EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FOR
CINEMA ISLAND PRODUCTIONS, LLC
PRODUCTION OF:
“The Starter”
A Theatrical Motion Picture
Notice: All information presented in this document is the exclusive property of Cinema Island Productions,
LLC, and may not be reproduced, distributed, or disseminated in any print or electronic format without the
written approval of Cinema Island Productions, LLC.
Copyright, 2007, All Rights Reserved
OVERVIEW
FILM
DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE ONLY
Rudy:
Friday Night Lights:
Invincible:
Remember the Titans:
25 million
62 million
59 million
116 million
Over the years, sports films such as these have continued to bring worldwide success at the box office. People of all generations have always
gravitated to the drama of sports on the silver screen, and they will continue
to do so. The anticipation of the thrill of victory, the quest of the human
spirit, the triumph against seemingly insurmountable odds, the special
camaraderie between teammates, and the passion and determination to do
what no one has ever done before, will always attract large audiences. Every
one of the films listed above has at least one of these traits. Our film has
them all. And our film is true.
Our film is the true story about a blind athlete who overcame all odds to
become a track star, then a wrestling champion and finally a starter on the
high school football team. It is a story about how a man, blinded as a child,
proved to the world, that he was as good as anyone with two eyes. It is a
story about a man who not once, but twice, beat impossible odds. It is a
story about Michael Chastain, an athlete who came out of the darkness.
A NOTE TO INVESTORS
The following points were taken directly from a two different articles written
about the risk and reward of investing in a movie.
 A movie is the best investment one can make for the up-side potential
vs. the risk.
 There is no business with manufacturing capital entry requirements as
low as motion pictures where the potential return can be as unlimited
over the short, medium and long terms.
 With new markets, such as China (1.2 billion new potential
moviegoers) and India (900 million new potential English-speaking
moviegoers), investor would be imprudent not to take a serious look at
the potential rewards of movie investments at this time.
-James R. Jaeger II, 1985-2003, Why Invest in a Movie? http://www.mecfilms.com/whyinves.htm.
 Not only can investing in film bring a lot of excitement, it has the
potential to bring a large financial windfall.
 There is nothing more rewarding than investing in a motion picture
that you truly believe in and then seeing it come to completion. And,
investing in the motion picture industry, you can potentially earn a
huge return on your investment.
-Movie Investments, 2007, http://www.movieinvestments.us/index.html.
STORY SYNOPSIS
When he was just 6 years old, Michael Chastain was struck in his right eye
by an arrow. After loosing vision in his right eye, he began to suffer from a
rare condition where the trauma to his right eye caused damage to his left.
He attended school, but his condition continued to worsen. He soon was
moved to a Braille class where he stayed for six years and met blind kids
who were timid and withdrawn, and like him, were cruelly treated by
“normal” children.
In the seventh grade, Michael was allowed to return to regular classes where
he discovered track, and a talent for wrestling. He was able to run by
concentrating on the faint white lines he could barely see on the track. By
the eighth grade, he no longer was able to run track because his blindness
was complete. His wrestling ability earned him the respect of his peers and
the friendship of Ray Rogers when he made the high school wrestling team.
He followed the voices of others in the hallways so as not to reveal his
complete blindness.
Over the next few years, his celebrity as a wrestling star grows, and
newspapers and TV stations begin to cover the amazing story of the blind
wrestler. Becoming more comfortable with his blindness, Michael goes
through the normal trials of high school adolescence, including girls. By the
end of his junior year, he finds himself standing outside of the football
coach’s door.
The film follows the struggles of playing high school football blind. The fear
of putting on the helmet for the first time, blocking his ability to hear,
problems with some of his teammates, and a friendship with Ray that helps
him win his battle. He not only becomes a star defensive guard, he also
becomes a vital factor in winning the homecoming game against an
undefeated rival.
Michael is honored by the National Football League for being the first and
only blind athlete to play on a regular high school football team.
Michael goes on to wrestle in college and becomes a member of the Junior
Olympic Team, winning a gold medal in the Junior Olympics and taking
first place at the World Games in Italy. In 1976 he is named an alternate on
the U.S. Olympic Team, and becomes a member in 1980.
In 1986, Michael is badly injured in the gym, fracturing his vertebrate, and is
paralyzed from the waist down. He is given a 10% chance to ever regain the
use of his legs.
Against all odds, and with motivation from Mark Bonicounti (son of Miami
Dolphins Linebacker Nick Bonicounti) who ironically ended up in the bed
next to him, Michael once again overcomes his handicap and walks again.
PRODUCTION BUDGET
Our production budget has been set at 10 million dollars. There are
presently a few big names in the film industry already reviewing our film.
Among them are Christopher Cibelli, who has edited numerous major
motion pictures and sound man, 7 time Emmy winner, Mace Matiosian.
Additionally, the State of Michigan (where this film is to be shot), offers a
20% rebate program for money spent on a film within the state. If accepted,
this money will be available immediately upon completion of production,
and should cover the majority of the first 20% investor’s position.
PRELIMINARY REVENUE PROJECTIONS
The following presents the producer’s preliminary revenue projections
based on a preliminary 10 million production budget and a 5 million P&A
(Handled by the Distributor) budget.
The net revenue available for distribution will be allocated based on the
formula agreed to between the investors and the owner/producers.
If the financing is in the form of just equity, the financing pool will be
allocated 50 profit participation points.
If these projections are realized, the return to the investors should range
from:
$17,500,000 if the net revenue was at the “low” level to;
$37,500,000 if the net revenue attains the “reasonable” level to;
$71,500,000 if the net revenue attains the “high” level.
However, the above returns assume that an agreement is reached with the
financing team providing them access to all collateral revenue streams.
PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION BUDGET
A preliminary production budget is presently being formulated.
It will be subject to modification and expenditure decisions about the abovethe-line talent and crew.
TALENT AND PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Team:
The following pages contain the biographies and credits for the core
producing team:
Kenneth Dalton, Producer of “The Starter”
Ken Dalton brings us over 30 years of experience in every aspect of movie
making and the music industry.
Producer Credits:
1. Pocket Angel (2007) (Producer) (In Post)
2. To, Die, to Sleep (1994) Artist View Entertainment (Producer)
3. Dragonfight (1992) Warner Brothers (Producer)
4. Summer Job (1989) SONY (Producer)
5. Vendetta (1986) New Concord (Producer)
6. School Spirit (1985) New Concord (Executive Producer)
7. Hardbodies (1984) Columbia Pictures (Producer)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Writer Credits:
Pocket Angel (2007) (Story)
To Die, to Sleep (1994) (Story)
Dragonfight (1992) (Story)
Summer Job (1989) (co-story)
Bruce Johnson, Executive Director of Music
Bruce Johnson is a serial entrepreneur with a focus on entertainment
industry related properties. As a Talent Manager and Latin/Urban market
specialist and Futurist. Mr. Johnson has specific knowledge of talent and
repertoire development, project coordinating, management and production
with emphasis on the burgeoning Latino youth market demographic.
Mr. Johnson began his career in the music industry in the early 1990s as an
independent promoter of artists for Overtime Entertainment, during his
career, Mr. Johnson has been associated with the release of 43 full-length
recordings that have generated over 40 million dollars in retail revenue.
Several artists with whom Mr. Johnson has worked have received national
publicity from publications such as People, People en Espańol, Teen Vogue,
Billboard, Spin, Vibe, XXL, Murder Dog, Chicano Rap and The Source and
he has worked in an advisory capacity for major recording companies such
as Atlantic, Sony/BMG, Warner Bros., Virgin, Universal and EMI.
In the world of Professional Sports Mr. Johnson was instrumental in
bringing 2nd tier professional sports to the Los Angeles market through his
part ownership of ABA’s (American Basketball Association) Los Angeles
Stars. Mr. Johnson sold his ownership interest in the franchise following the
2004 inaugural season.
Matthew DeGennaro
Matthew DeGennaro novelist/screenwriter brings us 30 years of experience
in the literary field. His original screen-play of the Michael Chastain Story
forms the basis for our film.
Writer Credits:
1. Fort Apache, the Bronx (Story for the original screen-play)
2. Various short stories and novels.
Marissa Berlin, Assistant to the Producer
Marissa has a degree in telecommunication production from the University
of Florida. She wrote, directed and edited two short films, a documentary
titled, “The Nature of Nurture,” and “Missing Mindy.” Most recently,
Marissa worked on the production of Walt Disney Pictures, Enchanted.,
scheduled for release next year. She is also an award-winning writer and
published poet.
Under consideration:
Considering: Chris Cain, Director:
Credits Include
1. September Dawn (2006)
2. Pure Country (1992)
3. Young Guns (1988)
Considering: David Asapaugh, Director:
Credits Include
1. Rudy (1993)
2. Hoosiers (1986)
3. "St. Elsewhere" (1982)
Considering: Joe Johnston, Director:
Credits Include
1. Hidalgo (2004)
2. Jurassic Park III (2001)
3. October Sky (1999)
Considering: Christopher Cibelli, Editor: Chris Cibelli is a longtime
Editor of Feature Films in Hollywood, California and member of the Motion
Picture Editor’s Guild since 1977. Work/editing credits include Columbia
Pictures, MGM with Michael Landon as an editor for “Little House on the
Prairie” and “Father Murphy”. Editor of various mini series for NBC, ABC,
CBS, Lorimar, Aaron Spelling and others, Chris has been working on
feature films since “Raw Deal” starring Arnold Schwarznegger. He has
coordinated over 2500 special effects, many in 70mm.
Editor Credits Include:
1. Dirt (8 Episodes, 2007) (ongoing)
2. The Darkroom (2006)
3. The Lost City (2005)
4. Wise Girls (2002)
5. Children of the Corn: The Gathering (1996)
6. Congo (1995)
Considering: Mace Matiosian, sound editor
The top sound editor in the country has indicated that he would like to work
on this film. Mace has won 7 Emmys, 22 Emmy nominations and 1 golden
reel award.
Sound Department Credits Include:
1. CSI; Crime Scene Investigation (Supervising sound editor)
(160 episodes, 2000-2007)
… aka C.S.I. USA/Las Vegas/Weekends/LesExperts
2. Vanished (2006) (supervising sound editor)
3. Enfants Terribles (2005) (sound supervisor)
4. The Law and Mr. Lee (2003) (TV) (Post Prod sound supervisor)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Carnivale (2003) supervising sound editor
Conviction (2002) (supervising sound editor)
Hack (2002) (supervising sound editor)
The Others (2000) (supervising sound editor)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (supervising sound editor)
(128 episodes)
Considering: William Cruse, art director
Credits Include:
1. Rush Hour 2 (2001)
2. Rules of Engagement (2000)
3. Fallen (1998)
4. Volcano (1997)
5. Executive Decision (1996)
6. The Green Mile (1999) (supervising art director)
Considering: Ed Feldman, line producer
Credits Include:
1. K-19: The Widowmaker (2002) (producer)
2. The Truman Show (1998) (producer)
3. The Jungle Book (1994) (producer)
4. Forever Young (1992) (executive producer)
Considering: Hunt Lowery, line producer
Credits Include:
1. A Time to Kill (1996) (producer)
2. The Last of the Mohicans (1992) (producer)
3. Airplane! (1980) (associate producer)
PRODUCTION COMPANY STRUCTURE
Cinema Island Productions, LLC is a Limited Liability Corporation.
Cinema Island Productions is comprised of five members. These members
will serve as executive producers on this, and any other project hereafter.
Cinema Island Productions owns all rights and licensing to “The Starter”
film and as managing members have the authority to participate in and carry
out tasks relating to the production of “The Starter”.