IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS:

WHISTLE-STOP is a modern-day western set in California’s Central Valley and we’re currently raising $450,000 to take the film into production.

$450,000 is our threshold and once we hit it, we’re not developing or waiting, we’re filming.

That means locked locations, a paid cast and crew, and a scheduled shoot right here in California's Central Valley.

Your investment directly funds production: cast, crew, locations, and the shoot itself in California’s Central Valley, all the while allowing you to collect the first profits the film makes as well as up to 2x your original investment in residuals.

Once that production budget is hit, schedules lock. Crew is hired. Cameras roll.

Not "in development. " WHISTLE-STOP goes into production immediately.

To schedule a meeting with us, choose a time that works for you on our calendly.

To learn more, keep reading or email us at [email protected]

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Hi there! My name is Liam Greenlee. I grew up in the Central Valley of California in a town called Oakdale, otherwise known as The Cowboy Capital of the World. Where this title came from, no one really knows, but it is absolutely inseparable from the community’s identity, and from this film.

I spent a lot of time trying to live up to the mythic cowboys on our murals and in my favorite westerns, but, like most people, I knew I never measured up. That fear of not being masculine enough, of being too emotional, doesn’t go away with age and it’s at the center of a lot of conversations in our present-day culture. However, since it’s such a hard thing for guys to talk about, it’s easy to feel completely alone. WHISTLE-STOP is a film that was written to show that this simply isn’t true.

THE FILM

WHISTLE-STOP is a darkly comic character study full of twists and turns, set deep within the farming communities of California’s Central Valley. If you mixed FARGO with THE KING OF COMEDY and THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALENCE, you'd get something a lot like the downwards spiral our main character, a mayoral-hopeful named Danny Dupree, is about to find himself on.

OUR BUSINESS PLAN

All funds raised will go directly and immediately into the production of WHISTLE-STOP, including paying cast, crew, location permits, and post-production expenses (such as coloring, soundtrack, and marketing). The Investors recoup their investment before the filmmakers participate in profits, with additional upside through participation in net proceeds.

Revenue will be generated through domestic and international distribution across theatrical, streaming, and digital platforms. Our goal is to position WHISTLE-STOP for acquisition following a strong festival premiere and targeted market rollout.

If the film is completed under budget, remaining funds will be allocated to marketing and audience outreach to maximize visibility and distribution value. Upon completion, WHISTLE-STOP will be submitted to top-tier film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Tribeca, the Cannes Film Festival and many more. Through an aggressive festival campaign, we position ourselves to not only gain as much publicity and good word of mouth as possible but to also increase our value to distributors nationally and abroad. We will pursue distribution through leading independent distributors and sales agents such as A24, Neon, IFC Films, MUBI, and Oscilloscope Laboratories, while also exploring partnerships with agencies including UTA and CAA.

We are also developing a flexible distribution strategy that includes hybrid or independent release models in order to pursue the strongest possible financial outcome for the film. Independent film is experiencing renewed momentum across theatrical and streaming markets. Recent success stories, from low-budget breakout hits (such as Hundreds of Beavers, Red Rocket, and Emily Skeggs' own cult classic, Dinner in America) to films leveraging festival launches into wide cultural reach (such as recent Best Picture winner, Anora) demonstrate a growing appetite for distinctive, voice-driven cinema.

There has never been a more inspiring time to be an independent filmmaker than now, in terms of what is both technologically possible as well as the scope of audience potential, and it is with great excitement that we to turn to our community in The Central Valley and abroad with the opportunity to create something truly special.

COMMUNITY

As we continue gaining momentum, we knew that this film would not be possible without the support of the people who inspired it. Growing up surrounded by stories of George Lucas and seeing firsthand his ability to trap Modesto’s legendary cruising culture in amber with American Graffiti, it's always been a dream of mine to do the same with the Central Valley farming towns I grew up in.

With WHISTLE-STOP, we hope to show a large part of California that wouldn’t normally be found on a Hollywood screen. Part of this mission of representing The Central Valley through WHISTLE-STOP comes through supporting local artists and offering opportunities to aspiring creatives in the area.

By partnering with local programs, such as The Modesto State Theatre and their annual film camp, we aim to bring to blossoming Central Valley filmmakers the hands-on opportunities I left home to find in the Los Angeles film industry. By prioritizing giving opportunities to local artists and students, we aim to ensure that we include them into the community that the story of WHISTLE-STOP represents, and more so, to make a film that couldn’t have been made anywhere else, by anyone else.

For more information about how you or someone you know can be involved with the production of WHISTLE-STOP, please email us at:

[email protected]

PERKS!

Being that this is an equity based project, you aren't just a supporter of the project but active collaborator in getting this movie off the ground and playing at a theater near you. Here are some perks to show our gratitude :)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ($50,000)

"As God is my witness, I'll never go hungry again." - Gone With the Wind

Quite literally, you have become a producer and are technically eligible to join the Producer's Guild of America if you so desire. Regardless of what you do with this credit, we can't thank you enough. We look forward to seeing you at our premiere events, festivals, and red carpets. Here are some more cool perks you get!

1. “Executive Producer” credit (on-screen, IMDb, and poster)
2. Your business logo featured in the credits.
3. Invitation to premieres (West Coast, East Coast, or regional)
4. Access to private screenings, rough cuts, and select post-production updates
5. Invitation to wrap party + festival events (when applicable)
6. 1-day set visit (travel/lodging not included)
7. Signed limited-edition poster (cast + director)
8. Annotated shooting script signed by the team
9. Copy of the Whistle-Stop's fully illustrated storyboards.
10. Private screening link upon release
11. Personalized thank-you note.
12. Investor-exclusive DANNY DUPREE FOR MAYOR pin.
13. Social media shoutout

CO-PRODUCER ($30,000)

"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" - Casablanca

You are part of an extremely important group of people who are keeping independent cinema alive and viable. This industry is only able to grow because of people like you. We can't wait to see you in the credits (and on the red carpet of our LA premiere!)

1. “Co-Producer” credit (on-screen, IMDb, and on poster)
2. Your business logo featured in the credits.
3. Invitation to a private cast & crew screening in Los Angeles (travel not included)
4. 1-day set visit (travel/lodging not included)
5. Signed limited-edition poster
6. Annotated shooting script
7. Private screening link
8. Personalized thank-you note
9. Investor-exclusive DANNY DUPREE FOR MAYOR pin.
10. Social media shoutout

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER ($15,000)

"I love it when a plan comes together." - The A-Team

To put it one way, you've might've just single-handedly paid for (a) two of the film's six locations, (b) two weeks of catering, (c)our publicist's paycheck, or any number of important factors that our movie could not be made without. Please feel free to pop by set on a day of your choosing to see your investments put to work, we couldn't do this without you.

1. “Associate Producer” credit (on-screen)
2. Your business logo featured in the credits.
3. 1-day set visit (travel/lodging not included)
4. Signed limited-edition poster
5. Annotated shooting script
6. Private screening link
7. Personalized thank-you note
8. Investor-exclusive DANNY DUPREE FOR MAYOR pin.
9. Social media shoutout

SPECIAL THANKS ($5,000)

“My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you.” - Yankee Doodle Dandy

You'll forever be able to show this movie to your friends and family and gloat about having your name listed alongside Tony, Emmy, and Oscar winners. Thanks go without saying, but you truly have more than earned your spot.

1. “Special Thanks” credit
2. Signed limited-edition poster
3. Annotated shooting script
4. Private screening link
5. Personalized thank-you note
6. Investor-exclusive DANNY DUPREE FOR MAYOR pin.
7. Social media shoutout

SUPPORTER ($1,000)

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important." - The Help

You're officially keeping movies alive! If someone ever says that Hollywood is dying, you can tell them it's not your fault. Seriously, thank you. You're officially part of this world, we couldn't get anywhere without you.

1. Private screening link
2. Signed limited-edition poster
3. Personalized thank-you note
4. Investor-exclusive DANNY DUPREE FOR MAYOR pin.
5. Social media shoutout

COMMUNITY BACKER ($500)

"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."- A Streetcar Named Desire

You're part of a community that independent films, let alone, local art, is entirely dependent on. Thank you for supporting us, but more so, thank you for supporting your community.

1. Social media shoutout
2. Signed limited-edition poster (cast+director)
3. Investor-exclusive DANNY DUPREE FOR MAYOR pin.

IN CLOSING...

Thank you for taking the time to read all (or most!) of our page. We are incredibly excited to have you on this journey with us, you can keep track of our progress here and on our social media platforms!

Do not hesitate to ask any questions at [email protected], we would love to hear from you!

Thank you again for keeping independent cinema growing. Welcome to the team :)

Best wishes,

Liam Greenlee (and the whole gang at Whistle-Stop)