Kickstarter campaign launched for film about Velvet Underground at Summit High School

A flyer advertising the Myddle Class concert at Summit High School in December 1965. Note the mention of The Velvet Underground in the lower right-hand corner.

Among the students who saw the revolutionary rock band The Velvet Underground perform at Summit High School in 1965 — in their first gig with all four original members (Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker) — was Tony Jannelli, now a cinematographer and film teacher. Jannelli is part of a team of filmmakers who want to produce an animated short about the event, and has started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds.

For information about the film — which will be called “The Velvet Underground Played at My High School” — and the fundraising campaign, visit Kickstarter.com.

The campaign has raised $485 so far, and needs to reach $30,000 by March 17 to be successful.

According to the Kickstarter page, pre-production is already done. This is the plan, according to a message on that page:

Using eyewitness accounts, we will put you there… in the middle of the first Velvet Underground concert. This short animated documentary film will combine hand-drawn and 2D computer animation techniques in a simple, graphic, and graffiti-like style (or zine-style) that reflects the texture of the period — mid 1960’s.

Whether you are a Velvet Underground fan, a Lou Reed fan, a fan of animation, or a fan of indie film, your contribution can help bring this rock and roll legend to life. Help us share this anomalous and fun story with the music loving world. Every dollar raised will go directly towards production costs.

The Velvet Underground was virtually unknown when it played that 1965 concert, opening for The Myddle Class. For the complete story about the legendary event, click here.