Parodying the classic musical “Fiddler On The Roof”, Tradition follows Rupert, a Georgia farmer whose traditional family values are challenged when he learns his son is gay. Like the original film and stage play, the main character is confronted with a changing world that conflicts with his desire to keep his traditions. Instead of marrying off his daughter, our main character discovers the family secret. Rupert struggles with his beliefs, his feelings about his son’s inevitable banishment from their rural community and his need to offer unconditional love. What will he do? Meet the creators of Tradition in the above 7 minute video as they begin production on the next best short film.
Talent
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Playing the lead, is Tony award winner and opera singer Shuler Hensley, who achieved Broadway’s Triple Crown for his portrayal of Jud Fry in Oklahoma! You might also recognize him from some of his film credits, like The Legend of Zorro and Van Helsing, or even from a few of his TV credits, where he starred in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and played a recurring role in the award-winning NBC comedy series, Ed. Shuler recently finished shooting for the feature film, Odd Thomas directed by Stephen Sommers (Catch Me if You Can) and is starring in the world premiere of John Mellancamp and Stephen King’s musical stage play, Ghost Brothers of Darkland County at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, GA, beginning in April.
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Since music is an intricate part of this film, we brought in the Mosier Brothers Band to create the bluegrass sound. Led by former Phish bluegrass coach, is electric banjo player Jeff Mosier, who also performed the source music for Lawrence Fishburne’s HBO film, Miss Ever’s Boys. In addition to Jeff, the Mosier Brother’s Band includes guitarist Johnny Mosier, legendary Widespread Panic fiddler, David Blackburn and Adult Swim’s Squidbillies bassist, Kris Dale.
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Production
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Internationally award winning filmmaker Lance Dreesen will be directing the cast. His most recent work, The Way Home, starring Dean Cain, and distributed by Lionsgate, won the Pearl Award at the 2010 International Family Film Festival, earned the Dove “Famiy Approved” seal as well as the Parents Television Council’s Seal of Approval.
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Shooting will be Ken Blakey, a Los Angeles based Director of Photography working exclusively in the independent feature world. As a prolific cinematographer, Ken has lensed over 100 films, two of which have been recognized by the Motion Picture Academy. He has also been widely published as a commercial and fine art photographer.
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The screenplay that attracted all of this talent was written by author and three-time Emmy nominee, John Kabashinski. His twenty-plus years of creating, writing, producing, directing and editing include highlights for networks such as the WB, CBS, Turner and MTV. John is currently creative director for transmedia production company, Sun Moon Stars, developing content across multiple platforms.
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Every passion project needs a heart, and Executive Producer Michelle Kabashinski is exactly that for Tradition. Michelle assembled a unique and gifted team to create Tradition. On the Board for Georgia Production Partnership, she has been active in the Atlanta film community and produces webisodes for YourBestFriend.tv. Michelle is also a working actor, recently appearing with Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton in Todd Graff’s feature film, Joyful Noise.
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Assisting production is Tina Calhoun. Besides the incredible job of coordinating all the details for Tradition, she is producing a web series for Georgia Women of Achievement, in conjunction with Georgia Public Broadcasting. Tina also freelances in production. Some of her clients include Home Depot, Chick-fil-A and Hooters. She has also been working with the Atlanta Film Festival since 2005 as a Screener and Event Coordinator.
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Bringing Tradition alive with dance is choreographer, dancer and actor Dustin Lewis. He has worked for stars such as Michael Jackson and Dick Clark, appearing throughout the world in theaters and for Royal Caribbean and Cunard Cruise Lines. Dustin has owned his own theater in Chicago and recently produced Pageant at the 14th Street Playhouse. He was nominated for a Suzi Bass Award in 2009 and 2011 and recieved an Atlanta Fan Award for best actor in a musical.
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Creating the overall look for Tradition is Art Director, Chuck Whited. Chuck has spent the past twenty years as an artist, consultant, art director and executive producer in the film & television community. Chuck holds a BFA from Florida State University and graduate studies in Art History from University of Alabama Birmingham. He currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at FSU for the schools of theatre, dance and visual arts. |
The Impact
Our goal is to create an award winning short film that entertains and enlightens. The creative team embraces both a mutual love for Norman Jewison’s Fiddler On The Roof and the opportunity to modernize the story and explore how traditional values clash with a changing world. Tradition is made by southerners about life in the south, tearing down old stereotypes and creating a new voice based on tolerance and compassion. It doesn’t have a political agenda, but takes on all points of view, with the belief that everyone needs love and that sometimes it can be hard to get unconditionally. Besides raising consciousness, Tradition is pure entertainment, with fantastic musical numbers, award winning talent and a bluegrass soundtrack that promises to be enjoyed and shared by all. In the end, we hope Tradition will live on forever in the digital domain. We are developing it into a full-length feature film, which appreciates a true classic while giving it new life with an innovative point of view.
What We Need & What You Get
While we have already raised thousands of dollars of in-kind donations from both cast and crew, we still need your help in funding the necessary elements to shoot, edit and showcase our film at festivals and online. Your support will pay for camera and equipment rental, props, wardrobe, some crew costs and food for all the volunteer actors, crew and extras. Your donation will also pay for post production, including editorial hard drives, color correction, music composition and mix. Then your donations will allow us to cover entry fees in major film festivals, hold screenings and host Tradition online for everyone to easily enjoy.
Depending on the level of your donation you will be able to get free digital access to the online premiere, a signed copy of the script, a visit to the set with pictures with the cast, tickets to the Atlanta premiere and after party, an invitation to join the director, writer, producer and cast at a festival screening, your name in the credits and even the opportunity to be an Associate Producer. Besides all of that, you get a chance to support the arts and help southern creatives impact our culture and society. You’ll become an important part of a fun project that would never happen unless you get involved, make a donation and tell everyone you know about the film.
Other Ways You Can Help
We really need you to help spread the word. By asking friends to make some noise about our film, you can make an even bigger impact. If everyone took the time to use our share tools, posting it on facebook, tweeting about it, embeding a link and telling everyone you know, even those you don’t know, how worthy you think Tradition is of their support, we are sure to succeed. We can’t do it without your help.
So in advance, we all just want to say thanks y’all.