Jeremy White (’05) got his start in filmmaking at Whitman, where he was director of the senior video and both a technical director and a writer on Whitman Shorts. Now, he’s studying at the University of California, Los Angeles, film school and working on his own films to touch the lives of others in the same way his favorite movies have impacted him.

White is trying to raise money for his new short film, “The First Hope,” which follows a 10-year-old boy who innocently develops his first crush on his older sister while watching “Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back.” Lucasfilm gave White special permission to use footage from the original “Star Wars” movie in his short, making this film all the more special to him.

Filming for his movie will begin in May, but only if White and his team can raise $15,000 in 35 days, by April 2, through KickStarter, an online platform for independent movies that need help raising money. So far, they’ve raised over $6,000 in two days, well on their way to reach the goal.

“This is sort of the new way of independent films,” White said.  “It’s also cool because anyone can donate, and it’s completely secure.  It’s a safe and informal way for people to get involved in the movie.”

Though KickStarter can potentially save a project, it’s an “all or nothing” type of deal — if White can’t manage to raise his target amount, his team receives no money at all to ensure donors haven’t lost money to a project that never came to be.

The program allows anyone to donate any amount of money, and certain “milestones” get you different rewards; for example, someone who donates five dollars will receive a handwritten and personal thank you note from the producers of the film, while $100 will get the donor promotional items, such as signed photos and DVDs, and an HD DVD of the final product.

White plans to publicize this fundraiser through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as email campaigns.  Through word of mouth, he hopes he can get other filmmakers and producers to donate to his movie, along with his friends and family.  White said he’s very hopeful his project will be successful.

“The goal is to get everyone donating and talking about the film,” he said.  “After going through so many weeks of this already, it’s like a gauge for how passionate you are.  If you aren’t passionate, you won’t be successful.”

To donate, go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeremydavidwhite/the-first-hope