Macro-Memoir Fundraising Letter

Dear friends,

I am writing to you to ask for your assistance in the making of films.
I have devoted the majority of my life to film-making and music for film.
We moved to Los Angeles 3 years ago when it looked like my work as a soundtrack composer was on the rise. The past 3 years have been difficult, as the music field has become extremely competitive and noisy. This fund-raising appeal is an attempt to jumpstart the film-making track I have been on.

I recently took part in a competitive application to make a short film with Christine Vachon's Killer Films through massify.com. They chose a film project by a young woman about a transgender teen, which had an extremely well written script. The process was an excellent exercise in preparing film materials, from script and pitch video to budget. They imagined a 10 minute short to cost about $25,000 to produce. I'm aiming to fundraise towards the same goal and to produce one of the shorts I am working on or begin a feature project.

This letter is intended to reach those of you who love the cinema and films and might enjoy some participation in getting films made. I am speaking to those of you for whom the request or invitation would not be intrusive, assumptive or a burden. I'm also not asking for something with nothing in return.

If this might interest you, please read the accompanying posts and consider contributing to my film-making fund. Gifts of 100$ will receive a dvd compilation of my films from the past 20 years. Gifts of 250$ and over will receive a 6 dvd set of almost all my films collected together. All gifts will receive recognition through thanks in credits of the film the donation was used towards and you will be kept informed of that. Anyone wishing to support my filmmaking at a higher level is welcome to contact me at oein@mac.com to discuss that.

I began studying film because I thought it was a medium that could create international understanding and make the world a better place. I think all art and literature have the potential to do that. I am still working towards that goal, even as the world becomes more and more complex with each day. There is all the more need for good communication.

Please view my artist website, under construction:
www.owenotoole.com
My best wishes and thanks.
Owen O'Toole
Monrovia, CA