Gladio Veritas Entertainment is based in the Piedmont-Triad of North Carolina. The filmmakers at GVE strive to create powerful, thought-provoking stories that will entertain, as well as inspire, viewers around the world.

THE STORY:

The trial of Tom Dula (Dooley), who hung for the murder of Laura Foster, was the first highly-publicised crime of passion in American history, bringing national attention to the foothills of North Carolina. Tom Dooley was tried, convicted and executed for the crime, but to this day, the true circumstances of who actually killed Laura Foster remain a mystery.

THE FILM:

Based on the true story behind the legendary tale, Laura tells the story from the perspective of Laura Foster, the tragic figure at the heart of the legend. While all of the major characters of this story are present (Tom Dooley, Anne Foster Melton, and Perline Foster, to name but a few), this film focuses on love she had for Tom and the events of the last week of her life that lead to her tragic fate in a small grove of woods near modern-day Ferguson, North Carolina. 

The film will ask challenging questions to the viewers, such as:

1. Who was Laura Foster, and why would anybody want to harm this beautiful young woman?

2. What was it that drew Laura Foster to Tom Dooley? 

3. Was Tom Dooley really in love with Laura Foster, or was it all a ploy to win the favor of another woman?

These questions, and perhaps others, will be covered by this dramatic motion picture.

THE CAST (So Far...)

L-R: CARRIE ANNE HUNT as Laura Foster; JAKE COLLISON as Tom Dooley; JOANNA LOWER as Ann Melton; and JEREMY CARR as Wilson Foster

THE PROOF OF CONCEPT:

A Proof of Concept (Or P.O.C., for short) is a short film that gives people an idea of what a film will look like. Filmmakers will either film an entire scene for the P.O.C., or moments from several scenes to create a “teaser trailer” of sorts. They will then use this P.O.C. to pitch the project to potential investors, giving them an idea of what the finished project will look like when completed. If investors are interested, they will help fund the project to its full potential, allowing the filmmakers to complete the full feature film. 

The producers intend to film a Proof of Concept short for Laura, using filmmaking techniques honed from years of experience that’ll help convey the spirit and drama of the film in a short, three-minute film that will be used to pitch the idea to film companies and investors, and to allow them to complete the entire film.

THE CREATIVE TEAM:

The film is the brainchild of Charles Soots, a native of Caldwell County, North Carolina, located not far from where the events took place. Charles became fascinated by the story, wanted to know more, and researched spent many years researching the legend. He met and talked with other historians, such as Edith Ferguson Carter, founder of Whippoorwill Academy & Village in Ferguson, NC. With encouragement from Mrs. Carter, the seed was planted to do a film project.

Creator/Co-Writer Charles Soots

In 2018, he met with Steven Hancock, a historian and award-winning filmmaker, best known for co-writing and producing the acclaimed Civil War-era drama Our War. Charles and Steven then met with fellow historian and filmmaker J.D. Mayo (Co-Writer and Director of Our War) to craft the screenplay.

Sadly, Charles Soots didn't live to see his vision come to full fruition, as he unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, August 23rd, 2020. However, the filmmakers are moving forward with the project, and will dedicate the film to his memory, as well as the memory of Edith Ferguson Carter, who passed away in 2014.

Co-Writer/Director Steven Hancock at the Grave of Tom Dooley.

Steven Hancock will serve as director and executive-producer on the project. Helping to bring the film to life is acclaimed actor and filmmaker Brigham McNeely (Conviction, Sacred, The Holy Heist), who will serve as Director of Photography. Steven and Brigham worked together on Our War, and the Proof of Concept for another upcoming film, The Fountain by the River. Together with other members of the cast and crew, they will strive to create a film that is epic, dramatic, and as true as possible to the events of that fateful week in May of 1866. 

In addition, we are working to shoot this film in Happy Valley, North Carolina, on or near where these events took place. This will add further authenticity to the project, and allow us to film some of the most beautiful scenery in North Carolina.

Hickory Ridge Living History Museum / Boone, NC - official location selection

WHAT WE NEED:

We've already raised some funding for our Proof of Concept, that will help us achieve many of our filmmaking goals. However, in order to fully achieve what we want to accomplish with our project, we require an additional $1,000 for the film. These funds will be utilized in three different areas.

1. Location Rental: We are excited to have the opportunity to film at Hickory Ridge Living History Museum in Boone, North Carolina, right next to where Horn in the West is put on stage. It will cost roughly $500 to rent the location for the day-long shoot.

2. Camera Rental: Our Cinematographer, Brigham McNeely, is wanting to utilize new camera technology for our film project, the Ursa G2. To rent the new camera for the day will cost around $300.

3. Covid-19 Materials: We will also need $200 to cover funds in order to comply with current Covid-19 guidelines for film sets. This will include purchasing materials, such gloves, masks and cleaning items needed for cast and crew while on set. We will also need to hire a Covid Compliance Officer to be on set, to make sure we are following all guidelines as laid out by the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG-AFTRA).

WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN:

For your contributions to our campaign, you will receive our gratitude plus some exclusive perks. These will include access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content, digital copies of the Proof of Concept and final feature film, and a beautiful 11x17 print of our film's poster, autographed by members of the cast and crew. At whatever level you choose, you will help us be one step closer to making this project a reality.

 

"Teamwork makes the dream work."

RISKS AND CHALLENGES: 

As filmmakers, we understand that unexpected situations arise for each production. Films can get delayed in shooting, either due to recasting or weather conditions. And in very rare circumstances, productions can be shut down, never to resume. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought additional challenges to filmmakers, with current restrictions limiting the number of people on set, testing for the virus, and providing everyone involved with the proper training and protective gear.

However, all of the filmmakers working on Laura have succeeded in seeing projects through to the end, so with your contributions, you will see this project completed, no matter what challenges may arise. We are also working to follow the Covid-19 guidelines as laid out by the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG-AFTRA), to make sure our cast and crew remain safe and healthy while on set.

We hope you will consider taking this journey with us, to help create a film that will be the most dramatic, and historically accurate, version of the Tom Dooley and Laura Foster story. With your help, we can bring a worthy film to life, and inspire others to delve deeper into this infamous North Carolina legend. 

Sincerely,

Steven Hancock

Co-Writer/Director, Laura