Santa Claus. Jolly, a little on the heavy side, affinity for milk and cookies, you can hang out with him at Target or Macy’s this time of year? You know, that guy. Well, here’s the thing – he actually doesn’t live at the North Pole, he may have another job, and there are actually hundreds of ‘em. I know. Sorry about that. That doesn’t make the idea of Santa any less magical though, and this Kickstarter aims to prove it.

Friend of Geekdelphia, former Haddon Heights mayoral candidate, and accomplished filmmaker Tommy Avallone is at it again, putting together a project that pledges to follow around five of these Santas for an entire year, chronicling what the other 364 days are like in the life of the big man in the red suit. Tommy provides a little more detail:

I Am Santa Claus is a documentary that poses a question about a ubiquitous holiday figure that few parents ever ask themselves; “Whose lap is my child sitting on?”

We plan to document an entire year in the lives of a handful of real-bearded professional Santa Clauses to find out what the rest of the year is like for a man who perpetually looks like Jolly Saint Nick. In the process, showing them for who they actually are; flawed, flesh and blood men who feel an overbearing responsibility to protect the integrity of the spotless, untarnished reputation of the “Red Suit.”

So c’mon, you know you’re curious. I mean honestly… how does one man eat all those cookies and not just go into a food coma for the rest of the year? Here’s your chance to find out and help one of our area’s coolest dudes make another great flick in the process.

The Project: I Am Santa Claus, a Documentary

Creator: Tommy Avallone

The Sweet Spot: $5 gets you another holiday card to add to the pile, but the real good stuff starts at the $50 mark. That’ll get you the card, a special thanks on the site, the official soundtrack, and a DVD copy of the film. If you really feel like spreading that Christmas cheer you can get in at the producer level for $500+.

Funding Deadline: January 19th, 2012

More Info: Check out the website or Kickstarter project page for ongoing project updates, find Tommy on Facebook, and read up on one of his previous projects, Calendar Girl, right here on Geekadelphia.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but Geekadelphia likes to get down. It ain’t  all space marines, 10 sided dice, and zombies over here. Sometimes we like to hit up Tatooed Moms in our best moustaches and throw a few back. Other times it’s watching Invincible shut it down over at Kung Fu Necktie. Good times had by all. But we’re always on the lookout for something new to check out when we have to come up from Skyrim for air. Well, I think we’ve found it… Rock and Awe.

From the Kickstarter page:

This season, Jess Conda is a resident artist at Brat Productions, a Barrymore Award winning non profit theater company that has been making cutting edge, boundary re-defining theater since 1996. As part of her residency, Jess will develop and perform as lead artist in a cabaret series that explores the intersection of rock and roll and theater.

These cabarets will involve collaborations with rock musicians and theatrical actors and directors from the Philadelphia area. Each show will have fully realized production values and will be presented as part of Brat’s 2011-2012 season. From Jess:

This series marks a major personal step forward as a lead artist on a project that I am conceiving and developing. These shows aim to find the bridge between the rock and the theater world, as well as do what Brat and I do best–create theatrical events. This residency also marks my first attempt at personal fundraising, another critical part of being an independent artist making original work. Every little bit helps make the series better, pay artists for their time, and helps me grow and define myself as an artist.

You read that right. Rock and Roll cabaret. Jess and Brat have already set up the themes for all three shows, and things are looking pretty good. Check out the list below and then head over to the Kickstarter page and show them some love. You’ve got some time to plan, so if you’re headed to any of the shows next year be sure to let us know. We’ll be there… as long as there aren’t any more Riddler trophies to find.

Rock and Awe Performance Details

Jan 19-21 ETERNAL GLAMNATION
A spectacle of glitter and pop with Brat alums appearing as their Glam Rock alter egos.  Featuring music by David Bowie, TRex, Roxy Music and more

Mar 29-31 LET’S START A WAR
A government-sponsored cocktail party where lounge music collides with punk rock and punk rock wins.  Inspired by the music of the Dead Kennedys.

June 14-16 GET BEHIND ME SATAN
A romantic fantasia set to the White Stripes’ album Get Behind Me Satan.

All shows will be at RUBA Club Studios, 414 Green St., Philadelphia, PA  Doors at 10:00, show at 10:30pm

The Project: Rock an Awe: Three Rock and Roll Cabaret Events

Creator: Jess Conda

The Sweet Spot: $25 will get you a Rock and Awe messenger bag pin and a signed show flyer designed by one of the artists working on the series. Take a look at the video above to get an idea of how sweet that is. For double that you’ll grab all of that goodness and get two tickets to the show of your choice.

Funding Deadline: December 18th, 2011

More Info: Hit the official Kickstarter page, Jess’ Facebook, or the Brat Productions website.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

You know, just because we call it a “Weekly Kickstarter” doesn’t mean we can’t mix things up from time to time. There are tons of Kickstarter-esque sites out there full of amazing, creative work. Sites like SellaBand and IndieGoGo also allow creative folks to showcase their talents and give you the chance to show your support in the best possible way – with cold, hard cash. This week, Pat Fay and the gang over at Zowee Productions gives us a glimpse at their upcoming project Anhedonia – The Most Amazing Independent Puppet Sitcom Ever. Talk about mixing things up.

Jef Connectorkit is an everyday Joe. He works for his dad, lives with his three life long best friends, and in his spare time is looking for love….it’s just that his dad is a furry blue monster billionaire who married a human woman (making Jef part human, part furry blue monster), then divorced his mother and banished her from the city he runs. Jef’s best friends are maniacal puppets with no sense of right or wrong, (or for that matter, reason), and every woman he meets doesn’t see the appeal in dating a guy who isn’t an autotrophic cyclops, talking broom, or a cloud of pure insecurity.

We’re taking inspiration from PeeWees Playhouse to 70s Punk Rock to the Muppet Show to French New Wave to anywhere where the craft and dedication to the production is just as important as the finished product. We’re building the puppets, writing and recording the music, creating the sets, and making miniatures for all the exterior shots from found objects. Our goal is to make a truly unique show with a protagonist just trying to do the right thing in an exaggerated version of our world.

Zowee Productions is a loving group of artists, musicians, actors, writers and directors working to make fun, unique products.

You may recognize the Zowee folks from their show with State Radio earlier this month at Union Transfer, but the Anhedonia project is sure to be unique. Funding closes soon, so don’t hesitate.

The Project: Anhedonia – The Most Amazing Independent Puppet Sitcom Ever

Creator: Zowee Productions

The Sweet Spot: $50 will get you a a sweet package known as the Fist Bump + Blow Up: a thank you credit in the first episode, a sticker, Zowee’s rock album, an autographed poster, and a DVD of the first episode. The $350 package (the Shimmy Shimmy Coco Puff) gets you all of that plus a tshirt, a puppet of one of the characters, a custom signed sketch, and a pair of non-descript white socks. You know you want it.

Funding Deadline: December 2nd, 2011

More Info: In addition to the main IndieGoGo page you can also find Zowee on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as their own site.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter (or IndieGOGO!) created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

So, it’s nearly the holidays. Everyone is a little bit more cheery, everything is just a touch more festive. But let’s be honest, pretty soon you’re gonna be sick of all that. There are only so many sickly-sweet Gap commercials and gift swaps you can take before you snap, right? Right.

Because we here at Geekadelphia want you to be happy, and because we’re gonna be giving you plenty of our own brand of geeky holiday goodness soon enough, this week’s featured Kickstarter is here to help you stave off the inevitable as long as possible. Today, a bit of horror:

This is not your average student film. This is something much more.

Brian and Jane are a couple who have hit a rocky patch in their relationship, and must decide whether it’s worth it to continue. In an effort to bring them closer and give them some time alone together, Brian finds an isolated house that needs watching for 3 days. However, as the days progress, Brian and Jane realize that the house and its owners are more than meets the eye.

Feel proud to be a part of something that pushes the talents of a group of young people to create a piece of exceptional work, from the brilliant minds at the University of the Arts.

Before you go sucking down another venti half-caff peppermint latte or braving the crowds for a copy of Skyrim at the Gallery, take a minute to support U Arts student Isaac Ruth and his team. Oh, and be sure to watch the promo video; you’re in for a treat.

The Project: The Whispers in the Walls, a short film

Creator: Isaac Ruth

The Sweet Spot: $30 will get you a downloadable copy of the film, but for a mere $800  you can get your own special video of Isaac giving his cat Crappy a bath. If that’s your thing.

Funding Deadline: December 20th, 2011

More Info: Check out the main Kickstarter page for more details and find Isaac on Facebook.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d  like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

Halloween may be over, but the zombie zeitgeist shambles on. Games, TV shows, comics… they’re still just about everywhere. I’ll say this, they’re a versatile bunch of baddies. One thing I think we too often overlook is what we can learn from the impending z-pocalypse, and what the shambling horde can teach us in general.

You know, things like teamwork. Wilderness survival skills. Disaster preparedness. And, um… love of books? Well,  if Chris Conduit has his way, at least. Chris is hoping to create a series that appeals to younger kids, still has a bit of the campy  creepiness we all love, and at the same time instills a real love of  good, old fashioned paper bound books. An explanation of the plot of the first story from Chris himself:

As Zombies Ate My Homework: A Jasper Trout Adventure opens, we are immediately introduced to Jasper:  an 8 year old boy who lives a seemingly normal life in small town America. Jasper enjoys watching scary movies, reading comic books, and using his considerable imagination. He however, does not particularly enjoy school; mostly due to his rocky relationship with his homeroom teacher:  Ms. Pottyworth. She is a woman who seems to spend all her time directing her anger at her students, particularly Jasper.

From the moment Jasper wakes up on this October morning, things just aren’t right. Not only does he find that his parents are missing, but there is a less than welcomed guest in his kitchen: a hideously hungry ghoul rummaging through his backpack. Our hero runs out of his house and makes his way frantically to Beedlebop Elementary, not knowing the type of day that lies ahead of him.

As the zombie invasion envelopes Jasper’s school, his classmates, and the town of Beedlebop; everyone’s courage is tested. However, it is young Jasper who truly rises to the challenge and rallies the rest of the children in an attempt to stop the attack. Finding strength and confidence he never knew existed within himself, and friends in unlikely places, Jasper uses his creativity and cunning to outwit and outsmart the monsters and restore peace to his town.

Blending together action, adventure, the power of teamwork, age appropriate humor, and eye-popping illustrations: “The Jasper Trout Adventures” is intended to be a source of enjoyment for all those who read it.

The art style for the books is really great, and Chris’ passion for the story really shines through. The project is well on its way to being funded, but why not support a local author, and zombie education (and love of literacy) for young geeks everywhere.

The Project: Zombies Ate My Homework, A Jasper Trout Adventure

Creator: The Conduit

The Sweet Spot: $20 will get a signed copy of the self-published book, as well as a Jasper print. There are a handful of high-end rewards ($100) still available as well, which gets you 2 signed books, a Special Thanks in the book, 1 of 10 hand drawn, 5×7 Jasper sketches from artist Brandon Wilt, and a character named after you or your child In the next book: The Beast of Beedlebop Bay.

Funding Deadline: December 2nd, 2011

More Info: Check out the main Kickstarter page for more details on the story, or the The Conduit’s main website.

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Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

Blending history and science fiction is well-worn territory, and when it’s done well it can make for some of the most enjoyable and interesting stories around. Alternate history tales have even been spotlighted here in our weekly Kickstarter column before. But what happens when you turn the formula on its head a bit and drop a mysterious main character into a vast city, give him a weird quest, a completely anachronistic appearance, and a toy robot that can control minds? John Gelety explains, sorta:

Rockefeller is a short historical science fiction film about a strange, stoic man wandering through a city collecting different items that, on the surface, have no real connection to each other: A quart of motor oil, a sneaker, a train schedule, pieces of glass… Over time we come to learn what these items are for, who he is working for and why he seems compelled by an old picture he carries.

Rockefeller is a highly collaborative piece bringing together talented prop makers, costumers, cinematographers and actors [...] inspired by the broad world of alternate histories – a pedigree of divergent timeline stories like The Difference Engine by William Gibson & Bruce Sterling, the way Christopher Nolan used Nikola Tesla in the world of magic in The Prestige, and Seth Grahame-Smith’s the use of the eponymous traits of Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.

Even cooler, you can begin to unravel the mystery of the Man by exploring the official website and interacting with the team on Twitter and Facebook. Diligent fans will uncover hints about the items the Man is collecting and the motivations of his employer. The team is even creating additional viral videos to complement the main film to flesh out backstory and maybe raise a few new questions.

The Project: Rockefeller, a short film

Creator: John P. Gelety

The Sweet Spot: Every donation level has some pretty sweet swag from the movie itself. $15 gets you a copy of the script signed by the creators and members of the cast and crew, and at the top end $250 or more gets you a trip to the set, a copy of the movie and a whole bunch of other goodness. There are only two more rewards available in the $250 bracket, so if you’re a big fan you may want to think about locking in your support early.

Funding Deadline: December 9th, 2011

More Info: You can hit the Kickstarter page for more updates on the project, and check out the main site or any of the official social media channels to get involved and start learning the secrets of Rockefeller right away.

Rockefeller on Twitter
Rockefeller on Facebook

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

What would you do with eleven million dollars? Fund development of a TARDIS? Become Master Chief? Bankroll the world’s greatest (not a) cheesesteak blog? Plenty of options, right? Well this week’s featured Kickstarter aims to answer just that question and um, they probably have a much more noble plan than I could come up with, even if they insist on being a bit cryptic about it. Watch the intro video to see what I mean. In an interesting twist, they’re looking for some backer participation as well. Make sure to let the team know what you would do with the scratch.

What would you do with eleven million dollars?

No, really. What would you do?

The characters in our upcoming ensemble feature film “The Property” know how they would spend their eleven million, but how would you?

Our name is about storytelling. And we’re storytellers. We’re a lot of other things, a lot of other disciplines, but more than anything, we love to tell people stories.

“What Had Happened Was” is about that joy, that basic human high that comes from a story well told. It’s the build-up, the tension, the expectation that comes from being in the hands of a capable, gifted storyteller. It’s our once upon a time. What had happened was.

The team is coming up to the finish line on this one, but this is your chance to get involved with the project in a pretty unique way. Show them some support, and be on the lookout for exclusive content for backers on the project page.

The Project: The Property, a feature film

Creators: What Had Happened Was Productions – Christian Armstrong, Dee Donaghy, Scott Hudson, Jamie Rubin

The Sweet Spot: A paltry $5 will get you a handwritten thank you from the team and a free download of an exclusive track from the original score by Christian’s band Pilot’s Wish. For $15 you can toss a downloadable copy of the full film in there too.

Funding Deadline: December 4th, 2011

More Info: Check out the Facebook page, and see more about Christians music on the band’s page. WHHW has a website as well. Of course, you can always get more details on the official Kickstarter page.

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Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

You can find geeks at the heart of creating just about everything. Code jockeys churning out the biggest games. Masters of the silver screen creating the latest cinematic masterpiece. Authors crafting entire worlds. At our core, it’s what we all do. We create, even if only in our own minds.

Some creations require a bit more equipment than others though. For those projects, the Philadelphia area needs a space where creators and artists can gather, work, and innovate in a safe, affordable place. The Philadelphia Sculpture Gym is that place. As you might expect, getting the best equipment to make that dream a reality isn’t necessarily the cheapest endeavor. Darla Jackson, one of the Gym’s founders, explains:

Our vision is to create a space for sculptors and craftspeople to make their work safely and affordably, while also building a strong community of artists versed in different processes and talents. We want to use the space to build a network of artists that are able to support, inspire and learn from one another. We also hope that the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym will allow artists to create work that would have otherwise been impossible, had they not had access to our facility.

This access will allow artists to think and create bigger than they had previously been able to (Yay!) The more artists that come to rely on the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym will also allow us to grow and expand, adding additional processes and upgrading equipment and materials. But since we are just starting out, we turned to Kickstarter for help getting two of the most important pieces of equipment needed to get our shops started: A Saw Stop brand table saw (the safest around!) and a Millermatic 350P MIG welder.

The Philadelphia Sculpture Gym was born from the idea of how much work it takes to gather all the big expensive equipment sometimes needed to make art. We have both been gathering said equipment since graduating from art school and have been continually looking for the perfect space to house it all and create our art in. We wondered what would have happened if we’d had access to a fully functioning space since graduating. Darla proposed the idea of the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym in response to the Knight Arts Challenge, for which she was one of 36 winners. We are currently in the process of looking for a location in which to house the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym and are creating a series of events leading up to the opening of the space in early 2012.

All artists need tools. Lend your support to a deserving cause and the entire city will reap the rewards. Geeks are all creators at heart; why not help share that gift with others?

The Project: The Philadelphia Sculpture Gym

Creator: Darla Jackson

The Sweet Spot: There are plenty of great rewards for this project, including what basically amounts to a “sculpture of the quarter” club at the $2,000 level for serious patrons, but honestly, $20 will get you all the joy your heart can handle in the form of a custom beatboxing music video from this incredibly talented little lady. Honestly, is your heart made of stone?

Funding Deadline: October 19th, 2011

More Info: Besides the main Kickstarter project page, you can find tons more info at the personal sites of the founders and the main Philadlephia Sculpture Gym websites:

• philadelphiasculpturegym.com
• darlajacksonsculpture.com
• justingrantsculpture.com
• philadelphiasculpturegym.blogspot.com

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

Ok, so you know that game Apples to Apples? It’s a riot, right? You get together with some friends, some funny scenarios get played out, and good times are had by all. Well, what if instead of just turning out a statement like “Nic Cage eats a pie” each round you end up with something more like “Beethoven and Joan of Ark Land an Airplane with a Dead Pilot”? Yeah. Enter Famous Missions creator Jason Tagmire:

FAMOUS MISSIONS is a multiplayer card game for 2-6 players. Suggested for ages 13 and up. Gameplay lasts 15-30 minutes. The game consists of 108 cards.

Do you remember when Gene Simmons, Mr. T, and Albert Einstein banded together to disarm that bomb?

That would have been awesome if it really happened.

In FAMOUS MISSIONS you can make it happen! Instead you might choose Mother Teresa, Hulk Hogan and Steve Irwin. Or Donald Trump, Joan of Arc and Danny DeVito. Choose whoever you want, and defend your choice.

The money is 100% being used for the production of this game. I’m going to order a run of the games in high quality printed two-piece boxes. As you know, it’s extremely expensive and basically impossible for one person to cover. At least it is for me… someone with a normal job, normal bills, a not so normal 3 year old daughter and 1 year old twins. If I were to try this on my own, I’d have to take out a loan or put it on credit cards and pay for it for the rest of my life. I can’t afford do that. With the help of everyone on Kickstarter, we can release this game!! And afterwards, we can work on more games! Famous Missions is also very easily expandable, so I can continue making additional cards and we can be friends forever!

You hear that? Friends forever. You aren’t just getting an awesome party game, you’re getting a friend for life. That’s serious business. Oh, and make sure you stay after the credits of that video right up there for a special cameo and some sweet Chuck Norris action.

The Project: Famous Missions: A Fast and Fun Creative Multiplayer Card Game

Creator: Jason Tagmire

The Sweet Spot: There are no less than ten $35 packages to choose from, all of which get you full copy of the game and a sweet, sweet mask of the character of your choice. I’m a Burt Reynolds man, myself. Retailers interested in carrying the finished game have the option of picking up packs of 10 or 24 copies for resale as well.

Funding Deadline: October 25th, 2011

More Info: Check out the full project page and keep an eye out for periodic updates that will preview all of the cards over the course of the funding campaign. You can also check out updates on some of Jason’s other projects at his main site, Championland.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say multimedia opera? Yeah, didn’t think so. Well, let me let Michael McDermott broaden your horizons…

Pangaea: When The Continents Were One is a multi-media opera presented by Philadelphia based label and music collective, earSnake. The music and story for the opera were written by composer and sound artist Mike McDermott (Mikronesia) over the past 15 years.

Pangaea: When The Continents Were One will be premiered on November 11, 2011 (11/11/11) at The Rotunda in Philadelphia, PA. The multi-media opera will be presented by a 17 piece ensemble of strings, horns, flute, percussion, piano, electronics, guitars and voice. Sets, costumes, life sized puppets and masks are being designed by Liza Goodell of Spiral Q Puppet Theater and Tigre Bailando. In addition to the ensemble of musicians, singers and human puppets, Nico Dominguez (of Klip Collective) will be presenting images from the story that will be digitally projected and manipulated on stage. Pangaea’s mix of world, chamber, electronic and rock music plus the blend of real life and digital visuals will make this premiere a truly modern spectacle of sight and sound.

So.

A quick rundown: Huge musical ensemble? Check. Digital imagery? Check. Giant man-sized puppets? Check, check, and check. There’s even a pretty legit sounding story tying all of this awesome together. What are you still doing here? Go and donate your money so that we may better understand the plight of our progenitors though the lens of modern theatre. If nothing else, be sure you check out the opening Friday November 11th, 2011 at the Rotunda on the UPenn campus.

The Project: Pangaea: When the Continents Were One

Creator: Michael McDermott

The Sweet Spot: You can get a digital download of the opera and the satisfaction of knowing you supported something really amazing for only $10. Even better, for $50 you’re getting that same fuzzy feeling AND a deluxe edition of the Pangaea studio recording. This deluxe edition comes with a 60 page book that contains the epic poem of the Pangaea saga, notes for the recording, drawings and maps from the opera and of course the CD of the entire studio version of the opera, plus a signed Pangaea poster. So, a lot.

Funding Deadline: October 11th, 2011

More Info: There’s no shortage of info on this production. Check out the main Kickstarter page, Michael’s personal site, the official Pangaea site, and earSnake’s spot as well.

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Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by local Philadelphians. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

Zombies, you guys. They’re kind of a big deal these days. The Walking Dead. Dead Island. Humans vs Zombies. That one Cranberries song. Everywhere you look, there are zombies. but did you know that there are real live zombie hunters? No really – you can see a teaser trailer right here.

Ok, so maybe its more of a mockumentary. Point is, people take this whole zombie thing preeeetty seriously. What with Halloween coming up and all, you can expect to see more and more zombie stuff invading pretty much every type of geekdom. Why not get a head start showing your love of all things zombie and help Larry DeGala and his team do some serious green screen work for their next project? Enter Larry:

It’s a grand experience of a lifetime! The dead will come back to life with the magic of green screen and special effects makeup. Two local Pennsylvania talents, Delia de Cock of New Hope, PA, and Larry DeGala of Exton, PA, have teamed up to make this event happen.

Contagion is an annual event where 150 real-life zombie hunters gather together in the sleepy Amish town known as New Holland. The zombie hunters test their skills at axe throwing, house-to-house fighting, and long range engagement. All this to prepare for the much anticipated “Zombie Apocalypse.” Everything in the zombie hunter’s arsenal is real. Obviously, live extras must play the Undead forces. And to keep everyone safe, zombies will be green-screened into the action. Delia de Cock will have professional footage to show to Hollywood clientele and at industry exhibitions how her SFX makeup look on green screen / CGI.

Zombies, you guys. Bad news. Help a brother help a zombie hunter out, won’t you?

The Project: The Great Philly Zombie Green Screen Bloc Party

Creators: Larry DeGala and Delia de Cock

The Sweet Spot: $20 will net you a “thank you” on the official website and a pre-sale copy of the completed mockumentary. It’ll also buy you some time when the inevitable zombie apocalypse hits since you’ll be able to bone up on your zombie-hunting skills with some help from the experts.

Funding Deadline: October 1st, 2011

More Info: Check out the original on Amazon Instant Video and hit up the official Kickstarter page for all the info on the creator.

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Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by local Philadelphians. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

A quick pass through Kickstarter will return any number of movie projects. We’ve featured some great ones right here on Geekadelphia. One thing you don’t see a ton of? Special effects and CG. The folks behind ARELLA are stepping in to fill that gap, creating a 5-7 minute sci-fi/fantasy film with some serious production value. ARELLA will feature an original score, CG, and a real sword created by the film’s art director. That’s serious commitment.

Although the team wants to keep the details of the plot under wraps to avoid spoilers, here’s what they’re willing to share:

Martin Neumann is concerned when he notices that his apartment is being watched by a tall powerfully built figure. In a bout of curiosity he tracks the figure into an alleyway and discovers not only that the strange man has special qualities but that the stranger’s interest in him may be due to his best friend Susan Beckford. For unknown to her she possess a hidden power that may be the key to humanity’s salvation.

Arella is a live action fantasy short film, written and directed by Chuks Oyem and produced by Chidi Ozieh. We have assembled a team of young, independent film making talent from Philadelphia and New York, to create the ultimate short film, portraying a city under siege from a Hollywood-scale biblical disaster. We are aiming to make a concise and energetic short film with an emphasis on intriguing storytelling.

The group is getting close to their funding goal; be sure to check out the video for a look at some of their previous work and some more hints about the film. Did I mention that the art director is a sword maker?

The Project: ARELLA

Creators: Chuks Oyem and Chidi Ozieh

The Sweet Spot: You can get a digital copy of the film and a “Thanks” credit by pledging as little as $1, and for only $20 you can get a hard copy DVD as well as a making of featurette.

Funding Deadline: September 22nd, 2011

More Info: Check out Rubic House’s other projects on their website, and get all the details on ARELLA itself straight from Kickstarter.

Every Monday (or Tuesday!) Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by local Philadelphians. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com