GUNS OF EDEN is 84% Funded! 

This kick-ass-take-no-prisoners action movie has over 240 backers. Join the team today!

THE PITCH

We need to raise a minimum of $70,000 to cover the cost of principal photography, crowdfunding fees, and reward perks for GUNS OF EDEN, a feature length action movie shooting outside Buffalo, New York this summer. We’re already 83% of the way there, and we raised our first 25K on the first day of this campaign! We will be shooting the film in 4K, on two Panasonic EVA1 cinematic cameras, and expect the film to be completed eight months after the commencement of principal photography. Yippie kai yay! 

THE STORY

GUNS OF EDEN is a feature length action movie written, directed and produced by award-winning author and filmmaker Gregory Lamberson, who describes it as “a cross between DELIVERANCE and FIRST BLOOD, with a female hero and a dash of THE WARRIORS.”

Megan Forest is a cop in Buffalo, New York suffering from PTSD after accidentally killing a fellow police officer. Megan’s partner Jeremy persuades her to go camping with himself and two married friends, Blake and Gabriella. While hiking in the woods, Megan and Jeremy witness the execution of an unarmed drug dealer by Sheriff John Preacher and his deputies, and they are seen by the killers. The four campers run for their lives, but the deputies seal off the woods and Preacher summons different factions of an armed militia to hunt them down, triggering an all out war. The hills are alive with the sound of gunfire!

WRITER-DIRECTOR-PRODUCER GREGORY LAMBERSON

Gregory Lamberson is an award-winning author and filmmaker who has worked on independent films since 1984, when he served as the production manager on the horror-comedy I WAS A TEENAGE ZOMBIE at the age of 19. Two years later, he wrote and directed his first feature, SLIME CITY, which became an international cult classic. He has directed eight feature films, most recently WIDOW’S POINT starring Craig Sheffer, and has worked on many others, including Frank Henenlotter’s BRAIN DAMAGE,  Debbie Rochon’s MODEL HUNGER, and Christopher Ray’s ASSAULT ON VA-33.

Lamberson has authored 15 books and is the co-founder of Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival. FANGORIA magazine once called him “the busiest man in horror.” He is a three-time IPPY Gold Medalist and three-time Bram Stoker Award finalist for his books. His films have won numerous awards on the film festival circuit, and in 2019 the Shawna Shea Film Festival presented him with its prestigious William C. Gerrity Award, named after the renowned Hollywood legend who worked as an assistant director, production manager, and producer. Lamberson lives in Buffalo, New York with his wife Tamar, who often co-produces his films, and their daughter Kaelin, who has acted in some of them.

STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE DIRECTOR

Hello, Film Fans:

I’m pleased to tell you more about my plans for GUNS OF EDEN than our pitch video permits, and to explain why this project deserves your consideration. Although I’m most closely associated with the horror genre, I love films of all kinds, especially police thrillers and crime dramas.  I’ve been developing GoE for 25 years, and can’t wait to get started. We will make this movie, it will be released, and you will receive your perks. Your contributions will not be wasted, and every contributor will see his name in the credits.

The Screenplay

I wrote the first draft of the screenplay for GUNS OF EDEN (then called GOD’S COUNTRY, and later MEGAN’S WAR) back in 1996. I’ve worked on it obsessively over the last year, and the story is more relevant today than when I started it. A good screenplay is the foundation of every good movie, and I believe this is the best I’ve written, with amazing characters and action-packed set pieces.

Creative Goals

I aim to create a film in the spirit of DELIVERANCE, FIRST BLOOD, and SOUTHERN COMFORT. Other influences include BILLY JACK, CAPRICORN ONE, ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 and RACE WITH THE DEVIL. I ‘ve blogged extensively about these films and others in our Updates section. Despite its 70s and 80s inspirations, GUNS OF EDEN will be a modern thriller with wall-to-wall action. I would love to see this become the first in a series of films centered around the lead character, Megan Forest.

A Winning Team

Just like Lee Marvin in THE DIRTY DOZEN and Richard Burton in THE WILD GEESE, I’m assembling a crackerjack team to help me realize my vision. Tamar Lamberson is producing with me,  as she did on JOHNNY GRUESOME and WIDOW’S POINT, and Chris Cosgrave, an expert on action cinema techniques, is Co-Producing. Chris will shoot the film, choreograph some of the action, and create visual effects (some of them utilizing miniatures).  

Phil Gallo, who scored the cult horror films MOTHER’S DAY and THE REDEEMER, and directed WEST NEW YORK and MATTY FRESNO AND THE HOLOFLUX UNIVERSE, has been my trusted editor since 1995, and will once again pull my bacon out of the fire when necessary.

Armand John Petri and Joe Rozler, who co-composed the outstanding scores for my films KILLER RACK, JOHNNY GRUESOME, and WIDOW’S POINT, will return. Between them they have done excellent work for Manowar, the Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Maniacs, and many other rock bands. In this video, Armand previews the score for GUNS OF EDEN:

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We’ve cast up and coming NYC actress Alexandra Faye Sadeghian in the starring role of Megan Forest, and I look forward to collaborating with her to create a truly memorable screen hero. Other cast members so far include Bill Kennedy as Sheriff Preacher, our villain; “Trazz” Johnson as Jeremy Scott, Megan’s police partner; Nicole Alshahen  as Gabriella Peterson, a social worker; Dominic Luongo as Blake Peterson, an everyman high school teacher; Keith Lukowski as Garett, a sociopathic deputy; and Tim O’Hearn as Caleb, a heavy metal hillbilly. We will announce additional cast members throughout the campaign – plus we’re offering roles as reward perks!

Passion Project

I’ve worked on features with budgets as low as $6,000 and as high as $900,000. I know how to stretch a dollar, and how to use my time effectively on set. I also know the right people to help me achieve my goal of making a memorable action movie. GUNS OF EDEN is a true labor of love, and that passion will shine through in the finished work. This is what independent filmmaking is all about.

Crowdfunding

Contribute to a project you believe in and wish to support – become part of the team – and receive one or more cool reward perks in addition to screen credit on the film. This is not shopping: your perk cannot have an equal monetary value to your perk, or we won’t have any money left to make our movie.

Many crowdfunding campaigns for movies avoid perks involving physical goods because packing and shipping perks for 200 or more people entails an inordinate amount of work. I’m not afraid of that work, and believe I’ve come up with unique perks with legitimate value in exchange for your generous support.

Some of the coolest perks are Limited Editions, including the hardcover and trade paperback editions of the GUNS OF EDEN novel I’m writing exclusively for supporters. These will be the only print editions of the book, making them true collector’s items, Supporters who select the Deluxe trade paperback edition and either the Sspecial or Deluxe edition of the hardcover will be listed in the Special Thanks section of the books and receive Supporting Producer screen credit in the film. Likewise, our Limited Edition poster will feature the names of supporters in the credits block. How cool is that?

Exceeding Our Goal

Making a movie of this scope on a low budget will be challenging, to say the least, and Covid-19 production regulations in New York State will slow the process. Exceeding our target crowdfunding goal will enable us to extend our shooting schedule and add crew, which will increase our production value for the benefit of everyone involved.  Time is money on a film set, and we want to create something truly special that people will remember – and our Indiegogo contributors will be proud they supported. if we exceed our goal, we also plan to add a Special Guest Star to the cast.

Thank You

Thank you in advance for your support. I’ve waited a long time to direct this particular movie and look forward to making it a reality. We’ll keep everyone who contributes informed throughout the process, with regular updates. And we’ll be adding content throughout this campaign.

Let’s make a great movie!

Gregory Lamberson

PRODUCERS

The Producers of this film are Gregory Lamberson, Tamar Lamberson, and Chris Cosgrave. Our first executive Producer is Erin Elizabeth Heald. Our Co-Producers so far are Armand John Petri, Kim Piazza, and Keith Lukowski. We are looking for additional Executive Producers, Co-Producers, and Associate Producers! 

CAMPAIGN TEAM

We are fortunate and excited to have a full team of talented people from across the U.S., across the Canadian border, and across the pond helping us with this campaign as Associate Producers, many of them filmmakers whose whose you should see if you haven’t already: Richard Rowntree (Director – DOGGED and NEFARIOUS); Brett Cameron Glassberg (Director – DERELICTS); Joseph Fusco (Director – FINISH LINE: THE RISE AND DEMISE OF OFF TRACK BETTING); Christopher Darton (Director – ESSENCE OF GOODNESS: THE HAROLD EXTELL STORY and HARD WORKING MAN: THE MUSIC AND MIRACLES OF DANNY BROOKS); Skip Shea (Director – TRINITY and SEEDS) Bill Kennedy (Actor/Producer – ATTACK OF THE KILLER SHREWS): Kristen Skeet (Director -MURDER CREEK); Steve Boliek, Jr. (Director – ZOMBONER); Ty Cheman (Director – NOT NOT ANOTHER MONSTER MOVIE): actress Sheri Fairchild (THE SPECIAL); screenwriter Corby Kennard; genre journalist Jeff Fountain (HORROR GEEK LIFE); and bodybuilder/gym owner Eugene Bofill (REPS Fitness)! 

ART TEAM

Poster – Philip R. Rogers
Black and white illustrations – Bob Freeman
Color illustrations – Gayle Petri
Graphics – Chris Cosgrave

EXPENSES

Covid-19 has impacted all our lives, and has taken a toll on film and television production: the major studios keep postponing their tentpole films, or relegating them to Video-on-Demand or other streaming services, and many television shows have been postponed or cancelled. The mandated costs required to protect cast and crew on a major production are astronomical; those costs are less extreme on a small indie film on which 6 – 10 people do the work of dozens. We still need to do time consuming testing, meet insurance requirements, provide our people with PPE and individually wrapped meals, make mobile handwashing stations available, and have a Covid Compliance Officer on set – on top of the common production requirements, like costumes, picture vehicles, special effects, set construction, and props. 

STATUS

The screenplay has been completed, a “breakdown” and tentative shooting schedule have been made, concept art and videos created, casting and location scouting initiated, and we’ve begun acquiring and detailing prop weapons. Our goal is to begin shooting around Buffalo, New York in July. As we update this campaign page, we are 83% funded thanks to the contributions of 238 backers.

RISK FACTORS

We live in uncertain times, for sure. But we’re experienced and  committed filmmakers who intend to make this movie, and kick ass doing it. Weather and health issues could cause delays, but as nothing is going to stop us. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Please follow the Guns of Eden on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GunsOfEden

Twitter: @Digi_Guerrilla

TRAILERS FOR PREVIOUS FILMS BY GREGORY LAMBERSON

PERK DETAILS

Some of our perks will be delivered as soon as this campaign is completed; others will be delivered after we wrap production, and the remainder (like screen credits) will be delivered after we finish post-production. Here is more detailed information about our perks than the sidebar permits:

Shout Out at the Devil

$5   – Share our campaign on social media and get a shout out in return! Word of mouth is important.

Rolling Thunderball

$20 – PDF of the exciting screenplay for Guns of Eden, plus a digital look-book featuring concept art for the film, and a social media shout out!

Dogs of War

$50 – Join the Guns of Eden army! Collectible GoE dog tag on ball chain, plus special “thank you” postcard signed by writer-director Gregory Lamberson, and all the perks above.

Ms. 45’s Hot Shot

$75 – Autographed 8 x 10 color photo of Alexandra Faye Sadeghian as Megan Forest (taken on set), plus the perks above – and Special Thanks in the credits!

Dressed to Kill

$100  – “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.” No one will mess with you if you”re wearing our cast & crew T-shirt! Plus all the perks above – and Special Thanks in the credits!

Triple Threat

$125  – Three previously released cult horror films by Gregory Lamberson on DVD, signed by the filmmaker: Slime City, Killer Rack, and Johnny Gruesome, plus the perks above – and Special Thanks in the credits!  (This is the last of our “plus all of the perks above” perks)

Enter the Dragon’s Library

$100 – All 11 previously published Gregory Lamberson horror novels, signed by the author, and Special Thanks in the credits! Books: The Jake Helman Files series (Personal Demons, Desperate Souls, Cosmic Forces, Tortured Spirits, Storm Demon, Human Monsters); The Frenzy Cycle werewolf trilogy (The Frenzy Way, The Frenzy War, The Frenzy Wolves); Black Creek; Johnny Gruesome. Bonus: collectible dog tag on ball chain, “thank you” postcard by Lamberson, PDF of the screenplay, and digital look book.

Signed Screenplay (Limited to 35)

$150 – SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S ITEM: Hard copy of the GoE screenplay, signed by the writer-director and stars – plus Special Thanks in the credits! Includes collectible dog tag on ball chain, “thank you” postcard from Lamberson, PDF reader’s copy of screenplay, and digital look book.

Supporting Producer Field Promotion (Limited to 50)

$400 – Get all of the “Special Thanks” perk items and step up as a Supporting Producer! Package includes hard copy of the GoE screenplay, signed by the director and stars; the Limited Edition Trade Paperback Novelization (Special); 11 horror novels signed by author Gregory Lamberson; three signed cult horror film DVDs; cast and crew T-shirt;  autographed star photo; collectible dog tag on ball chain; “thank you” postcard;  PDF of the screenplay, digital look-book –  plus screen credit as a Supporting Producer! 

Hot Southern Comfort Poster (Limited to 50)

$200 – SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S ITEM: Limited Edition 27” x 40” Guns of Eden theatrical style one sheet poster with your name in the credits block as a Supporting Producer! Using the key art in this campaign, Individually numbered, signed by the stars and director upon request, mailed in a tube. Plus: collectible dog tag on ball chain, PDF of the screenplay, and digital look book. Only 100 will be printed! Supporting Producer screen credit!

Going Commando (Limited Edition Trade Paperback Novelization, Limited to 50)

$180 – SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S ITEM: Exclusive, Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Trade Paperback Novelization of Guns of Eden, written by Gregory Lamberson specifically for supporters – with your name listed alphabetically in the Special Thanks section of the book in addition to receiving a Supporting Producer credit in the film! Includes extra scenes, cover art by Philp R. Rogers, illustrations by assorted artists. Only 175 copies will ever be published, making it a true collector’s item! Bonus: collectible GoE dog tag on ball chain, a PDF “reader’s copy” of the book and screenplay, digital look book. A Special edition is also available for just $100; contributors’ names will not be included in the Special.

Meet the Cure (Limited Edition Hardcover Novelization, Limited to 35)

$300 – SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S ITEM: Exclusive Signed & Numbered, Limited Edition HARDCOVER Novelization of Guns of Eden, written by Gregory Lamberson exclusively for supporters of the film – with your name listed alphabetically in the Special Thanks section in addition to receiving a Supporting Producer screen credit! CUSTOM SLIPCASE, extra scenes, wraparound jacket by Philip R. Rogers, illustrations by assorted artists. Only 125 copies of this special edition will ever be published, making it a true collector’s item! Bonus: collectible GoE dog tag on ball chain, PDF “reader’s copy” of the book and screenplay, digital look book. A Special Edition of the hardcover is also available for $240; the Special will not include contributor names.

Badass Company (Sponsorship, Limited to 10)

$400 – SPONSORSHIP: the name/logo of your business or organization will be listed as a Sponsor in the end credits!  We’ll also share your logo as a sponsor on social media periodically and feature it in a loop before our Buffalo Premiere/cast and crew screening.  Receive a Sponsorship Plaque with your company logo to hang in your office! Bonus: PDF of the screenplay and digital look book. Two tickets to the Buffalo Premiere.

Guest Assistant Director (Limited to 15)

$500 – VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Become a Guest Assistant Director without setting foot on set! Attend a cast script reading live on Zoom approximately one month before shooting. Each day of principal photography, a different supporter will be listed as “Guest Assistant Director” on the call sheet and on the clapboard slate. The director will “introduce” the Guest at the morning safety meeting, the Guest can call “Action!” and “Cut!” for one shot via mobile phone, and the director will call a “wrap” on him/her – all of which will be included in a daily behind the scenes video, with the Guest’s name, uploaded to YouTube and shared on social media. You’ll receive a digital photo of the slate with your name on it, a signed copy of the call sheet with your name on it, a cast & crew T-shirt, collectible dog tag on ball chain, PDF of the screenplay, digital look book – and a Guest Assistant Director screen credit!

Action Role (Limited to 10)

$250 – Have you always wanted to be in a movie shootout? Get in on the ACTION with a nonspeaking action role, conditional upon your availability in Buffalo when we need you, and upon passing any required Covid-19 testing when the time comes. Must be at least 18 years old and able to do light running. Due to possible quarantine regulations, we recommend this perk for NYS residents only. Screen time guaranteed, cast and crew T-shirt, collectible dog tag on ball chain, PDF of the screenplay, digital look book, 1 ticket to the Buffalo Premiere/cast & crew screening. Acting credit on screen and IMDB!

Speaking Role (Limited to 6)

$700 – Speak truth to power with a speaking role with action, conditional upon your availability when we need you, and upon passing any required Covid-19 testing when the time comes. Screen time/dialogue guaranteed. Must be at least 18 years old and able to do light running. Due to possible quarantine regulations, we recommend this perk for NYS residents only. Cast and crew T-shirt, collectible dog tag on ball chain, PDF of the screenplay, digital look book, 1 ticket to the Buffalo Premiere/cast & crew screening. Acting credit on screen and IMDB!

Associate Producer Package (Limited to 25)

$1000 – SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S ITEMS PACKAGE including an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER credit in the credits and IMDB!  Exclusive Signed & Numbered, Limited Edition Hardcover Novelization of Guns of Eden by Gregory Lamberson (only 125 copies will be published, with your name in the Special Thanks section);  Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Trade Paperback Novelization (only 175 copies will be published, with your name in the Special Thanks); Limited Edition poster with your name in the credit block, signed by the director and stars upon request, mailed rolled in a tube; hard copy of the screenplay, signed by the writer-director and stars; 2 X tickets to the Buffalo Premiere/cast & crew screening;  2  cast & crew T-shirts; 2 X collectible dog tag on ball chain; autographed star photo; PDF “reader’s copy” of the book and screenplay, digital look book.

Co-Producer Package (Limited to 10)

$5000 – SPECIAL ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE: All the perks above, plus a CO-PRODUCER credit in the MAIN TITLES and on IMDB! We mean business, and so do you. Receive a custom Co-Producer plaque with your name on it; a secure online screener of the finished film; 2 tickets to the Buffalo Premiere/cast and crew screening; optional corporate sponsorship credit; optional action or speaking; 2 X Exclusive Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Hardcover Novelization (only 125 copies of this special edition will be published, with your name and that of an optional second person in the Special Thanks); 2 X Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Trade Paperback Novelization (only 175 will be published, with your name and that of an optional second person in the Special Thanks);  2 X Limited Edition poster with your name in the credit block (signed by stars and director upon request, mailed in a tube); Guest Assistant director; 2 X all 11 previously published Lamberson novels, signed; 2 X 3 Lamberson DVDs, signed; 4 X cast & crew T-shirts; 10 X collectible dog tag on ball chain; 2 X autographed star photo; PDF “reader’s copy” of the book and screenplay, digital look book  – and Co-Producer credit in the Main Titles and on IMDB! You will pretty much received a duplicate of everything to give to another person.

Executive Producer Packge (Limited to 5)

$10,000 – SPECIAL ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE: All the perks above – plus Single Frame EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit in the MAIN TITLES, and EP credit on IMDB! You are the Master Blaster! Receive a custom Executive Producer plaque with your name on it; secure online screener; optional 2 X action/speaking roles for yourself and one other; optional Sponsorship; 4 X tickets to the Buffalo premiere/cast and crew screening; 4 X Exclusive Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Hardcover Novelization of Guns of Eden by Gregory Lamberson (only 125 copies of this special edition will be published, with your name and those of an optional three other people in the Special Thanks); 4 X Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Trade Paperback Novelization (only 175 will be published, with your name and those of an optional three other people in the Special Thanks);  4X Limited Edition poster with your name in the credits; Guest Director; 4 X all 11 Lamberson novels, signed; 4 X 3 Lamberson DVDs, signed; 8 X cast & crew T-shirts; 20 X collectible dog tag on ball chain; 4 X autographed star photo; PDF “reader’s copy” of the book, screenplay, and look book – and EP credit in the Main Titles and IMDB! You will pretty much get four of everything, enough to share with three other people. A helluva gift package!

Please share our campaign on social media even if you can’t contribute, and remember to check back for cool updates!