With your support, my team and I will be able to create this immersive feature film that uniquely examines loss, the insidious truths surrounding OPIOID addiction, and the unexpected journey that leads one woman on her final search for redemption. Click FOLLOW & go to MEDIA to watch the TEASER!
With your support, my team and I will be able to create this immersive feature film that uniquely examines loss, the insidious truths surrounding OPIOID addiction, and the unexpected journey that leads one woman on her final search for redemption. Click FOLLOW & go to MEDIA to watch the TEASER!
Participating In
Hometown Heroes 2017
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Story
Mission Statement
With a middle class, bi-racial female leading both story and production, this film will uphold the standards of acceptance and equality prevalent in Morgantown, WV, by teaming up with a diverse cast and crew to depict a narrative wherein addiction itself is also boldly unprejudiced.About The Project
Our hero's journey explores life and death within the current opioid epidemic, shedding light on hidden issues that secretly permeate and even destroy vital, thriving communities.
After barely surviving an opiate overdose, Jessica, a struggling writer, reluctantly returns home to Morgantown, WV, to handle long deferred business of her deceased father; while there, a mysterious letter and reignited relationships lead her down a risky road that can end only in her ultimate redemption or final destruction.
Go Further...
Have you ever battled overwhelming loss, grief, guilt or addiction? Through the eyes of one flawed woman, our film - based on real people and experiences - examines some of life's insidiously daunting obstacles that many of us face and attempt to dismiss or tackle alone, including but not limited to addiction. Even for those fortunate enough not to have experienced profound struggle, The Mile Ground offers perspective and creates room for compassion and understanding, serving as a conduit for true connection and a reminder that ultimately, life can be an unforgiving rollercoaster, but we are all on this ride together.
(Jessica, with her dad, John, at her college graduation, 4 months before he passed away)
Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Jessica Shannon (née, Hammond) was exposed to some of the darker realities of life's all too common battles. The most profound loss she experienced was the passing of her father, John Kessler Hammond, in 2007, after his brief but valiant fight with a rare, aggressive cancer (Leiomyosarcoma). A decade later, after avoiding, denying, confronting and finally starting to understand her own grief and guilt, she is telling her story. And with your help, she can tell it the right way.
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WHY THIS? WHY NOW?
"Every week, I learn about another friend or relative of a friend or relative that is losing- or has lost his/her battle with addiction. I believe that ADDICTION (specifiically the OPIOID EPIDEMIC) has never been as overwhelmingly rampant or misunderstood as it is now, and with this story, I want to raise awareness, and be a part of the solution. And I want to create a community that is equally passionate about instituting change and offering hope."
- Jessica Shannon
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STRETCH GOALS:
$7,500.00 -- Donation minimum required to be considered for the Hometown Heroes Rally, in which selected finalists (that have also acquired at least 500 followers) will pitch his/her projects to the Duplass brothers for consideration of the final award: Up to 5 winners will be chosen to have their projects PRODUCED by Mark & Jay Duplass!
$25,000 -- The actual budget NEEDED to cast, staff, design, score, edit, and produce this film AND pay, feed and protect the cast/crew.
$30-40,000 -- With this budget, the edited film can be submitted to 100 FILM FESTIVALS (entries/submission packets range from $25-$100+)
$50,000+ -- At this level, no corners would have to be cut. At all.
Below is an example of our budget dispersion:
Incentives
$10
Social Media Shout Out!
A personalized, sharable public THANK YOU!
Claimed: 3 of 20
$20
Ticket to Screening!
One ticket to a screening in Morgantown OR Los Angeles plus A personal THANK-YOU via social media!
*travel and accommodations not included*
$50
V.I.P. Tickets to Screening!
V.I.P. tickets (you + 1) to one of two screenings (Los Angeles and Morgantown, WV) plus a personal social-media THANK YOU!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 5 of 20
$100
Postcard + Screening
A Postcard with images from the film, signed by the team + an invite to one of two screenings + a personal social-media THANK YOU!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 3 of 20
$250
Writer's Necessities
Everything you need to start working on your own story + postcard, screening invite and social media THANK YOU!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 1 of 10
$500
Walk-On Role
In addition to a social media THANK YOU, a screening invite and personal postcard with an image from the film- signed by our team, you will be cast in your very own Walk-On role!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 0 of 5
$1,000
Featured Role + Interview!
ALL previous incentives (including writer's necessities) + FEATURED ROLE (you get to pick your CHARACTER's name!) + Official film credit + Behind The Scenes interview with YOU!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 2 of 3
$5,000
Associate Producer V.I.P.
ALL of the previous perks AND a day on set including: a meal with the writer and director, access to the inner workings of film making, and of course - a champagne toast! (You can choose from: walk-on role, featured role, and/or ASSOCIATE producer* credit!)
*This Associate Producer credit will not entitle the bearer to any profit, compensation or other reimbursement. However, investments can be arranged upon request! Travel and accommodations not included.*
Claimed: 0 of 2
$7,500
Executive Producer V.I.P.
Executive Producer Credit, Day On Set (choice of walk -on role or featured role!), Exclusive screening access, PLUS - a ticket to one of the film festival screenings within the United States.
*This Executive Producer credit will not entitle the bearer to any profit, compensation or other reimbursement. However, investments can be arranged upon request! Travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 0 of 2
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Social Media Shout Out!
A personalized, sharable public THANK YOU!
Claimed: 3 of 20
$20
Ticket to Screening!
One ticket to a screening in Morgantown OR Los Angeles plus A personal THANK-YOU via social media!
*travel and accommodations not included*
$50
V.I.P. Tickets to Screening!
V.I.P. tickets (you + 1) to one of two screenings (Los Angeles and Morgantown, WV) plus a personal social-media THANK YOU!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 5 of 20
$100
Postcard + Screening
A Postcard with images from the film, signed by the team + an invite to one of two screenings + a personal social-media THANK YOU!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 3 of 20
$250
Writer's Necessities
Everything you need to start working on your own story + postcard, screening invite and social media THANK YOU!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 1 of 10
$500
Walk-On Role
In addition to a social media THANK YOU, a screening invite and personal postcard with an image from the film- signed by our team, you will be cast in your very own Walk-On role!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 0 of 5
$1,000
Featured Role + Interview!
ALL previous incentives (including writer's necessities) + FEATURED ROLE (you get to pick your CHARACTER's name!) + Official film credit + Behind The Scenes interview with YOU!
*travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 2 of 3
$5,000
Associate Producer V.I.P.
ALL of the previous perks AND a day on set including: a meal with the writer and director, access to the inner workings of film making, and of course - a champagne toast! (You can choose from: walk-on role, featured role, and/or ASSOCIATE producer* credit!)
*This Associate Producer credit will not entitle the bearer to any profit, compensation or other reimbursement. However, investments can be arranged upon request! Travel and accommodations not included.*
Claimed: 0 of 2
$7,500
Executive Producer V.I.P.
Executive Producer Credit, Day On Set (choice of walk -on role or featured role!), Exclusive screening access, PLUS - a ticket to one of the film festival screenings within the United States.
*This Executive Producer credit will not entitle the bearer to any profit, compensation or other reimbursement. However, investments can be arranged upon request! Travel and accommodations not included*
Claimed: 0 of 2
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Meet the crew so far! ...
Writer/Producer- Jessica Shannon
Jessica Shannon - born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia - is a L.A. based actor known for her work as "CeeCee" on the award-winning sitcom, Baby Daddy, and a number of roles in various other popular television shows and independent feature films. She earned her in B.A. in theater from WVU and has trained extensively in Los Angeles. Starring as our flawed protagonist, Jessica is also the writer and producer of The Mile Ground.
Director- Jim Aikman
Jim Aikman is an award-winning filmmaker and commercial director living in Portland, Oregon. He specializes in outdoor adventure films, character driven documentaries, commercial video and narrative shorts. His work has taken him around the world, from the high mountains of the Himalaya to the crevasses of Alaska, creating content for brands like National Geographic, The North Face and REI. With degrees in Film and English literature from the University of Michigan, Jim has cultivated an interest in narrative theory and history to craft thoughtful, authentic stories about real characters. As comfortable behind a camera as he is in the editing bay, Jim's main priorities are integrity and entertainment. Jim directed and edited "Jeff Lowe's Metanoia,” a feature film that has enjoyed a successful tour in the global film festival circuit.
1st A.D.- Steve Kwiatkowski
Stephen “Steve” John Kwiatkowski II (born August 12th, 1974) is an American actor, film maker, producer and director. He has worked on large and small projects in West Virginia, Pittsburgh, PA, Las Vegas, NV and Nashville, TN. He has acted on TV shows such as Banshee (Cinemax) and, The Outsiders (WGN) and the film Concussion (Sony). He has directed cameras for the unveiling of the 2016 Olympic Summer Games Torch and Cauldron. Kwiatkowski is also the Red Ribbon winner for his work on the Documentary “For the Living” filmed in West Virginia. He has directed TV Shows, Movies, public theater and student films, as well as live national TV. Kwiatkowski is currently the only person in West Virginia to achieve a Tech I & II Certification from Lucasfilms THX and has worked with two living Presidents of the United States for National Television. Some of his work has been featured in New York City’s Fashion Week and on MTV, Spike TV, ESPN and VH1. Kwiatkowski was born in Morgantown WV and attended Morgantown High School where he graduated in 1993. He also attended Fairmont State University to study Business Management. Kwiatkowski carries WV State Certifications in Production Coordination, Location Scouting and Grip and Electric. He is the owner of Maxxteck LLC. an audio visual rental and production company located in Morgantown, WV, and Vice President board position with the West Virginia Film Makers Guild, a 501-C 3 charity dedicated to the promotion of the film industry in the state of West Virginia.
Cinematographer- Drew Ganyer
Drew Ganyer is a Los Angeles based cinematographer. He grew up in the mountains of Colorado where he discovered his passion for filmmaking. Drew studied cinematography at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he graduated with honors. In addition to formal education, he has had the opportunity to learn first hand from esteemed A.S.C. cinematographers. Working as a cinematographer in Los Angeles for 6 years, Drew has had the pleasure of lensing 4 feature films, numerous web series, shorts, music videos and commercials. His credits include Maybe Someday, Courage NH, One Eye Open, and The Crop.
Associate Producer- Ronda Suder
Ronda comes to us with more than 20 years of industry experience an actress, writer, screenwriter, producer, and filmmaker. Her experience includes work both in front of and behind the camera on feature and short films, commercials, web series, new media, television shows, improv comedy shows, and live events. She holds a Masters of Science in Human Resources and Industrial Relations and a Masters of Art in Film and Media Production (2017). With a purpose to support other industry professionals and to inspire, empower and entertain through relatable stories reflecting the human condition, she co-founded an actors support group in Houston, TX in 2015 and her own production and media services initiative in 2012.
Composer- Kate Jaworski
Kate Jaworski graduated from West Virginia University in 2007 with a BA in Theatre: acting and lighting design. She was the director, vocal coach and choreographer for the musicals L'Amour, Ca Fait Chanter, and Le Roi Soleil at the University of Colorado. Kate created, produced and starred in Lucid, a theatrical circus production that debuted at Boulder Arts Week in April 2014, and again at the Boulder Fringe Festival in September 2014. Also in CO, she was the lead singer of Gora Gora Orkestar brass band and The Artful Dodgers jazz band, as well as the resident composer for Just Rite Media Film. In New York, Kate sang in the all female, 1940s style trio: The New York Nightingales for the holidays. She was the lead singer for the dance theatre piece In Persistence of Memory with Kinesis Project. She assistant directed and designed lights for The Woman Who Was Me, and designed lights for A Mexican Affair, Murrow, and various shows during fashion week. Kate is currently teaching voice and piano privately and writing a musical in New York City.
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