The Client
Andrew Bowser is a director/actor that has made many independent films and content for companies like Nerdist. He has worked with Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Funny or Die, and Marvel. He has also directed horror mainstays like Barbara Crampton, Bruce Campbell, and Adrienne Barbeau. You can learn more about him by going to his IMDB.
The Project
I was tasked to create promotional work and other design assets for the Kickstarter Campaign for his new horror comedy feature film, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. The goal was to get fans of the Onyx character and new comers to be interested in backing the film. The Kickstarter goal was $500,000, enough to get pre-production rolling so he could attract more investors. We only had 2 months to get the film backed and a limited budget, so we had to use our time and resources wisely.
Andrew Bowser is a director/actor that has made many independent films and content for companies like Nerdist. He has worked with Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Funny or Die, and Marvel. He has also directed horror mainstays like Barbara Crampton, Bruce Campbell, and Adrienne Barbeau. You can learn more about him by going to his IMDB.
The Project
I was tasked to create promotional work and other design assets for the Kickstarter Campaign for his new horror comedy feature film, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. The goal was to get fans of the Onyx character and new comers to be interested in backing the film. The Kickstarter goal was $500,000, enough to get pre-production rolling so he could attract more investors. We only had 2 months to get the film backed and a limited budget, so we had to use our time and resources wisely.
promotional material
A key thing Andrew wanted from the promotional material was for it to not stay too consistent. We didn't want people to get tired by seeing the same thing throughout his campaign. A bit of a challenge since he only had three promotional images of his character in the film at the time. But we found ways to keep things interesting.
Boss Fight Goals
These were used as fun goal updates midway through the campaign for the backers. Creature illustrations were done by Lukas Ketner. The Onyx head illustration and layout design was done by me.
Live Script Read Announcement
The Live Script Read was the campaigns halfway goal reward and a way to boost further interest. One my side of things I was let known of the cast only a few days from their announcement. So, headshots were pulled from IMDb, their own personal sites, or sent by the ones Andrew knew more personally. This is not the official cast but who was available at the time to give a read.
Script Read Livestream Frames
Marty's Meat Hut Commercial
Marty's Meat Hut is an in universe restaurant chain in Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. I pitched this Ad idea to Andrew as a fun to boost interest in the campaign. Brings people into the world of the movie and bartoksway.com also sends them to the Kickstarter (At the time of the campaign). He and Brock Powell, a voice actor that works with him at Marvel Entertainment, recorded some lines. I recorded and edited the commercial together with input from Andrew. Chey Espejo made the Marty's Meat Hut and Disciples of Abaddon logo designs
Social Media Countdown
Campaign Stretch Goals
The campaign reached its goal the week before the Kickstarter deadline. So, we came up with some stretch goals to see how far we could take it. Created a fun logo and chart to track the progress.
Final Day of Campaign Livestream
This was a fun event to raise more money during the campaigns final hours. Olivia Taylor Dudley came by to see Andrew and talk about the possibility of her continuing her role from the livestream for the actual movie. Claudio Sanchez appeared to talk about his part in the movies theme song. Many other people already attached to the project appeared as guest and it was an overall fun night. And successful since the campaign raised $610,467, over $100,000 past its goal of $500,000.
After the Campaign
After the campaign I got to make the movies' pitch deck and design props for the film, see the Bartok the Great page for those. But if you are interested in seeing the pitch deck, click the button bellow.
Film's Success
Almost 2 years after the Kickstarter got backed the film got made and was feature at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. It went on to be part of other film festivals around the world. It was then picked up by Cineverse for a short North American theatrical release before being put on streaming on Screambox. You can stream it now by clicking this link; watch the film.
