Welcome!

I’m Brad Uyeda, the writer and director of my animated feature film, Purple Heart for Effect.

I am also a full-time animation director and a claymation fiend living in Phoenix, AZ with my beautiful wife and daughters. I graduated from the traditional animation program at San Francisco State University in 2005, and worked on various series, and commercials as both a freelancer and full-time staff member at a few studios while living in CA several years ago.

“I am very passionate about what I do, and work tirelessly to better myself as an animator and film maker, and strive to make sure that shows through in my work.”

-Brad Uyeda

As a freelancer I am not bound to just one job assignment. Often I end up doing the task of every position from set design, storyboard, sound design, editing, directing, etc… It has taught me everyones job and made it easier to communicate with artists I am able to bring into a project. I have learned how valuable pre-planning and multitasking is. With each new project I have learned something new and I believe that you have to learn something every time for that project to be meaningful. The work I have done in the past has given me a sense of artistic direction and my families past has given me a voice.

Artist, Father, Grandfather...a Soldier.

Stripped from his freedom in 1944, Mas, a Japanese American enlists in a segregated unit of the U.S. army to prove his allegiance to his country during world war 2 and in the process heroically saving a lost battalion in the mountains of France. Like so many who fought and survived in WW2 they really didn’t talk about their experiences. Wounded in battle and lost some portion of his thigh my grandfather never talked about any of the wartime. Only in recent years did my generation step up and start asking those who are alive their stories. After researching and talking with my family and those who remember I pieced together my family story.

Stories Worth Telling

As I began to think about this I realized that my children will never know who these family members are other than the photographs on the wall. I want my family and every extension of it to know the history behind the name and names we’ve given our offspring. So when covid happened I decided to spend the time locked down to write the story. I knew a long time ago that I was going to tell it I just wasn’t sure when that it would be. The power of film can entertain, educate and bring forth important social issues. As a Japanese American who’s grandparents were forced out their homes, their businesses and their farms and relocated to camps for years because of racial fear and the current state of our country we needs stories like this at the forefront of our culture.

This Film is Fresh, Original, and Historic

The film is centered on my grandfather Mas, who is in a prison camp in the desert of Arizona during World War 2. The United States did not trust ANYONE of Japanese decent and moved everyone of them to prison camps. From there President Roosevelt offers them the opportunity to prove their allegiance to the US by serving in a segregated military unit designated the 442nd and joining the war in Europe.

 

In October of 1944 on the French-German border a US battalion from Texas is cut off and surrounded in the mountains by German troops. Mas and his unit, the 442nd are sent into the mountains to break through the German line and rescue the “Lost Battalion”.  The weather conditions are worsening, supply drops are failing and men are dying all around.The final order to charge up the mountain is given and almost the entire unit is killed or wounded. Those that are able break through the German line and get to what is left of the Texans who have been pinned against a ridge.

Watch the proof of concept here:

The power of Film

I hope I can educate the newer generations who have absolutely no idea what happened to the Japanese Americans during world war two. Perhaps this film will spark another film and another film until we have curated a collection of films solely on the subject. When I was writing the script I watched as many films on the subject as I could find and I’ll tell you there is not not many. It saddened me for a time that I was only able to find a handful of films either on the Japanese American treatment during the war or a war film. The goal for me is to inspire and motivate more creatives to join me in bringing their stories in front of the masses.

Animation is the Way

Typically my go-to is stop-motion animation but for this I felt it needed to feel more rough around the edges and yet beautiful. I watched a lot of foreign animation from all over the world that animated adult themes and told intense dramatic stories. Typically here in the U.S. animation is associated with children's programming. Very rarely do we see animated films geared towards adults. Now that being said there is a shift happening in films and television where animated content is being created for adults. So I am hoping that this film will eventually join in that renaissance. I landed on a Japanese film “Princess Kaguya” and a Disney short “John Henry” both left the rough pencil drawing of the animators to give the characters life. They also created backgrounds that matched beautifully in their simplicity to the film.

Timing

I and my team of artists are chomping at the bit to get into pre-production and start animating this picture with a running time of 72 minutes for a finished film.

We are targeting global distribution for this film, including domestic and international theatrical release, video-on-demand/streaming on top tier platforms and throughout airlines.

What We Need

Your help is needed now to get this film started. I'm asking for $20,000 to create a 20 minute proof of concept, and every dollar will have its purpose. The proof of concept is essential to brining investors on board.The money will be specifically dedicated to this film only; none of it will fund my morning coffee. The completion of this project is my sole objective, and whatever you can give will be appreciatively used to breathe life into that ambition. 

Also, I'm especially pleased to announce that we have received fiscal sponsorship with From The Heart Productions LLC, our partner whose 501(c)(3) status will provide all donors with a tax deduction for their gifts.

What You Get

We would like to create some joy and connection with you with some goodies, as our way of saying "THANK YOU." Check out our perks below that we give you when you join our global team of supporters!

Perks include digital access to the film, a credit in the film, VIP invite to the film's premiere, signed copy of the poster, script access, producer credit, and more!

Please share this campaign and film project with your friends, families, and social media!

Impact

Every dollar you give makes a difference. Whether or gift is $25 or $25,000 or more, your support will go a long way in making a positive difference in our world. While the dollars you contribute are a vital component of our production, the energy and enthusiasm you infuse into this important project will expand the potential for Purple Heart for Effect to positively benefit our children, families, and our Nation. Because the elements of art profoundly affects everyone, this film will touch the lives of everyone who experiences it.

We believe in 100% transparency, and will keep you updated as to the funds we have raised and exactly where those monies were spent producing the rest of the film.

Risks & Challenges

Making a film is by its nature an incredibly complex and challenging endeavor. But this isn't my first outing; I've been in and around the industry for almost 15 years and have learned a thing or two.

We've got a great idea, an excellent script, and the primary elements already designed. The crew is comprised of accomplished veterans,  many of whom have worked with me before on my previous films and music videos.

All these variables increase efficiency and ensure that upon funding, everything promised will be delivered. As an experienced filmmaker, I thoroughly understand the process: developing a realistic schedule, a scope of work, and a budget. I know when to adhere staunchly to plans and when to adjust the approach to ensure that I deliver a supremely high-quality product on time and on budget.

At the end of this successful campaign, you can expect a visually stunning film I believe you will be proud to have backed.

Other Ways You Can Help

• Get the word out and make some noise about our campaign. 
• Share our campaign on social media with your peeps using the Allyra tools!
• Visit our website at savmostudios and join our email newsletter so we stay connected with you!
• Follow us on our new social media by clicking on the links below and "follow" us to see developing news, invitations to screenings, and other special events about the film:  
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And send us a message on our website with your thoughts on the film. We want to hear from you!

With gratitude,
 

Brad Uyeda

Executive Producer, Director, Writer — Purple Heart for Effect

Managing Member, SavMo Studios, LLC