Project

Independent Motion Picture: USINGPHENOM FEATURES will be creating a full-length, independent motion picture featuring talented students and aspiring screen artists in Bloomington and Central Illinois, working side-by-side with movie-making professionals.

USING is a feature-length drama about loving deception and a father's desperate fight to save his only daughter from self-destruction. The original screenplay is written by Illinois Wesleyan University professor Thomas Anthony Quinn. 22-year-old Gwen McNeil is the out-of-control daughter of real estate magnate Edward "Eddy" McNeil. Gwen's desperate father devises an elaborate and deceitful scheme to rescue her from the streets of Chicago, but if his plot is uncovered it could cost him his daughter. USING is a cautionary tale of addiction, betrayal and unlikely redemption, which asks the impossible question, "How far would you go to save a dying child?"

The project will take approximately 14 months to complete: 

Pre-production April – July, 2010:

• Fundraising, casting, location scouting, team-building Milestones:• Actors and crew hired and employment contracts signed by May 27• Shoot locations secured by June 21st 

Production July 5 – August 13, 2010:

• Bloomington 4 weeks, Chicago one weekMilestones: • Wrap of production with full cast and crew: August 13 

Post-production August 23, 2010 - June 5, 2011:

• Picture/sound editing and release of final print for film festival submission Milestones:• Final cut of movie ready: April 5, 2011 • Official trailer release: May 15, 2011• Donors' "sneak preview" showing: June 5, 2011• Film festival submissions: Beginning June 2011

The project will be funded through tax-deductible contributions from individual and corporate donors. While Phenom Features, NFP completes the lengthy application process to become a 501(c)(3) public charity, all donations for this project will be rendered tax-deductible by our sponsor and fiscal agent, Fresh Bread Productions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization with offices in Bloomington, Illinois.Donor list development, the first step was the Green Light Donor Drive and raised the funding needed to meet the first project’s milestones. Special categories and levels from “Supporter” to “Executive Producer” will assure a good match of donors with donor levels.The second step is the "Using" Fall Fund Drive: "From Post-Production to Premiere." The main focus will be on meeting post-production milestones and film festival admittance. Same categories and levels apply. Check out the "Using" page at IndieGoGo.com.