Production Update from Director Carrie Coaplen
Being the film's director, part of my job is keeping production going. A big part of that is fundraising, which is way out of my comfort zone. It’s why I feel a bit self-conscious today. We've been fundraising over the summer, AND so many of you have come through with donations but the reality is that we’re likely going to have to keep fundraising until the film is out.
The Halcyon Daze team has applied for grants from nonprofit organizations and even large national agencies. We also continue to seek investors and partners. A few generous donations that have helped us prepare for Halcy-Con and pay for post-production over the past few months. While we continue to look for angel type collaborators and associate producer types (Are you out there?), your help, so far, is how we have been able to keep making the film.
Production Timeline
In June, 2024, our editor, Kenzie Greer, left her full time gig to work on this project. As long as we can continue to pay Kenzie’s salary so she can focus full-time on editing, we should complete the film by summer 2025.
Editor, Kenzie Greer, above, editing Halcyon Daze
Director, Carrie Coaplen, below, as "Snax," on the 3rd to last voyage of the Galactic Starcruiser.
Our first shoot happened almost one year ago on the Halcyon's third-to-last voyage. We are producing a professional, feature-length film. With a full-time team of professionals, the average documentary manages to finish just ten minutes of film each month. We’re operating at a much smaller scale and given that, I am especially proud of our work so far, including the progress we've made being scrappy, and supported by A LOT of you who have faith in us, and who have given generously. We want to make sure everything is completed professionally and carefully.
We already have over 100 hours of footage to sort through as we develop the film into a cohesive narrative that investigates various themes. Finding those salient moments among all that many hours is a lot of very careful labor. And amazing work. And our editor is completing the bulk of this creative story editing—with a level of focus that has only been possible due to funds contributed by supporters or raised through our online events.
Meanwhile, we all work full time jobs. When I'm not teaching high school, I'm talking with our lead researcher about social media posts or archival materials, or with our swag liaison about marketing, or with the entire team about upcoming interviews, or editing, or which footage to share online first. Or I’m calling family friends to show them our latest cuts, then ask if they can help again, too.
Onward to Halcyon Daze
While we could pick at this project slowly, a few hours a week, that would mean that we might finish it in a few years. But what we want to do is to continue to pay Kenzie so that we can premier the film next year. We like the sooner rather than later option for many reasons.
First, we think the more people who see and understand the impact of immersive experiences, the more the field will grow and advance. Maybe the film will encourage these kinds of innovative immersive experiences to be developed or remind people how important it is to play and explore no matter how old you are. We also believe that the powerful experiences we walked away with are very meaningful. We want to complete the film to honor the work done by the designers, technicians, cast members, actors, chefs, essential crew, and more. Their efforts transformed lives, and I want the world to know. I want a world filled with art and communities that are empowered to make cool, ambitious, wild things and positively change culture.
At this point, we’re fundraising to pay Kenzie to keep editing. And to pay off the debt incurred traveling to and shooting interviews (which includes everything from flights to airbnbs to tanks of gas and cups of coffee). Our Executive Producer is praising me for keeping the budget small, even though it's the most money I've worked with on a creative project. We’re still well under the budget of most documentaries – even independent ones.
What we need now
I feel self-conscious asking for help. I would rather share that we have a super duper exciting interview planned for the Wednesday before HalcyCon in Orlando (we do!). Maybe TWO of them that week. And like my persistent fundraising, these interviews are happening after many emails and nudges, but with the most wonderfully generous spirit from these interviewees. These bright spots keep lighting up.
Today, however, I need to share out the reality of the work and offer my continued gratitude to those of you who understand what we're up to and why the support matters so much. I can just about name all 200 of you off the top of my head who have donated some amount of dollars, time, or talent. Thank you for joining the Halcyon Daze family. I'm looking forward to a "family" reunion at what I hope is a 2025 premier of the film.
Sincerely,
Carrie
P.S. If you’re reading this and want to know how to contribute? We’ve got a page up right here at the Louisville Film Society, our fiscal partner, or if you’d like to talk to me about what’s possible in terms of recognition in the film credits or even a production title, message me at director@halcyondazefilm.com
The September Series, encore sessions with your fave Starcruisers. Plus two sessions with a new addition, Kierna Conner!
If you missed the first round of online meet and greets with Starcruisers, they were really fun and special. Read below to learn a bit more about those events. I'm really excited that we're holding a few more in September with a new addition to the online series crew, Kierna Conner. Equally exciting, Adam Reilly and Cynthia Becker are gonna hangout together with 20 lucky folks who attend.
The sessions are wonderfully intimate opportunities to connect with Starcruiser cast members during at one hour Q and A. We limit space to 20 guests to make sure that everyone gets a chance to say thank you or ask a quick question or share a memory. OR, in the case of La'Beth's session, make a few cocktails and perhaps invent a new toast.
Be warned: Tears may be shed. Colorful stories may come forth. For sure, we will all learn more about the Starcruiser experience, immersive theater, and what it takes to be part of an innovative, one of a kind interactive attraction.
Visit this link to learn more about donating to register and reserve your spot:
https://forms.gle/fmhbmKkZqkRLKDXQ9
THANK YOU PATRONS!
To our patrons! Do you know how much you’ve helped? Is there anyway to appropriately thank you for coming through to support this project? Hopefully. I’m pretty blown away by the faith and support y’all have shown as we head into our most important work to complete the film within less than a year.
What was especially wonderful about the summer series virtual events is that they seemed to have been extra special for many of you. I could not have predicted how important those sessions would be for some of you to get closure, to thank Adam or Cynthia. During those virtual meetings we shared laughter, delicious food, tears, a bespoke toast, and many reunions. Additionally, after those donations, and including a few one off gifts, as well as the brave, generous souls who gave from the beginning when I had NO idea how to fundraise (still learning), this community has provided nearly 15k in support. Family and friends have also come on board by donating nearly 25k, too. While 40k exceeds our expectation (seriously…I should have known we’d need it, but man have I learned as we’ve gone) we will continue to fundraise to pay our editor a fair salary, and to recoup travel costs for shoots, including flights, lodging, per diems, and gear fees.
Coming up in October, we are excited to share brand new sections from work in progress. We will show that footage during our HalcyCon panel, with a few special guests. We are thinking about how to share the Halcyon panel so that everyone sees it. You have all made it real.
Ta’Boat e Tay!
Around 8am on our first morning aboard the Disney Wish, under a drizzly, overcast sky, I had accomplished one among many trip missions: getting into a hot tub! I’d never sea cruised before, and was determined to relax as well as revel. And while I dutifully consulted Starcruiser organized events through spreadsheets, chats, and posts, I also committed to forget those plans on occasion.
As with my time on the Starcruiser, missions called during all three frenetic days on board the Wish: group photos, fish extender gift deliveries, Star Wars & Halcyon trivia competitions, Hyperspace lounge smoky bubble cocktails, Rey & Chewie meet and greets, cargo hold tours, swag swap, and (space) pirate cosplay. This morning’s mission, however, was extra special, and I almost missed it: a Saja-inspired meditation facilitated by three time passenger, Diana Sanders. As she walked by the hot tub on the way to the meditation meet up, she asked if we were coming. I attempted to respectfully decline, but Diana gently encouraged me to attend, and knowing the power of “Yes, and…” from the Starcruiser. I followed, coffee and pool towel in hand like sacrament and shroud.
Joining me were two other members of the Halcyon Daze documentary team: Kenzie Greer (cinematographer/editor) and Carly Kocurek, (lead researcher/association producer). Sharing a stateroom, we were celebrating the two year anniversary of the Halcyon’s first voyage, floating and bobbing like Hydronimae, along with 200 or so other faithful Galactic Starcruiser superfans, aboard Disney’s newest, largest cruise ship. I was also sweating out a hangover, enjoying a rare calm moment to reflect about our journeys, not only as a documentary team, but as Starcruiser community members.
The cruise had been planned several months before by Sara Maciel of Carry on the Magic travel agency. As the passenger list slowly expanded, it became clear that we wanted to continue feeling the profoundly joyful connection that the Starcruiser gave us. Opportunities like the Wish cruise promised a moment to honor Lady H again, while we enjoyed Star Wars “umbrella” drinks, lifting our glasses, Ta’bu e tay-ing as the Halcyon’s grand visage edged onto the Hyperspace lounge’s port window. Following its hyperdrive exit, the cheers came so quickly that they would have been easy to miss, if we hadn’t all been paying so much reverent –admittedly raucous—attention.
Other memorable moments included what has become the time honored swag swap tradition among GSCfaithfuls. From Kyber crystals, to friendship bracelets, to planets in tiny bottles, the community’s trademark generosity began the day before embarkation, as we handed out items on Batuu in Galaxy’s Edge. Giveaways continued the first night on the Wish when nearly 200 of us flooded the ship’s Grand Hall, ready to delight and be delighted with tokens in honor of the Halcyon. Among my favorite items from the Wish, is a miniature fluke featuring a delicate chain and medallion. I’d asked for this item in the Facebook group dedicated to Starcruiser crafting, hoping that someone would have the skills to do what I could not. And if I have learned anything about the Starcruiser community, it is to ask. Wait (but not long). Be amazed. Repeat.
After that Grand Hall take-over, several glasses of champagne, and many loud declarations of “TOGETHER. AS ONE” the night before, Carly, Kenzie and I exited the hot tub with a more quiet morning mission. Dripping wet but warm, we followed Saja Diana, who had become our guide into a sober but nonetheless celebratory moment with each other. I breathed in, looking onto the Caribbean, rounding a corner to see a small, expectant group waiting for Diana, who emphasized that “she was not a Saja and…no Jedi,” but to me she was in that moment. After twenty minutes, and after a number of confused “normies” crossed our path, we got still as Diana began her meditation. This was our moment to peacefully consider our journeys. Her calm, soft, yet full voice reached out, asking us to breathe while she spoke of the force, calming and focusing our attentions inward. “It is because of that shared experience, that we are here today. Together again...to continue to maintain that connection both to the self we have found and the connection to others we have made.” I quietly settled into her guidance and the power of connecting intentionally, deeply, with an openness of spirit. She had taken me to a core Starcruiser place, one less easily defined or tangibly felt, and one that has come through tearful stories of beauty, healing, friendships, and dreams come true through the Starcruiser. And I had almost missed it, her, these people, our shared magical experience. I had also considered canceling my five thousand dollar space cruise. That is why we were sailing, though. We are risk takers. We embrace play. We are willing to vulnerably share ourselves and give freely.
The rest of the cruise was a rambunctious string of tasks and snapshots. We grabbed footage for the documentary—mainly Kenzie trying to keep up as I stumbled down stateroom halls, either from the swaying ship or a pirate-inspired drunkenness. I heard tale of FOUR Kyber Crystal cocktails (yes, the 5k one that includes a trip to Skywalker ranch) having been purchased. Carly, Kenzie, and I laughed like middle school slumber party friends. A conga line formed and took off at the pirate show after party with a green toy lightsaber leading the way. Sadie, aka Saja Fen Runa (one of the real Saja characters from the Halcyon), shared that older Starcruiser women like me had helped her come into herself and feel more confident. Several other Starcruiser cast members had been on board, some of whom I never saw, a few of whom I did..
And then finally, the day of disembarkment, Kenzie and I lucked into waiting our turn to leave on a set of stairs where everyone passed by before exiting. I hugged every Starcruiser, feeling our journey’s end, and recalling Saja Diana’s words about the force connecting us all.