The Canary
by Karl Herrmann
Karl Herrmann
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The Canary
by Karl Herrmann
Karl Herrmann
Follow
Orville Combs has come to California at the height of the Gold Rush, but he's come a little too late--"all the big easy gold has been got." Refusing to admit defeat, Orville buys a condemned mine, hoping to realize his dream of striking it rich. But soon discovers his dream is actually a nightmare.
Orville Combs has come to California at the height of the Gold Rush, but he's come a little too late--"all the big easy gold has been got." Refusing to admit defeat, Orville buys a condemned mine, hoping to realize his dream of striking it rich. But soon discovers his dream is actually a nightmare.
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Story
About The Project
I've always been fascinated with history. As the child of two teachers, my summer vacations and spring breaks weren't spent playing on a beach (much to my childhood chagrin) but instead making pilgrimmages to Gettysburg and Plymouth Rock, and Pearl Harbor. My imagination would run wild trying to recreate the scenes that made these hallowed places iconic: soldiers in their Union blues making the final charge; pilgrims struggling to survive in a foreign land; Japanese kamikazees dive-bombing into Naval destroyers.
As I got older, this fascination only grew stronger and took on new dimension: I wanted to understand the context of historical events; I wanted to know what everyday life was like for people in these times; I wondered what it would have been like to be one of them. And as I explored these ideas, I began to see history not as a series of big events but rather as one continuous narrative of life on planet earth.
When I started working in the entertainment industry, one of my goals was to use film to bring history to life; to show how history itself has been epic, and dramatic, and romantic, and terrifying. That history itself can be really exciting if told well. As a producer I am making several projects that seek to accomplish this goal, but The Canary is my first attempt at writing and directing the story myself.
I think most people have a nostalgic sort of feeling about The California Gold Rush. For me this nostalgia comes partly from the classic imagery: gold-panners plucking nuggets from the Sacramento River, catapulting common men from poverty to wealth. But I'm also interested in the harsh realities of life on the frontier, and what happened to those early Californians that didn't strike it rich.
Through Orville's story I'm going to capture both the nostalgic and the realistic, to show a glossy ideal of the Gold Rush before stripping it down to a bleak reality. The Canary is also going to be exciting; it's going to entertain. There's romance and suspense, comedic moments and truly horrifying ones. The Canary is going to be a fun ride, and I promise the final product will be one you're not only glad you saw, but supported.
So, Blow boys blow, for Californio
There's plenty of gold so I've been told
On the Banks of the Sacramento.
-Karl Herrmann (director/screenwriter)
Incentives
$10
THE PROSPECTOR: Our heartfelt thanks! You'll receive a personalized #putacanaryonit photo shout out on facebook, twitter and instagram.$25
THE GOLD MINER: All of the above + a digital download of THE CANARY once the film is finished.
$50
THE 49ER: All of the above + a signed photograph from the cast-member of your choice.
$100
THE GOLD NUGGET: All of the above + “Special Contributor” recognition in the end credits and on IMDB + a personalized Canary Gold Nugget!
$250
THE CALIFORNIAN: All of the above + an invitation to a Backer’s-Only screening in Los Angeles + a THE CANARY poster signed by the cast and crew.
$500
THE EL DORADO: All of the above + "Associate Producer" credit in the end titles and on IMDB + an original, framed 16"x24" photograph from our shoot in Bodie, California.
$1,000
THE BONANZA: All of the above + VIP access to set during production + a featured extra role as an 1800's Gold Miner + an invitation (with guest) to our Los Angeles premiere screening and after-party.
$2,500
THE MOTHER LODE: All of the above + "Executive Producer" credit in the opening titles and on IMDB + an invitation to all film-festival screenings + dinner and whiskey tasting with the director and producers.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
THE PROSPECTOR: Our heartfelt thanks! You'll receive a personalized #putacanaryonit photo shout out on facebook, twitter and instagram.$25
THE GOLD MINER: All of the above + a digital download of THE CANARY once the film is finished.
$50
THE 49ER: All of the above + a signed photograph from the cast-member of your choice.
$100
THE GOLD NUGGET: All of the above + “Special Contributor” recognition in the end credits and on IMDB + a personalized Canary Gold Nugget!
$250
THE CALIFORNIAN: All of the above + an invitation to a Backer’s-Only screening in Los Angeles + a THE CANARY poster signed by the cast and crew.
$500
THE EL DORADO: All of the above + "Associate Producer" credit in the end titles and on IMDB + an original, framed 16"x24" photograph from our shoot in Bodie, California.
$1,000
THE BONANZA: All of the above + VIP access to set during production + a featured extra role as an 1800's Gold Miner + an invitation (with guest) to our Los Angeles premiere screening and after-party.
$2,500
THE MOTHER LODE: All of the above + "Executive Producer" credit in the opening titles and on IMDB + an invitation to all film-festival screenings + dinner and whiskey tasting with the director and producers.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Karl Herrmann - Director / Screenwriter
Karl Herrmann is an independent filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He is a founding partner in Pioneer Pictures, which produces content for both film and television, among which is the biopic, Titan, an exciting look at the life of John D. Rockefeller Sr., directed by Lasse Hallström, and written by Craig Borten. In addition to his work as a producer, Karl has written numerous screenplays for film and television. The Canary marks his first time as a director. Karl began his career at Sony Pictures working in production on such films as Click, starring Adam Sandler, and Spiderman-3, starring Tobey Maguire. He graduate with honors in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a lifelong Ohio State Buckeye.Noah Rosenthal - Cinematographer
As the son of a filmmaker, Los Angeles “native” Noah Rosenthal became fascinated with the art and craft of movies at a very young age. This early interest led him on an unconventional path to a career as a Cinematographer. Attending Middlebury College in Vermont, he took a double major in Film and Media Culture and American Literature (with a little Division III Football mixed in!), guided fly fishing trips on wild trout rivers of Wyoming, traveled the country taking photographs, studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse before eventually receiving an MFA in Cinematography from The American Film Institute where he was the first second-generation graduate.Noah prides himself on strong collaboration and the ability to work from the elements of a story to find the best look for a film. In finding and defining visual choices and structure, one can support a narrative visually in ways that help to elevate the story far beyond what is on the page. He has experience across the genres and looks forward to expanding it, fully expecting his passion for visual storytelling to be a life-long pursuit.
Noah's recent feature film work includes Cold Comes the Night, starring Bryan Cranston, Drones, starring Matt O'Leary, and Fat Kid Rules the World, starring Jacob Wysocki and directed by Matthew Lillard.
Bert Kern - ProducerBert is a producer at Whitewater Films, an LA based indie film production company whose credits include the critically acclaimed feature “Mean Creek” as well as “Nearing Grace” and “Kabluey.” Whitewater has also executive-produced are the 2013 Sundance opening night film “May in the Summer” and dramatic competition selection “Afternoon Delight". Other Whitewater productions include "Fat Kid Rules the World" (SXSW Narrative Spotlight Audience Award 2012), “California Solo” (Sundance 2012), “Arcadia” (winner of the Crystal Bear at Berlin 2012) and “On the Ice” (Sundance 2011 and Berlin - Crystal Bear). Bert is an Associate Producer of “According to Greta” (2009), starring Hillary Duff and Ellen Burstyn, as well as “Fat Kid". Bert is co-producing Whitewater Films’ anticipated feature "7 Minutes", recently released film "Drones" and is an executive producer on "King Jack" and "Band of Robbers".
Ian Coyne - Producer
Ian Coyne has been making films since his teenage years. Working for highly reputable companies such as Echo Lake, Permut Presentations, Duly Noted, Fresh Produce Films, and Skybox Films, has given him extensive production and development experience. Most recently, Ian produced the first national TV spot for Tesla Motors and two highly acclaimed feature films. After nearly two decades of working in the industry he has established a reputation for being personable, professional, and innovative.Robert Kravis - Producer
Prior to founding Pioneer Pictures with Karl Herrmann in 2013, Robert Kravis produced an adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary, which starred Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart and Amber Heard. He worked closely with Academy Award nominated, and BAFTA award winning writer/director, Bruce Robinson to adapt Mr. Thompson’s novel for the screen, and was instrumental in bringing Johnny Depp aboard to star, and in securing financing for the picture through GK Films.In 2006, Robert produced Lucky Number Slevin, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film starred Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, and Academy Award winners, Morgan Freeman and Sir Ben Kingsley. Following the film’s release, Mr. Kravis collaborated with Lucky Number Slevin producer Tyler Mitchell, and writer Jason Smilovic on the NBC TV Series My Own Worst Enemy, which starred Christian Slater.
He began his career at the independent film production company, The Shooting Gallery, where he served as Co-President of Production. While at The Shooting Gallery Mr. Kravis produced such films as Sling Blade, for which Billy Bob Thornton won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay and was nominated for Best Actor. Mr. Kravis also developed and produced You Can Count On Me, for which Laura Linney received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, Kenneth Lonergan received an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay, and for which actor Mark Ruffalo received critical acclaim.
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