Each month we feature one of our fiscally sponsored projects who have been successful at using our program to advance their art/cause/career. This month’s featured project is Such A Funny Life. Cover Photo by Gavin Whitner (https://musicoomph.com)
Tell us about Such A Funny Life. What prompted wanting to work on this project?
I [Oliver Mann] came up with the idea for Such a Funny Life five years ago and have been working non-stop since then to get this screenplay made. This intimate, feature-length film explores environmental and social issues through a family’s brush with mental abuse and Autism. The story is a
powerful example of overcoming societal and family pressure in order to
succeed.
Every day since 2010, we have worked on getting this film made. We have employed cast and crew from four of the five boroughs. The self-financed promotional trailer was shot in December 2013. It is a stunning visual representation of the film.
Even through trials and tribulations, I worked to bring this story to life. The biggest tribulation was my father passing away in 2013. I wasn’t sure if I could bring this film to fruition, but this is what my father would want.
This will also be my first feature film. This marks the development of my style as a new, Latino filmmaker with a focus on story and content.
Tell us what you can about the creative and production teams of
Such A Funny Life.
Each member of my team has experience in the film industry. While this is a low-budget, independent film, each department has a member who will bring something amazing to the table to make it unique.
Your website is great. Can you tell us a bit about what went into developing it? Did you hire someone, or do-it-yourself?
One thing I have learned is that working as a team is always beneficial. “Two heads are better than one.” That is what being a director is: creating a powerful team to communicate, compromise and execute a project. The same goes with the website. Stefanie Diaz and I worked out the website piece-by-piece using each one of our specialties to make the site attractive, informative, and easy to navigate.
What has been the hardest thing about building website for Such A Funny Life?
The hardest part about building the website has been making sure I am visually satisfied. There is always a form of anxiety and knowing that the public will react to your creation: your idea from imagination.
What has been the easiest?
The easiest part has been knowing that I wasn’t the only one working on this website.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a project looking to build their own website?
Always work with a team. Ideas should be flowing and negotiated until there is agreement. We all visit various websites daily I am sure. The best way to finalize your site is to know not only what you think is great but also what the majority, if not all, of the team thinks is great.
How has it been working with Fractured Atlas? Are there particular ways your membership with us has been beneficial?
Being with Fractured Atlas has been immensely beneficial. I found out that donors seem to feel very secure knowing that they are donating to a project under fiscal sponsorship. Also, knowing that I have a chance of being awarded a grant to help with the film has been great. Additionally, with Fractured Atlas, I have access to Materials for the Arts which is integral for the Art Department of this film.
What is the current status of the project Such a Funny Life?
We will re-convene for principal photography this summer, but we still need a little help. Any and every donation to this project will only help us make an amazing film! Learn more about our project at www.suchafunnylife.com.
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