Microfund the FRVL Project

"I just want to make a film and I'm asking for support if you can."

I'm sure we've reached a stage in life when the jump towards your dream becomes too big a step for you to take it. And that's where I think we need some form of assurance, especially from the people around us, people whom we care for, the community, the bigger society. In what might possibly be the first crowd-sourcing attempt done in Singapore, come lend a support to our homegrown talent. It may be a small gesture but every little effort counts to local filmmaker Tzang Merwyn Tong's attempt to make his feature film, the FRVL Project.

What is my birthday wish this year? Never in my life have I sharmelessly made a wish so public, but I'm going to do it on my 31st Birthday, because life is all about taking chances, risk looking stupid, risk being ridiculed and risk being judge, to attempt the impossible and unimaginable.

My Birthday wish this year is simple. I want to make The FRVL Project - my feature length feature film - a reality.And I need money. No, I'm not asking for millions. I'm asking for some dollars to get me started.

I'm asking for donations, if it is not too much to ask, of S$31. for my 31st Birthday, to the Save The FRVL Project Fund.

I hope for you kind folks, friends, fans, supporters, lovers, haters - who've worked with me, who've worked for me, who I've worked for, who I've shared a drink with, who I've engaged in meaningful conversations with, who I've shared a laugh with - to do a nice thing and support me with a donation of $31/- to the Save The FRVL Project Fund. I hope you kind folks, from Singapore or outside, from Fairyland, the Americas, the East Asias, the Gulf Asias, South Asias, the Europias, the Australias or the Alienworlds, be kind enough to support this struggling artist.

You can donate to the Save The FRVL Project Fund

1) by Pay Pal to tzangm@gmail.com

Tong Tzang Merwyn

2) by POSB Bank Transfer

POSB Savings a/c no. 183-11275-9

People who donate will get a Name Credit on our website, www.inristudio.com
and if we do get the film made, a Name Credit at the End Credit of The FRVL Project.

For a donation of anything more than S$31, I will put your name in the High Donors' list, on film and website.

What's The FRVL Project?

The FRVL Project is a feature film scheduled to go into production in early 2011.
The script is already written and we already have expected worldwide distribution.

With the support of my team, I've been trying to make The FRVL Project, since 2007.
We've had the support of some of the most wonderful people. People who believe in us and supported us with money, spirit, energy and good vibes. People who believe in the potential of this amazing new film. People who believe in what we're doing.

But belief is not enough. We've been hitting walls with funding bodies who see our product as something difficult to classify and therefore high risk. Some have politely told that FRVL is something that the world is not ready for.

Some have advised us to take the safer route of making a comedy, heartwarming life-afirming family movie. While we've nothing against family movies that promote good family values, we do not believe in compromising and 'selling out' a great film - just to be accepted.

The FRVL Project is a a stylish coming of age film that captures the zeitgeist of the Post MTV Generation. It is a film that needs to be made.

"Original and engaging… uber-hip, brimming with spunk, intensity and sassy ideas” - HOLLYWOODSCRIPT.COM

In FRVL, we talk about 'how nothing is right or wrong anymore, just how you choose to intellectualize it.'

We do not want to reveal the premise here. We are here to ask for your trust and support. And you to help us with a kind donation of S$31.

We refuse to be put down by the odds presented to us. We refuse to settle for a mediocre product. We refuse to be another film that gets funded but nobody will care to watch.

But we cannot do that alone. We need your suppport.

That's the reason why we're going back to The People. The People that believed in us, before anybody did.

The People who gave us encourgement when we were struggling to stand on our feet.

Only when we have visible support from The People, can the big Funding Bodies see the potential in this.

So this is my birthday wish for this month.
Bank Transfer or Pay Pal $31 along with your desired credited name,
and I'll credit you as a Supporter of The FRVL Project on our website and later the film itself.

If it is too much for you, you can also cluster up with friends to share this S$31.
If POSB is too troublesome for you, you may write me a cheque of any amount, exceeding S$31 to Tzang Merwyn Tong.

If you are really tight on the budget, no worries, no obligation, I still regard as my friend, just support me when you think you can. Nobody should feel obligated to do anything.

That's the last thing I want.

How else can you help?
Tag yourself to this Note. Link to this Note. or Tag your friends to this Note.

What is the money used for.
Anything that goes into making The FRVL Project.
- from paying people, interns, professional salaries, to
- food for voluteers during production to
- welfare for crew to
- sustenance fees for filmmakers, who'll quit their jobs to work on FRVL to
- office rental to
- office stationery to
- transport / petrol to
- printing / paper to
- tapes, etc, etc, etc.

So there is it. I have made my wish known. I hope I do not get flamed.
I just want to make a film and I'm asking for support if you can.

cheers,
Tzang M.
INRI studio