PROCESSING
Let's Make a Movie! Contribute now to be a part of Aspen's very own Christmas RomCom!
Click to DonateQuestion: What do you call a Lawyer in Aspen?
Answer: A Bartender. Even the attorneys need second jobs!
It was this joke, told to me when I moved to the Valley and took a job at Theatre Aspen in 2010, that helped me understand how challenging it is for the working class to make ends meet in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley.
Little did I know that nearly a decade and a half later, it would also become the foundation for the plot of An Aspen Christmas Conspiracy, in which a young man and woman, trying to make it in Aspen, not only have to save money by sharing an apartment, but also have to moonlight as a bartender and a ski instructor, respectively.
The Plot
"Which brings us to the plot. Plot we've got, quite a lot." Danny Kaye - The Court Jester
Justin, a brash young lawyer takes a job in Aspen as a Deputy D.A. To make ends meet, he moonlights as a bartender, and shares an apartment with the idealistic Mercedes, a social worker who doubles as a ski instructor on weekends. Sparks fly, but when Justin prosecutes Darla, a widow and favorite social work client of Mercedes, they can kiss their budding romance goodbye.
Mercedes takes Justin to task over his strict law-and-order approach, while he simply can’t abide her bleeding heart, and hijinks ensue. However, when it appears that Darla is the victim of a much larger conspiracy to kick her off her mobile home park to make way for a resort hotel, Justin and Mercedes must put aside their differences to make sure true justice and mercy are meted out. And they just might find out that they are simply opposite sides of the same coin...
***Most common response when I tell people the plot: "Yep, that sounds like Aspen!" :)
With themes of working together, reconciliation, justice, and mercy, along with a family-friendly and light-hearted romance, this film will be enjoyed by RomCom lovers worldwide for years and years to come.
The Details
It takes a village to make a movie. Surely you've noticed just how many names scroll by in the credits after a big Marvel movie. But even small, independent films take an enormous amount of effort from a large number of dedicated professionals, who bring their skills to bear to create a cinema-worthy product. So how do we make it happen?
First, with cash donations from our fellow community members and supporters of independent film like yourselves. Your gift will go toward the many and varied expenses of production, such as hiring crew, casting actors, feeding said cast and crew with something better than coffee and ramen packets.
We've already raised nearly $60,000 (and counting! Yay!) of investment capital and donations, but we need to reach $100,000 for production alone. Post-production will be another $50K - that will be part 2 of our fundraising efforts in the Winter/Spring.
This campaign will focus on bringing in $25,000 in contributions through the month of November, while the producers continue to seek investments from various individuals.
Oh, did I mention that your gift is TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
We can also take donations of TANGIBLE goods. (Sorry, services, e.g. legal services or other non-tangible items are not tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, but you can still donate them directly!)
The Plan
"Begin with the end in mind." - Stephen Covey, the wizard who wrote The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Oh, and also, "A goal without a plan is just a wish." Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
What are we going to do with this film once we've made it? Distribute it, of course! And we already have a distributor - Twin Engines Global! They are a long-time distributor of family-friendly and comedy content, and they have expressed their willingness to exploit every available distribution channel to get our film out in the world.
In November and December we are in pre-production, where we hire folks and cast the movie, and get locations and housing nailed down. We're shooting the film January 13-31, and need funds in the bank by the beginning of December. That's why your contributions to this campaign are so important.
Meet the Director
YES, Groundhog Day is Sci-Fi, just like Edge of Tomorrow, Looper, and other time-loop movies. It also happens to be a Romantic Comedy, which happens to be my other favorite genre, and the type I've directed for the vast majority of productions.
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Little Mermaid
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Little Shop of Horrors
Urinetown
Xanadu
School of Rock
Shrek
Romeo and Juliet
Etc, Etc.
Okay, the last one, not a comedy. But you get the idea.
Now, it's An Aspen Christmas Conspiracy, and not only is it a RomCom, it's a love letter to the working class of Aspen, who work their tails off to make this place shine. On top of that, it's set in the Christmas season, which audiences love, and it's got a bit of mystery to it, which unlike your typically cookie-cutter RomComs, will keep audiences on their toes.
Fun Fact: I've got 5 daughters, and the youngest are still in their teens, so I frequently get to be regaled by tales of love and woe as they navigate their crushes and more serious relationships. Come to think of it, I probably have an infinite source of material from which to draw. I'm thinking sequel... :)
Will you make this movie possible with a gift today?
Thank you!
Graham Northrup
Northrup Studios
Northrup Studios
Donate via Credit Card or eCheck
Northrup Studios presents An Aspen Christmas Conspiracy
FAQ
Is my donation tax deductible?
Depends on a few factors like if you received a reward in exchange for the donation and the value of your donation above that rewards cost, etc. You may contact the nonprofit you donated to directly to receive information on whether or not your donation is tax deductible. Nonetheless, the emailed receipts you will receive for your donation is the documentation you need to make it tax deductible.
Allyra FAQ
Is my donation and credit card info secure?
How do I know that my donation was made successfully?
Do I get a receipt?
Is my donation private?
Yes, the security and confidentiality of your information is our highest priority. We will not sell, trade or share your personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations, and we will only share personal information if you have given us specific permission to do so.
How do I know that my donation was made successfully?
You will receive an emailed receipt immediately after your donation is submitted and your credit card is processed. Your donation will also show up on your bank or card statement within 1-3 business days.
Do I get a receipt?
Yes, a receipt is sent to your email inbox once your donation is processed. Please be sure to keep a copy of your receipt for tax purposes. If you select a recurring donation, you will be sent an individual receipt each period when your donation is processed.
Is my donation private?
We will not share or sell a donor's personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations.