One in a Crowd: Bipolar

A new Austin documentary showing the tragic consequences of bipolar disorder on a family is looking for your crowdfunding support, and you've got 24 hours to help get it over teh finish line.

Who's raising the funds?

Mental health documentary Bipolar.

What's the project?

Some stories are just too hard to look away, and some bonds too string to walk away. Musician Randall White and his wife Michelle had the kind of rock and roll marriage people write songs about, but it all fell apart as Michelle's behavior became more and more erratic and unpredictable. Randall started recording her outbursts - initially to show her how she was acting, but over time as potential evidence for divorce and custody proceedings. What no one knew at the time was that Michelle had undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and Randall was inadvertently capturing what it's like to live with and through this crippling affliction.

That footage is now the basis of Bipolar a documentary that White hopes will open up a discussion about a condition that affects millions of people every year, yet is hard to recognize and often just as difficult to treat.

White screened an extremely rough cut of his footage in 2019 under the title A Fine Wife. Even in that early form it was emotionally harrowing and extraordinarily powerful - enough so that it's caught the attention of two-time Oscar-winning documentarian Bill Guttentag for "You Don't Have to Die" in 1989 and "Twin Towers" in 2003) and and TV producer Jennifer Hutchins (currently working with Richard Linklater on his new series, That Animal Rescue Show.

Guttentag writes, "Bipolar is a story that is very powerful, and very real. It will cause people to look anew at a widespread, under-reported, and very significant social and health issue. With your help, this film can and will make a difference."

Target:

$57,500 to cover post-production costs and get the finished film onto the festival circuit and before a wide audience before the 2020 elections.

What are the perks?

The team has put together an extraordinary selection of benefits. $6 gets you on the digital Wall of Wellness, while $40 gets you the film on DVD or Blur-ray with director commentary, original music by Randall White. The filmmakers are also looking for partners and commercial sponsors to help them get the film ready for the 2021 festival season.

You can donate to the production viwww.kickstarter.com, and find out more about the film at www.bipolardocumentary.com.

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About One in a Crowd: Like many artists, Austin's creative community is increasingly turning to crowdfunding platforms to cover developmental costs. For potential backers, it can be hard to navigate all the sites out there, so here's a quick guide to some noteworthy campaigns. Remember, do your own due diligence before you back anything.