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Arts and Entertainment

Bret Easton Ellis Will Read Your Novel If You Pony Up $5,000 For His New Film (Probably) Starring Porn Star James Deen

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Photo of a non-ironic bookmark left in Bret Easton Ellis' "Less Than Zero" by toastyphotos via the LAist Featured Photos pool
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If you follow Bret Easton Ellis on his prolific (and sometimes maligned) Twitter account, you'd have read endless tweets about his latest screenplay written with porn star James Deen in mind.

Now producer Braxton Pope has launched a Kickstarter account for the film "The Canyons." Here's the pitch: "The Canyons documents five twenty-something's quest for power, love, sex and success in 2012 Hollywood." Ellis wrote the script with Deen in mind, which doesn't seem so farfetched since the porn star who has been getting more attention in the mainstream ever since he was profiled in GOOD magazine and then for the pearl-clutching set on "Nightline." Ellis told The Hollywood Reporter that leads will have "to act and be full frontal naked banging girls and guys realistically." (Eds note: this post previously stated that the sex would not be simulated, but that's not correct, says Braxton Pope.)

One of the most interesting parts of the Kickstarter campaign is that it appeals to fans who would like to rub shoulders with the people behind the film or get notes on their own creative projects. Here are a couple of the more interesting deals for contributing to the film, which is already halfway to its goal of $100,000.

For $500:

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TWEET YOUR SHORT FILM! Bret Easton Ellis and Braxton Pope will watch your short film, tweet their honest thoughts AND the link to their combined 390,000 followers/fans! (Facebook too) -- Special Thanks in the closing credits -- Plus everything from "The Canyons" script package and above!

For $501:

PRODUCER'S COFFEE: We're not gonna call it a pitch meeting, but...Braxton Pope will meet you in LA and bring you an exclusive autographed script with a 1 of 1 cover created from an on set photograph nobody else in the world will have. -- Special Thanks in the closing credits -- You and a guest get to attend the cast and crew wrap party! (transportation and lodging not provided) -- Plus everything else in "The Canyons" script package.

For $1,500 (but this one is almost maxed out so act now!):

LIVE TWEET YOUR FEATURE FILM: Festival or TV premiere? -- Bret Easton Ellis and Braxton Pope will Livetweet (approx 20 tweets) their honest thoughts on your film at the time of your choosing to their 390,000 followers/fans, hopefully helping you trend worldwide! They will also post about your film on their Facebook pages. -- And everything in "The Canyons" script package. -- Special Thanks in the closing credits

For $5,000:

Bret Easton Ellis will read and review your novel and have that review appear on an international blog or website. (TBD) -- Associate Producer credit on the film -- You will also receive an autographed hardcover of every novel in Bret's canon. -- Two tickets to Wrap party -- Handwritten thank you letter and on set photo from Bret and Paul, along with a shout out in the Making of the Canyons video.
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For $5,001:

Have your script covered by Paul Schrader: -- Notes to be delivered in person (NY or LA) or skype -- Associate Producer credit on the film -- You will also receive 5 autographed copies of any script Paul has written plus everything in "The Canyons" script package. -- Handwritten thank you letter and on set photo from Bret and Paul, along with a shout out in the Making of the Canyons video. -- Two tickets to Wrap party

Any takers?

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