If you belong to a major religion and were to vanish tomorrow, it would still be a challenge to secure funding for an original screenplay concept in Hollywood. The film industry has been turning to crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Seed&Spark as an alternative to bypass studio and streamer requirements for content. Filmmakers like Rekha Shankar are increasingly finding support from established peers to pursue their projects independently.
Shankar, known for her work on Dropout’s “Smartypants” and as a former head writer at CollegeHumor, is currently crowdfunding her screenplay “Vidhya’s Guide to the Afterlife” on Kickstarter in collaboration with production company EffinFunny. The story follows the aftermath of a Hindu-specific rapture, focusing on a priest and a chef navigating a grief ceremony to reunite their family.
The unique and personal nature of Shankar’s story, drawing on her own experiences growing up with her grandparents, sets it apart from mainstream projects and adds depth to the narrative. Mark Duplass, a supporter of Shankar’s work, believes she is poised to make a breakthrough with this project. He has pledged a $20,000 match grant to support the crowdfunding campaign, which has already surpassed its initial goal and is heading towards a stretch target of $180,000.
Shankar emphasizes the importance of representation in storytelling, highlighting the need for authentic and specific narratives that reflect diverse experiences. She aims to bring to light a character who is deeply connected to her roots, struggles with cultural identity, and loves baking, drawing from her own background. The Kickstarter campaign for “Vidhya’s Guide to the Afterlife” concludes on March 20th, offering a glimpse of hope for a more inclusive and diverse storytelling landscape in the industry.
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