Art & Artist aims to become a series of documentary shorts with this first episode exploring the extraordinary work of Spencer Reinhard.
Hi everyone, this is the official fundraiser page for our short documentary film Art & Artist: Spencer Reinhard, which will become the first instalment of a series that would see us meet, document and explore the creative lifestyles lead by some of the world’s most interesting artists.
This debut episode would feature Spencer Reinhard, who many of you may know because of the 2018 film American Animals directed by Bart Layton. The Lexington, Kentucky-native was played by Barry Keoghan during a turbulent series of events in 2004. Seeking creative fulfilment and desiring a transformative experience, Spencer and three others attempted to steal millions of dollars-worth of rare books from the Transylvania University, original prints from the likes of Charles Darwin and John James Audubon. Failing to get away successfully, they each served over seven years in prison.
Spencer’s artistic portfolio is a mixed bag. On his website, you can browse wholly original abstract landscapes, an exclusive artistic insight into prison life in his Birds of Paradise collection and iconic paintings of birds which share a strong resemblance to the elegant intricacies of John James Audubon. We know that Spencer would be an ideal artist to meet for this short film, exploring both his creative process and what inspires him today, as well as gaining an insight into his unique path to fulfilment.
We hope that this is something that you would like to see. The film would be independently produced by a small team of filmmakers who met at Bournemouth University in the UK in 2014. Together and during our studies, we made three original short films, each of which receiving nominations and/or screenings at festivals, both UK-based and international. The culmination of our mixed skill-set and filmic backgrounds, mixed with the faith we carry in our own abilities has led us to embark on this international shoot. The documentary would undoubtedly be interesting and thought-provoking, touching on themes regarding how artistic influence can be achieved at outlandish costs and the perspectives some individuals may take on a successful artist with a criminal history.
Any donations would, of course, be massively appreciated and we hope that the rewards we can offer in return for your generosity can entice you to not only contribute to this project but be a part of it. As our filmmaking roots stem from indie environments, we know the importance of working resourcefully and efficiently, balancing creativity with effective time management. Your donation would be utilised for the essentials of this trip, which would be getting our small crew over there, cheap accommodation and food, and most importantly, providing us with enough time to stay there and film. We are so grateful of Spencer to collaborate with us on this and offer us his time, so every donation would be equally appreciated and spent in accordance with making the best film we possibly can.
This project closed unsuccessfully on 27th November 2019