Accused Needs Your Help!
Accused is at a very fragile stage: research and development. We feel there is a crucial need for a debate on protecting our legal framework and our civil liberties. We believe passionately in our project and our need to bring this discussion to the general public.
Our fundraising goal of $32,860—while only 5% of our total production budget—is the most crucial stage of fundraising for our project. This 5% achieves many important aspects of Accused which will carry the project through the remaining 95% of the film's needs.
Research & Development:
Our 5% goal fully funds research and development. Being funded here is crucial as this is the stage where the scope of the project is defined, the shooting script is written, events and interviewees are identified and the creative and production team is brought into the project. The topic of falsely accused, of legal reform and of politics is one that cannot be taken lightly or fall short of a well-rounded and researched perspective. The overall success of any documentary rests with the quality of work performed during research and development and can impact the overall life and success of the film after it has been completed. We are seeking to make a film that will reach as many people as possible: theatrically, via broadcast and video-on-demand. Simply completing a documentary film isn't the end-goal for us, we cannot stimulate public debate if nobody sees our film.
Momentum:
5% budget allows us to fully commit to the project from the onset, to ensure that the documentary is developed to its fullest ability and allows us to focus on where the remaining 95% of the film's budget will come from. It is near impossible to get a documentary film of such a scope off the ground when we cannot dedicate 100% of our time and efforts towards making the project happen. Being able to focus solely on the project will allow us to pave the way for future stages of the production, establish future support and funding opportunities and put into place the resources that will be needed to see the film through to completion.
Foundation Grants:
Having a base of support in place is crucial to winning grants: it shows grantmakers that they are backing projects that have the proper momentum to succeed. Until we reach a base of support, Fractured Atlas, our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor will not allow us to make grant applications using their tax-exempt status—a status which is required by most grantmakers. We cannot make this film without grants!
Accused is a lofty undertaking. We seek to make a documentary film which fairly and accurately covers the issues surrounding a faulty legal system. We seek to make a documentary that achieves the threshold of quality and production values needed for theatrical distribution and television and cable broadcast. Nobody wants to watch a poorly made documentary, no matter the importance of the topic. As filmmakers we are devoted to the needs of the audience in delivering a film which is engaging, researched, well presented and of a quality which does not hinder any aspect of the film's delivery.
You don’t have to be rich to help!
- If only 3% of the people of Los Angeles County donated $1.00 we would be fully funded.
- If only 6% of the people in 10 cities with a population of a million people donated $1.00, we would be fully funded.
- If only 30 people at 5,000 Starbucks donated the cost of a latte, we would be fully funded.
- If one out of every 57 people who rode public transportation last Monday donated the equivelant of their bus fare, we would be fully funded.
- If the value of one out of every 1,334 cans of soda drank today was donated, we would be fully funded.
- If one out of every 390 free adults aged 18 and over donated one cent, we would be fully funded.
Please help us reach our goals: first up, research and development goal of $32,860. Please donate $1.00, $15.00, $50.00. Everything helps!
How To Donate:
There are many easy ways you can donate and depend on the size of the donation you wish to make and whether or not you wish your donation to be tax-deductible.
Online Donations:
- Tax-deductible donations through Fractured Atlas
Donations By Mail:
Please make checks payable to "Fractured Atlas" and write "The Films of Austen Hoogen" in the memo line. Donations by mail first need to be processed by us and then we will send the checks on to Fractured Atlas. We will then mail you a receipt of your tax-deductible donation for your records.
You can send donations by check to:
Austen Hoogen
14842 Gilmore St. #4
Van Nuys, CA 91411
Donations $1,000 or more:
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation of $1,000 or more, please download and fill out our Major Gift Letter and include it with your check.
Non-Cash Donation of Goods:
We are able to receive donations of goods and can offer a tax-deduction for donations of goods! Before making your donation, contact us at austen@accusedmovie.com to see if your donation is acceptable. We cannot accept used-cars or airline tickets or airline miles.
You can download our Non Cash Donation Letter and fill it out prior to making your donation.

