Our Production Partner

I'm delighted to say that, thanks to From The Heart Productions' 30 + years of experience, they've decided to support our animated short film "The Note". They are a registered non-profit, which means that when you contribute to their organization on behalf of our project (they cut us a check), it is considered a charitable contribution (tax information below).

::  From The Heart Productions Info

From the Heart Productions, Inc. is honored to provide fiscal sponsorship for the film The Note. They carefully select the films we sponsor, and believe that this project will make a positive contribution to society and to the field of filmmaking.

They have been successfully funding films since their inception in 1993 under the 501(c )(3) Internal Revenue Code of 1954. They are also classified as a public charity under section 509(a )(2) of the Code. As such, any monetary donations to our Fiscal Sponsorship Program qualify as charitable contributions under the U.S. Tax Code.
Their IRS number is 95 444 5418 and, as a donor, you may use this number on your taxes with the donated amount for a tax deduction. If you have any other questions, please contact them at info@fromtheheartproductions.com.

Background of Characters & Need

This film began as a daydream - the illustration of the journey through love and loss. I’ve come to realize its potential to provide closure on the loss of my uncle and believe this film will serve others in processing and appreciating the key figures in their own lives. “The Note” is about the subtle moments that people have with their mentors — commonplace and insignificant in daily life but life changing over time. 

For me, this film will provide closure. For others, it’s an opportunity to look inward and consider the individuals who have been the guides, the guardians and light in their own stories - a framework for thoughtful introspection. It’s an opportunity for productive thought that can lead to new insights, greater appreciation and understanding of those we love and those who’ve gone before us. 

Middle America is the backdrop of “The Note.” Those who have spent time in those sprawling flat lands, who’ve put in their 10,000 hours of worship, who’ve been fascinated and loved by a fellow being, have been guided by a mentor, will find something relatable within “The Note.” Loss is significant for many, but those who have grown from it will know the protagonist as they know themselves.

Studio 301’s Mission

Our mission is to tell stories on behalf of those who seek to do more good. “The Note” will become a portfolio piece for Studio 301
- a demonstration of our ability to elevate the voices of the most marginalized and vulnerable in our communities. Leveraged correctly, it will show others that we truly can make a difference through the art of storytelling. As the saying goes, no one trusts you to build a building until you’ve built a building.

On a personal note, endeavoring to create this animation, has already provided more growth and clarity in how I wish to handle myself and others. There’s a wonderful quote from Eleanor Roosevelt she said “Handle yourself with your head, handle others with your heart.”

This deeply personal project has provided me the opportunity to grow as a leader, something which I am excited to share with nonprofits as we serve those in need of a voice and to shift things within Studio 301 by refocusing on helping those who have missions to do more good.

 

Approach & Structure

CHARACTERS (ALL NAMELESS)

• Protagonist - From his baptism to his marriage, we see him transition through stages of his life as he interacts with the church down the road from his house. 

• Organist - The driving force behind the soundtrack of the narrative as well as an ongoing, supportive role in our Protagonists’ journey.

• Priest - The leader of the church.

• Wife - Protagonist’s love interest as a boy and life partner later on as adults. 

• Child - Daughter of the Protagonist and his Wife.

• Firefighters - First responders, employed at the climax to try to put out the fire. 

“The Note” is a story shown, not told, and there is no dialogue. The soundtrack is provided by the church Organist, an integral character fulfilling the role of the guide in the Protagonist’s life. The soundtrack is critical and to ensure success, we’ve brought Tim Bulster on to write and record the original soundtrack for the animation. Tim has written and performed music for more than 20 years. One of his most notable projects is Sails, a Chicago based Indie-Americana band whose music can be found on all major streaming platforms. Follow Tim on Instagram @tiller_of_the_moon.

Short vignettes illustrate pivotal moments in the main character’s mundane experience within his church. 

The film opens with him as an infant being baptized as we’re welcomed by the music that offers a thread throughout the story.
We are then taken to the Protagonist’s confirmation during which the Organist, as his sponsor, hands him a note. We see our lead journey through the awkward teen years and the stage that follows — bridging childhood and adulthood. It’s within the angsty teen phase that he’s overcome with love and admiration for a girl that sits down the pew from him. 

The Organist, privy to this fascination, quietly supports him in his quest for love. We later see the Protagonist marry the girl in the same church in which they grew and fell in love. Immediately after, the scene opens on them sitting with their one-year-old Daughter in the pews. 

Now a young man in his mid-thirties, we are introduced to his home just up the street from the church. One fire-lit evening, the three of them are playing on their living room floor when they’re interrupted by a fire truck that screams by outside. 

They all run out to see where it’s headed only to find when cresting the hill, their beloved childhood church is completely engulfed in flames. The firefighters are trying to combat the blaze to no avail. The Protagonist is completely distraught. 

As the three are watching the flames, the Protagonist hears the Organist begin playing from inside the church. The flames dance as the music comes to an extraordinary crescendo. His Wife and Daughter are at his side, his Wife is holding onto him so hard that when the Protagonist has an urge to run into the fire to save the Organist, he is held back. 

For a moment, we see that the Wife and Daughter do not hear the Organist’s playing…all they hear is the sound of the burn.

At last, the church is in complete ruin. The Protagonist is reduced to a small, sullen figure on the road as the Wife and Daughter make their way home. 

The living room, now silent, features embers in the fireplace. His Wife is upstairs reading their Daughter to sleep when the Protagonist slowly makes his way into the living room. 

He sits down at the small piano and turns a light on above it. He studies the piece of sheet music momentarily. On it, we see
“Our Song…you make me so proud to be your uncle.” There’s a small photo on top of the piano of the main character sitting alongside his uncle as a child, playing the organ together.

As the Wife kisses their Daughter on the forehead, she turns her head in the direction of the stairs as she hears her husband pluck three simple keys on the piano. They are the three keys that the Organist has played throughout our Protagonists’ life.

 

Styling

Because of the mid-american backdrop, we brought an illustrative touch to the animation. Rustic, slightly less refined, but still endearing and relatable, the colors and patterns are where we seek to infuse a bit of creativity into the film.

Country living can yield interesting pattern work that, like a familiar scent hitting someone the right way, can elicit visceral feelings and memories. I’d like to tap into that visual element, unlocking the potential for viewers to connect to other relatable, visceral elements of the story.

 

Team

• Kyle Asperger - Writer/Creative Director

• Quinn Gaughan - Animation Team Lead

• Eros Myers - Animator

• Zach Campbell - Animator

• Ambareesh Haridas - Storyboard Artist

• Tim Bulster - Music Composer

• George Barrie - Sound Effects/Mixing

• Nathan Metzler - Typography

• Dannielle Stewart - Copywriter/Editor

The animation is currently in production.  

 

Theme

Maturation plot. We follow the Protagonist through different phases of his life.

Film Maker’s Statement

I am the Founder/Creative Director of Studio 301, a principled production house that specializes in photo, video and graphic design and strategy. We are visual storytellers seeking to do more good in the community by elevating the voices of those in hard places. 

Life is full of miscellaneous thoughts. Some thoughts, however, manage to stick around, lingering in the background. I simply listened to it and, thanks to an old friend, was inspired to write the script. 

Having lost my uncle a year ago this project, though an indirect reflection, is a mechanism to honor the man and the role he played in my life. It’s providing me an additional level of closure that I think can serve others. 

WHY

“For the love of the game” is often quoted as it relates to sports, but in our case, it rings true for this short story as well. Humans, by nature, connect through story as they can tug at our heart strings or leave us doubled over in pain from laughter. 

The Note is one of my additions to the world of storytelling. Its meaning holds great sentimental value for me as well as many others. Outside of that, The Note is an opportunity to showcase some of Studio 301’s true superpowers.

HOW

As the Writer/Creative Director of the short, I have made it my mission to do the story the justice it deserves. Utilizing my network and my passion behind the script, I’ve taken on the task of assembling a powerhouse team to execute the animated short. I will oversee each element of the production from start to finish.

 

What Others Have Said

“Kyle facilitated the planning and creation of our first testimonial video. He and his team were fluid with communication from start to finish. His creativity and professional experience creating videos was what drew us to work with him. Prior to production day, he created a plan which executed very smoothly. His participation went beyond the scope of the norm and he was calm and patient with the video subjects. We will be creating additional videos in the future and Studio 301 will be our production company of choice. A+ and five star rating all around. Thank you for bringing our testimonials to life!”

- Brock Leonti

 

“Working with Studio 301 was absolutely remarkable. I didn’t need to check in on them to know if they were getting things done and they wanted my feedback to ensure they delivered based on the goals we established. I am already searching for the next project so we have an excuse to work with Studio 301 again!”

- Claire Coder

 

“It is my pleasure to do this and my wish that I could have done more. I have every faith in you and every delight in seeing you grow your abilities. Good luck to you and your crew in this adventure.”

- Karen McNeily

 

“I am so honored that you are doing this.”

- Frank Herr

 

“Your motivation for the project shows. Happy to support.”

- Zach Anderson

 

Marketing Plan

Each of the following platforms will be utilized regularly (weekly/bi-weekly) to point potential donors to our fundraising landing page.

• Email 

• Instagram 

• Facebook

• LinkedIn 

Our email messaging will have a focus on the long form ethos informing our supporters of the “why” behind our short film. Each email will contain a call-to-action, linking to the fundraising campaign (linked above).

Due to the fast-paced scrolling inherent to Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, still images of background designs, character designs and/or storyboard clips will accompany our posts to draw in the viewer’s attention. Verbiage will speak to the ethos as well as our excitement in seeing the vision come to life. Posts will tag the respective creators and point inspired individuals to our fundraising campaign to learn more and contribute to the production.

New posts will be made weekly to keep “The Note” top of mind for anyone who regularly interacts with Studio 301’s profiles as well that of our staff’s personal networks - leaning into the social capital that lives within each of us. Follow us on Instagram @TheNote301.

Upon completion of the animated short film, Studio 301 will submit the project to the short film circuit hoping for 2022 film festivals but with the understanding that funding goals mean more realistically we will target 2023 Festivals. The project is not slated for completion until late September, 2022. 

Geographically, we will focus our efforts in the cities that I’ve called home and where I have connections: Denver, CO, Columbus, OH, and Chicago, IL as well as other applicable cities.

Once the video is published, it will be made available as an asset to a variety of businesses and organizations that work within the following categories: grieving and loss, short film production process, professional/personal development, diversity, equity and inclusion, and more.

 

Film Festivals

SICAFILM Los Angeles International Film Awards

Crown Point International Film Festival (CPIFF)

Fusion Awards

Buffer Festival

The Oniros Film Awards®

New York International Film Awards

Dreamachine International Film Festival

Brainwash Movie Festival

Montreal Independent Film Festival (MIFF)

Abbotsford Film Festival (AFF)

American Golden Picture International Film Festival

Las Vegas Premiere Film Festival

Indie Short Fest

White Vulture Film Fest

Independent Shorts Awards

International Diversity Film Festival

IndieX Film Fest

Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque

Christian Film Festivals

Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards

Midwest Slam Fest

...and more

 

Budget

• Illustration/Animation Fee: $15,130.00

• Storyboard Fee: $1,209.00

• Sound Effects Licensing Fee: $1,000.00

• Typography Fee: $900.00

• Sound Effects/Editing Fee: $500.00

• Music Composition Fee: $200.00

• Film Festival Budget: $5,000

• Editing Fee: $3,500

Project Total: $27,439.00

Between campaign investments as well as external contributions, we’re beyond proud to say that we have 22 private donors. As of July 27th, 2022, we’ve raised $10,709.33 out of the total project fee of $27,439.00.

 

The Ask

We are seeking $17,000 charitable donations from multiple parties to round out production fees in exchange for:

1. Open use of the final film as a marketing asset once it is released

2. “Executive Producer” Credit - I’ll brag about your team as being a crucial part of our production at every opportunity I get (write ups, podcasts, film festivals)

3. Feel that another perk might be more useful? Pitch it to me! We want to support your team to the fullest extent we can. 

As our Organist would say…I hope that we can be in a chord. 

 

Cheers,

Kyle Asperger (Writer & Creative Director of “The Note”)