Filmmakers of Michael Hedges documentary seeking sponsors to complete production!

by Mischa Hedges | Dec 13, 2023

by Mischa Hedges & Brendan Hedges
Co-Directors, ORACLE: the Life & Music of Michael Hedges

The first half of production is complete!

After thinking and dreaming about this project for more than a decade, we officially started development of Oracle, a feature documentary about grammy award-winning guitarist Michael Hedges. We spent a year outlining his story, writing a screenplay, and creating a 6-minute fundraising trailer for the film. In March 2023, we launched crowdfunding campaign, raising more than $130,000 from 1,000 supporters to fund the first half of its production.

Since March, we’ve completed everything (and more) that we planned for the crowdfunding campaign fund:

Conducted pre-interviews, scouted locations, planned production dates, shot lists and travel schedules
Captured more than 25 interviews over 14 production days from June – November, 2023
Begun editing selected scenes for upcoming grant applications
Started fundraising to continue work on the film in early 2024

All of this progress was made possible by people who love Michael’s music and want to see this film completed and released. Thanks so much to all of our early sponsors and crowdfunding supporters!

Become a 2024 Sustaining Sponsor

The next step is to complete production and begin editing the film. We’ve applied for grant funding from foundations to fund this work, and we’ll hear back in late Spring 2024.

To continue work on the film, we’re seeking $125,000 in immediate funding. This will fund 5-10 additional production days and compensate our filmmaking team, enabling us to stay on track for a 2025 release of the film while we begin editing and secure finishing funds.

Choose one of the following options:

1. One-Time Donation – make a $1,000 (or more) tax-deductible contribution

2. Monthly Supporter – pledge $100/month for 12 months ($1,200 total)

3. Producer Level – become a Contributing Producer, Associate Producer or Executive producer (see benefits)

Become a 2024 Sustaining Sponsor

You will receive:

A monthly sponsor update from Mischa & Brendan, featuring exclusive details about production (via email)
Early access to our monthly Behind The Scenes blog for supporters, with behind-the-scenes photos/videos
Your name on the film’s website & end credits as “Sustaining Sponsor”
A personal item from Michael’s studio (Book, CD or Tape) w/ signed certificate of authenticity (March 2024)
A 24×36 film poster (upon release of film)
FREE Access to three, full Michael Hedges concert films for on-demand viewing (upon release of film)
FREE Access to 6 special events in 2024:

2024 Event Calendar

APRIL | Movie Screening & Party (San Francisco, CA)
The Artist’s Profile: Michael Hedges w/ director Brian Malone

JUNE | Listening Session (online)
Unreleased recordings w/ friend & collaborator Don Record

AUGUST | Author Reading (online)
From Dream Out Loud: A Guitar Hero’s Journey. w/ Jake White

OCTOBER | Tour of Michael’s Guitars (Phoenix, AZ)
See 3 Michael Hedges guitars w/ the Hedges Family

NOVEMBER | Listening Session (online)
Unreleased recordings w/ friend & collaborator Patrick Brayer

DECEMBER | Concert Film Screening (online)
Unreleased concert film w/ archivist Randy Lutge

Travel not included & events schedule is subject to change.
All physical incentives are in addition to any received from past sponsorship of this project.

Become a 2024 Sustaining Sponsor

Watch the ORACLE fundraising trailer below

IN PRODUCTION: The first documentary about Grammy Award winning guitarist Michael Hedges since his untimely death in 1997. Directed by his son and brother, the story of Michael’s life & music career will be told by his family, close friends, collaborators & fans, with never-before-seen footage & unreleased music.*

*contains footage captured and edited in 2022 only – not recent material

Become a 2024 Sustaining Sponsor