The creators behind Island in the Stars, Tom Konkle, Mike Smith, Vernon Wells and Lucinda Bruce, are thrilled to introduce you to an extraordinary film project, “Island in the Stars”.

Log Line – Island in the Stars is a science fiction steampunk adventure story that tells the tale of a mysterious pirate with an alien star chart that compels a young woman to embark on a swashbuckling expedition across space to a hidden planet with secrets that could change the galaxy forever.

Synopsis – On the far away world of Tamani Prime, Jackie Driscoll runs an interstellar outpost with her mother. A mysterious box taken by a dying space pirate falls into her hands and beckons adventure. Resisting the call of the box, Jackie is quickly brought face to face with the dangerous people who seek it. She embarks on a heroic journey with the help of Dr. Chesham, an ex-military doctor, Squire Huntingfeld, an eccentric benefactor and Captain Eldridge, a calculating ship’s captain. Jackie’s science fiction adventure leads her across the stars and into the influence of Argentum, a complex man of greedy, ruthless, cunning. Jackie is the key to the quest as her destiny lies hidden on an island in the stars.

It is a heartfelt homage to the classic science fiction adventures that ignited our imaginations and inspired us to explore the unknown. Set against a vast Australian backdrop of locations and talent, this film tells the tale of a young heroine quest to leave the familiar behind and embark on a cosmic odyssey, destined to find their true purpose among the stars.

The Island’s team believe in the power of storytelling and the magic of the silver screen. We want to reignite that sense of childlike wonder, where dreams are boundless, and anything is possible. With an Australian cast, we will bring our unique storytelling style and vibrant talent to the forefront, showcasing the richness of our local film industry on a global stage.

Now, imagine what your support can achieve. By contributing to this campaign, you become a vital part of a grand adventure that will inspire future generations, shape the careers of emerging talents, and create a film that will captivate audiences worldwide. Your generosity will directly fuel the creation of breathtaking visuals, captivating characters, and a timeless story that will transport viewers to the very edge of their seats.

Together, we can bring “Island in the Stars” to life, ensuring that this old-school science fiction gem finds its place among the stars it so beautifully portrays. Your contribution will help us fulfill our vision, showing the world what we are capable of when we come together in pursuit of a shared dream.

So, will you join us on this unforgettable journey? Together, let’s breathe life into “Island in the Stars” and create a cinematic experience that will leave audiences inspired, awestruck, and ready to venture into the unknown.

We stand before you as dreamers and believers, the creative force behind Lumen Actus Productions, Inc. and Lumen Actus PTY LTD. We carry a burning desire to revive the magic of the classic age storytelling of the silver screen. However, we face a financial barrier that prevents us from competing with the elite production houses dominating the entertainment industry today. We believe that making classic golden age styled movies should not be limited to the privileged few; it should be a collective endeavor, fueled by the passion and support of fans like you.

To bring our vision to life, we require your support in funding some of the key aspects in the setup process which will allow us to move the project forward and into the casting phase, which in turn, will allow us to start approaching some of the A-list actors we would love to have involved in the film.

FUNDING GOALS

TIER 1 FUNDING GOAL: $66,000

The initial funding goal will cover the following costs:

Legal Costs – $20,000

SPV Setup – $2000

Storyboarding – $7500

Production Insurance – $1500

Data Room – $1000

Breakdown/Schedule/Logistics – $7500

Administration – $5,000

Hiring Concept Artists/Finalizing Concept Art/Graphic Design – $7500

Initial Casting Callouts/Auditions – $4000

PR/Marketing – $10,000

TIER 2 STRETCH GOAL: $250,000

If we successfully reach our initial funding target of $66,000 we will then open up a stretch goal target of $250,000 which will allow us to cover the following costs in addition to those mentioned in the first tier of funding above:

Location Scouting – Australia (Travel/Accommodation) – $20,000

Key Cast and Crew Contracts (Legal Cost) – $10,000

Pay or Play Deal (Supporting Talent) – $154,000

TIER 3 STRETCH GOAL: $750,000

If we reach the second stretch goal target above, we will then introduce a third stretch goal of $750,000, this will allow us to cover the following costs in addition to those mentioned in the first and second tiers of funding above:

Pay or Play Deal Offer – Ben Mendelsohn (proposed) $100,000

Pay or Play Deal Offer – Hugo Weaving (proposed) $100,000

Pay or Play Deal Offer – Mel Gibson (proposed) – $300,000

ULTIMATE STRETCH GOAL: $25,000,000

If we hit all three stretch goals, we will open up our fourth and final stretch goal which will be the total budget required for the film, $25,000,000. If by some out-of-this-world miracle, we reach our final stretch goal, we will be providing all backers with a highly unique and special HIDDEN perk which will be revealed upon us reaching our 3rd stretch goal target of $750,000. 

By contributing to our campaign, you will enable us to remove the financial obstacles listed above that currently hinder our ability to approach Investors that will help finance the remaining monies required to make the film. In return for your generous support, we have curated unique perks designed to ignite your excitement and make you feel like you’re part of the team.

These perks include a variety of merchandise, limited edition items such as posters, clothing and accessories, access to exclusive behind-the-scenes footage only available to Indiegogo supporters, an exclusive pre-premiere watch party, regular updates on our progress, Red Carpet experiences and even the opportunity to have dinner with the legendary Vernon Wells and/or another member of our incredibly talented cast.

Should we fall short of our entire funding goal, rest assured that the funds raised will still be put to good use such as covering the necessary elements of our initial funding stage such as legal fees, storyboarding, SPV setup and Administration.

We stand at the precipice of a grand adventure, ready to create a classic-style Hollywood movie that will captivate audiences worldwide. Join us on this incredible journey by making a contribution today. Together, let’s break down the financial barriers and prove that the magic of Hollywood belongs to all who dream.

Island in the Stars Characters and Cast Wishlist

About the Creators

Our team lead by producers Michael J. Smith (co-writer) and Lucinda Bruce possesses a wealth of experience, each member contributing their unique expertise and insights. With a combined professional background spanning over several decades, we have honed our skills and acquired the necessary knowledge to navigate the complexities of the industry. From our director and co-writer Tom Konkle’s visionary storytelling to star and producer Vernon Wells’ mesmerizing performances, we are a force to be reckoned with.

Vernon G. Wells – Actor / Executive Producer
A beloved elder statesman of Australian cinema, Vernon Wells is a veteran actor and producer who has starred in nearly 150 action/adventure films and television episodes and productions since the 1970’s.

Taking up duties behind the camera in the 1990’s, Vernon has over 20 producing credits in both film and television. Known for his chilling turns in Mad Max – The Road Warrior and Commando, his roles have been described as among some of the most iconic villains in cinematic history.

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Thomas Konkle – Director/Co-Writer/Producer
32 year industry veteran Tom Konkle recently co-wrote, directed and starred in the award-winning feature film, Trouble Is My Business and directed the WWII-era short The Longest Knife and appeared in the series Baskets on the FX Network with Zach Galifianakis and Emmy winner, Louie Anderson. He served as a staff writer for Warner Brother’s. Tom is a techie with the mind of a poet.  A working performer with a long list of screen and stage acting credits, who also writes and directs with a thorough understanding of production, post, distribution and promotion through social media.

Konkle has over 100+ IMDB credits and a number of award winning projects. He is a skilled indie producer as well with a lifetime of learning all aspects of the craft from mentors. Tom worked with producer Graham Ford (Time Bandits, Brazil, Gandhi), performed with John Cleese. Tom has also worked for all of the major networks and on stage as a performer, director and writer. Thomas Konkle is the co-owner and partner in the integrated production/post-production company Lumen Actus.

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Michael “Oz” Smith – Producer/Co-Writer/ VFX Supervisor
An award winning Tech Executive and Media Producer with 23 years in Hollywood, Michael brings a wizarding mastery to his projects. Nominated 5-times by the Visual Effects Society for special venue projects, Michael produced and supervised vfx for the award winning feature film Trouble Is My Business, posted and site installed projects such as RiseNY in Times Square, Wings Over Washington at Seattle’s Mariners Landing, The Smurfs Theater at Motion Gate Dubai, Spongebob Subpants at Moody Gardens, Dora & Diego 4D for Simex/Iwerks, and Madagascar: A Crate Adventure at Universal Studios: Singapore. Michael Smith is also a co-owner and partner of Lumen Actus.

IMDb

Lucinda Bruce – Producer
Lucinda Bruce is a multi-award-winning Australian Film Producer with a background in Acting, Production and Broadcast. She has produced Shorts, Music Videos and numerous feature films that have completed the festival circuit, winning awards and acclaim.

Some of Lucinda’s more notable projects include the wrestling documentary 350 Days: The Movie (2018) which became one of Amazon’s best-selling documentary films for a short time. Her latest Independent features include The Burden of Guilt (2023) currently and successfully enjoying the festival circuit and having its world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre as part of the Silicon Beach Film Festival; The Party Bus (2021) recently released on Amazon Prime worldwide; Dirty Little Secrets (2023) set for worldwide 2023/2024; as well as Evan Wood (2021), which enjoyed a successful festival circuit run with a World Premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and its first in-person screening at Dances with Films at the TCL Chinese Theatre (2021).

Past projects include festival selection & Leo Nominated feature film “FSM” (Indiecan10k Challenge), Cannes Short Film Corner screened short “A Family of Ghosts” (Crazy8’s), Leo Nominated short “The Starlight Heist” and London International Short Film Festival Winner, “Killing Christmas.”

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Distribution Strategy

With over 350+ credits between them, the Creative team behind Island in the Stars have navigated the highs and lows of the film industry successfully releasing films across a variety of streaming and theatrical avenues.

With a track record like that, you can be assured that the film will be delivered and seen by you, our audience, in either a theatrical setting or on a streaming platform. With the main focus of our release strategy relying on an initial worldwide theatrical run, we will then put the film out to streaming platforms such as Amazon, Apple TV, Netflix, Hulu, Tubi and a variety of other streaming networks that service a wide audience across the world, ensuring the film can be seen by a vast audience including you.

Filming Strategy

Virtual productions and virtual stages have become increasingly popular in recent years. They offer many advantages over traditional filmmaking techniques. Dreamscreen Australia has been at the forefront of this technology, using their expertise to create stunning visual effects and immersive environments for a wide range of productions, including the Island In The Stars movie.

Advantages of Virtual Productions
Flexibility: With virtual productions, filmmakers have the freedom to create and modify sets, environments, and even characters quickly and easily, without the need for expensive and time-consuming physical construction.

Cost-Effective: Virtual productions can significantly reduce production costs by eliminating the need for physical sets, location shoots, and expensive equipment.

Real-time rendering: Real-time rendering allows filmmakers to preview and adjust visual effects and other elements in real-time, making it easier to make changes on the fly.

Immersive environments: Virtual stages allow filmmakers to create fully immersive environments that would be impossible to achieve with traditional filmmaking techniques.

Utilizing this technology and combining it with traditional on location and studio built sets will help immerse the viewer seamlessly into the world we’re creating and taking them on a visually stunning journey in which the lines between reality and filmmaking, are blurred.

Risks & Challenges

Transparency is at the core of our campaign, and we value your trust. We want to provide you with insight into the challenges and risks we may encounter on our journey to bring Island In The Stars to life. We assure you that we are fully equipped to overcome these hurdles and deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience.

As professionals who have spent decades in the entertainment industry, we have experienced firsthand the barriers and exclusive circles that hinder the dreams of talented individuals. We are filmmakers frustrated by the limitations imposed by financial constraints and the daunting task of breaking into the industry’s elite circles. But we are more than prepared to face these challenges head-on.

We have developed a comprehensive plan that will ensure the success of Island in the Stars. We will leverage our network of industry professionals, tapping into their expertise and forging strategic partnerships that amplify our reach. We will be meticulous in managing our budget, ensuring every dollar is allocated wisely to maximize the film’s production value. Additionally, we have carefully planned our pre-production process, identifying potential roadblocks and developing contingency measures to overcome them swiftly and efficiently.

By sharing these insights into our challenges and our proactive approach to solving them, we aim to demonstrate our commitment to transparency and our ability to overcome any obstacles that come our way. We want you to feel confident that your support is not in vain and that we are dedicated to delivering a film that exceeds your expectations.

While we understand all of these risks, you can feel confident in knowing that between our core team members, we have collectively created, acted in, and produced over 455 feature films and TV shows.

Other Ways You Can Help

We understand that not everyone is able to contribute financially, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be involved in making Island in the Stars a reality. Your voice and enthusiasm can make a significant impact on our campaign’s success.

We kindly ask you to join us in spreading the word and generating buzz about Island in the Stars.

!!EXCLUSIVE SHARING PERK!!

Every person who shares our campaign and tags our official Island in the Stars account in their post either on Instagram and Facebook in their post, will receive a numbered Island in the Stars Digital Poster uniquely designed for this perk and signed by the Creators. It will tell everyone when and where you shared our Campaign and the number assigned to the poster tells you how many sharers came before you.

Please remember to utilize the Indiegogo share tools to maximize your impact. These tools are specifically designed to make it easy for you to share our campaign with your networks, extending our reach and capturing the attention of potential contributors who may be equally passionate about classically told adventures. Help us build a community of supporters who believe in the magic of Island in the Stars and make this film a reality.

Thank you for your unwavering support and for being a part of our journey.

With gratitude, 

The Island in the Stars Team: Tom Konkle – Director and Co-Writer, Vernon Wells – Star and Producer, Michael J Smith – Producer and Co-Writer, Lucinda Bruce – Producer

“As an avid lover of science fiction and a passionate filmmaker with an Australian spirit, I am embarking on a cinematic journey that will transport audiences to a universe of wonder, adventure, and self-discovery!” – Tom Konkle, Director/Producer

“Hmmmmmm” – Vernon Wells, Actor/Producer

“Island in the Stars is a science fiction epic in every sense of the word” – Mike Smith, VFX/Producer

“You want me to do a quote on what?” – Lucinda Bruce, Producer

Disclaimer:  The use of actor images, names, or any other information pertaining to their potential involvement in the movie is for illustrative and creative purposes only. These representations do not constitute any confirmation, endorsement, or official agreement between the actors and the Campaign. They are speculative and subject to change. The inclusion of actor images or names does not imply their confirmed participation in the movie project. Any original images used are subject to copyright – if you see any of your images being used, please let us know immediately so that we can either credit you or remove the image.