Target reached! Stretch target: £2,000
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WILD BEAR - Short Film
Andover, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Aim: We need your support to bring our environmental short film to life, set to be filmed this August in the heart of nature!
WHAT IS THE FILM ABOUT?
A recluse man, embodying the characteristics of a wild bear, fears loneliness in the wilderness. As soon as love comes his way, the threat of deforestation and human destruction destroys his hope for survival.
BUT... WHAT IS IT REALLY ABOUT?
The film explores the impact of deforestation on animal habitats and uses the similarities between humans and animals to create a greater audience connection with this. Bear merges the identities of man and beast, illustrating our shared instincts for survival and love. The film highlights how we as humans have a disconnect between our contribution to environmental and habitat destruction, and the fact that it impacts animals who are creatures with feelings just like us.
WHERE WILL YOUR MONEY GO?
Your contributions will help us afford props, costume, hair and makeup design, travel expenses, equipment rental, location fees, festival submissions, and much more.
We're thrilled to share our project with you and send out some rewards as a token of our gratitude. If you're unable to donate, please help spread the word by sharing this page.
DEFORESTATION
Deforestation has severe impacts on the environment and biodiversity. Up to 15 billion trees are now being cut down every year across the world, significantly contributing to climate change by reducing carbon dioxide absorption. Forests, which cover 30% of the world's land, are rapidly disappearing, with 17% of the Amazon rainforest destroyed in the past 50 years and a 21% increase in 2020 alone.
This loss threatens 80% of Earth’s land animals and plants, including the orangutan and Sumatran tiger, and disrupts ecosystems, leading to soil erosion, reduced water quality, and increased temperatures.
If tropical deforestation were a country, it would rank third in carbon dioxide emissions, behind China and the U.S.
MEET THE TEAM
WRITER/DIRECTOR - JAMES HASTINGS
A Writer/Director and founder of independent film production company Hastings Infinity Films. He has directed award-winning projects such as Hidden Insight, funded and produced by Kino London, Make It Stop! which was filmed in Iceland and The Distance, showcased at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. His debut feature, Raymond’s 5 (2017), was Kickstarter-funded and earned a place on Amazon Prime.
Hastings won an Inspiring Young Filmmaker Award in 2017 and became a Global Youth Ambassador for RoundTable Global. His films have screened for many film festivals at venues such as BFI Southbank, Millennium Point Birmingham and BFI IMAX London.
PRODUCER - EMMA JANE GRAY
A Producer with experience working across film, theatre and digital media, and graduate of University of the Arts London. Emma's ambition and determination has led her to write and produce several projects that were developed from the ground up, bringing together strong teams of talented people and overcoming the challenges of working with limited budgets.
Her recent projects include her short narrative film ‘Nothing Happened’ which explores the grey areas of sexism, as well as the play ‘Group 7’, which aims to provoke discussions about what the term ‘politics’ can mean, and recently had its debut performance at Etcetera Theatre Camden.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - ELLIOT FOREMAN
A Cinematographer working globally across film, branded content, commercials & documentaries. Elliot fell in love with film as a child and has loved storytelling ever since. Nature is a huge inspiration for him as an artist, especially the intricacies of it, so he's incredibly excited to be part of this project.
As a Cinematographer, Elliot has worked on various narrative and commercial projects, including a film for Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. When he's not on set, you’ll probably find him at the boxing gym, pretending to be Rocky Balboa.
EDITOR - CALUM MENZIES
A London-based Editor who has worked across short film and corporate projects for the past few years. Previously he has worked on content for BAFTA, the RNLI, COP 26, musicians, actors, animals and friends. His documentary “MS, Mexico & Me: Aileen’s Story” follows an MS sufferer’s journey from the Isle of Lewis to Mexico for stem cell treatment. This piece has won several awards at film festivals.
Calum is very much looking forward to the creative challenge of cutting Wild Bear and working with James and his wonderful crew.
Other Crew working on Wild Bear include Declan Illett and Michael Frost (Sound Design/Mix), Luke Bryan (1st AD), Sophie Hastings (Music), Laura Belotti-Masserini (Colour Grade) and Kai Ackroyd (Hair/Make-up).
WHAT'S NEXT?
Now, the real work begins! We're currently casting the film and will keep you updated on new team members, exciting rewards, collaborators, and behind-the-scenes content.
Spread the word! Follow us on Instagram for regular updates and get excited.
@wildbearfilm #wildbear #shortfilm