привіт (Hello) Everyone! 

We've got our #GoFundMe page up and running and hope you will consider taking a look, watching our #teasertrailer and sharing to spread the good word.

As we near the finish line of the overall creative process, having transitioned from production to post, we need to go into #crowdfunding mode one more time to pay for everything.

But we always like to make it fun and so there are going to be cool videos and updates for you to read along the way.

Thanks so much and see you on the other side, hopefully -- in the cinema!

Best,
Heidi
Producer/Director

Hey everybody! It's been a while...

I hope all of you had a wonderful New Year and holiday season and am wishing you rest and relaxation for 2024. That would certainly be beneficial for us folks on the #LoveandVodkamovie. In terms of film updates, our team has been working on the editing process, and we are all very excited about the progress. Everything is looking good! Additionally, we are making progress on the sound design and composition ideas for the film. 

Will be posting weekly updates so don't forget to check in,

xoxo,
the #loveandvodkamovie team

Well, we did it!  After 45 days and a LOT of generosity from our supporters, we reached our goal for production on the crowdfunding site Seed&Spark and went DIRECTLY into production not even a week later. 

There is so much to catch up on and share.
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For now, we want to send out our heartfelt thanks from Michigan to all those around the world who sent both dollar pledges and in-kind donations. We appreciate you and will be keeping you up-to-date on our latest.
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When the world changes while you're trying to make a movie?  What if the story of the very country you wanted to make the movie about changes - and you can't help but become swept up in it?

If you are like us, you work to revise the original story and give it that twist that will not only keep up with the times, but also help lead change for the better.

We've been keeping up with the times of Ukraine over the past five years. They are ever-changing.

One thing that we have learned along the way is about how passionate and resilient Ukrainian people are -- and how much they become even more so in the face of adversity.

Can you still make a rom-com while a war is going on? We like to think that we are preparing for better times and focussing on love and hope. It's not denial. Nor is it lack of caring - far from it. We believe that you must spread love to extinguish hate; especially when you are on outside looking in.

No one likes to feel helpless. As filmmakers, we believe that cinema is the way to be the change you want to see in the world.

We've hit a bump. Stopped at 56%. But that's okay - we've got 20 days left and we know people have been busy!

Look, there's lots going on the world today. Interest rates are high. Violence is in every headline. People are worried about whether they should save or spend.

And yet, there is goodness out there. You just have to focus on it and hold it in your heart and mind. Sounds kitschy in a cynical atmosphere, but what you believe does come true.
That's why we want to make this film. We believe that you can rely on hope (and hard word) to get through the tough times.

The good news is that we have backers for post production in Europe! The tough news is that we need to get through production to get to post.

Join us on our journey as we get our next pledges and help us make our hopes, beliefs and dreams a reality!

xoxoxo,
Your LOVE & VODKA Team

We're on Day 17, moving along toward our goal.
There were some issues with Seed&Spark's tech yesterday, so if you (or esteemed friends, family or colleagues of yours) attempted to make a pledge and could not, I'd like to ask you to please try, again.
We are SO CLOSE and really do need every penny for production. I've gone over our budget so many times, I'm feeling dizzy, and it all comes out as the same number $45k. If we put a 7.5% contingency on that, it comes to between $48k and $50k.
In terms of feature films that properly take on insurance, have locations, SAG-AFTRA actors (the minimum on SAG-AFTRA ultra low budgets is $219/day for all shooting days, travel and rehearsal days. We have one SAG-AFTRA actor - our lead actor - and aspire to pay our non-union actors, as well.
Personally, because this project is under my leadership and I really want to get it made, I am deferring my producing and directing fees -- all of them -- and to show how much I REALLY want to shoot in Bay City, Michigan and Grayling, Michigan this summer from June 26th through July 12th, I'm making a pledge in this Seed&Spark Campaign as well.

If you haven't already, consider following us on Seed&Spark for more update.

xoxoxo,
​Your LOVE & VODKA Team

Good Morning, Love & Vodka campers - Thank you for joining us!

We received two pledges yesterday but could sure use some more. We've got to get to $15,600 to make GREEN LIGHT.

Check out our WISHLIST to see what some of the things your pledges will help pay for.

Also, make sure to follow us on Seed&Spark if you haven't already!

xoxoxo,
Your LOVE & VODKA Team

Today on the agenda, we have Part 2 of our Interview with R. J. Fox on the second film that inspired him in the making of LOVE & VODKA, as well as another Interview from the Ukrainian Community in Southeastern Michigan on the topics of "love" and "home."

Stay tuned for an eventful day! If you like the content and project, please consider giving a pledge and sharing LOVE & VODKA with your friends. Also, make sure to follow us on Seed&Spark if you haven't already.

xoxoxo,
Your LOVE & VODKA Team

We've had a great day for our LOVE & VODKA crowdfunding campaign - with several pledges.

Other than that, the interview with producer B. D. Gunnell on her thoughts about the indie film industry as well as advice for LOVE & VODKA's director, Heidi Philipsen, is up on our Seed&Spark Platform as well (no better time than the present to follow us on there!). 

The next following weeks will include more information on how to audition for certain roles in the film, in addition to many more interesting videos and interviews.

Make sure to stay tuned!

xoxoxo,

Your LOVE & VODKA Team