Ugly Cupcake founder/filmmaker Max Werkmeister — who is pretending to not be the one writing this press release — has launched a campaign to help complete funding for his debut feature film, “Danni and The Vampire”, a micro-budget Italo-western influenced romantic indie dark comedy (that is also live-action).
The campaign comes included with an unusual crowdfunding video that goes out of its way to be blatantly honest about the production’s situation and send up similar types of campaign videos, opening with the director messily eating what appears to be a platter of freshly-cut, blood-soaked organs before launching into a semi-animated pitch on the film, complete with storyboards, music, lethargic guest videos from cast & crew members, and uncalled-for casual insults toward the potential donors. The moment that has so far won the most positive reaction from viewers is a section in which the filmmaker’s previous work is showcased — in a way that’s made very loud and clear.
Werkmeister, 25, has otherwise directed a very small number of projects that have also earned positive attention. Some of these include a live-action student short film titled “The Jersey Devil” (2014), now pushing 10,000 views on YouTube; A Fragile Tomorrow’s music video, “Make Me Over” (2015), a flashy production including miniatures & stop-motion done on a minuscule $3k budget; and a full-length 26 minute cartoon pitch pilot, “Peace Force” (2017), animated single-handedly by Werkmeister over the course of 3 years in-between freelance gigs and full-time work shifts as a video editor.
This next ambitious project has been scheduled to begin principal photography across L.A. County & Kern County this July, with casting & crew-hiring now underway.
For More Information, Contact:
Max Werkmeister
Founder/Filmmaker/PR Director/Everything
maxwerky@uglycupcake.net
