Residents can help SHS Grad With Latest Film Project

Budding filmmaker and Simsbury native Jacob Bittens has several projects under his belt but the latest promises to be the most ambitious yet. 

The 2011 Simsbury High graduate has launched a $4,000 fundraising campaign on Indiegogo for LITTLE DRIFTER, the story of a woman who had secretly sent love letters to boyfriend. She discovers the documents after he was killed in a car crash. 

Bittens has written the script to fit an up and coming actress and support is needed for booking locations, transportation, makeup, insurance and more. 

"The money were looking for is to make it right," Bittens said. 

As with most Internet fundraising projects, a gift isn't a one-way street. Supporters get perks that vary with the size of the commitment. 

"It's kind of exciting to be part of a movie," Bittens said. 

Bittens is looking to start production in November. 

Bittens is a member of the Class of 2015 at New York University. While he loves to write and direct, he said he would be happy to work in any aspect of filmmaking. 

"I'd love to be a part of it in any way I could," he said. 

Bittens was involved in several projects and efforts growing up in Simsbury, especially once he reached the high school level. 

Helping him on this latest project are several other Simsbury residents past and present. They include: 

1. Line Producer Nathan Morgan, who met Bittens at SCTV.  He went to school for illustration and works now as a film producer, animator, and illustrator in Simsbury.
2. Production Assistant Nadia Gilbert. A Recent graduate of SHS, she's now also studying film at NYU. 
3. Hair & Makeup Artist Rowan Thompson. A fellow student of Bittens' at SHS, she now studies Environment Science at RIT and has collaborated with Bittens several times.