Westfield Filmmaker Turns to Kickstarter to Fund Project

Film student Anthony Mormile of Westfield is constantly working to make his lifelong dream a reality.

A rising junior at Syracuse University where he majors in television, radio, and film in the Newhouse School, Mormile has been interested in filmmaking since his early childhood.

To fund his latest project, a short film titled 'Transparency,' the writer and director turned to Kickstarter, a platform for financing creative endeavors that takes an all-or-nothing approach. In order for his work to be funded, he needs to raise $2,000 by July 8. As of press time, Mormile is nearly a third of the way to his goal. 

The film, as Mormile describes it on his Kickstarter page, focuses on a forbidden friendship between a 9-year-old girl and a boy who may or may not have attacked his school teacher. In her quest to learn the truth, the girl talks to the boy through the second-story window of his home against the advice of everyone in their small community. Set in 1991, Mormile said the story, which he wrote, is told at a time The Iron Curtain is coming down and the world is entering an era of globalization. Yet, domestically, good fences are becoming good neighbors. He added that the idea came to him after he had a conversation with someone via Skype.

Mormile said he decided to turn to the crowdfunding platform, not only to give it a literal kick start but also "because there's not a whole lot of credibility in just self-funding, because if you're just answering to yourself, no one really cares. This is a filmmaker's way of building up a resume."

Mormile explained that having creditors to whom he's accountable is a great first step toward securing actual investors later in his career. Depending on the level of their contribution, 'Transparency' backers will receive a thank you on the film's Facebook page or a film credit. 

"When 'Transparency' is complete, I will enter it into film festivals and see what forms of distribution are possible for it," Mormile explained.  

The filmmaker views this project as a gateway to other opportunities. He said working on a professional project on a sub-scale is a good way to show "you can handle budgeting and all those other responsibilities, otherwise no one's going to take you seriously."

Casting for 'Transparency' is currently underway Syracuse, and shooting begins there on Tuesday, July 16. 

In addition to making this vision come to life, Mormile said he hopes to spend the summer working in various capacities within the industry and is always open new opportunities. Of all the facets of filmmaking, Mormile said editing is the component he enjoys most. 

"It's when your dream is coming true," he said. "When you edit it, it's there, it's yours, you did it." 

For more information, visit the film's Kickstarter page at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1905939454/transparency-0, or 'like' the film's Facebook page for project updates at https://www.facebook.com/transparencythemovie. Mormile can also be contacted via his website at anthony@anthonymormile.com