The Shift is the first feature film supported by Angel Studios. It's an uplifting story set in a sci-fi world, showing the struggle to maintain hope in the midst of great trial.
The market for drama that deals genuinely with life's most significant questions is stronger than ever, and the biggest box office hits of all time are mostly sci-fi films. By telling a truth-affirming story via a popular genre (like C.S. Lewis did), we look forward to creating a story of intrigue and hope that's as entertaining as a blockbuster hit.
Over $1.7 Million was raised in previous crowdfunding rounds from over 3,000 investors. That tells us there is a major appetite for a film of this type that invites everyone to the table and that doesn't resort to didactic proselytizing. The Shift will entertain while edifying.
A team of talented professionals are already at work on this film, including Executive Producer Dallas Jenkins, the creator of The Chosen.
We have already cast a number of roles, including actors Liz Tabish (The Chosen), Jorge Garcia (LOST), Rose Reid (Finding You), Paras Patel (The Chosen), Jordan Walker Ross (1883), and Jordan Alexandra (Boiling Point). We will be announcing many more in the coming weeks and months.
We are teamed up with Angel Studios, the ground-breaking film and television studio behind the widely-acclaimed The Chosen, to bring to the world this innovative story where values and universal themes are dealt with in a broadly accessible way.
Our previous offers to invest in The Shift were successful. We also heard from so many people who missed out that we have opened another round of investment due to close on October 19, 2022.
With The Shift, we have the chance to reach those who regularly watch value-based cinema, those who shy away from it, and even those who wouldn't typically be drawn to this sort of storytelling.
By investing today, you’re partnering with us in the making of this important film. Unlike other crowdfunding campaigns, when you back our project on Angel Funding, you’re not donating money, you’re investing in the film’s success.
That means if the film succeeds in earning enough revenue, you will earn a 120% return on your investment before we (the creators) receive any of the the profits, and then you'll continue to share in the profits afterwards, if there are any. The profits on successful content can be huge.* Most of the top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time have been sci-fi movies.**
*Although it is true that profits on successful content can be huge, we are not making a guarantee of any return. Please only invest what you can afford to lose.
**According to Box Office Mojo, June 2022.
***Investing in Reg CF is only available to U.S. residents.
Success in other projects does not guarantee success in The Shift. There can be no assurance that the project results will be obtained, and actual results may vary significantly from the projections.
The Shift is a modern day, sci-fi story of faith that takes a lot of its cues from the Book of Job.
Job’s story is particularly striking for those in the modern world who still choose every day to hold onto their faith despite their hardships. Job was so severely tested that he believed he had been abandoned by God entirely. We can all relate to how that feels. We've chosen Job as the inspiration for this film not just because we've experienced that kind of despair at times, but because he made the choice, every day, to keep pushing forward and believing.
This is the film the world needs right now. Our Job—Kevin—will face off with a mysterious stranger, known only as "The Benefactor", in a way that exposes his tricks and the lies used against us by shining a light that cuts through all that darkness. Kevin will be presented with concrete temptations most of us can relate to, and we'll see how his choices alter the world around him. The sci-fi plot that lets Kevin "shift" between realities shows with dramatic allegory the way our lives can be changed by small, daily choices.
In the end, Job proved worthy of God’s faith in him. The question is: can Kevin overcome the temptation of untold wealth and power to do the same?
Our favorite films are so popular because they tend to excel at presenting dramatic stories with strong themes and high production values.
Inspired by films like Inception, Interstellar, and Gattaca, The Shift explores themes of temptation, hope, and perseverance with the storytelling tools and incredible worlds only available in science fiction. Like those films, this is a movie that will stay with audiences long after the credits have rolled, leaving them imagining the "what ifs" and thinking about their own lives and experiences in a different light.
In the feature film, Kevin will reject the dark and chase the light in a dystopian world under the thumb of tyranny, and like the biblical Job, he will feel completely abandoned by God. We'll see him pass through incredible trials, journey to new worlds, fight to get back to the woman he loves, and even come face-to-face with a dark, alternate version of himself.
It's safe to say you've never seen a film like this.
The Shift short was made for just $500, and yet it still looks that good. Imagine what we could do with a proper budget. With your help, we can make a film that has the look and feel of a Hollywood blockbuster that will also turn hearts and minds towards the light.
One of the core values driving The Shift is the idea that suffering has purpose, and that purpose is not supposed to be a mystery.
Writer/Director Brock Heasley was originally inspired to make The Shift after experiencing some incredible trials, like the murder of his father and when he and his wife found out one of their daughters was born with severe physical and mental handicaps. In both cases, God didn’t just show up and fix everything. Instead, He allowed the darkness to remain so that the light—which at times seemed so dim—could shine brightly when the time was right.
The Shift is about the darkness that God allows-or that we need-so that we can behold and appreciate the light. Because in the light is true joy. Darkness—the dark times, the tragedies—in a very real sense, is our way to joy.
One of our primary goals with The Shift is to reach a number of audiences, not just believers. We think an exciting movie that deals seriously with struggle and encourages people to hold onto hope is a worthy story that will welcome everyone.
The Shift is a chance to put something good into the world that is thought-provoking, entertaining, truth-affirming, and worthy of recommending to even your non-believing friends.
We’re excited to introduce the sci-fi element that sets the film apart from other films in this arena. Sci-fi is a genre with a rich history of allegory. It’s been used to attack social injustice and illustrate that--regardless of the setting--humanity is always struggling to fight temptation.
As a sci-fi film, The Shift has an appeal that we believe will open it up to all-new audiences.
With this goal of wide distribution in mind, we have already brought on board a skilled team of industry professionals with extensive experience in bringing films to market. While there is no guarantee of success, an early sales projection analysis done in concert with an international distributor indicates that, as a film designed to play just as strongly in the sci-fi genre as it does as a value-based film, The Shift has great potential in the worldwide market.
That The Shift is a genre-bending show that inspires doesn’t mean it won’t make money. Unlike other reward-based crowdfunding campaigns like you'd find on Kickstarter, we’re not looking for donations; we’re inviting you to partner with us by investing in the film. If the film succeeds and earns enough revenue, our investors will receive 120% return of their investment before the creators receive any of the profits, and then continue to share in any future profits, if there are any.
We know from shows like The Chosen that when inspiring stories are done right, the audience shows up. Combine that audience with the multibillion-dollar science fiction audience and The Shift has the potential to be a success in a way we’ve never seen before.
Values-focused film is a thriving, niche cinema market with great theatrical and streaming potential. To cite a recent example, I Can Only Imagine (starring Dennis Quaid) opened with over $17 million in box office receipts in its first week of release, eventually reaching a total of over $83 million (on a film with a $7 million budget). *
Our plan is to cast a wide net with The Shift. We already have a distribution deal with Angel Studios in place and have received significant interest from other distributors as well. Once completed, we may work to connect with mainstream distributors. Companies like Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions, and Sony have track records of taking on projects in this genre, and we’re excited to see what might do with The Shift if we enter an agreement with one of them. In conjunction with our theatrical release strategy, our deal with Angel Studios means it can be distributed in their app, which has an audience of 35 million and growing.
We believe that audiences all over—even some that would never otherwise watch this sort of film—will be excited for a movie that, at its core, is just a really great story beautifully told. By investing, you’ll help create something that you can believe in, will be wildly entertaining, and will give people hope in their trials and point them towards the light.
*Success in other projects does not guarantee success in The Shift. There can be no assurance that the projected results will be obtained, and actual results may vary significantly from the projections.
Invest in The Shift now by purchasing Class A Preferred Units at $3.00 per unit.
We will use funds to produce The Shift.
If we earn enough from distribution revenue, you would receive 120% of your investment before the founders take a profit distribution, and then we split profits by ownership.
Yes, we did! Our previous offerings were so successful over the short term, especially in the home stretch, that we've decided to open up another opportunity for those who missed out before.
It's important to remember that The Shift is science fiction, and we're using that genre to express faith, just as C.S. Lewis used fantasy fiction to do the same with The Narnia Chronicles.
The Shift is both a science fiction film and a faith-based film. Granted, those two genres don't usually cross over, but why not? It's exciting to be making something new. Call it a "theo-fiction," if you will.
Our plan is to begin shooting in January 2023. Movies are typically released between 12-18 months after production begins, but we are actually targeting an October 2023 release.
We will be operating under all necessary safety procedures. Thankfully, we have Dallas Jenkins on board as Executive Producer and he's dealt with many of these issues firsthand with the production of The Chosen.
That's right! Dallas, the Creator of The Chosen, is on our team as Executive Producer and we couldn't be more lucky to have him. We also have the former Producer of The Chosen as one of our Producers, Justin Tolley, former Chosen Associate Producer Justen Overlander as a Co-Producer, Chosen Composers Dan Haseltine and Matthew S. Nelson, Chosen Casting Director Beverly Holloway, and...we're gonna stop there. Suffice it to say, we greatly admire The Chosen and we steal from the best!
The goal for the The Shift is to release it theatrically both in the United States and Internationally, and then make it available with Angel Studios and other streaming platforms. The short film that shows you what the feature film will be like is already available free here, on Facebook, on the Angel Studios YouTube, on VidAngel, and on the Angel Studios app.
Angel Studios is our marketing and distribution partner, and is the studio platform responsible for bringing you The Chosen, Dry Bar Comedy, The Tuttle Twins, The Wingfeather Saga, and more.
The simple answer is: yes. Not only are most of the core creative team Christians themselves, but The Shift is also very much about the specific struggle believers have to keep on believing that Christ is right there beside them even when times are tough and the evidence are seemingly few.
Not at all. As in the short film, The Shift feature will tackle its themes in an understated, non-preachy way that will help it appeal to not only the faith-based crowd, but also to anyone who is just looking for a good genre story. In fact, as we took the short film around to secular film festivals, we were struck by how many people enjoyed it and celebrated it who said they didn’t have any particular faith, or that they had left theirs behind. We look forward to the feature film and its message of hope being seen by many more people than just "the choir."
We have! Liz Tabish (Mary Magdalene on The Chosen) has already joined the cast as Molly Garner, and we have many more actors cast we'll be announcing in the next few weeks and months.
We have not set any auditions at this time. Best place to spot any announcements would be our Facebook page.
No. Although no law limits the minimum amount of money you can invest as an individual, transaction costs related to the purchase of the stock and ongoing maintenance make accepting investments less than $102 unreasonable. In fact, most Regulation CF offerings will typically limit investments at $1,000. But we wanted to ensure that anybody who wanted to invest in The Shift would have the opportunity regardless of how large, or small, their investment was, so the minimum is $102.
You may invest as many times as you would like until you reach your investment limit under Reg CF.
As part of Regulation CF, we are required to file annual reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (which will be available on this page). We will also send out regular investor updates via email to let you know all the latest news of the company.
We will be selling up to 1,328,337 preferred units in this offering.
Yes. As an owner of The Shift, you would be entitled to your share of profits as outlined in the operating agreement. The management of The Shift determines when this distribution can be made.
Films generate income from distribution, whether it’s from customers of streaming sites, theatrical ticket sales, DVD rentals and sales, fees from TV stations, and international distributors purchasing the rights. The goal is for The Shift to be distributed in the following ways: In North America, through VidAngel’s streaming service, theatrically, and then down the road potentially on DVD and television; and overseas in all countries through multiple channels.
No. The Shift, LLC is a legal entity that is a separate and distinct company from Angel Studios, Inc. Investments made are in The Shift, LLC, not Angel Studios, Inc.
No. Investment in early-stage companies/films is extremely risky, and you should consult with your independent financial advisor before making a decision on whether you want to invest. In any case, you should never invest more than you could afford to lose!
Unlike securities purchased on a stock market, such as the NYSE or Nasdaq, there is no public market for units in The Shift. Therefore, it is highly unlikely you will be able to SELL your investment. However, you may receive distributions of cash from The Shift if The Shift generates cash flow at a level where management determines to make a distribution – rather than reinvesting in the series. NOTE: management will not receive any profit distributions related to their ownership in The Shift until at least 120% of your investment has been distributed to you.
Investments will be on a first come, first serve basis. We cannot guarantee that there will be opportunities to purchase additional units in the future.
We don't see that happening, but in the event that it does, all the money invested will be returned to the investors.
Yes, we are happy to accept ACH transactions.
Yes, but only for those investors investing larger amounts (due to the higher processing fee) of greater than $50,000.
Yes, you can now invest in The Shift from one of these entities. Just select that option when moving through the checkout process.
Our ability to offer our units to the public is possible due to recent legislation known as the Jobs Act. This same law limits the amount that investors can purchase based on your annual revenue and net worth. There is no limit, however, if you are an accredited investor. If you have additional questions regarding this limit, feel free to ask in our Q&A tool at the bottom of the main page of this offering.
Every country has its own securities laws. We are offering this Reg CF round under the laws of the US and so we know what we need to do to allow US citizens to invest and be compliant with those laws. We don't have the resources to be able to identify and comply with the securities laws in other jurisdictions, so we limit investments to US citizens.
Because you’re making an investment and not a donation. The escrow agent is subject to banking regulations when they hold your money, and ownership is tracked by social security number.
The final day to invest is October 19, 2022. However, it is possible we will receive our maximum number of investments prior to that date. If that happens, we could close early.
There is no subscription plan to buy securities and all purchases of our securities are a one time payment. Subscribers are simply other investors that have purchased the securities. A "subscription agreement" is a legal term for the contract between an investor (you) and the issuer (us), it details the offering of securities and explains your rights and responsibilities when deciding to purchase our securities.
Meet Our Newest Cast Members! (Yes, Plural)
What Exactly is THE SHIFT?
The Heart of The Shift
Responding to Our Critics: Finding the Light in The Shift
FINAL NIGHT w/ Very Special Guests