"Your Full Real Name" is a collection of poems that explore coming of age in rural Oregon. Lush accounts of intimate meals, pastoral youth and discovery, queerness, loss, and more come together in this collection of poetry that honors nature, family, and the body. The intent of the work is to foster conversation around neurodivergent/neuroatypical wellness, intimacy, color, sensations, physical movements, and vivid dreams.
"Vulnerable", "perceptive", and "frank" are a few of the words audience members used to describe my poetry when speaking after readings. The book will resonate with anyone who has experienced great loss, great joy, or the rapture of becoming consumed with a single item, idea, or person. I selected the poems from a body of work that spans several years. I hope you will consider helping me finish this journey as I print a bound book for distribution online and in stores.
Here are the key themes:
Themes, by Poem
This book is a perfect gift for:
poetry lovers
anyone who loves sharing personal experiences whether through writing, comedy, acting, etc.
supporters of the arts
Oregonians
people who love their Kindles but are seeking that "real book" feel
the neurodiverse and neurodivergent friends in your life
Rewards for pledges:
Recognition on the official blog.
A copy of the book.
A signed copy of the book.
Access to password protected blog posts where you'll learn specific stories behind the work.
Artwork.
Handwritten thank you notes, and of course, a little piece of my heart and a whole lot of thanks!
This book will be self-published, so the money raised will go towards buying the proper ISBN numbers, copyrights, shipping fees, an order of books to distribute to local stores, and promotion.
This Kickstarter campaign will be live for a month. During the month of fundraising, I will order a proof print of the book to ensure everything looks perfect. By the end of the month or once we've reached the goal, I will start the process. I'll submit the book to the publisher and start shipping your books to you! I will have blog posts ready to publish and email you the password so you have access to all the stories you desire. The whole process will be done– books printed and shipped, blog up and running, and thank you's sent- by early May. I will continue to keep working to get "Your Full Real Name" into brick-and-mortar stores and send out a newsletter to keep you up to date on how to find it in stores and online.
Risks and challenges
Kickstarter is based on trust, so I sure appreciate you considering giving me yours. I’ve been working independently and creatively for years now, so I know how to get big art projects done and am certain I will be able to bring "Your Full Real Name" to life. I have been collaborating with local poets and pouring my love, time, effort, and late nights into this already to make sure you’ll get a book that you will love.
"Bow." is a beautifully designed, limited-edition book of poems, pictures, and stories celebrating the fight for Asian-American soul.
We hear it from every angle. At home, at school, in the media, and even in our places of worship, we're told to stay quiet. Submit. Bow.
Both in heritage cultures and throughout America, wherever we turn, it seems Asian Americans are only given a place when we buy into systems of authority, identity, and behavior.
But there is another way. Defying convention, we can stand, finding our voices and forging new stories of resistance and creation.
Bow. is a book of dispatches from the struggle for Asian-American soul.
Through 120 pages of poems, stories, and articles set alongside photographs and illustrations, friends & members of our creative community reflect on
who we are;
what we have been taught to unquestioningly submit to; and
how we resist.
Bow. is a conversation starter, celebration of conviction, and reminder of the work ahead.
Bow. is a step into the fight of faith, culture, and community.
Bow. is curated by jason chu, with photography and visual direction by Yohan Yoon, designed by Winnow + Glean and presented by INHERITANCE Magazine.
jason chu (Rapper/Poet/Activist) is on a mission to speak hope, healing, and justice in a broken world. He has performed at colleges and conferences around the country, at the White House, and internationally throughout Asia.
Yohan Yoon (Photographer/Videographer) is a Korean-American Los Angeles native, telling stories through Photography, Videography, Producing, Writing, Editing, and Travel.
Winnow + Glean (Design) is a bi-coastal creative studio that marries design and storytelling with over 20 years of collective experience in providing web, identity, and print services
INHERITANCE Magazine (Publisher) is a publication dedicated to sharing the diverse stories, experiences, and reflections of Asian Americans, and how their unique cultural identities impact their understandings of personal and communal faith.
Bow. features poets, comedians, musicians, journalists, and more, including:
Taz Ahmed (Activist/Writer, #GoodMuslimBadMuslim Podcast, #MuslimVDay Cards)
Arianna Basco (Mom/Poet/Author/Cultural Architect, Our Mic)
Andrew Chau (Founder, Boba Guys)
J. Han (Hip-Hop Artist, Good Fruit Co.)
Mike Hernandez (Artist, Exile Child)
Chris Jacob (Creative Director/USC Lecturer/Musician)
Joe Kye (Portland Violinist-Looper, Eternal Optimist)
Krystal Herrera (Artist/Poet, Tree Art)
Karen Joyce (Songwriter/Musician)
Jenyi (Singer/Songwriter)
Naomi Lee (Writer/Activist, INHERITANCE Magazine)
Teresa Lee (Comedian/Writer)
Traci Lee (Journalist/Author)
Alex Luu (Activist/Artist/Poet/Student, Get Lit BNV)
Mark Maza (Poet/Writer/Open Mic Organizer, The Definitive Soapbox + Our Mic)
Vanessa S. Na (Cambodian Activist/Co-Founder, Project Ava)
NAK (Lyricist/Registered Nurse, Good Fruit Co.)
Simon Tam (Bassist/Founder, The Slants)
Craig Taubman (Musician/Founder, Craig n’ Co + Pico Union Project)
Andrew Ti (Comedian/Podcast Host, Yo Is This Racist?)
Benjamin To (Filmmaker/Wordsmith, BAND WITH NO NAME Films)
Alice Tse (Illustrator)
Kavi Vu (Poet/Director)
Justin Woo (Poet/Technical Coordinator/Committee Member, Jersey City Slam)
$1 - Feed the movement - Young voices and artists need all the support we can get! Donate any amount under $30, and we'll send you virtual hugs, digital appreciation, and warm feelings.
$30 - “Bow.” softcover - Includes a copy of the "Bow." SOFTCOVER book, including 120 pages of text laid out alongside full-color photographs and illustrations.
$50 - “Bow.” hardcover (Make 100) - Includes limited "Bow." HARDCOVER book (edition of 100) signed by the creative team, as well as a limited edition sticker. Part of Kickstarter's "Make 100" initiative.
$100 - PHOTO EDITION (Make 100) - Includes a large, high-quality print selected from the photography of Yohan Yoon (edition of 5) suitable for framing and display, as well as all rewards from the $50 level (limited hardcover, sticker)
$100 - ART + PIN EDITION (Make 100) - Includes a limited print (edition of 5, exclusive to Kickstarter) from W+G's John "enger" Cheng, as well as an enamel pin and all rewards from the $50 level. (12"x12" artwork on Moab Entrada Rag Bright 300gsm paper.)
$200 - DEFINITIVE PROOF EDITION - Includes a proof printing of the "Bow." HARDCOVER signed by the creative team and annotated personally by jason chu, as well as a one-of-a-kind photo print from Yohan Yoon and a one-of-one print by John "enger "Cheng, all exclusive to you. Also includes enamel pin and sticker. (EXTREMELY LIMITED, ONLY 2 AVAILABLE)
$300 - Artist Sponsor - Sponsor a piece in the book. We will match you with a project contributor (visual or prose - your choice) who will provide either a handwritten copy of their piece or an original piece of art, just for you. Your name and short dedication (under 15 words) will be included in the Thanks section printed in all copies of the book, with a note about the piece you sponsored. Also includes a special, one-of-one hardcover copy of the book personalized for you.
$500 - Patron of the Arts - Thank you for your support of young artists and community voices! Receive a special, one-of-one hardcover copy of the book personally tailored just for you, with extensive hand-written notes and commentary from jason chu and Yohan Yoon. Your name and two-line dedication will also be included in the Thanks section printed in all copies of the book, with a note from the team. If you're in LA, we'll take you out to lunch or dinner; if not, we'll find a nice gift in the spirit of the project to send you, and if you want, hang out on Skype or Google and chat.
Listed costs do not include shipping + handling. To arrange international shipping outside of the US and Canada, please message us before placing your pledge.
We're making this book to be beautiful and useful. With that said, the costs to create and ship the project are:
PUBLISHING: $5775
SHIPPING: $1250
TOTAL: $7025
We also hope to provide a small honorarium for contributors in appreciation of their time and craft.
Risks and challenges
The $5000 target for this Kickstarter is a bare minimum to ensure that printing "Bow." is financially feasible for us. We the creators are ready to assume any costs beyond what we raise, as long as crowdfunding can cover a majority of the budget.
INHERITANCE Magazine publishes a print edition every month, coordinating multiple collaborators on tight deadlines. As our publishing partner, they will set a timeline to ensure that this project comes together in time for its mid-May delivery.
While jason, Yohan, and W+G have other commitments in the Spring timeframe (other client work, completing previous merchandise delivery, other scheduled shoots/performances), we have checked our schedules to ensure that there is plenty of time to devote to this project.
***Special Request, before it was even thought out to be a final finished project of a poetry book, was a way for me to make restaurant work more material, more fulfilling. On the job, I take customer orders using an iPad-based POS, their coffee orders and my poems are sent to an Epson TM-U220 two-color printer for preparation. The result is an object that resembles the image below. The first poem of the series was written on August 14, 2016.
After months of working, writing, and printing, I now have a collection of receipt paper poems, of which I would like to turn into a self-published art and poetry book. The costs of printing and shipping, as well as the prices for rewards, are: $173.11 for printing 45 copies, $34.99 for shipping the books to me, $46.20 for purchasing and mailing the rewards, and $25 to compensate for Kickstarter fees.
Risks and challenges
Given the moderate scope of the project and funding goal, there is little to no risk involved, lest the postal service loses my package.
So I've backed this book on poetry ....
Kickatarter link : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/53932193/coordinates/posts/1678486
http://kck.st/2cCc31R
By the way I myself self publish books by the brand name : Poets' Choice.
https://www.facebook.com/poetschoice : Facebook Page ... I've even published an international poet.
I am self-publishing my first collection of poems!
About this project
Origins
Over the past few years I have been whisked on many travels, both within and without. As I found myself penning down poetry more often, I took inspiration from the film Before Sunrise and began writing for others - sometimes when I met someone, I asked them for a random word which I then used to create a poem for them. I carried this brown-papered notepad with me everywhere I went - it accumulated words, captured moments and slowly began to fall apart...
I was sharing my poems with individual people and those experiences were intimate, tender and magical, but somewhere along the way I felt that it was time I shared it differently...
So then came this little creation which is just about to be born into this world..! Every time I share a poem with someone I feel like I am giving them a part of myself. So I did have to muster some big courage for this project, and I'm thankful for the support I have had on the way.
The Project
Because this project is born simply out of love, and because I don’t have much money myself, I have to keep it on a very tight budget. I have been doing basically everything (and learning in the process) from conceptualising to editing to designing to the artwork (let’s hope this works out). Of course I have received great help on the way from family and friends, and all these have helped me to cut costs greatly.
This is a fundraiser, but also a pre-order of my collection of poems, titled Coordinates. Each book will be sold at $10 SGD when it is published, but just for Kickstarter it is priced at $8 SGD. I am hoping to get at least 150 pre-orders, which would give me the green light (the funds) to send them for printing.
Of course, you are very welcome to make a further donation if you wish to support my humble project! Please suggest rewards that you would like to receive as I am out of ideas for that...
Do watch the video for a reading of some of my poems!
Risks and challenges
The book is almost ready for printing, and I am quite certain that nothing else will go wrong at this stage! Apart from the funds for printing, I am also waiting for the approval for the ISBN code and working on the cover pages.
I know I have friends all over the world... As such I know a big part of my sales will not be in Singapore. You guys will have to pay a little more if I have to mail the books out to you, but i'll see what I can do about this (I travel quite a bit and also have friends who travel lots) so we can all be happy! :)
A disgruntled female carpenter becomes disillusioned with the world and paints her entire body with woodgrain to liberate herself.
About this project
I want to tell a story that reaches a wide audience, and for the first time, I feel that video is a necessary medium for me to tackle. I am in the incredible position to have a very strong filmmaking team around me, having worked in film with Court 13 (with pros like Benh Zeitlin and Ray Tintori) and having my creative community full of exceptionally talented artists who are often collaborating on film projects.
The movie is full of my art, and me, but also about making art, about creating something beyond your control, and losing control of yourself.
We are shooting on 16mm Celluloid and KODAK has agreed to sponsor the project through a matching grant that provides a donation of filmstock in proportion to what we raise here on Kickstarter. The more we raise- the more film we can shoot!
Raising questions about multiple selves and the commodification of "artist" and "woman," Pinocchio's Candy Lust is a treatise on gender in relation to artistic identity.
Gepetto
Gepetto, a disgruntled female craftsmen, is confronted with the choice between acting responsibly and hating her life or (re)producing herself as Pinocchio.
Self-Transformation
Carving a paintbrush and painting her body with wood-grain she undergoes a transformation so wild she destroys her whole village. Fleeing in fear, Pinocchio dives into a candy fountain and becomes a victim of the underwater world of candy. Playing in this narcotic dreamland until her body starts to melt away, only Gepetto has the power to save Pinocchio from death.
Fake-Italy Location
Director of Photography and Co-director Sam Kuhn will shoot 16mm film to add texture and history to the aesthetic world. When Pinocchio dives underwater, the sudden shift to digital footage will give a contemporary saturated feeling to the tempting candy world.
Prosthetic Hand
Academy Award Nominated Director Benh Zeitlin has signed on to the film as my project advisor, continuing our long time collaboration that dates back to nights working in the original Wesleyan squash Court 13.
Workman #1
Minimal but exaggerated movement, choreographed by dance artist Laurie Berg, will lend the film a unique visual style, allowing dramatic gesture to stand in for extensive dialogue.
Gepetto's Worksite
Musical Supervision by record digging DJ duo Chances with Wolves will add a strange, beautiful, foreign yet familiar score. Tone Tank is also super-excited about writing and performing an operatic track for the Workmen.
Fake-Italy: Tree Pinocchio climbs
After raising funds to shoot underwater sequences and some test footage for the project back in June, we are now preparing for the next phase of our shoot.
Underwater Swim-Through
Our principal photography is scheduled for this fall and I have already crewed up. Now we just need to raise the funds to get the biggest chunk of the project in motion. We set our goal at $18,000 as an absolute minimum. REMEMBER I have to pay about 10% of what we make in fees.
I am hoping we can manage to raise above and beyond $18,000, and really make a super strong film- which would require asking the most from my crew, which would require paying them better wages, paying my actors to miss work, hiring a script supervisor to make sure we get usable, consistent shots, and more.
This fundraising campaign does not even begin to cover the cost of post-production, editing, adding effects, finishing sound and color.
The more you are willing and able to give, the better the project will be. I am throwing myself physically, financially and emotionally into this as hard as I can, and I expect to make it worth everybody's while. Otherwise I wouldn't ask.
Discussing Storyboards with Crew
To learn more about my work you can watch this short biopic made by my collaborator Sam Kuhn. It was our first project together and he went above and beyond-- even earning some notice from Vimeo as staff pick.
Feeling moved by the tableaus of Female Surrealist painters I modeled dream sequence compositions off of the work of Leanor Fini. The brazenness and animal femaleness that I see coming out of her work, and that of other women in that period (Dorothea Tanning, Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington) feels relevant to me today, and I'd like to move that energy from painting into film.
Art Department
There is no archetypal artist's novel about a woman. I cast myself as both artist and art object in my own Jungian adaptation of the picaresque novel, (the original) Adventures of Pinocchio.
If you want to know more about the project, please feel free to message me and I will be happy to answer your questions.
Additionally, you can download this Pitchdeck to see more.
And if you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation through my fiscal sponsor - the Solo Foundation- you can let me know and I can facilitate that as well. THANK YOU !!!!!
Risks and challenges
Lots of special effects will be tricky and not go as planned. For this reason, I have budgeted for talented animators and digital artists to rework any ambitious sequences that read too abstractly once captured.
Being an experimental film, and long at 20 minutes for a short, making sure an audience beyond my personal network has access to the film will take research and determination.
Although this is my first film, it is hardly my first ambitious art project, and I have never abandoned a piece halfway through.
