Coverage Ink Needs Your Help!

by Jim Cirile

Art by Daniel Oduber.

So let me tell you about this little project that we’ve been masticating, somnambulating and respirating for the past two years. It’s called MALEVOLENT. And it’s one of the first, if not THE first, US-made animated horror movies. We like to describe it as Saw meets Groundhog Day.

And it stars:

Morena Baccarin (Deadpool, Firefly,)  

William Shatner (Star Trek, Boston Legal) 

Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, The Devil's Rejects) 
Dani Lennon (FearNet/Machinima's Bite Me)

Ray Wise (Twin Peaks, Agent Carter, Robocop.)

Tanya Klein and I, the two partners in Coverage Ink Films, are all about the DIY. We realized years ago that the best way to make movies is: to make movies. As writers, we are led to believe we are powerless. We send out scripts, and we hope that someone signs us or the script sells. And then when it doesn’t, it’s back to the drawing board -- again and again. Well, phooey on that. Long live the new paradigm: writers getting it done.  

Tangerine was shot on an iPhone and is now on Netflix. An iPhone. We didn’t think very much of Tangerine, but the point remains.

So we dipped toes in the producing waters with a couple of shorts, both of which were big-time learning experiences. The success of our short LIBERATOR (still screening at Comic-Cons and festivals) led to meeting Cindi Rice and Paige Barnett, producers at Epic Level Entertainment, the company behind hit web series Bite Me for FearNet/Machinima, Dungeon Bastard and Space Guys in Space. We met with them to discuss collaborating on a live-action horror/sci-fi movie called Malevolent, and that's when Paige spun our heads with this: “Have you considered animation?”

Nope. But DING DING DING! Boy, it set off alarm bells in our heads. Firstly, I have a degree in animation, but had never worked in that area, instead choosing to pursue writing. Secondly, had anyone ever done an animated horror movie before? Well, in Japan, sure, but not the US. And last but not least, doing it as animation removes the whole “just another low-budget horror movie” stigma -- it’s hard to get people excited about them. But animation? Well now, that is a whole 'nother kettle of carp!

One little thing: animation is massively difficult, time-consuming and expensive. How could we possibly afford an animated feature film? Well, the truth is: we can’t. We have our own internal financing here at CI, but two years of work on this incredible project have tapped it dry. So now we turn to Indiegogo, and to you guys, to help us over the finish line!

Click to watch the teaser trailer

MALEVOLENT isn't just a genre movie. It has something to say, and plays with themes of hope vs. hopelessness, redemption, social commentary and above all, finding the power within to fight back, even when the deck is so ridiculously stacked against us. This is a message we feel strongly about. That said, it’s also a kick-ass, twisty, insane journey you won’t soon forget. And the press is responding, with articles on dozens of sites like Nerdist and Dread Central and even a segment on CNN The Buzz Today!

And that brings us to Indiegogo. We have a crowdfund going on right now, and it’s all hands on deck. We’re seeking $45K for finishing funds. Hand on heart, we must ask for your help. Even a small contribution makes a huge difference.

See, we have an anonymous matching donor who has offered a $5K contribution if we can reach 200 donors by end of this week (Sunday, Feb. 28.) As of this writing, we’re at 153. I’m assuming this donor wants to make sure the project has a certain momentum before contributing (and grabbing a producer credit in the process!)

Morena Baccarin and Gamemaster.

On top of that, consider the "Gogo factor.” This is the metric that Indiegogo uses to determine which campaigns get featured in their newsletter. We’ve been told number of contributors counts towards this factor in a big way. IF we can get into the Indiegogo newsletter, then our chances of this campaign being successful skyrocket.

What’s in it for you? Oh, and there are some groovy perks for contributors, too, including original signed art, merch signed by Mr. Shatner himself, and even a chance to be drawn into our movie as a character.

So you see, that dollar or two from you counts for way more than just a couple bucks. It’s momentum, and it will help us score $5K! So please, friends of Coverage Ink, drop a dollar or two on us. We will be immensely appreciative, and the Great Bird of the Galaxy will shine her fulminating awesomeness upon you.

Check out our campaign right here: www.malevolentmovie.com.

The MALEVOLENT team in the studio with Ray Wise.

Much love (and animated horror) to all!

Jim C.

 P.S. One more thing. We know there may be a few of you who have a bit of investment capital. We are offering producer’s credits and involvement in our project, starting with Associate Producer credit, and going all the way up to Executive Producer. We’ve discounted the Associate Producer credit for a limited time -- regular price $2500, now only $1999. So if you want to lock down a credit on an exciting and unique project, then check out what we’re up to and join the team.