Love Your Local Heroes

Please. Everyone. Click on over to https://www.loveourlocalbusiness.com/base/showcase23?region_id=us&content_id=1718&tab_id=7 and just click VOTE HERE. You don't even have to sign in. 

Intuit is granting 15 small businesses $5000 from Dec 3 to Dec 17. Our "up to 500-word essay" got cut off at 100 words but I've posted it below. Intuit says the more votes, the better our chance to win. Please vote today.  https://www.loveourlocalbusiness.com/base/showcase23?region_id=us&content_id=1718&tab_id=7

"Epic Heroes" is a Washington State charity and nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children and teens with special needs by creating new super heroes and role models for them.

With a team of volunteers, we wrote, filmed and produced an entire season (twelve thirty-minute episodes) of our action/adventure show, "Epic Heroes." Episodes are completely free to watch online. The actors are teens and preteens who live with the real conditions that their characters do -- Type 1 Diabetes, Autism, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Down Syndrome, and other challenges. Even now that the first season is complete, the cast and parents of the actors continue to stay in touch because all of these strangers have become friends. And all of us continue to volunteer hours every week, even as our lives get hectic with the holiday season. The children, teens and adults involved with "Epic Heroes" are so passionate, so dedicated to this show... because we aren't just changing the lives of our viewers -- we're changing the lives of our own children, brothers and sisters.

Our wish is to continue. To create a second season of all new episodes. We're not a viral video of a cat in pjs but fourteen thousand people have watched our episodes and encouraged us to continue. To create Season 2 of the show, we need props, equipment, permit fees, a transportation budget, and food for the cast and crew during shooting days. We also need funds to release the episodes on DVD, to get our central preteen and teen cast into schools to speak, and to spread the word about the show. With careful budgeting and our team of volunteers, $5000 could produce six entire episodes of "Epic Heroes."

This is our holiday wish. To continue to help these kids. Kids like my kids -- Maxwell and Faith -- who live with autism and Type 1. I have been so blessed to be the writer for this show. It has been an honor to be able to reach my kids in a way no one has been able to before. This show proved to them, they are heroes. All of the children on the cast are heroes! Whether they are wheelchair-bound or deaf or face another condition, they deserve to see themselves in a show that lifts them up, that never patronizes them, that gives them hope and adventure and dreams.

Please help "Epic Heroes" continue.

Jennifer DiMarco

Save the Show with Words

What?! How can words keep Epic Heroes going? Don't we need cold, hard cash to buy props, pay for transportation and food and all those other things?!

Nope :)

What we need more than anything else right now is talk. Buzz. Exposure. Attention. Words.

At this stage in the show, we need people to comment on the episodes on YouTube. To share links to the website. To invite friends to Like the Facebook page.

How does this help? It gets people talking and sharing about the show. And as the network of people talking about the shows grows, our community grows. Ad us out community grows, we show up more frequently in search engine result. We qualify for partnerships. We look better during grant application review.

Have you ever come upon a user on YouTube or Vimeo or a forum who you think would love Epic Heroes? Turn that thought into action. You don't have to email us and ask us to do it. Be personal. Be passionate. Share a link to an episode! 

What else can you share? Lots!

If you find a company, user on YouTube or Vimeo, Facebook page, local business, grant program, or any other organization, that you feel might be willing to help get the word out about the show, here is the vital information you need to discuss the show:

We are a registered Washington State nonprofit charity.

We are filing for our federal nonprofit status as soon as we raise the $400 filing fee.

We have already completed the entire first season of the show with everyone volunteering.

We have planned the entire second season, written the first script and are ready to shoot.

Our website, where all the episodes can be watched for free, is http://epicheroes.blueforgeproductions.com

Our goal tracker toward being able to shoot the first episode of Season 2 is found at http://epicheroes.blueforgeproductions.com/donate.htm and people can also make general donations there.

If folks have questions, they can email ourepicheroes@gmail.com (or you!) or call 360-550-2071 (or you!).

Our goal is to empower disenfranchised and special needs children and teens by creating new super heroes that embark on epic adventures. Want to know more about our mission and read testimonials from viewers? Go here: http://epicheroes.blueforgeproductions.com/mission.htm

Our central actors live with the conditions (autism, OI, Type 1) that their characters do.

Want to read press and blogs about the show? Watch interviews with the crew? Visit http://epicheroes.blueforgeproductions.com/press.htm

If you need to register at a forum or site in order to send a message or leave a post, don't choose an Epic Heroes user name. Just use something casual and natural, such as a derivative of your own name or a nick name.

In general, when speaking with people about the show, don't use business-talk. Talk from a personal stand point. Such as: These kids are my neighbors. These are my kids. This is a cause my entire family is dedicated to. That personal connection will get more attention than something that sounds like a pitch or some kind of slick request. 1% of the people you contact will result in a positive result. Follow up (where applicable) on any contacts will increase the chance for a good response.

Contacting the same places won't be a negative since we're coming from a personal position. The important thing is that we spread the word.

Of course... you don't want to share ALL of this information at once LOL! Just share a single link. Talk about your own connection to the show. Your own dedication. All of us worked so hard to make an amazing firs season... now let's tell the world about it!

An Epic Premiere

Exactly one year from the day we began shooting Episode 1, "Tom Tita, Come Home," most of the cast and crew gathered at the Dragonfly Cinema to watch Episodes 7 through 12 close out the first season of "Ghost Sniffers"... making it's final transition into Season 2 and the new title, "Epic Heroes."

The night was about being the first to witness the new episodes (which won't post online until next week), about snapping up exclusive character trading cards, eating popcorn, and learning more about the Kraken and Maxmilian than we ever thought possible.

But more than anything else, the night was about friendship. The cast of the show is spread throughout Washington State and yet many of them have become fast friends, trying to keep in touch via Facebook and texting. Shooting days and big screen premiere nights are their only chance to catch up in person, hug, laugh, murmur in-jokes and treat each other with the respect, love and team spirit that they may not find elsewhere.

So, just in these ways alone, the night was a success.

But wait. There's more.

With the help from our business sponsors -- Empire Pizza, Amy's on the Bay, and Blue Boots Farm -- and help from the cast popcorn sales, DVD, script and merchandise sales, and the raffled chocolates from Carter's, the cast and crew earned $300 profit on that one night. That's after the cost of the cinema, the cost of the posters, swag bags and merchandise. $300 pure profit.

And you know what that means?

Episode 1 of Season 2 will begin its countdown toward POSTING on Monday morning. Jennifer will start writing the script. Casting will be completed. The search for locations will begin. We need only $1200 in total to create the entire episode so that means just $800 more and we'll rock the world with Season 2!

What can you do to help? Sell fancy popcorn! Email Bridget for an order form at ourepicheroes@gmail.com. We're speeding right into Season 2, folks, and there's no stopping us now ;D

Getting the Word Out

Often people asked me, "How can I help 'Epic Heroes'?" Of course, the first thing I say is: Please pledge! Pledges and sponsors keep our show going, after all. But what if someone has already pledged and pledged often?

This was the case with uber-fan Rebecca Fitzgerald. So when she asked what more she could do, I suggested that she contact every single newspaper in Washington State with news about the show and our amazing October 16 premiere. And guess what? She said yes!

Armed with the press release that I wrote (because, remember, that's basically my day job -- writing marketing copy), Rebecca has already contact every single Kitsap paper and she's diving into the rest of Washington tomorrow!

Rebecca's pledging over and over again has shown her dedication to the show, but now she's in the trenches with us, trying so hard to spread the word to everyone and anyone who will listen.

Because after all... what we're doing here is epic ;)

Oct 16 Premiere UPGRADE!

Did you think the big screen premiere of the second half of Season 1 would be just another three-hour movie event? No way! We're pulling out all the stops for our amazing cast and crew! What exactly do I mean? Let's make a list ;) (You all know how I love lists!)

1. A red carpet! That's right. Walk the red carpet and have your photo taken in front of the official poster. Better be prepared for anything on the carpet though... there will be live mini interviews that will be included in the Season 1 bonus DVD.

2. Ladies and gentlemen of the press have been invited to attend! With more lead time than the first premiere, this time our friends at the media outlets around Washington have been contacted and invited to watch with us... and bring their camera-touting friends ;)

3. An autograph table with photos of the cast will be available for the cast to sign and for fans to purchase to support the show -- Fun!

4. All attendees will have the choice of being filmed for a special segment in the music video trailer for Season 2 -- the same night as the premiere!

So... what are you waiting for, friends?! Get your ticket today :)

Get My Ticket!

P.S. Please remember, actors and crew, if you used your complimentary ticket to attend the first premiere, you will need to purchase your ticket for the October 16 event!

"Ghost Sniffers" Episodes 7 through 12 Premiere

The premiere big screen showing of Season 1 (which we're still calling "Ghost Sniffers" around here) Episodes 7 through 12 has been officiated!

Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Time: Doors open at 5pm. No seating after 5:30pm.
Location: Dragonfly Cinema at 822 Bay Street, Port Orchard, Washington

Tickets are limited to 90 and there are only 73 left as I write this update. Tickets are not available at the door and must be purchased through the website or an authorized reseller. Email us at ourepicheroes@gmail.com for a list of resellers.

Purchase directly to immediately guarantee your seats at:

http://epicheroes.blueforgeproductions.com/store.htm

Welcome, Writer Maxwell Kier DiMarco

"Epic Heroes" welcomes the author of "Baby Squirrel is in Town" and "Baby Squirrel in Wonderland" -- the actor who plays Maxo and Maximilian! -- Maxwell Kier DiMarco as a new writer for the "Epic Heroes" series of comics. Maxwell is putting the finishing touches on Issue 1.5 (Episode 1.5) that takes place just a few short days after Episode 1, Season 1 ("Tom Tita, Come Home").

Welcome to the writing team, Maxwell!

Welcome, Writer Kristie Gronberg

"Epic Heroes" welcomes Kristie Gronberg, the actor who plays Spark, to a new role on the show -- writer! Kristie is putting the finishing touches on a special "bonus episode" for Season 1 and then she's jumping into the planning stage for a dreamworld parody of the Harry Potter franchise.

Welcome, Kristie, to the writing staff!

Board of Heroes

"Epic Heroes" is honored to announce the selection of its first Board of Directors:

Anthony Swinsinski will serve as Deputy.
Bridget Gronberg will serve as Financial Director.
Carrie Hamm will serve as Community Director.
Brianne DiMarco will serve as Executive Officer.
Jennifer DiMarco will serve as Financial Officer.

These five members each have equal voting power on the Board and will be hiring all crew, organizing all volunteers and steering Season 2 to success. Welcome, Board of Heroes!

Season 1: Episodes 7 through 12 Reminder

We've had a few requests lately so I figured I better remind everyone of the current schedule:

Season 1, Episodes 7 through 12 will start posting in September. All episodes will post in September, actually, a few days apart.

Season 2 episodes, on the other hand, will post as they are shot. There will not be a delay because episodes will be paid for BEFORE they are shot.

The music video will shoot September 30 and post within five days of the shoot.

The glossy reward photos for the KickStarter pledgers will shoot on September 30, as well, and be sent out the very next day.

Whew! Busy, busy, busy!

The Season 2 Widget

After parents of the cast convinced us not to hire a "stranger" to produce Season 2 -- rather to pay for the season's episodes with yard sales, bake sales, and other fun events -- we also realized we needed a public widget to track our progress.

Of course, no fundraising has begun yet on Season 2. Right now our focus is on securing our Board of Directors -- which our nonprofit status is waiting on. Three of the five positions have been filled but those last two are as vital as the rest and cannot be skipped.

So, while we work (daily!) on finding just the right people to sit on our Board of Heroes, we built a Season 2 widget. The widget tracks the funds raised for the next episode -- in this case, Episode 1 of Season 2. The widget is really neat because it shows our exact progress and who has donated! Isn't that cool?! When we start fundraising events, we'll add all the funds earned at the event to the widget. That way, everyone will see our progress :)

Another awesome thing about the widget is that folks can set up re-occurring donations! That's right -- SUBSCRIPTIONS! Supporters of the show can easily set up an automatic monthly donation of $5, $10 or even $250 per month.

Check out the widget here: http://epicheroes.blueforgeproductions.com/donate.htm

Do You "Like" Epic Heroes?!

When the massive refresh of the official website occurred, we unfortunately lost the 117 registered "likes" of the site. Have ten seconds to spare? Head on over to epicheroes.blueforgeproductions.com and click the little like button :) Let's re-find those likes!

Join the Season 2 Crew: Part 2

We're adding two more positions to the crew of Season 2. Let's continue our list from earlier this week.

5. Inventory Manager. This individual (or team of individuals) will be given up to three days (as many hours as desired) to photograph, organize, pack and inventory all the props accrued for the show now in the studio space in Port Orchard. A special inventory form will be provided for space for someone to neatly print a brief description of the item and where it is now stored. The Inventory Manager (or Inventory Management Team) will then take the supplied digital camera to a local store and have all the photos printed. The photos will then be taped to the proper inventory form and all the forms will be three-hole punched and collected in a binder. The first day of the project will include clearing out the room where props are currently stored to create a dedicated prop room. There is a project stipend for this job that will be split among the team (if a team is assigned). Up to three hardy, homemade meals will be provided on all days -- not fast food or frozen pizza.

6. Location Scout. This is a volunteer position that will be given name credit in any applicable episode. Volunteers must be able to creatively research and find locations needed for various episode and secure them as in-kind donations. Photos of each location should be supplied with information. All research and securing must be done in a timely manner of two weeks or less. This position is handled remotely from the individual's home.

Board of Heroes

Brianne, Jennifer and Bridget will meet September 2 to discuss the future of "Epic Heroes" and the direction the fundraising will take for Season 2. In the mean time, our last two Board members are considering our invitations and Brianne and I are making a massive accounting of all the work that must be done... and bouncing around ideas for crew and writers for the new season. The work is exhausting but so worth it.

As for the remainder of the Season 1 episodes... though our focus has needed to remain on finishing the final paperwork for the nonprofit status, we still intend to have all five the remaining episodes post in September.

And as for the theatrical premiere of Episodes 7 through 12, we got in touch with the manager at the Dragonfly Theater and were assured we'd be able to set a date with them early next week. You know what that means? Tickets will go on sale! (Please remember that no complimentary tickets will be issued or reserved this time around and all tickets must be purchased online. We will send out an email announcing the tickets are on sale -- but just one email.)

The Board of Heroes

Brianne and I spent the better part of a long month considering and reconsidering different parents and coworkers to invite to sit on the "Epic Heroes" Board of Directors. No longer with the show run by my word alone from on high -- the Board will decide on all decisions by vote and we hope that this will ensure a strong future for the show, bringing multiple perspectives and lots more ideas into the mix.

Though we've contacted our "first choices" already, there was one role that we knew we could fill with one of two excellent choices. So, even our "second choice" is a first choice!

We're just bouncing around now until the day we can announce our Board of Heroes! But we must wait until all decisions are final. I'll give you some hints though ;)

--Five people will sit on the Board.

--Their roles are Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Office, Secretary, Financial Director and Community Director.

--All Board members were actively involved in Season 1 and impressed us in some big way on more than one occasion.

Join the Season 2 Crew

Season 2 actors have been invited back but what about the crew? We'll have a nifty five-person Board of Directors going into Season 2 but they'll be busy with fund raising and other fancy official stuff. Here are the crew roles we need to fill for Season 2:

1. Slate Operator
This is a volunteer position but you get to be on the set at any location when we film and eat tasty Season 2 food -- which will be home-cooked feasts every time with lots for all. You'll also be listed in the credits of any episode you work on. We'd like to have two Slate Operators on call -- just in case someone is unavailable. Oh, and you don't need a slate -- you can use ours ;) Transportation to locations will be supplied for you. Your responsibilities will be to hold the slate steady at the beginning of each shot and advance the Shot and Take number each time. Seem easy? It isn't! Make sure you are a detailed orientated person if you email us about this job.

2. Light & Sound Crew
Like the Slate Operator, the Light & Sound Crew is volunteer but we'll provide food, drink, transportation and name credit. We'd also like to have two people on call. Your responsibilities will including moving the lights safely and carefully as the director asks, running extension cords to power the lights, and holding the boom mic pole. If you tire easily, this is not the role for you ;)

3. Writers
Season 2 will be divided into two types of episodes -- serious quest episodes and dreamworld episodes that parody specific films from the 1980s and earlier. If you are interested in writing a humorous dreamworld episode that parodies "Alice in Wonderland," "Mary Poppins" or "Harry Potter" email us and let us know! And don't worry, Jennifer will be working with all writers one-on-one -- we'd never just throw you into the deep end! (We'll get you one of those pink floaty chairs with a cold drink holder!) Writers will receive name credit and be paid for their work... but they don't get to attend the feasts!! (Okay... maybe they can attend the feasts. Maybe! LOL)

4. Website Work
We need a dedicated fan to create the cast and character profiles at the new "Epic Heroes" website (epicheroes.blueforgeproductions.com). This will involve making screen captures from the episodes and filling out a set form for each of the characters. We'll provide you with the software you need to build the profiles (PC online, sorry, no Mac) or you can come to 7419 to do the work (and we'll feed you feasts!). You will receive name credit for the work and payment upon the project's completion.  

Email where, you might ask? OurEpicHeroes@gmail.com

Let's get this team started, friends!

Epic Update #1

It doesn't seem possible that we're moving into Season 2 (read past blogs here) but the hard work of the cast, crew, fans and families has paid off. We have some tasks to tie up before we plunge ahead but everything will be smooth sailing thanks to the successful campaign.

In the spirit of transparency and teamwork, here is the schedule as it currently stands:

• Update the new blog with website and episode links.
• Transfer the website to the new domain.
• Update the website with the new "Epic Heroes" logo.
• Update the Facebook page with the new logo.
• Update the Twitter account.
• Confirm transfer of campaign funds to bank.
• Print, package and send all KickStarter rewards to pledgers.
• Review the nonprofit response from the lawyer.
• Take action on changes proposed by the lawyer.
• Choose a Board of Directors from among the team (parents, cast over 18).
• Announce the Board of Directors with titles and responsibilities.
• Sort footage for Season 1, Episode 8 through 12.
• Edit Season 1, Episode 8 through 12.
• Score Season 1, Episode 8 through 12.
• Post at YouTube and add to website Season 1, Episode 8 through 12.
• Confirm schedule with all Season 2 music video cast.
• Shoot Season 2 music video.
• Edit Season 2 music video.
• Score Season 2 music video.
• Secure date for the theatrical premiere for Episode 7 through 12 or "film festival day."
• Add premiere ticket purchasing option to website. 

This list isn't in a strict order but it does cover all the tasks that will occur through the rest of August and September. If anyone has questions or ideas or wants to help with any part of the list, please contact me at: ourepicheroes@gmail.com

I look forward to continuing to work with all of you and getting to know everyone even better.

Jennifer