The Good Balloon
by Lita Lopez
Lita Lopez
Follow
The Good Balloon
by Lita Lopez
Lita Lopez
Follow
Love never dies. Energy only takes a different shape. This is what I learned from devastating loss. Although grief may never end, our loved ones never truly leave us. "The Good Balloon" is about hope amidst despair. If you are in grief right now, my hope is to uplift you and help you smile again.
Love never dies. Energy only takes a different shape. This is what I learned from devastating loss. Although grief may never end, our loved ones never truly leave us. "The Good Balloon" is about hope amidst despair. If you are in grief right now, my hope is to uplift you and help you smile again.
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Story
Mission Statement
Our cast includes Latinx leads & other roles for performers of color. Two bi-racial/bi-cultural women drive the project - a Texican writer/actress and a South African/Russian director. The film spotlights two difficult topics almost all humans face but fear to discuss - grief and mental illness.About The Project
This is a true story.
This is a miracle story.
The Good Balloon
is about a grieving sister
who finds a ray of light
amidst the darkness
with the help of an unusual balloon.
The Good Balloon brings out of the darkness two debilitating struggles that almost all of us will face at some point in our lives, but very few really know how to talk about - GRIEF & Mental Illness. When it hits your life, it can truly feel like you've been run down by a bus and all the light has gone out of the world. That's how I was feeling on one dark day when this miracle story happened.
My baby brother Noel battled bi-polar disorder. In our last conversations we talked about choosing between the light and the dark, what is true and false and our ultimate purpose. These thoughts were swirling through my head, in a haze of grief at his recent passing, when I looked up into the sky to see a black balloon far up in the sky. Instead of floating higher, it was descending and heading my way! (To see the whole story, we have to make this film!) That unusual balloon brought me a message of hope and my first lesson of what grief can teach: Love never dies, it just can't always stay and energy just takes a different shape.
We make this film in service to all who grieve or struggle with their mental health.
Incentives
$20
Your Good Deed For The Day/Our Miracle Story
Growing up, it was a regular occurrence for Mama Lopez to enthusiatically burst through the front door, announcing, "Well, I've done my good deed for the day!" Or, "You won't believe this miracle story!" The stories often seemed to revolve around someone running out of gas. Either she had been saved from being stranded by a friend or stranger, or she had performed a random act of kindness to help out someone else in need. We kids then began to look for and report our own "Miracle Stories" and "Good Deeds for the Day." There was no reward in it, other than the warm fuzzies of knowing you had been of service or made someone else's day a little lighter or brighter. I love that I had that experience.
Now it's your turn! Make this kind donation and I will enthusiastically announce you and "Your Good Deed for the Day" from all the social media rooftops!
$30
Hope Now
Receive a digital code for an on-demand online viewing of Walking Through Grief - A Guide To The Grief Journey.
A Guide To The Grief Journey: Hosts Darcie Sims and Alan Pedersen, along with a group of contributors, share their journey toward hope. Alan is a nationally known singer, songwriter and speaker on grief and loss.
Darcie, one of the foremost authorities in the field of grief and loss, shares her wit and wisdom as well as her compassion and understanding, which come from her personal experiences and formal education. This video will inform, inspire and offer the tools to help you as you navigate your grief journey. (71 minutes.) From TheGriefToolbox.com.
Claimed: 5 of 25
$40
Your Good Deed and a Balloon!
Maybe some good deeds do deserve a reward! We will howl your social media shout out, plus, send you a custom printed (uninflated) balloon from the production. Thanks for being awesome!
Claimed: 6 of 250
$50
Give a Little, Laugh a Little
Receive a copy of Healing Improv: A Journey Through Grief to Laughter. Signed by the author, Bart Sumner. Will also receive a digital copy of The Good Balloon upon completion.
Bart and I perfomed improv comedy together for many years, before and after we were both hit by grief. He is a dear friend who has been an incredible inspiration to me for his beautifully compassionate work to help others learn to laugh again after loss.
From Amazon reviews:
"A deeply moving and tremendously comforting book."
"Wonderful and Brave"
"Best grief counseling I have ever seen."
In 2009 Bart Sumner’s life was shattered when his 10-year-old son, David, suffered a traumatic brain injury at football practice and died in his arms. Finding a way back to the road forward in a world where mourners are told “He’s in a better place” or to “Get over it” is a daunting and painful journey. He came to realize that the twenty-five plus years he spent as a performer and teacher of improvisational comedy was not only the key to his own survival, but also a powerful tool to help others mired in grief. Healing Improv: A Journey Through Grief to Laughter is an emotional and honest recounting of his family’s trek through grief to the founding of a nonprofit that provides no-cost Comedy Improv Grief Workshops for others suffering with loss. Mr. Sumner’s approach is unique in its application of improv comedy exercises to grief treatment. Healing Improv includes many of the improv games used at Healing Improv workshops so that others can also benefit from the curative, life affirming fun. Pairing these techniques with his family’s powerful and touching story of survival makes this book a strong ally to those who feel lost and alone after tragedy strikes, providing comfort and hope.
Claimed: 13 of 25
$60
Your Good Deed of the Week
Your "Good Deed of the Day" will be enthusiastically announced from all the social media rooftops. Upon completion of the final film, you will receive a private link to a digital copy for viewing in your own home and one of our custom balloons.
$70
Remember Your Loved One
The Good Balloon is all about honoring those we have lost and remembering that love never dies. Sometimes it can feel like the grief will never end, but one of the things that always helps me is to talk, share and remember.
With this donation, we will add your loved one's name and photo to our Remembrance Page on Facebook. We will dedicate a day to celebrate them and share your memories.
Includes a digital copy of The Good Balloon upon completion.
$85
Art Therapy
Noel was gifted in so many areas, at almost everything he tried. I may be biased, but I adore his artwork, particularly these two pieces from his "Don Quixote" series. Don Quixote is a fitting subject for Noel to explore and the character's struggles could be seen as a mirror for his own. It is our family's honor to share his work with you.
This donation includes a limited edition 11 x 15 print. Choose either, "Don Quixote Blue Pastel" or "Don Quixote Red & Yellow". (These titles are my designations, I wish I knew what he would have called the pieces.)
Also, receive a balloon and digital copy of the final film.
Claimed: 13 of 150
$100
Your Good Deed of the Month!
We can't believe how AMAZING you are! This good deed gets credit for a whole month's worth! You don't require any additional reward except knowing that you have done a good deed. But, we'll still shout about how awesome you are, every week for a month! (Plus, a digital copy of the film and a balloon!)
$150
Art Therapy Bundle
I know, I can't decide which Don Quixote I like better either! Why not have both?
Includes prints of both works from Noel's Don Quixote series and all additional Art Therapy incentives.
Claimed: 3 of 125
$200
Get In The Picture!
Be an extra in the film! Have you always wanted to see what it's like on a film set? Are you new to acting and looking to build up your experience? Aching to find out what's on a "craft services" table? Wanna simply spend some time with Lita, Angela and the crew? Come on down and be a background actor in the film! Will receive on-set meal and snacks, a downloadable digital copy of the final film AND an IMDB acting credit! (PRICELESS!!!)
REQUIREMENTS: must be local to Los Angeles, or willing to provide your own travel, transportation and lodging. Must be available for one of the shoot dates, tbd, this spring 2019, likely over 2 weekends in April/May. Must be available for up to 8-12 hours on your scheduled shoot date.
Claimed: 1 of 12
$200
Your Good Deed of the YEAR!
WOW. You are really special! What a good deed you have done!
To show our gratitude, we will shout out about your good deed every month for a year. AND, because we love you so much, you'll receive a "Special Thanks To..." credit in the film and on IMDB so your good deed will continue to be acknowledged in perpetuity!
Includes Art Therapy incentive benefits.
Claimed: 0 of 50
$300
Credit Where Credit is Due
Keep love alive on screen. The film will include an "In Loving Memory of..." section in our end credits. Honor someone beloved who has passed by including their name in this exclusive list. You will also receive a "Special Thanks To..." credit in the film and on IMDB.
Includes the Remember Your Loved One incentives with their name listed on our Remembrance Wall and a day dedicated to their memory on our social media.
Also includes the Art Therapy Bundle.
Claimed: 2 of 25
$400
Love Never Dies
Love lives on with an on screen remembrance. We are humbled to offer a permanent way to honor and keep alive the memory of someone special to you. This dedication will include a name and image in the "In Loving Memory of..." section in our end credits. Send us photos of your loved one and we will create a beautiful artist's rendering portrait of them to appear on screen at the end of the film.
You will also receive a "Special Thanks To..." credit in the film and on IMDB.
Includes Remember Your Loved One and Art therapy Bundle incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$500
Your Good Deed of the DECADE!
Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious! That's the only word that can describe your level of kindness!
Your goodness will be shouted about every month for a year, you'll receive an "EXTRA Special Thanks" credit in the film and on IMDB, PLUS, we'll send you the Art Therapy Bundle x 2! Because you're so generous, we know you'll want to gift Noel's art to someone you love as well! You'll receive 2 prints each of both "Don Quixote" works.
LOOK. AT. YOU!!!
Claimed: 0 of 25
$750
Associate Producer
This level of donation will go a long way to making the production a reality - which makes you a producer!
You will receive an "Associate Producer" credit in the film and on IMDB. Plus, 4 tickets to the Los Angeles premiere, also invites to exclusive events and additional screenings.
Also includes:
Art Therapy Bundle
Credit Where Credit is Due option
(NOTE: Travel/transportation/lodging for premiere and screenings not provided.)
Claimed: 0 of 6
$1,000
Organizational Partner
Are you involved with a non-profit organization working with grief counseling, grief support or mental health awareness and advocacy? We are making this film for you! It is our greatest hope that The Good Balloon will become a source of comfort, hope and light amidst the darkness for anyone who is grieving, hurting or struggling with their mental health.
Donors at this level will receive digital and DVD copies of the film as well as the exhibition rights to screen and show the film publicly for audiences at no cost.
We will also cross promote your organization and include links on our web pages.
Intended for support groups, conferences, therapy centers, educational institutions or similar.
REQUIREMENTS: Must be associated with a licensed 501(c)3 organization with a mission that supports grief management or mental health services.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$2,000
Production Partner
For non-profit organizations. Includes all the incentives of the Organizational Partner level, plus a Production Partner credit in the film and on IMDB. Film credit will include your organization's logo.
REQUIREMENTS: See Organizational Partner
Claimed: 1 of 4
$3,500
Executive Producer
YOU are making this production happen! You are an EXECUTIVE HERO!
Executive Producers receive credit in the film and on IMDB. Invitation to visit the set during shooting. Invites and tickets to the premiere and all screenings in Los Angeles (or if you are not local to L.A., any screening that happens nearest you!) Invites to all production related special events.
ALSO:
Art Therapy Bundle x 4
Option of any or all of the following:
Get In The Picture
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Love Never Dies
(NOTE: Travel/transportation/lodging to set, premiere or screenings not provided.)
Claimed: 1 of 4
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$20
Your Good Deed For The Day/Our Miracle Story
Growing up, it was a regular occurrence for Mama Lopez to enthusiatically burst through the front door, announcing, "Well, I've done my good deed for the day!" Or, "You won't believe this miracle story!" The stories often seemed to revolve around someone running out of gas. Either she had been saved from being stranded by a friend or stranger, or she had performed a random act of kindness to help out someone else in need. We kids then began to look for and report our own "Miracle Stories" and "Good Deeds for the Day." There was no reward in it, other than the warm fuzzies of knowing you had been of service or made someone else's day a little lighter or brighter. I love that I had that experience.
Now it's your turn! Make this kind donation and I will enthusiastically announce you and "Your Good Deed for the Day" from all the social media rooftops!
$30
Hope Now
Receive a digital code for an on-demand online viewing of Walking Through Grief - A Guide To The Grief Journey.
A Guide To The Grief Journey: Hosts Darcie Sims and Alan Pedersen, along with a group of contributors, share their journey toward hope. Alan is a nationally known singer, songwriter and speaker on grief and loss.
Darcie, one of the foremost authorities in the field of grief and loss, shares her wit and wisdom as well as her compassion and understanding, which come from her personal experiences and formal education. This video will inform, inspire and offer the tools to help you as you navigate your grief journey. (71 minutes.) From TheGriefToolbox.com.
Claimed: 5 of 25
$40
Your Good Deed and a Balloon!
Maybe some good deeds do deserve a reward! We will howl your social media shout out, plus, send you a custom printed (uninflated) balloon from the production. Thanks for being awesome!
Claimed: 6 of 250
$50
Give a Little, Laugh a Little
Receive a copy of Healing Improv: A Journey Through Grief to Laughter. Signed by the author, Bart Sumner. Will also receive a digital copy of The Good Balloon upon completion.
Bart and I perfomed improv comedy together for many years, before and after we were both hit by grief. He is a dear friend who has been an incredible inspiration to me for his beautifully compassionate work to help others learn to laugh again after loss.
From Amazon reviews:
"A deeply moving and tremendously comforting book."
"Wonderful and Brave"
"Best grief counseling I have ever seen."
In 2009 Bart Sumner’s life was shattered when his 10-year-old son, David, suffered a traumatic brain injury at football practice and died in his arms. Finding a way back to the road forward in a world where mourners are told “He’s in a better place” or to “Get over it” is a daunting and painful journey. He came to realize that the twenty-five plus years he spent as a performer and teacher of improvisational comedy was not only the key to his own survival, but also a powerful tool to help others mired in grief. Healing Improv: A Journey Through Grief to Laughter is an emotional and honest recounting of his family’s trek through grief to the founding of a nonprofit that provides no-cost Comedy Improv Grief Workshops for others suffering with loss. Mr. Sumner’s approach is unique in its application of improv comedy exercises to grief treatment. Healing Improv includes many of the improv games used at Healing Improv workshops so that others can also benefit from the curative, life affirming fun. Pairing these techniques with his family’s powerful and touching story of survival makes this book a strong ally to those who feel lost and alone after tragedy strikes, providing comfort and hope.
Claimed: 13 of 25
$60
Your Good Deed of the Week
Your "Good Deed of the Day" will be enthusiastically announced from all the social media rooftops. Upon completion of the final film, you will receive a private link to a digital copy for viewing in your own home and one of our custom balloons.
$70
Remember Your Loved One
The Good Balloon is all about honoring those we have lost and remembering that love never dies. Sometimes it can feel like the grief will never end, but one of the things that always helps me is to talk, share and remember.
With this donation, we will add your loved one's name and photo to our Remembrance Page on Facebook. We will dedicate a day to celebrate them and share your memories.
Includes a digital copy of The Good Balloon upon completion.
$85
Art Therapy
Noel was gifted in so many areas, at almost everything he tried. I may be biased, but I adore his artwork, particularly these two pieces from his "Don Quixote" series. Don Quixote is a fitting subject for Noel to explore and the character's struggles could be seen as a mirror for his own. It is our family's honor to share his work with you.
This donation includes a limited edition 11 x 15 print. Choose either, "Don Quixote Blue Pastel" or "Don Quixote Red & Yellow". (These titles are my designations, I wish I knew what he would have called the pieces.)
Also, receive a balloon and digital copy of the final film.
Claimed: 13 of 150
$100
Your Good Deed of the Month!
We can't believe how AMAZING you are! This good deed gets credit for a whole month's worth! You don't require any additional reward except knowing that you have done a good deed. But, we'll still shout about how awesome you are, every week for a month! (Plus, a digital copy of the film and a balloon!)
$150
Art Therapy Bundle
I know, I can't decide which Don Quixote I like better either! Why not have both?
Includes prints of both works from Noel's Don Quixote series and all additional Art Therapy incentives.
Claimed: 3 of 125
$200
Get In The Picture!
Be an extra in the film! Have you always wanted to see what it's like on a film set? Are you new to acting and looking to build up your experience? Aching to find out what's on a "craft services" table? Wanna simply spend some time with Lita, Angela and the crew? Come on down and be a background actor in the film! Will receive on-set meal and snacks, a downloadable digital copy of the final film AND an IMDB acting credit! (PRICELESS!!!)
REQUIREMENTS: must be local to Los Angeles, or willing to provide your own travel, transportation and lodging. Must be available for one of the shoot dates, tbd, this spring 2019, likely over 2 weekends in April/May. Must be available for up to 8-12 hours on your scheduled shoot date.
Claimed: 1 of 12
$200
Your Good Deed of the YEAR!
WOW. You are really special! What a good deed you have done!
To show our gratitude, we will shout out about your good deed every month for a year. AND, because we love you so much, you'll receive a "Special Thanks To..." credit in the film and on IMDB so your good deed will continue to be acknowledged in perpetuity!
Includes Art Therapy incentive benefits.
Claimed: 0 of 50
$300
Credit Where Credit is Due
Keep love alive on screen. The film will include an "In Loving Memory of..." section in our end credits. Honor someone beloved who has passed by including their name in this exclusive list. You will also receive a "Special Thanks To..." credit in the film and on IMDB.
Includes the Remember Your Loved One incentives with their name listed on our Remembrance Wall and a day dedicated to their memory on our social media.
Also includes the Art Therapy Bundle.
Claimed: 2 of 25
$400
Love Never Dies
Love lives on with an on screen remembrance. We are humbled to offer a permanent way to honor and keep alive the memory of someone special to you. This dedication will include a name and image in the "In Loving Memory of..." section in our end credits. Send us photos of your loved one and we will create a beautiful artist's rendering portrait of them to appear on screen at the end of the film.
You will also receive a "Special Thanks To..." credit in the film and on IMDB.
Includes Remember Your Loved One and Art therapy Bundle incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$500
Your Good Deed of the DECADE!
Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious! That's the only word that can describe your level of kindness!
Your goodness will be shouted about every month for a year, you'll receive an "EXTRA Special Thanks" credit in the film and on IMDB, PLUS, we'll send you the Art Therapy Bundle x 2! Because you're so generous, we know you'll want to gift Noel's art to someone you love as well! You'll receive 2 prints each of both "Don Quixote" works.
LOOK. AT. YOU!!!
Claimed: 0 of 25
$750
Associate Producer
This level of donation will go a long way to making the production a reality - which makes you a producer!
You will receive an "Associate Producer" credit in the film and on IMDB. Plus, 4 tickets to the Los Angeles premiere, also invites to exclusive events and additional screenings.
Also includes:
Art Therapy Bundle
Credit Where Credit is Due option
(NOTE: Travel/transportation/lodging for premiere and screenings not provided.)
Claimed: 0 of 6
$1,000
Organizational Partner
Are you involved with a non-profit organization working with grief counseling, grief support or mental health awareness and advocacy? We are making this film for you! It is our greatest hope that The Good Balloon will become a source of comfort, hope and light amidst the darkness for anyone who is grieving, hurting or struggling with their mental health.
Donors at this level will receive digital and DVD copies of the film as well as the exhibition rights to screen and show the film publicly for audiences at no cost.
We will also cross promote your organization and include links on our web pages.
Intended for support groups, conferences, therapy centers, educational institutions or similar.
REQUIREMENTS: Must be associated with a licensed 501(c)3 organization with a mission that supports grief management or mental health services.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$2,000
Production Partner
For non-profit organizations. Includes all the incentives of the Organizational Partner level, plus a Production Partner credit in the film and on IMDB. Film credit will include your organization's logo.
REQUIREMENTS: See Organizational Partner
Claimed: 1 of 4
$3,500
Executive Producer
YOU are making this production happen! You are an EXECUTIVE HERO!
Executive Producers receive credit in the film and on IMDB. Invitation to visit the set during shooting. Invites and tickets to the premiere and all screenings in Los Angeles (or if you are not local to L.A., any screening that happens nearest you!) Invites to all production related special events.
ALSO:
Art Therapy Bundle x 4
Option of any or all of the following:
Get In The Picture
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Love Never Dies
(NOTE: Travel/transportation/lodging to set, premiere or screenings not provided.)
Claimed: 1 of 4
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
CREATOR:Hi! I'm Lita Lopez and The Good Balloon is my TRUE story. I am the writer and lead actor.
DIRECTOR: Angela Matemotja
Angela’s directing debut was in the theatre back in 2005, when she earned an NAACP Award nomination for directing the stage play Sunshine For a Midnight Weary. Her first short film as writer/director, The Encounter, screened at over 30 international film festivals, winning the Grand Jury Award at the White Sands International Film Festival, Honorable Mention at Toronto CommFFest Global Community Film Festival and nominations for Best Short Film at SoCal Film Festival, SOHO International Film Festival and Long Island International Film Expo in New York.
Her second short, The Untimely Concurrence, won Best LGBTQ Film at Action on Film International Film Festival, San Francisco Black Film Festival, San Diego Black Film Festival, and won the Silver Screen Award for Best Short Film at the Nevada International Film Festival. In 2015 she also produced a short film entitled Shoshannah’s Skateboard, which won Best Family Film at Columbia Gorge International Film Festival, and won the Hearts. Minds and Souls Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.In addition, her screenplay Drunk Book was awarded Best Comedy Short for the written word competition at Action on Film Festival where she also received the ‘Excellence in Writing” Award, and was was also nominated at the Austin Revolution Film Festival.
Most recently her feature film Elevate received two awards of merit from the Accolade Global Film Competition, last fall Angela won the Female Pioneer Award at the 10th Annual Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival and last month was awarded Best Director at the LBGTQ Rainbow Umbrella Festival in London. She is looking forward to working with the talented Lita Lopez in bringing the story of The Good Balloon to life.We are thrilled to bring on board the following actors!
LEAD ACTOR: Eric Flores
ADDITIONAL CAST:
Danny Gonzales
John Logan
Jaret Martino
Cameren Foley
Michael Maclane
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