IMPORTANT!! READ:

This campaign is now closed. Unfortunately, we did not reach the necessary amount of capital to push "Flat Wheel" into production. To be absolutely transparent... There were issues securing cast and crew and I was forced to pull the plug on the project because it meant compromising the vision and scale that our team had for it. It was approaching the end of the year (2022), which meant that I would have to pay taxes on the income I had recieved thus far for the project (income that we could have written off if we made the project before the end of the year). Last fall, I reached out to all of the crowdfunding contributors that the project was no longer happening and offered refunds on their donations. The remaining money I said would be diverted into a film of a smaller scale and details would follow. During 2023 I have been working on preproduction for a feature-length slow cinema film about a lone traveler who dedicates himself to life's mundane activities. I have already begun filming and have about 25 minutes of edited footage in the bag. I want to thank all of my contributors once again for helping make this next project a reality. Because I gave plenty of time to respond to the update email and have already started production on this next project, I am no longer offering refunds on contributions. Thank you for your continued support of an artist in the stuttering community.

-Cheers, Ty

ORIGINAL PITCH:

Synopsis

Sulema, a 20-something year old with a stutter, lands in a small town after getting a flat tire. She must navigate common situations of communication that she would normally avoid in order to get back on their way. After several failures, Sulema finally realizes the only and best way to be accepted by others is to first accept yourself.

This 12-minute film communicates the importance of finding self-acceptance before the acceptance of others, the longing for human connection that's inherent to us all, and the unique struggles and anxieties that a person with a stutter deals with during everyday conversation.

What Makes This Unique?

There are limited examples of media and films that center on a stutterer. Two of these are The King's Speech and Stutterer, both of which use actors who do not have a stutter to portray the disability. Flat Wheel will center on an actor who actually has a stutter. This will bring added depth and realism, as well as realistic representation. The actor will be able to apply their real world experience and channel it into the character. So, the stutter in the film will not be driven by the script, but rather the words they actually block on. The film is also written and directed by a person who stutters.

Our Audience

The film's aesthetic will be derived from films such as Paris, Texas and Blue Valentine, as it's a heavily character driven story with a run-and-gun indie filmmaking spirit. This film will have a built-in demographic within the stuttering community, for, as mentioned above, realistic media representations are scarce. The film will also target independent short film enthusiasts on platforms such as Vimeo, and give these viewers a better idea of what living with a stutter would actually be like.

Business Plan & Budget Break-down

Our final fundraising goal is $6,000. This money will immediately go toward production costs which includes paying our cast and crew, travel costs, gear rentals, catering, props, petty cash, and art direction. Total cost for these is $5,250. Once shooting is wrapped, the remaining money will be allocated toward post-production costs and film festival submissions.

We have a pending grant application through Oregon's Regional Arts & Culture Council for $3,000, which will cover most of the bare necessities to begin principal photography later this spring if we are awarded the grant.

But What's in it For Me?

We are collaborating with the Speech Language Pathology department at Portland State University who's agreed to help us organize a screening of the film along with a Q&A. Those who donate $15 or more will receive a ticket to a screening, or if they're unable to attend they will receive a screener link of the film. Those who donate $250 or more will receive Executive Producer credit on the film. Those who donate anything will receive a "Special Thanks" in the credits of the film. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the screening may require limited seating, details to follow.

Our Team

(Updated as we add new recruits to our cast and crew)

Ty Jacob // Director, Writer, Producer

Ty has worked on an array of film projects including narrative and documentary short films and music videos. Ty's production credits include Director, Cinematographer, Writer, and Editor. Ty's approach to filmmaking is grounded in realism and is always chasing after authenticity on the screen. His credits include Underneath, Subject to Change, and Lea. He's had official selections in the SUNYWide Film Festival and OTV Queer Horror Showcase.

Sulema Rodriguez // Actor // Lead

"I’m Sulema Rodriguez, and I’m a person who stutters/stutterer, speech-language pathologist, advocate, and digital creator. It’s an honor being able to bring this story to life, especially as I strongly resonate with their experiences. Historically, stuttering characters in media have been negatively portrayed and played by non-stuttering individuals. These actions have done nothing but fuel misconceptions about the stuttering community. I hope that through my portrayal in this short film that some of them can be dismantled and a conversation can be started."

Bill Walker // Art Direction, Prop Maker

Bill Walker is a Midwest multimedia artist specializing in painting and sculpture. His work focuses on community building and queering spaces. He is represented by The Compound Gallery in Oakland, CA and is currently expanding BT Grindhouse, a virtual artist co-op for telling stories through the horror genre.

Jack Sehres // Composer, Music

Hi, I am Jack Sehres a musician and performer. I have been a musician for most of my life. My primary musical outlet is my post punk rock group Forty Feet Tall, However, I have created music in many different genres from indie rock to synth based dance tracks to weird atmospheric sounds. I don’t like to pigeonhole my artistic ideas into any one genre or musical medium. I am honored and excited to work on this project and to create in a new to me medium!

We sincerely thank you for your time and are so excited to create this film for you to enjoy. Any donation goes a long way and is appreciated immensely.

Flat Wheel

By Flat Wheel Film

Flat Wheel

Help fund a short film about stuttering, by stutterers.