Sudbury filmmakers need $25K for Indie art house film

Two northern Ontario filmmakers have launched anIndiegogocampaign to raise money for a movie that is set to shoot in Sudbury, Ont.

Tomas Street wrote the screenplay for FUGUE, an Indieart house film, that he will also be directing.

The thriller follows a man named Malcolm, who wakes up one morning and doesn't know who or where he is. His wife and best friend try to help him remember, but Malcolm slowly begins tosuspect that things aren't as they seem.

Producer Christine Rochon said it's the kind of movie that people will want to watch over and over again.

"[Tomas] was able to link so many elements together from the beginning of the movie, that get revealed under a different light at the end of the movie, and it just pays off tenfold," she said.

The duoare looking to raise $25,000 before filming begins.

First feature film for Street and Rochon

Street and Rochon began working on the project last fall after learning about Indiecan20K. That isan initiative for first-time feature filmmakers that was started by Canadian producer Avi Federgreen. The initiative was launched at last year's Cinfest Sudbury International Film Festival, with a call for submissions.

"When the contest got announced, I knew that I wanted to put my name in the hat and produce a film," Rochon said. "So I put an open call on Facebook."

Street, whom Rochon had worked within the past, quickly got it touch.

"He sent me a 15 page synopsis of his concept, and I read it and I was really into it," Rochonsaid.

• Filmmaker Federgreen announces $250K contest for northern Ontario filmmakers

In December, Street and Rochon were announced as the northern Ontario winners of Indiecan20k.

The two filmmakers have a combined 25 years of experience in the industry, but neither has produced or directed their own project.

Rochon worked in public relations and communications before she found her way into the northern Ontario film industry. She has worked as a production coordinator on shows like Letterkenny, Cardinal and Born to Be Blue.

"I've been very fortunate to work on some of the top-tier projects that have come through northern Ontario," Rochon said. "And so I've been able to learn from producers, from production managers, from coordinators that I've worked with."

Filming to begin at the end of summer

Rochon said they are now in the process of casting and deciding on a filming location, as well as securing the final funds for the movie. Shooting for FUGUE is scheduled for two weeks, between August 20 andSeptember 1.

"Those three items are sort of the last big key things we need to do before we can go to camera," Rochonsaid.

They also have plans to expand their new production company, Rock Street North Films.

"We're definitely hoping to spiral more projects from that production company after we finish FUGUE."