THE PITCH
Film making is changing, and film makers are facing fresh challenges like never before.
It’s time to adapt of die, and it’s quite clear that I need to re-skill myself if I’m going to keep creating.
This project is my personal response to the moment.
Way back in 2003, years was before Kickstarter was even a thing, I crowd-financed my first feature film, Boy Called Twist.
It took more than a year to convince 1000 people to invest R1000 each, but against all odds, the plan actually worked.
Twist was shot, edited and released and now features the Longest Associate Producer Credit Tile Sequence in history!
Now, just over 20 years later, the time is right to do it again… but for very different reason.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR THE FULL STORY
PLEDGE TO SUPPORT
I pledge that if (and only if!) 500 pledges are raised, I will become an Associate Producer by contributing R500.00 towards the making of LODESTAR: Part One.
THE HONOUR ROLL
The following good people have already pledged to support the project.
I will be sending them weekly updates to keep them up to speed with our progress, and when the list is 500 strong, I will ask them to honour their pledge and accept their credit as…
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
PRE-VIZ IMAGERY
A sample of some of the characters images I’ve been putting together as I go along.
They’re just a starting point, but I think they do give a sense of where my head is heading.
(FULL DISCLOSURE: While this project is DEFINITELY NOT
an AI project, I did use Midjourney to generate these images!)
PRELIMINARY SHIP DESIGN
Before I even start to write the script for what is essentially a single-location film like this,
I find I really need to know roughly where the action will play out, so I taught myself
a bit of Blender to start roughly sketching the layout of the ship.
This model shows how everything fits together, but the next step will be to break it down into the three decks, the cockpit, the towing cab and the central core, and to design each ‘location’ in detail.
TESTIMONIALS
A project like this is all about trust.
The support of colleagues and the experience of investors in Boy Called Twist speaks volumes.
I’ve asked a few of them to share their thoughts and their experience of how I ran the campaign back in 2003/4, as Associate Producers.
I've seen a lot of people trying to crowdfund their films over the years. My main criteria for pledging support, is the likelihood that it will get made.
Tim is one of those rare film makers that you can be sure will follow through.
He will make you feel that you are part of the project. When you see the finished product you really feel as if you were a "producer" on something worthwhile.
Eddie Edwards
Documentary Film Maker
I've worked with Tim Greene on a few projects over the last two decades.
He has a clarity, brilliant vision and a knack for bringing stories and characters to life, even with limited resources. His passion and work ethic is contagious and he has made me a better producer.
Definitely back his next film – you'll be as proud as I have been to be part of his vision. All the best Timmy! The world needs to experience more and more of your work.
Samora Sekhukhune
Film Producer
Tim was the creative director on our very first short, and I was immediately in awe.
He's proven over and over again his unmatched skill, ability to adapt, the capacity to innovate and to be a dedicated creative in a crazy world!
He will put his mind to, and make this work !!
Jayan Moodley
Director / Producer
It’s quite a buzz to know that one has helped to facilitate the creation of a new film,albeit in a small way.
and to bring work to the actors and crew involved, particularly when the end result is as excellent as Boy Called Twist.
Let’s make more South African movies.
Andrew Brent
Investor: Boy Called Twist
As an environmental scientist, backing a movie project was a wonderful novelty and a unique learning experience.
I wanted to support the arts, and Tim took me on a journey into a world I had never experienced before; watching the production process unfold in real time .
The highlight was seeing the final product on the big screen. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Linda Gail Kleyn
Investor: Boy Called Twist
I previously supported Tim with the crowdfunding campaign for his film project, Boy Called Twist.
It was great to be one of the 1,000 crowdfunding supporters, helping create an opportunity for local talent to produce a beautifully made film that all of South Africa can be proud of.
He consistently kept me and all the other supporters updated with progress updates, which made it great to be part of the process.''
Salmon Conradi
Investor: Boy Called Twist
BUDGET
An indication of what I believe it will cost to make the opening sequence
of Lodestar and how the money will be spent.
As you can see, I anticipate that the total cost will be in the region of R300K, which is a little more than what I’m aiming to raise through crowd funding.
It’s my intention to make up the R50K short-fall myself. I believe it’s proper for me to put my money where my mouth is and make a significant contribution to the success of the project.
THE SCRIPT
A movie starts its life as words on paper.
Here are the first twelve minutes of Lodestar…
UNREAL ENGINE SHOWREEL
I’ve been experimenting with Unreal Engine for the last couple of years,
slowly learning the ropes of creating real-time animations.
It’s an amazing piece of software and the journey is long, but I thought I’d share a bit of what I’ve managed to achieve so far…
My very first project using Unreal Engine was audacious… I
decided to create the Big Hole of Kimberley, as it would
have appeared circa 1872.
Here’s a little high-octane racing car clip I made in early 2025. A lot of fun to make something really kinetic and focussed on machines.
A short film I made in early 2024, my first halting steps into learning to make solid, moving, humane performance.
There really are no limits to what one can do in Unreal Engine. Here’s a little concept-piece I made about sea level rise separating the Cpae Peninsular from mainland Africa.
My most recent PreViz showreel.