Deadline.com has an exclusive article on a documentary about Andy Whitfield and funding for the doco:
Documentary About Andy Whitfield?s Final Days Reaches Out To Fans For Funding
Deadline.com 8 June 2012
When Spartacus star Andy Whitfield was battling cancer in the last months of his life, he had a camera crew with him every step of the way. The result is Be Here Now, a feature-length documentary project about the late actor, which is launching a campaign to raise money for its completion.
FROM THE KICKSTARTER SITE:
“Be Here Now” is an inspiring feature documentary and love story, about the overnight sensation, actor and international sex symbol Andy Whitfield, who put the same determination and dedication that he brought to his lead role in the hit television show, “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” into fighting life threatening cancer.
This is Andy's story, but it also about having the courage to make your dreams come true, tackling your fears and living in the present, despite the potential outcome. This film is for anyone who has ever faced a challenge in their lives.
Andy Whitfield, in the prime of his life, had just realized his dream of becoming an international star, when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Before now, he and his eloquent and charismatic wife, Vashti, had combined their will power to make every success in their lives happen, including Andy’s transformation from an engineer into an actor and sex symbol. Overwhelmed when they heard that the best medical treatment the world had to offer would only give him a 25% chance for survival, they set their sites on beating cancer by making a promise in matching “Be Here Now” tattoos, to take Andy’s healing into their own hands and live life in the present, not in the shadows, every step of the way.
Not knowing what would happen, Andy invited a camera to follow him throughout his journey as he explores both medical and alternative healing option in Australia, New Zealand and India. This unprecedented access and his openness and honesty gives the audience an intimate look into his personal life, that is rarely shared, especially by a celebrity. It was Andy’s hope that by opening his story up to a documentary, he might help or inspire others facing similar challenges, while pushing to accelerate the pace of cancer research around the world.
What he did not anticipate was that the story would also capture his, and his family’s, determination, love, infectious humor and self-affirming attitudes. And, as everyone goes through their own transformations over the course of the film, “Be Here Now” transcends the subject of cancer and becomes a universal life-lesson about living fearlessly, going for your dreams, embracing each moment and living in the present – despite the potential outcome.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You may now get involved in the making of this inspiring documentary. Led by the Academy Award® Nominated and multiple award winning filmmaker, Lilibet Foster, a camera followed Andy and his family’s unfolding story, for over a year. Andy also filmed personal diaries and took photographs throughout his journey. Together with the support of Sam Maydew, producer, Andy’s manager and principal of talent management and production company, The Collective, who brought everyone together, we have been able to get the documentary to this point.
We now need your help to finish it. The money we raise on Kickstarter will fund the additional filming and editing needed to finish the film. For your contributions, you will not only be rewarded with amazing, limited edition and collector's item gifts, but you will be helping to make Andy’s wish come true – to help or inspire others – because we plan to distribute the completed film as widely as possible internationally.
Andy gave selflessly by letting a camera follow his personal journey, so let's give back by helping fulfill the legacy the wanted to leave behind.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T REACH OUR GOAL
Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. The way it works is that we have to meet our funding goal before the campaign expires – or we don’t get anything.
We can only finish this documentary with your help. You are as much a part of its creation as we are. The more people who participate, the more ability we will have to get Andy’s story out to as many people as possible.
So, help by donating and spreading the word to others. Share this link,“Like” us on Facebook, Twitter it, email this Kickstarter link to your friends, family, supporters, co-workers, fellow fans and anyone else.
Feel free to email Lilibet to ask us questions, get more information, and become involved in the making of Be Here Now on our beherenowfilm.com website: lilibet@beherenowfilm.com