The Story

A pilot episode for a 6-part comedy drama series that follows the lives and misadventures of a bunch of Film School graduates as they attempt to make a film.

Making a movie in the real world is tough, but Leon never realised how tough until he left university with his film degree. Now people expect results. Even his best friend Matt, a writer, is struggling with the concept of actual work and so they decide to make their own movie. Some may call this quitting. Leon calls this “re-evaluating the dream”.

Gathering their friends to help them, they quickly realise they need a producer who can help steer them through the choppy waters of film production, and luckily for them only one person fits the bill. Isaac Milton, world famous producer has fallen on hard times. Now living with his parents , Isaac needs another hit to bring his ego back to the supernova levels it once graced.

• Can they convince the jaded, alcoholic producer to help them with their project?
• Can Leon get over his nerves and pull the project off?
• Will Matt ever crack a smile?
• And just what the hell is that with the rabbit?

Shooters – no budget. No mercy.

The Project

Irrelevant Digital Media is a creative media production group based in Derby. Our remit includes short film, feature film, web series, animation, radioplays, podcasts and much more.  Our mission is simple. To work on great projects with great people, and our latest project is no exception! We are constantly on the look out for people to collaborate with and are really excited by all the opportunities "Shooters" is going to provide for local filmmakers, actors, producers, and artists of many different disciplines!

Last year we worked on projects for the likes of the NHS and The University of Derby, and are just finishing up post production on a Sketch Show Pilot for Jiggery Pokery TV!

This is our first really big, independant and crucially, crowdfunded TV project!

“The comedy and drama inherent in the mechanics of film production are plentiful and boundless. Productions are stressful, often chaotic. You spend far too much time with the same people, egos clash and careers are in the balance, plus working with your friends is never going to end well. However, somewhere along the line, the fun, excitement and feeling of achievement seems to make it all worthwhile! For me, this kind of story was always going to be a TV series rather than a movie. Serialised fiction allows for more character development and allows us to explore the story sort of as it develops, incrementally rather than moulding and setting the pace to fit 90 mins.”

- Aaron Itzerott - Executive Producer, Director and Co-writer

The Characters

"Shooters" tells the story of 7 friends coming together to make a film. Let's learn a bit about them!...

LEON - Director

Leon is the poorest of the group. His parents both work hard at menial, low paying jobs, He grew up on a council estate and his parents and sister still live there. He hates everything about being poor. He's determined to work, in what he believes, is the only industry that exists in the world. Movies aren't just escapism, they're an escape. He can see the route clearly all he needs to do is go. He got into uni through hard work and is bogged down in student loans. He is focused on his career and he never switches off. Ever the optimist, to him failure doesn’t even compute. He’s very observant; wherever he is he’s always looking around, seeing the story. He lives with Jaden, who is like a big brother to him and until recently, Heather. Leon is currently haunted by emotional wounds from his recent relationship with Natalie, they’ve only split up in the last couple of weeks.

You will never find; him being down or depressed. There is always a way out. Always a window opening when a door closes. The rain feels great on his skin. The cold is bracing. The snow fun to play with, the sun great for getting a tan. The titanic couldn’t drag the guy down. He acknowledges his emotions and allows himself to get over stuff, but he doesn’t dwell.

MATT - Writer

Matt is a stimulant junkie, purely nicotine, sugar and caffeine, he is always smoking a cigarette or drinking an energy drink, as a result he is always moving, always messing around with stuff. Matt and Leon have known each other since high school and he has a deep understanding of him. He can usually tell what Leon is thinking, and what mood he’s in. Matt can be a bit of a loner, preferring his own company or that of people he knows well, but only in small doses. He is a self-proclaimed realist, but in reality he’s a pessimist. This comes from growing up with a mother who never had the courage to go after her own dreams and has brought Matt up feeling like he’s not worthy of his dreams. Leon helps Matt to fight this feeling, but because Matt’s not aware why he’s this way, no progress can be made. Unbeknownst to him, he is actually a talented writer, Leon sees this and is determined that what ever happens to him in life, wherever he goes, he’s dragging Matt with him kicking and screaming if necessary.

HEATHER - AD

Heather’s parents are both doctors. They're both career focused individuals and Heather is very much like them. She's highly organised. She has alarms/reminders for a million different things. She can talk very fast and is prone to malapropism. She is very maternal and likes looking after people, (Leon in particular). She is the perfect AD because of all of these traits, always checking that the cast and crew have eaten. That the actors know their lines and that everything happens where and when it's supposed to happen. When she gets drunk she's foul mouthed and prone to bouts of humour, even physical humour and practical jokes. She’s a little bit of a control freak. She is good at organising other people but is unable to control her own life. She recently moved out of the house share she was in at university with Jaden and Leon, to move in with her boyfriend. She is a lover of foreign films. Her organisational qualities have taken over her personality somewhat. If she's not organising something then she's mothering someone. The only respite she gets is watching her movies. She's easily offended. Isaac is a nightmare for her and he enjoys winding her up. Other than all that, she's sweet, loving and funny.

You will never find her; kowtowing to other people. She is in charge and that is it DAMMIT! You will also never find her having a civil conversation with Isaac. They didn’t hit it off when they first met and she will never forgive him for it. Some of the conflict in the group is caused by her unbendable nature.

JADEN - DoP

Jaden grew up in a very wealthy home. His father is a self-made millionaire, An Alan Sugar type, and while everything he did was to ensure his son would never struggle, he decided that his only child should work hard for his own future. When Jaden went to university he paid the fees and gave him a allowance, but the money has dried up. Because Jaden grew up with money he never needed to try to get on with people. Money buys a lot of social graces and people always got on with him whatever. He’s not cruel or petty, just socially awkward because whatever he said or did, it was right by the people he hung around with. Leon is the first person who’s never cared about his money and this is why they’re such good friends. Jaden is an only child and looks on Leon as the brother he never had. Jaden has full faith in Leon and has bankrolled several of his friends’ projects in the past which has only hastened his own bankruptcy. He’s very self-sacrificing to the point where he will often put his friends’ needs ahead of his own. He turned down a job on Coronation Street because of his faith and his need to help. This among other things has caused a slight underlying resentment. He's generous to a fault and often gives up the things he wants for others. He just wants people to be happy and sometimes he feels that means that he can't be happy.

You will never find; Him being selfish. He just doesn’t work that way. Money means nothing to him, friends are the most important thing.

ISAAC - Producer

Isaac's goal is to get back on top, have a blockbuster career and show his whore of an ex-girlfriend that she messed up by losing him. Failing that the ability to afford strong liquor comes a close second. He believes he can take Matt’s movie and turn it into a piece of art. Isaac’s vices are sex and alcohol. He's constantly drinking. Even on a good day he's half cut. He’s a threatening, volatile cock. He is extremely intelligent. He watches people and collects their weaknesses like a connoisseur. He enjoys playing with people and winding them up. He has a reputation for producing a lot of highly successful local films. He is sought after by the group to facilitate the production of their film.

You will never find; him being laid back and easy going. He is the antithesis of Geoff, which is why they clash, but also why they get on, when they do get on. They can see that the other sees the world in ways they never will.

KAYLEE

Kaylee's from an arty family. Her mother writes. Her father is a art lecturer at a university. Her favorite aunt is a well known local artist. Her great-great-grandmother was a semi-famous artist, feminist and single mother back in the 1920's. Kaylee is almost her reborn. Kaylee is very astute. She doesn't need to be told things she can clearly see them for herself. She's the type of person that everybody likes. She makes friends easily and inspires people around her to give her things and do things for her without asking. She's friendly and easy-going and even though she can have an antagonistic relationship with Isaac, she does like him. She’s is very arty. She's a visual person and sees the beauty in everything and the good in everyone. She's not naive; she's more a seasoned optimist. She knows her movies and is a geek. She's a fan of Swedish cinema. Particularly "Let the right one in" because of the cinematography. She's funny with a dry sense of humour. She likes Geoff, he's her best friend, because he's a bit vulnerable but she has loads of fun with him.  She’s visually and technically minded, fun loving, up for anything. From a night out to bungee jumping, if it's there she wants to do it, feel it, and experience it. She never says no and is always up for a dare. Kaylee also works as a photographers assistant.

You will never find; her out of the loop. Even when she’s around she knows what’s going on and has an opinion about it.

GEOFF

Geoff’s past is largely unknown. He always has his earphones in. He’s is often distracted by strange noises he picks up and make it his mission to follow the source until he has captured it perfectly. Laid back, distanced from the world around him, he uses the headphones as a barrier to interacting with people. You’ll only see him take of the earphone when he speaks to Kaylee. He’s a career student, he’s always hanging about helping out with stuff and never really got out of the university mentality. Geoff really does not have a goal except to go through life with his ear phones on. He makes recordings of just about everything and sound is his life and passion. He is always recoding, always fiddling with his “art” He is the Jimmi Hendrix of the sound world. A perfectionist. The world is his sound track. He is a kind of reformed hippy, quintessentially laid back. He never speaks unless it is to say something profoundly true or to tell some amazing anecdotes

You will never see; him panicking, stressing, or gossiping.

What we need

"Shooters – the Pilot" is planned for a September 2012 release. Our backers get the exclusive, advanced preview on the 1st of September, followed by general, global release online on the 2nd of September. We have a script ready to shoot, all our actors cast, the production team in place and now we just need the pennies to make it happen! But not just that, there are actually so many ways to get involved with the production itself.

On our forums you can talk directly with the production staff and find out about how to get involved and help out. Above and beyond all else, share this page, share our campaign video, behind the scenes content, blog posts and promo video as they start to surface, we need to reach as many people as possible and YOU can make a difference - right now!

 

Backers

We've set a very modest budget. Getting the pilot made is but the first step on a long journey to production of the entire first series and so we are taking a fiscally responsible attitude to ensure that every pound of your hard earned cash is there on screen. We need set dressing, props, costume and makeup and all the other minutiae that goes into creating a piece of excellent television. We have a couple of exciting promotions coming soon (check back for updates) but in the meantime we need financial backing.

We've set some great incentives for the project and while knowing you are helping launch a great piece of TV history is pretty cool, having cool stuff is always a bonus! From set visits, to behind the scenes video links right up to having your name on screen as a character in the show, we think we've got some of the best incentives going. We have posters, signed copies of the first teleplay by cast and crew and even an invite to an exclusive screening!

So what are you waiting for? Every penny helps, so please pledge whatever you can!

On behalf of everyone at Irrelevant Digital Media and the cast and crew of Shooters, let me personally thank you for your generous support.

 

Cast & Crew

• Are you an actor? Camera Operator? Technician?
• Do you want to work in film and television?
• Do you live/work in Derby or Nottingham?
• Then we need you.

Please get in touch via the FORUMS and tell us why you want to join our team. There will be an update coming soon with a detailed breakdown of exactly what roles are needed filling. This is a great time to get yourself out there, and involved with this fantastic tv show.

Shooters is a comedy drama show about a group of friends all trying to make their first movie together. The highs and lows of film production, meshed in with the turbulent rollercoaster of their lives all comes together to create a unique and thoroughly entertaining programme.

But this isn't going to be a one off. Oh, no sir. What we have planned is a series of six episodes, each one around an hour long. The main goal is to have this shown on TV in the traditional sense, and to that end we will be using the pilot to garner interest in the entire series. The first six episodes are planned out and our scriptwriter, Lucy, is already making a start on the scripts, but for now we are focusing on the pilot and making it irresistable to network executives.

However, just as Leon and Matt are only too well aware, not all plans come to fruition and so we have a plan B, (And a plan C, just in case!) Plan B is to stream the series online, maybe through a paid subscription service or syndicating to Netflix and iTunes. Plan C is to use corporate sponsorship and product placement deals to raise the capital for future series/episodes.

This isn't just a one off. We plan for Shooters to be around for several years to come.

So get on board now and pledge away!

LINKY LINKS...

Series Website (where your name will appear as a backer!): http://www.nobudgetnomercy.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/shooterspilot

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/shooterspilot

Forums: http://forum.nobudgetnomercy.com

For working on the pilot, email us: