The Hope Equation
After crash landing on an uninhabitable planet, an individualistic space explorer and a gifted astronaut face the misery of deprivation on a lifeless planet while calculating a way to escape before their resources run out.
The Producers
Gabriel Kawamura
Writer/Director/Produced By
Gabriel Kawamura (21) is a writer/director from Colorado and is currently a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder. His latest short film, The Yearbook, has gone to film festivals around the US, including his first world premiere outside Colorado. Gabriel had his first film air on TV at age 15 and later had a documentary air on a public news channel. Aside from cinema, Gabriel likes to travel and learn about the world, enjoy the outdoors, roll up his sleeves, and learn from the movies he watches.
Sarah Cole
Producer
Sarah Cole is the Assistant to the Executive at ReKon Productions in Los Angeles. She has successfully produced over a dozen feature length and short subject films, many of which were award-winners, and has extensive experience in production planning, project development, and on-site logistics. Sarah has worked with Gabriel as a producer on numerous short films in the past and has developed a strong rapport with him that bolsters all phases of production.
Dexter Johnson
Producer
Dexter Johnson (21) is a Seattle born-and-raised arts enthusiast. What started as a career as an actor in professional theatre, turned into an absolute adoration of film and cinema. He currently works as a manager at a Starbucks store, but with his little free time he likes to talk about Star Wars, write music, and compete in 10Ks. His favorite memory is being in the movie theatre for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones when Yoda finally revealed his green lightsaber, and the audience erupted in applause.
Cast
Maetrix Fitten
Maetrix Fitten is a SAG-AFTRA actor based out of L.A. who worked with Gabriel in the past. He has won numerous “Best Actor” awards for his performances and played roles in productions such as Hancock, For All Mankind, and Alias. He has an endless passion for space exploration and the institutions that are shaping its future. He has a strong vision for the film and worked on the development and pre-production of the film.
--Written by Gabriel Kawamura
Colton Grey Soper
Colton Grey Soper is an actor based out of L.A. He worked with Gabriel most recently taking on the lead role in The Yearbook, a psychological drama. Colton works as an actor, model, and motivational figure and is passionate about fostering inspiration and reflection in others. He’s a thoughtful actor who looks deeply into his characters and fully commits to them. Colton never fails to impress on set and on screen.
--Written by Gabriel Kawamura
Characters
Solomon
Solomon’s heart belongs to the stars; he was born to explore space (figuratively). He has been the first to set foot on countless new worlds in our galaxy, partly due to the fact that he never ignores his instincts. He’s a well seasoned researcher and astrophysicist and he seeks adventures in solitude.
Atticus
Atticus is a young and very gifted astronaut at NASA. He’s hardy yet refined, has strong emotional intelligence, and plans every decision to lead his crew on the right path. He has been collecting data on a handful of planets with his crew for years, but never forgets about his home back on Earth.
Why This Film?
Space exploration is important for countless reasons. Learning about science in the universe will help us better understand our home here on Earth. Appreciating space will help humanity realize that life and knowledge is a very precious thing and we need to protect it with everything we have. The International Space Station functions as a shared international laboratory for research across the board, and is a shining example that countries can join as one connected community. Shared goals with countries around the world will bring humanity together to solve some of the world’s most persistent issues so we can ascend as one unified species for the first time in human history. Technology developed for space missions circles back to improve our lives down on Earth. We're reminded of it every day with solar panels, GPS, and weather & atmospheric radar, to name a few. Medical research conducted in space bringing the greatest minds from around the world together can lead to breakthroughs that make disease a trivial vestige of the past.
The theme for my film is pushing the human spirit to the ultimate test. Physical, mental, and emotional strength is torn down, reducing my characters to almost nothing. At that critical moment, one can surrender or, though it’s harder, give it their last to do something remarkable. My characters are cornered by this decision and they come out stronger. Ang Lee explores the same theme in his film, Life of Pi, which is about a person surviving on scraps in a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean.
My film is based in realism, so most of the elements in it are valid representations of a possible future. It’s theoretical structure is based on the astrophysics and space exploration courses I took at CU Boulder's consistently top ranked Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences where I learned about modern space travel, spacecraft, and physics in space.
Crowdfunding
You will be able to participate in the funding and production of The Hope Equation soon. Check out my KICKSTARTER campaign video below.
I would fund this production on my own if I was able and hope that those who believe in this film might help in any way they can. Thank you for your support!
These areas are where the budget will go towards:
Production:
Compensation
Transportation
Meals
Lodging
Props
Costumes
Ship and escape pod
Equipment rentals
Distribution:
Film festivals (Sundance, Fantastic Fest, Berlin Sci-Fi, etc.)
Space exploration organizations
Marketing
Promotions
Concept Art
This is a sample of artwork seen in The Hope Equation's LOOKBOOK.
