We’re Rolling!

Not much time to do updates during production. We’re shooting on pretty intense hours (I finally slept last night after 3 days). But just wanted to quickly share some behind the scenes photos with you! Check them out here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.533676889989590.124854.391960184161262&type=1 We did all our driving scenes the past 2 days in Canaan, NY and are doing some night scenes outside the house tonight in Lenox, MA! Cross your fingers for us that tonight goes off without a hitch!

Our footage looks so good and we can’t wait to shoot more!

-Christina

This week!

Hello our incredible backers,

It's January 14th and we leave for Lenox, MA on the 18th! Saturday is our first day of production and we'll be living and breathing Summit for 15 days straight! I just wanted to send a quick update to thank you all for everything you've done to help make this film happen. We had a bit of a rocky road for a while, especially when our location fell through. But all the pieces have fallen into place and we're all so excited to start shooting this movie! We just know that Summit is going to be an amazing film, and that simply couldn't be true without all of you. So thank you again; we're forever grateful to you for helping make this film a reality and supporting us throughout pre-production!

I hope to see some of you at our fundraiser on Wednesday; it's how we're kicking off production before braving the cold, snow & 18 hours a day shooting schedule!  https://www.facebook.com/events/302916559818242/?fref=ts If you can't make it though, we hope to have the opportunity to meet and mingle with you at a futureSummit event!

Either way, thanks again for everything! We'll let you know how it went when we get back! But be sure to follow us on Twitter @SummitTheMovie and Facebook www.facebook.com/summitthemovie to get live updates during production! We're going to try to give you the inside scoop of what we're up to as much as possible!

-Christina

We're having a fundraiser!

Hey everyone,

I hope you're enjoying the holiday season! Just letting you all know that we're having a fundraiser for SUMMIT on January 16th. We're trying to raise some extra money for emergency funds just before production (or post-production costs if we're lucky enough to not have anything go wrong). https://www.facebook.com/events/302916559818242/

We're screening 3 of my films, "Come Here Often?" "S.K.A." and "House Near the End of the Street" and the SUMMIT promo trailer on a big screen! The event costs $20 per person and there will be a 2 for 1 drink special. Plus anyone who shows will receive a free digital download of SUMMIT in 2014 (though some of you are already getting that anyway, of course)! Also, there will be an optional $5 50/50 raffle!

And, aside from the fact that it's a SUMMIT fundraiser, it's also a great opportunity to network with other filmmakers because there will be many in attendance. So (if you're in the NY area) try to make it if you can, and please do invite people/spread the word as much as possible. We really need to raise extra funding!

Either way though, I truly appreciate what you've all done to support SUMMIT! Thank you so much for helping us! We can't wait to start production on January 19th and then share the film with you when it's done!

Hope to see you there! Enjoy the rest of the holidays! 

Christina

Summit: The Floors in Our House Are Unsafe!

Our location in Lenox, MA fell through due to the house getting unexpectedly condemned. We’re now a month & a half away from production and have to find a new location!

I’ve spoken with realtors and location scouts but have been unable to find anything in our budget that fits our needs on such short notice.

To have such a huge issue occur at the last minute is devastating. But we’re not giving up! This film is happening!. We just need to find a house, at the very least for our interior scenes. 

These are 2 ads I’ve posted on craigslist: 

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/rew/3458217011.html

http://longisland.craigslist.org/rew/3461899567.html

If you think that you can help us in anyway, please send me a message at christina@congestedcat.com. 

Thanks so much for your support! We’re going to make Summit happen!

-Christina

Meet Our Crew & Get Up to Date!

Hey everyone, 

Sorry for not doing an update in such a long time but we’ve been busy with pre-production work.

Like doing a blocking rehearsal for the car scenes! 

Click for more Photos!

Or having our final table read (or couch read, as was the case here)!

Click for more Photos!

Some wonderful news is that we attached our amazing DP, John L Murphy, a couple months ago and he and I have been talking and working hard to accomplish the look we want for Summit. Check out his reel HERE!

He is incredibly talented and an awesome person. I’m excited to work with him and the rest of our fantastic crew! 

Here’s the Summit team in full: 

Christina Raia: Director, Writer, Producer

John L Murphy: Director of Photography/Cinematographer

Matt Gershowitz: Assistant Director, Associate Producer, Editor

Paris Powe: Production Manager

Christopher Carroll: Associate Producer, Art Director, Photographer

Charlotte Simpson: Gaffer

Peter Westervelt: 1st Assistant Camera

Erin Clayton: 2nd Assistant Camera

Adnan Malik: Key Grip

Colin Petty: Sound Mixer, Boom Operator

Kelsey Rauber: Script Supervisor

Andrew Bradley: Production Assistant, Driver, Craft Service

Jesse Rodriguez: BTS Videographer, PA

Our actors are an integral part of the team as well and have been a huge asset in pre-production:

Lauren Ashleigh: Jesse, Associate Producer

Rob Ceriello: Sean

Emma Barrett: Sarah

Ricardo Manigat: James

Ryan Kramer: Will, Associate Producer

And, of course, our essential off set helpers:

Marlene Mungalsingh: Associate Producer, Caterer (& best mom ever)

Natasha Singh: Caterer 

Justin Petrillo: Associate Producer

Gabriela Bararata: Production Assistant

Also, some updates on pre-production:

-We’re aiming to shoot on the Canon C300 but our budget can’t completely afford it, especially in terms of the lenses we need. If anyone owns a Canon C300 or Zeiss prime lenses and is seriously interested in working with us on the rental price, I’m offering an Associate Producer credit to that generous individual. So send us a message if you’re that person!

-We’ve also taken multiple trips up to our shooting location in Lenox, MA and John and I have been working on the shotlist. We’re so excited about the artistic choices we’ve made!

-Paris, Matt, and I are working on finding one other location needed within Lenox, casting our final supporting role in the film, and finalizing some other key logistics.

Then comes the part where we’re just dishing out the money for everything we need. So don’t forget, if you’d like to receive any of our Kickstarter rewards, we’re still accepting pledges through our How To Support Page!

-Our production dates are January 19th - February 3rd! We’ll all be living and breathing Summit during that time; and Chris and Gabby will do their best to capture every moment behind the scenes so that we can share it all with you during and after production! 

-Also, for you big backers, our wrap party is February 8th! Save the date! We’ll have details at the beginning of next year! 

That’s all for now. But we’ll be keeping you updated as much as we can as we get closer to production. Thanks again for all the support! Enjoy the holidays!

-Christina