It's Time To Tell the Storyteller's Story
The Story
Terence McKenna - a once in a generation thinker, orator, psychedelic trailblazer and cultural provocateur - is one of the most quoted, meme'd and revered voices of the last century. Today, his work is more resonant, and more essential, than ever.
His words have sparked the imagination and guided the paths of millions of people. Are you one of them?
If so, I hope you’ll agree that it’s vital that we preserve his fearless voice, unravel the untold stories behind his legendary life, and help ignite a new age of curiosity, courage, and consciousness. You can help, by supporting the first feature length documentary about Terence McKenna, a film that is both personal and objective and seeks to be accessible to aficionados and newcomers alike. To learn more about the project and the progress we've made, please watch the campaign video.
Why It Matters
By completing this film, we can:
- Bring Terence McKenna's ideas to new generations seeking meaning and connection in the modern world
- Create an immersive visual storytelling experience worthy of his legacy
- Reveal the human side of Terence through personal reflections
- Preserve and share his ideas during a time of growing suppression of ideas and intellectual thought
- Offer fresh commentary, criticism and insights into his work
There is an urgency to completing this film. Censorship of alternative points of view and even the arrest of outspoken critics of the government and other institutions - which Terence certainly was - has reached a critical point. Documentaries in particular have become extremely difficult to produce, with the decimation of grant funding, the rising costs of production and chokeholds on distributors who are fearful of retribution from an increasingly authoritarian U.S. government.
If Terence’s words ever made you think, laugh or question your reality, now is the moment to act.
Why We Need to Crowd Fund and How Funds Will Be Used
Note: 5% of all donations will be given to two non-profits at the close of the campaign: The Electronic Frontier Foundation, which champions user privacy and free expression, and the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund, which supports biocultural conservation in indigenous communities.
While some of the filming is complete, there is more to do so that we can enter post-production by the end of the year and release the film in 2026. Specifically, we need to:
- Conduct 4-5 additional interviews, including production costs (crew, travel, equipment);
- Create additional animations, which will enable a visually immersive experience
- Cover important overhead costs (such as legal, insurance and web hosting fees)
- Hire an editor to produce a rough cut of the film.
We have thoughtfully created backer rewards that will enable as many of you as possible to make your voice heard by helping bring this film to life. This includes opportunities for supporters to be included in the project in a variety of ways. Please see the incentives page for details.
Thanks for reading, for your interest and your support.
Together, let's tell the storyteller's story - while we still can.
Sharon McKenna
Perks
Even a small amount feels good! Get a special thank you message, your name in the supporters list at the end of the film, and access to behind the scenes content and project updates.
Curious about some of the thinkers and writers that influenced Terence? Then you'll love a downloadable curated TKM reading list. Plus, get a special thank you message, your name in the supporters list at the end of the film, and access to behind the scenes content and project updates.
Shipping included. Limited quantity available. Updated edition. Get your hands on a signed copy of the seminal recounting of one of the most important "brotherhoods" in recent memory. In his review, Ralph Metzner wrote, "Reading the fraternal autobiography, The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss , was for me both fascinating and moving…" Plus, get downloadable curated TKM reading list, a special thank you message, your name in the supporters list at the end of the film, and access to behind the scenes content and project updates.
Shipping included. Perfect for foraging fungi or farmer's market day. Featuring original artwork by our film's animator, Declan McKenna, this bag is made of 100% post-consumer recycled cotton. Plus, get downloadable curated TKM reading list, a special thank you message, your name in the supporters list at the end of the film, and access to behind the scenes content and project updates.
Are you curious about the backstory of the film? Or how all the cool animations were made? Or what it's like for a Mother and Son to work on a project together:-). Join us for a fun online event where we share behind the scenes stories about making the film, discuss our unique approach and answer any questions. Plus, enjoy an early look at our festival trailer. You'll also get previous perks like your name in the credits, a downloadable PDF of the TKM reading list, and regular news and updates on the film. Note, this will take place sometime before the end of the year, most likely in early December or January.
Own a piece of the film! Collect an original mixed media artwork made from the physical art used in the stop-motion animations of the film. Each one unique and hand made by the film's visual designer and animator, Declan McKenna. Photo is for illustrative purposes only - these will be created in our next phase of film production. Limited to 10 unique pieces.
Do you have a piece of art, a song, a haiku, a message that you created (or have yet to create) for Terence McKenna? We are including a special 5 minute tribute film following the end of the documentary, bringing the community right into the story. As Terence once advised, "Create your own roadshow." Limited to 20 creators total. Each contributor will be allotted 15 seconds of screen time to share their unique perspective, whether it's verbal, visual, audible or a combination of all the elements. Submissions will be reviewed to make sure content is not offensive or disturbing, and contributors will get to work with animator Declan McKenna to create the film together. This tribute short film will also live on it's own on YouTube, Vimeo and other media channels.
If you're bursting with gratitude for all that Terence
McKenna has given the world and want to ensure we can share his
story with the world, consider being a project hero! Not only will
you receive
our
undying gratitude, your name will be listed under
"this film was made possible by" at the opening credits.
You'll also get
all
the previous rewards: the book list, the Forager's
Bag, the signed copy of "The Brotherhood of the Screaming
Abyss," and a spot in the filmmaker's Q and A.
Perhaps you're a cinephile and a McKenna-phile. If so, we'd love to welcome you to the It's Going to Get Weirder tribe as an Executive Producer. You will help us transform all the great Terence McKenna stories into an amazing documentary. You'll be invited to early screenings, launch parties and community events surrounding the film. And your name will be on the OPENING credits of the documentary as an Executive Producer. Plus, you'll get credit on IMDB - and the once in a lifetime high that comes with bringing Terence McKenna's amazing story to the screen.
Highlights
See all activity43Activity
Even a small amount feels good! Get a special thank you message, your name in the supporters list at the end of the film, and access to behind the scenes content and project updates.
Curious about some of the thinkers and writers that influenced Terence? Then you'll love a downloadable curated TKM reading list. Plus, get a special thank you message, your name in the supporters list at the end of the film, and access to behind the scenes content and project updates.
Shipping included. Limited quantity available. Updated edition. Get your hands on a signed copy of the seminal recounting of one of the most important "brotherhoods" in recent memory. In his review, Ralph Metzner wrote, "Reading the fraternal autobiography, The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss , was for me both fascinating and moving…" Plus, get downloadable curated TKM reading list, a special thank you message, your name in the supporters list at the end of the film, and access to behind the scenes content and project updates.
Shipping included. Perfect for foraging fungi or farmer's market day. Featuring original artwork by our film's animator, Declan McKenna, this bag is made of 100% post-consumer recycled cotton. Plus, get downloadable curated TKM reading list, a special thank you message, your name in the supporters list at the end of the film, and access to behind the scenes content and project updates.
Are you curious about the backstory of the film? Or how all the cool animations were made? Or what it's like for a Mother and Son to work on a project together:-). Join us for a fun online event where we share behind the scenes stories about making the film, discuss our unique approach and answer any questions. Plus, enjoy an early look at our festival trailer. You'll also get previous perks like your name in the credits, a downloadable PDF of the TKM reading list, and regular news and updates on the film. Note, this will take place sometime before the end of the year, most likely in early December or January.
Own a piece of the film! Collect an original mixed media artwork made from the physical art used in the stop-motion animations of the film. Each one unique and hand made by the film's visual designer and animator, Declan McKenna. Photo is for illustrative purposes only - these will be created in our next phase of film production. Limited to 10 unique pieces.
Do you have a piece of art, a song, a haiku, a message that you created (or have yet to create) for Terence McKenna? We are including a special 5 minute tribute film following the end of the documentary, bringing the community right into the story. As Terence once advised, "Create your own roadshow." Limited to 20 creators total. Each contributor will be allotted 15 seconds of screen time to share their unique perspective, whether it's verbal, visual, audible or a combination of all the elements. Submissions will be reviewed to make sure content is not offensive or disturbing, and contributors will get to work with animator Declan McKenna to create the film together. This tribute short film will also live on it's own on YouTube, Vimeo and other media channels.
If you're bursting with gratitude for all that Terence
McKenna has given the world and want to ensure we can share his
story with the world, consider being a project hero! Not only will
you receive
our
undying gratitude, your name will be listed under
"this film was made possible by" at the opening credits.
You'll also get
all
the previous rewards: the book list, the Forager's
Bag, the signed copy of "The Brotherhood of the Screaming
Abyss," and a spot in the filmmaker's Q and A.
Perhaps you're a cinephile and a McKenna-phile. If so, we'd love to welcome you to the It's Going to Get Weirder tribe as an Executive Producer. You will help us transform all the great Terence McKenna stories into an amazing documentary. You'll be invited to early screenings, launch parties and community events surrounding the film. And your name will be on the OPENING credits of the documentary as an Executive Producer. Plus, you'll get credit on IMDB - and the once in a lifetime high that comes with bringing Terence McKenna's amazing story to the screen.
