Whether or not you approve of the millions raised by the Kickstarter campaign for “Veronica Mars,” it’s really all a matter of perspective. Some folks are just fine giving Warner Bros. what is essentially a free movie, while others are a bit more hesitant to fund a picture whose budget is mere pocket change for the studio. The lines of ethics and charitable contribution are gray and shifting and certainly this latest celebrity endeavor will continue the conversation.
“Scrubs” actor and “Garden State” filmmaker Zach Braff is ready to make his sophomore directorial effort “Wish I Was Here,” but he needs $2 million, and he wants you to help. So why should Braff get your cash? Well, as he explains in the video below, while he could get money from the usual Hollywood channels, he wouldn’t be able to retain final cut or cast the movie to his liking, so he’s hoping to make it independently to retain full creative control. That seems reasonable enough.
So, what is this movie all about? Here’s the official synopsis which promises more indie quirk:
“Wish I Was Here” is the story of Aidan Bloom (played by me), a struggling actor, father and husband, who at 35 is still trying to find his identity; a purpose for his life. He and his wife are barely getting by financially and Aidan passes his time by fantasizing about being the great futuristic Space-Knight he’d always dreamed he’d be as a little kid.
When his ailing father can no longer afford to pay for private school for his two kids (ages 5 and 12) and the only available public school is on its last legs, Aidan reluctantly agrees to attempt to home-school them.
The result is some funny chaos, until Aidan decides to scrap the traditional academic curriculum and come up with his own. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn’t find.
Braff wants to cast Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory“) as his best friend in the flick, and should it all come together, he tentatively plans to start shooting in August with an eye on making a premiere at the Sundance Film Festival (though having the movie completed and locked for January 2014 would be ambitious to say the least). As you’ll see on the Kickstarter page, he’s got plenty of work done already and a crew coming together as including cinematographer Larry Sher (“Garden State,” “The Hangover” movies).
Anyway, watch his Kickstarter vid below and we’re sure you have some thoughts on this whole thing, so share them in the comments section.