The Low End, down to its micro-budget, creates an intersection between counter cultural movements and film that is authentic and true to life. This type of storytelling is not possible with traditional high budget Hollywood movies that don't allow for the same experimentation in narrative structure.
The Low End, down to its micro-budget, creates an intersection between counter cultural movements and film that is authentic and true to life. This type of storytelling is not possible with traditional high budget Hollywood movies that don't allow for the same experimentation in narrative structure.
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Story
About The Project
The Low End is a REVENGE THRILLER unlike anything that has ever been put on the big screen.
Events over the course of forty-eight hours during a music festival unfold in forward and reverse chronological order, as recovering addict, Cal, attempts to rekindle his relationship with Dara by taking her on a weekend getaway. But with little money, he is forced to engage in a dangerous deal with a former lover-turned-drug-pusher to fund the weekend.
The Low End is a film that has the unique opportunity to showcase and explore what mainstream cinema has rarely approached.
The Low End is a dark commentary on Western society and challenges the justification of revenge and the independence of both cause and effect. The film deals with themes of contemporary societal gender roles and the feelings and actions associated within this binary. The characters themselves come from communities traditionally overlooked by popular culture as it captures the tight-nit communities developed within the culture of music festivals. Micro-budget indie films like ours allows for an authentic exploration of these communities not possible through traditional story telling.
This is a film that can only be made by us. No one else is as invested as the filmmakers, but we can still try and bring everyone into the process. Originally envisioned in the crazy mind of writer Ryan Croft while in High School, a rough section of the script was put on paper as it meandered around in his head, drawing heavily from themes of addiction and relationships he has witnessed in his life. These themes culminated in a story set in the EDM community, but over the years that segment evolved, eventually forming, through his collaboration with Director Graham Schmidt, The Low End.
We are extremely grateful to have the sponsorship of camera equipment company, Turbo Ace, who are generously aiding in providing equipment to make the film possible.
But excellent camera equipment does not make an excellent film, so to top it off, we need YOUR help to support this film, and get the funds that are needed to make the vision of The Low End a reality.
Produced by Exponent Visuals
Incentives
$1
Thank You!
Being a micro-budget film, every single penny counts. As a thank-you, you'll recieve a PERSONALIZED EMAIL. Plus, access to behind the scenes UPDATES, PHOTOS, and otherwise SECRET DOCUMENTS.
$5
Social Media Shout Out
Thanks for pitching in! With this incentive you'll receive both recognition on our Twitter page and a mention on our Facebook at the end of the week. You'll also recieve a personalized e-mail. Make sure to include your social media handles to get a shout out!
$10
Digital Download
A digital download of the completed film upon release to see what you have helped create as well as ALL prior rewards.
Claimed: 14 of 50
$15
The Low End Poster
A high quality print of the official The Low End poster. You'll also recieve a digital copy upon release, as well as a personalized e-mail, behind the scenes updates, and a social media shout out.
$20
Pre-Fabricated Artwork
Gorgeously dark artwork from the twisted mind of Chicago-based artist Brandon Balbin.
By Brandon Balbin
Find Brandon on Instagram at @big_turnt
$25
Commissioned Graffiti Artwork
Custom graffiti artwork, personalized for every donor. Can be delivered physically or digitally for use online. In addition to ALL prior rewards.
By Justin Roberts
$50
Commissioned Artwork
Custom Artwork from our very own Art Director, Khaela Correa.
By Khaela Correa
Find Khaela at https://khaelacorrea.carbonmade.com
Claimed: 8 of 50
$125
Hard Copy of the Shooting Script
A chance to read the visionary screenplay, years in the making. In addition to ALL prior rewards.
$150
Signed Print of The Low End Poster by Cast & Crew
An exclusive signed print of the poster with a special thank you from everyone working on The Low End. In addition to ALL prior rewards.
Claimed: 10 of 50
$500
Signed Hard Copy of the Script
An official, signed copy of The Low End shooting script for you to read the madness our writer created. As well as every single reward prior.
Claimed: 0 of 20
$1,100
Associate Producer Credit
Associate Producer credit at the end of the film and a chance to meet the cast and crew in Chicago (contingent on donor's location). In addition to ALL prior rewards.
Claimed: 0 of 10
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$1
Thank You!
Being a micro-budget film, every single penny counts. As a thank-you, you'll recieve a PERSONALIZED EMAIL. Plus, access to behind the scenes UPDATES, PHOTOS, and otherwise SECRET DOCUMENTS.
$5
Social Media Shout Out
Thanks for pitching in! With this incentive you'll receive both recognition on our Twitter page and a mention on our Facebook at the end of the week. You'll also recieve a personalized e-mail. Make sure to include your social media handles to get a shout out!
$10
Digital Download
A digital download of the completed film upon release to see what you have helped create as well as ALL prior rewards.
Claimed: 14 of 50
$15
The Low End Poster
A high quality print of the official The Low End poster. You'll also recieve a digital copy upon release, as well as a personalized e-mail, behind the scenes updates, and a social media shout out.
$20
Pre-Fabricated Artwork
Gorgeously dark artwork from the twisted mind of Chicago-based artist Brandon Balbin.
By Brandon Balbin
Find Brandon on Instagram at @big_turnt
$25
Commissioned Graffiti Artwork
Custom graffiti artwork, personalized for every donor. Can be delivered physically or digitally for use online. In addition to ALL prior rewards.
By Justin Roberts
$50
Commissioned Artwork
Custom Artwork from our very own Art Director, Khaela Correa.
By Khaela Correa
Find Khaela at https://khaelacorrea.carbonmade.com
Claimed: 8 of 50
$125
Hard Copy of the Shooting Script
A chance to read the visionary screenplay, years in the making. In addition to ALL prior rewards.
$150
Signed Print of The Low End Poster by Cast & Crew
An exclusive signed print of the poster with a special thank you from everyone working on The Low End. In addition to ALL prior rewards.
Claimed: 10 of 50
$500
Signed Hard Copy of the Script
An official, signed copy of The Low End shooting script for you to read the madness our writer created. As well as every single reward prior.
Claimed: 0 of 20
$1,100
Associate Producer Credit
Associate Producer credit at the end of the film and a chance to meet the cast and crew in Chicago (contingent on donor's location). In addition to ALL prior rewards.
Claimed: 0 of 10
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Our crew has been made up of an incredibly talented group of student filmmakers with prior experience in the production of feature films. The characters found in The Low End’s narrative are based on individuals that exist in the everyday realms of our lives. From Camera to Art, each department is familiar with the minute details that will bring our story’s authenticity to your screen.
Writer + Director of Photography - Ryan Croft
An award-winning director of photography from Chicago, Ryan Croft has led teams of cinematographers and audio technicians on several productions including political campaigns, live performances, and feature length films. Some of his work has received press from firstshowing.net, one of today's largest web-based film sites. Ryan's sense of visual style, story, and character all help to exemplify what this team is really about.
Director
Graham Schmidt is a rising director from Kansas City. He’s worked on many short films at DePaul University as both an assistant director and a director. Graham has been a part of The Low End from its conception, co-creating the story and sharing his unique vision with the rest of the crew.
Producer + Editor - Vikram Bhaduri
Vikram Bhaduri is a rising Digital Cinema major from San Francisco, California. He has garnered awards for postproduction and documentary work from several film festivals, including the nationally recognized Delta Moon Festival. Vikram has had prior experience with non-linear story editing with the upcoming feature From Yesterday. His most recent music video for California based Eventide was featured on Good Music All Day, the #1 College Music Website in America.
Producer - Andy Behling
Andrew Behling is a sophomore student at DePaul University focused on screenwriting and directing. He is from Delafield, Wisconsin, where he has accomplished both writing a two-act play for a high school theater production and competing in the Kettle Moraine Film Festival. In Chicago, Andrew recently finished writing and directing his latest short film Calyx. His favorite movies include The Shawshank Redemption, Dances with Wolves, and The Departed.
1st AD - Michael Wolfe
Michael Wolfe is a director from Overland Park, Kansas. A junior at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in Orange, California, Michael studies film production with a minor in showrunning. He has written, directed, and produced several short films, music videos, and documentaries and has interned for Richard "Dick" Donner and Lauren Shuler Donner at The Donners' Company as well as Michael London at Groundswell Productions. He can currently be found developing an up and coming short film and is in post-production for another to be released this May.
Production Sound - Scott Wietrzykowski
Scott Wietrzykowski is a writer/producer/sound designer currently studying filmmaking at DePaul University. He has worked on a number of both independent and DePaul student films. When not on set, he’s usually telling awful jokes, posting something for Springboard Theater Company, whose Facebook and Twitter accounts he manages, or catching up on sleep, that fleeting luxury.
Art Direction - Khaela Correa
Khaela Correa is a sophomore at DePaul University majoring in digital cinema with a concentration in production and a minor in writing for television and film. She has spent time working on her art for most of her life, receiving awards and recognition for her achievments in high school as a part of the National Art Honor Society. She has a passion for production design as well as writing and has worked on several sets including that for The Void and the upcoming project Flake.
Costume Design + BTS - Isabella Jorgensen
Isabella Jorgensen is a journalism and cinema studies major at DePaul University. Her time spent working as a sales associate at Urban Outfitters has allowed for experience in styling as well as collaboration. She can currently be found working on Shredded, an artistically spirited local webzine which she has helped to start. All she really wants in life is a travel mug that’ll keep her coffee hot for longer than twenty minutes.
Casting Director - Makaela Johnston
Makaela Johnston is a student at DePaul University studying film production. She has worked on many student and independent films in the Chicago and Cleveland areas. A producer and retired actor, Makaela has ten years of auditioning and casting experience under her belt.
1st AC - Ella Lubienski
Ella Lubienski is a writer/director/actor/squirrel-wrangler currently studying filmmaking at DePaul University. She has worked both on and off camera on short films for both DePaul and Columbia College, as well as assisting on independent productions on the side. When she's not working on films she can be found improvising with the Passionate Mom Society, singing with The Fullertones, or sitting in her bed eating Double Stuf Oreos.
Producer - Charlie Bialobok
Production Sound - Scott Wietrzykowski
SFX/Makeup - Demi Schloefer + Catherine Woods
Cal - Played by Michael Kunicki
Michael Kunicki is a Chicago-based actor coming off of a lead role in the feature film Drinking Games. When he is not acting, Michael can be found spending time photographing his family and others that surround him. His ongoing pursuit for a greater empathic understanding of what lies around him perfectly exemplifies The Low End's emotional core. Michael is excited to be taking on his third feature film with this project.
Tommy - Played by Jesse Massaro
Jesse Massaro is a 23-year-old actor transplant from Columbus, OH. He graduated The Ohio State University with a B.A. in theatre having spent much of his time there on stage with the Columbus theatre community. His favorite credits include acting as Warren in This is Our Youth, Billy in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, and Malvolio in an eighties-influenced production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Jesse’s previous experience in film can be seen in the feature Wings of the Wind (KICKS Flicks), in which he played a highly manipulative man with a gambling issue.
Aidan - Played by Chris Miller
Christopher Miller is an actor from Chicago honored to be a part of The Low End's cast. He has taken acting classes at various training facilities thorough out the city including Second City, Actors Studio Chicago, and Triton College. His previous work includes films such as School for Gods and He Don't Make Junk. Christopher is represented by Babes & Beaus Talent Group and hopes to spread enjoyment through his craft.
Damen - Played by Dan Wenzel
Dan Wenzel Jr. is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has appeared in multiple shows in Chicago, including Celebration, A Night Out (A Red Orchid Theatre); Marin, Shoedogs (Stoop Feast Theatre); and Much Ado About Nothing (Stone Soup Shakespeare). Dan's film credits include Just Like in the Movies, Runaway, Greencoat, Greyout, and the web series Rent Controlled.
Dara - Played by Sarah Joanou
Sarah Joanou is an actor, writer, artist, and recent Chicago resident. She has lived several lives in her twenty-four years, taking her to Paris, San Francisco, Hawaii, Vancouver, and one summer, under several bridges and park benches in the small Indiana town of Mishawaka (novel forthcoming). Sarah is very proud, grateful, and excited to be working on this grassroots project with such a dedicated group of artists.
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