Breathing deeply, Amelio looks around in what can only be described as a dimly lit closet or small room. He can clearly hear the humming of a child-like song coming from a direction that isn’t clear to him.
Suddenly a light bursts into the darkness causing Amelio to swiftly move his glance toward the origin of the illumination. As he walks forward he sees the silhouette of a person. It appears to be a young female rocking slowly back and forth as twinkle, twinkle little star echoes from her direction. He proceeds with caution.
The hallway is dark and ominous. Every footstep Amelio takes appears to be methodical. Once in reach of his target, he softly places his hand on the shoulder of this singing mystery. Quickly, in response, the humming stops. The female hand reaches up to cover and grip Amelio’s. It is clear her fingers are covered in a thick red substance—it looks like blood.
What you have just read is the description of a video teaser for a new web series called “4Hire.” It is the creation of the creative minds from Parallel Worlds Productions, a group comprised of a few Boise State students and others led by Anthony Blaine and his production partner and co-director Jake Smith.
According to the group’s own description of the project on it’s Kickstarter.com page, “4Hire” is about “4 childhood friends (who) become vigilante hit men righting the wrongs where justice falls short and discovering hidden truths in the process.”
The Kickstarter.com page is another interesting facet of this project. Blaine and Smith have achieved full funding for their web series by utilizing the creative and useful website that allows people of all kinds of backgrounds to come together and help one another out with the funding of various projects.
According to the Kickstarter site, the Parallel Worlds Productions group was seeking $1,000 in order to film their latest adventure. By Sept. 5 they had received $1,166 through 19 different backers. A video describing the distribution of funds was posted as part of the effort to get funding.
“We need your help to feed our cast and crew of over 30 members,” Smith said in the video. “Maybe a little extra for some props and costumes.”
Blaine elaborated about the overall scope of the project via e-mail.
“We currently have over 30 volunteers each participating by either acting, providing props, make-up, sound and music creation and mastering, filming, grip work, field work and PR,” Blaine said.
For independent film makers such as Parallel Worlds Productions, the ability to solicit funding in a creative forum that has far-reaching capability is priceless. Blaine explained he is excited to have this opportunity. However, he said the group has much bigger goals in mind.
“Our ultimate goal for this project is to use it as a springboard to launch a full-fledged production company, concentrating on narrative stories,” Blaine said. “We feel that Idaho is one of the best areas to find some amazing hidden talent! Lots of people we’ve worked with on this project would love to move onto Hollywood, but really do not like the idea of having to transplant their families and/or have no interest in moving to a big city for film work. Idaho offers a lot of film benefits.”
As far as the “4Hire” series, they are still looking for some cast members. According to the group’s website, www.parallelworldsproductions.com, there are still six actors needed. When completed each episode will be five to eight minutes in length and they currently have four episodes scripted.
