Local Director Puckers Up For Crowd Funding Campaign

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Riding high on big scares, a local film-maker is looking for help to get more dramatic.

Fresh off The Scarehouse’s success, Gavin Michael Booth is busy. In between editing, producing or directing videos for Third Eye Blind (among others,) he’s already got several projects in various stages of development.

While some remain under wraps, one in particular needs as much exposure as possible. Getting to work with a friend and her crew, Booth is gearing up for Orange Lipstick.

According to the director, it’s a collaboration that’s long overdue.

“The writer and one of the producers, Kristian Denton, is my original friend in Los Angeles,” said Booth. “We had a very unconventional introduction some eight-years-ago. She is an extremely talented and hard working actor, writer and producer. We’ve always tossed around the idea of collaborating on a project together but due to being thousands of miles apart, it never came together. Now we’ve finally put our foot down and said – alright, for right now, we’re both in Los Angeles, this is happening! My wife Sarah is going to be acting in the film. Kristian wrote the script and suggested she would be great for the part.”

The dramatic short-film centers around a young mother’s night out. Leaving her husband and kids behind, she looks to reclaim her identity after being overworked at the office and keeping a household together. What follows is the journey to rediscover herself.

Although it’s a tough sell for some, Booth feels the story is something everyone can relate to.

“Orange Lipstick will relate to a lot of people,” he said. “Even if they aren’t married with children the core story, the core of the main character is feeling lost and knowing she has to do something drastic to make sure she can still find herself. We all understand life’s hustle, life’s demands and expectations can strip away at your soul a little bit each day. It is important to keep in touch with who you are and know when to put the breaks on and enjoy the life you are fighting so hard to build for yourself.”

First, those involved need funding assistance for the project. To solve this problem, they’ve Started a crowd-funding campaign through Indiegogo. This would pay for costs including permits, insurance, camera/sound equipment,location fees, props, set design, make-up, hair, wardrobe, food, editing and festival submission fees.

All in all, it’s a challenge Booth is excited to take on.

“There are several things that I like about the script from it’s quirky humour to the chance to work on a more dramatic piece, having been in the horror movie world for the past few years,” he said. “My biggest draw is getting to work with Kristina and our other producer Alexandra Santoro. These are two ladies I hold the highest respect for and after seeing their last feature film and the crew they are able to pull together for their projects, I’m excited to have that same support and care on a project I am directing for them.”

Booth also enjoys short films because they allow him to explore different stories, meet new actors and use filming techniques he can’t always do in a movie. They have the advantage of being less gruelling to film as well.

Even so, the director believes his previous experiences always help him with what’s next.

“I definitely think the experience on The Scarehouse benefits me,” said Booth. “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger they say. The Scarehouse was a tough shoot; an absolutely gruelling time day in and day out.  We made it through. We made a film. We made a film even some people like and is still finding new releases around the globe. Filmmaking is always a bit of a battle and there are valuable lessons you can take and apply to the next war you parachute into. Each film brings its own challenges but with each finished production I feel a renewed confidence in my abilities and my desire to continue on this filmmaking adventure. It gets me more excited than I was before and I try to bring that enthusiasm to the next set.”

With a target goal of $10,000 and just over a week to go, Booth says the film will be made regardless. Although this funding will make things easier, everyone involved already has a plan in place in case they can’t get the support needed through Indiegogo. Even if they do reach the funding target, the film-maker knows they will need more and have to prepare for out-of-pocket expenses.

Beyond Orange Lipstick, Booth is keeping busy with other projects. Released last Monday, he edited and produced the video< for Third Eye Blind’s song Get Me Out Of Here. Directed by band frontman Stephan Jenkins, the clip is a tribute to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

It’s just a small part of what Booth has his focus set on however.

“I have two more short films I am directing,” he said. “One titled Bloodshed with horror movie icon Bill Mosely and Orphan Black’s Kristian Bruun. The other short film is titled Lost Ones and deals with a Goonies-esque fantasy adventure. Beyond that, there is something I have to remain lips sealed on for a little bit longer and I’ve been shooting a bunch of music videos lately: Two for Third Eye Blind, one for Rome Will Burn (Beck’s sister Alyssa’s band,) a new Scotty James video, The Johnsons and a good handful more to come.”

Those looking to help fund Orange Lipstick can do so by visiting their Indiegogo page. Background work is currently underway so filming can begin once the campaign is over. Featuring only a few locations, the short-film will be shot over two days in the fall.