidade Catholica de Petropolis. He moved to New York City to finish his studies in a two year conservatory filmmaking program with full scholarship. He has worked in many film productions, TV shows, and Theatre as Assistant Director, Costume Designer, and Production Assistant. He has recently moved back to New York City after spending three in Los Angeles working as an Editor and Production Assistant in different TV productions.
Diane Chen - 2nd AD
Diane Chen is a NYC based multidisciplinary filmmaker and theater artist, and co-founder of Multihyphenate Productions (MHP). As director, writer, and actor, her short films have screened at Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival, Garden State Film Festival; her award-winning webseries HERE WE WAIT has been featured on USA Today and Geek.com, and has been making its international festival circuit this year.
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