640 Films presents The Collins Film: an alternate history thriller in the vein of Stand by Me, Zodiac, and Bicycle Thieves. When three high schoolers working at a camera store in 1968 come across a home movie depicting the assassination of John F. Kennedy, they're forced into a whirlwind of explosive arguments and trembling emotion as they figure out what to do. Why? Because the killer is closer than they would have thought.

Colin, in his senior year, works at a photo store in 1968 where he spends his days combing through customer film orders, searching for entertainment. His best friend Danny, an orphan destined for the Vietnam war, shares in the tradition of projecting the most interesting finds in the back of the camera shop. Upon one such viewing, the friends are shocked to find something they should never have seen…another angle of the JFK assassination. With dread and horror, the two friends spiral down the hole of a massive conspiracy only to realize that what they've discovered is the key to it.

To further complicate their relationship, Clayton, a quiet and nervous underclassman joins them in their escapades in the camera shop. And through a chance encounter related to Clayton, Colin connects the dots in an unholy revelation. Not only do the kids possess proof of who actually killed JFK, but, the person who killed JFK is much closer to them than they ever would have thought.

With this revelation, the characters are launched into an enormously difficult situation. Clayton, caught between a rock and a hard place, struggles to face the reality he is connected to which leads to indecision on what to do. Danny, on the other hand, selfishly sees this as an opportunity to better life, and brashly pushes for the release of the film. Colin, the mediator between the two, is sympathetic to the tough choice that Clayton is faced with, and, therefore argues that only Clayton can make the choice. Ultimately, this back and forth becomes the crux of the film. The characters argue as to what to do, and the more they argue, the more set in their ways they become. This life-altering piece of information that the characters must respond to leaves them swimming in a purgatory of anxiety and uncertainty. 

The film lives in the innocence of Stand by Me, the aesthetic of a black-and-white Zodiac, and the emotional turmoil of Bicycle Thieves. Exploring the themes of empathy and fairness, the film is a coming-of-age story that uses giant events to stir small characters into learning how to deal with their personal vices. The film asks where one draws the line to protect those they love, and where another draws the line to protect themselves.

The film takes place in a black & white 1968, where issues that once lived in that two-tone contrast were exploding into a grey area, finding new homes in a more fair and just world. Our characters, though tremendous circumstances, are forced to face some of those issues head-on in a very personal and emotional sense. Throughout the movie, they are faced with the unfairness of life and struggle to break out of the black-and-white senses people often have as kids and jump in between the gradient to a more scary, but forward-moving existence.

A film is nothing without an incredible team behind it, and luckily, we've put together just that. Along side the rest of the gang at 640 films, here are some of the lead creatives behind the film:

Brennan Huizinga - Writer & Director

Brennan Huizinga is the award-winning director behind short films like Something Blue, The 46th Annual Easton High Spelling Bee, and Wake Up! He's a unique and independent voice in film who loves making movies that make people think, while loving every minute of the ride.

Breana Malloy - Producer                                                                                          

Breana Malloy is an up-and-coming producer of some of Michigan's largest independent voice, most recently Joel Potrykus' latest film. She's the best in the biz around West Michigan and is ready to get this made and in the right hands.

Parker Eisen - First Assistant Director

Parker Eisen is more than a killer First AD; he's a writer-director of shorts and features that showcase his knowledge in all facets of filmmaking. He and Brennan have been making movies since they were kids, and this film is no different.

Zach Thomas - Production Designer

Zach Thomas is the production designer behind several short films in West Michigan, including Joel Potrykus' latest. A period piece is nothing without someone expertly crafting the design of every room, nook, and cranny, and Zach is here to bring the 1960s back to life.

And many more creative minds; read about the rest of the team on the 640 Film Website.

So how are we going to do this? With your generous support, we're hoping to raise a start of $20,000 through Seed&Spark for the production and post-production of the film, while continuing to find investments outside for a total budget of $45,000. If we reach our initial goal through Seed&Spark, we'll continue the campaign via Stretch Goals in hopes to fund the film entirely through this platform.

Because the film is a period piece, everything from production design and costumes to sets and locations become increasingly more difficult and expensive. Luckily, we've already been able to gather several resources that will help relieve this burden thanks to the generosity of several contributors, including props and set decorations from Robert "Ratface" Holtzman, the set decorator and production designer behind several Sam Raimi and Kevin Smith productions.

None of the lead creatives behind the project will be taking any cut of the funding; we're in this for the film. Every cent will be put on the screen. We plan to shoot in and around West Michigan over the course of four weeks this coming summer. So where is all this money going? Let's break it down:

We're also very aware of the ongoing COVID-19 risks that the film will be facing-- Luckily, our team now has plenty of experience producing films in this climate safely and effectively. We will be monitoring developments and guidelines in relation to the virus and will adjust our production accordingly as information continues to become available, whether that be through daily tests and mask-wearing or simply reviewing the best time to shoot.

Beyond getting to see an incredible film you helped create, we know you want even more; that's why we're working on several awesome incentives to commemorate your contribution beyond the frames of the movie. From enamel pins and posters to digital screeners and Blu-rays, we're making sure you have something to remember the film you helped create.

Along with some awesome digital and physical perks, you can also solidify yourself as a part of the film's production team and get the benefits associated! Associate and Executive Producer credits are available and pledges above $5000 will get your company or name front and center at the top of the film; You truly will have brought this film to life and will have the screen and IMDb credits to prove it.

The Collins Film Enamel Pins

Exclusive The Collins Film Poster

Please share this page with anyone you think would be interested in seeing a film like this! Feel free to copy and paste these examples on Facebook, Twitter, and beyond!

Help filmmaker @brennanhuizinga by supporting his alternate-history thriller THE COLLINS FILM, about 3 teenagers who find a film of the JFK assassination and his killer! Join them on @seedandspark: bit.ly/thecollinsfilm

I'm so excited to see THE COLLINS FILM, by @BrennanHuizinga and @640Films, being made in Grand Rapids, Michigan this summer! Join them on @seedandspark: bit.ly/thecollinsfilm

...and thank you so much for your consideration and contribution. It means the world to me, and everyone involved looking to bring The Collins Film to life!