By Amanda Raymond
amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Brad Foster, a Salisbury resident, wants to make a movie Salisbury can be proud of, but he needs local help to do it.

Foster started a Kickstarter campaign to raise the money he needs to start production of his first feature film, “Retail: A Retail Saga.”

The movie is an R-rated comedy about two co-workers at a big box store. One character, Jack, is a college graduate who wants to apply to the corporate headquarters after putting in 10 years at the company. Dave’s character has been working at the store for 25 years and is too comfortable to quit, even though he wants to. The film follows how they deal with the ups and downs of working in retail.

Foster said a lot of people will be able to relate to the personal relationship between the two characters and the annoying but funny aspects of working in retail.

Foster will be playing Jack and Josh Wainright, marketing director and director of operations for the Piedmont Players Theatre, will be playing Dave.

Wainright said there are shows about retail employees on television right now, so there is an audience for this type of movie.

But unlike television, Foster’s movie will not be watered down. It will feature real reactions because most of the movie is unscripted.

Wainright said they may shoot scenes 40 to 50 times to get different reactions before choosing the funniest one.

Foster said the money raised in the Kickstarter campaign will allow him to start production on the movie. Once completed, he will submit the movie to every film festival he can, including the Sundance Film Festival.

He also has plans with Distribber, an aggregator for online streaming services, so the movie can be seen on services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and iTunes.

“We’re going to put it on every mass appeal service we can” to generate a return on investment, he said.

Foster said he believes the film has the capability for mainstream success.

As of Monday evening, just over $3,100 has been pledged toward the $19,000 goal. There are eight days left in the campaign, and if all $19,000 is not raised, Foster does not get a penny.

Foster is offering incentives to sweeten the deal for donors and investors.

Depending on how much they invest, investors will receive a percentage of the movie’s profits.

Incentives for donors include digital computer wallpaper, virtual shout-outs, signed movie posters and digital copies of the movie.

Pledges of $495 or more can receive the “Hollywood VIP Night Out for 2” package that includes gold producer credits, world premiere tickets and VIP passes that include a walk on the “Red Carpet” during the premiere and dinner for two at Chef Santos by Goodfellas.

Foster has also started Dreamency, a production company that aims to bring high-end visual production to the area.

Wainright said Salisbury residents have always supported the arts in the community.

“(The movie is) another extension of the arts community Salisbury has built,” he said.

About 85 percent of the movie’s scenes will be shot in Rowan County, 80 percent of the actors will be hired from the county and 70 percent of the crew will be hired from the county.

The movie’s planned sequel, “Corporate: A Retail Saga,” and finale, “Black Friday: A Retail Saga,” will also be filmed in Rowan County.

Foster said he has the experience to get the job done from his degree in media studies and working at Miller Davis Studios. He has the motivation and the passion, now all he needs are the funds.

“I think this would be a win for Salisbury,” he said.

To donate to the Kickstarter campaign, visit http://kck.st/2crgRaj.

The campaign ends on Oct. 12 at 11:02 p.m.

All forms of payment will be accepted, including cash and personal and business checks. Make checks payable to Dreamency and mail to 850 Jake Alexander Blvd. W., Suite G #182, Salisbury, N.C., 28147.

Investors can contact Foster at info@retailfilm.com for potential return on investment opportunities.

Follow the movie’s progress on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RetailFilmSaga, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RetailFilmSaga and Instagram at www.instagram.com/RetailFilmSaga.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.