Catching the Bus

2 Writers

Additional Project Info

Wackler Wellness, a non-profit, dedicated to improving the lives of senior citizens, is producing a short film, aimed at heightening a pervasive problem affecting the older population in the U.S: Invisibility. Please visit these sites to see our promotional video: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchingthebusfilm YouTube: https://youtu.be/vtpXUzzwK64 WACKLER WELLNESS Rebecca Wackler started the nonprofit back in 2006 in Los Angeles, dedicating it to strategies to keep the aged in their homes, independent, and contributing to their communities. Wackler Wellness began as a source of free exercise classes, for seniors, under the supervision of professional personal trainers, in order to improve their health, and overall well-being. Since WW’s inception, and after years of experience with problems among the aging, Rebecca has become steeped in knowledge about an array of problems among the aging population, especially in problems unique to the U.S. THE FILM Catching the Bus tells the funny and moving story of two senior citizens trying to succeed in the simple act of getting on a bus to go home. Ignored and unseen by everyone they encounter, they are convinced they are dead, until an eccentric woman, played by Grace Zabriskie, sets them straight about a major problem seniors face in America: Invisibility. We are anxious to get the film done, because we are very passionate about beginning to shift the paradigm around aging in America. The United States is a country that is almost unique in the practice of marginalizing the aged. In many countries, seniors are respected for their experience and wisdom. Some countries have special holidays, honoring senior citizens for their on-going contributions to society. However, the U.S. is more of a youth oriented society, with the elderly considered a non-productive member of the population. The brief film will be entered in film festivals around the country, and will be available on social media. There will also be numerous free screenings, with feedback sessions, to help start the conversation about aging in America. THE ARTISTS Rebecca Wackler (Actor) Rebecca is a professional, award winning, playwright, and actress, who has had work produced all over the U.S., as well as in Europe, and Off-Broadway. When she saw that older citizens in our country were being underserved, underrepresented, and largely ignored in this country, she founded Wackler Wellness in 2004. She is 68 years old. Eddie Levi Lee (Actor) Also a professional playwright, Lee has traveled much the same route as Rebecca. He has worked in the field for more than fifty years, and has been the Artistic Director of theaters in Atlanta and Seattle. He is 77 years old. Grace Zabriskie (Actor) Grace has been one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood. Since her film debut in Norma Rae, in 1979, Grace has appeared in more than 80 films. She is perhaps best known for the role of Sarah Palmer in Twin Peaks. Zack Gold (Actor-Producer) Since beginning his career performing with his actress mother in San Francisco, Zack has played the lead role in nine productions, filming in China, Iraq, and New Orleans, as well as Hollywood. Stefan Hajek (Director) Stefan has worked as a professional actor nationally for more than a decade, having worked in front of the camera in over 50 films. During his time living in Los Angeles, he discovered a love for working on the other side of the camera as a producer. Since then, he has produced a host of feature and short films, and has segued into a prolific turn as director of multiple films and international commercial broadcast spots. THE PROJECT BUDGET We are working with a highly efficient and passionate group of independent artists on Catching the Bus. Even so, filmmaking can be an expensive endeavor. We have worked diligently to craft a budget that will completely fund filming the project, post-production, festival entries, and publicity. Our project budget includes the following breakdown: Personnel/Crew $13,400.00 Camera $2,800.00 Grip/Light/Equip $550.00 Art Department $2,150.00 Locations/Prod Expenses $3,450.00 Transport/Lodging $100.00 Insurance/Legal $1,500.00 Office/Admin $125.00 Meals/Crafty/Catering $1,500.00 Talent $1,900.00 Post Production/Distribution $5,100.00 Contingency (10%) $3,257.50 THE MESSAGE We hope that our message of shifting the paradigm around aging in America resonates with you. We are passionate about this message and hope to bring it to a wide audience. Thanks for your engagement and for your support!