You remember Rylan Tuohy. Or maybe you’ve never heard his name, but you’re one of the 8.5 million people who saw the Navy Spirit Spot he directed called “Naptown Funk.” Or, you find yourself saying things like, “The Army doesn’t give a ship,” straight from his video, “We Give a Ship.”
We promise. You know this guy:
And now, Tuohy, (who also happens to be one of WATM’s favorite dudes) is back with the ultimate goal: to crowdfund enough money to make a 2024 Spirit Spot – made possibly by Navy fans for Navy fans. WATM caught up with the Spirit Spot star to find out what he’s doing, why, and how he plans to make it happen. Tuohy explained, “The Army Navy football game is about the rivalry, but it’s also about the camaraderie. Unique only to the service academies are spirit spots, and since the advent of YouTube, they have been created to rally support and encourage a sense of community. I think that pride is as important as the game. If I can help foster that spirit with a hilarious and hopefully viral video, then I’m all in.”
Tuohy hopes to raise $50,000 to create one more epic Spirit Spot. While he was at USNA, he made his videos with no budget, but he also had no costs. Tuohy won’t profit from the money raised, rather, it will all go to the production team, talent and equipment.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Spirit Spot campaign:
What is a Spirit Spot?
A Spirit Spot is a short, comedic online video created to rally support and spirit for the Navy and the U.S. Naval Academy. Spirit Spots are unique to the service academies and they represent the friendly rivalry and camaraderie among the U.S. military branches of service.
What is our goal?
The goal of this kickstarter campaign is to raise $50,000 to fund the production of a hilarious and viral spirit spot video that will be released online before the 2024 Army vs. Navy football game! You’ll be able to watch, laugh, and share the video with your family and friends.
The project idea is a secret, but…
Here is what I can tell you about how great it will be:
- The project is all about the Navy – it will be a source of pride!
- The spirit spot will be catchy – if you liked We Give A Ship and Helm Yeah, then you’re going to love this.
- From young to old, the video will be for all audiences.
- The script is written and is ‘Top Secret’ until its release!
And don’t just take my word, here’s what a few Navy icons and supporters had to say about the top secret spirit spot idea (they got a sneak peek at the script):
“Any project that [Rylan Tuohy] is starting, I know is going to be just fantastic.”
- Vice Admiral Ted Carter, USN (Ret.) | President, The Ohio State University
“It’s pretty fun, especially if you get the person who you’ve mentioned in [the script]… That would be really, really fun.”
- CDR Nicole Schwegman, USN (Ret.) | TV Writer, Former Pentagon Public Affairs Officer
“Every single alumni that I know should be, and I predict will be, very very entertained and happy with this product.”
- CDR John Schofield, USN (Ret.) | Director of Communications, USNA Alumni Association & Former USNA Public Affairs Officer
“This will go down in history as one of the great spirit spots of all time.”
- Karl Smith | USNA Dad & Blogger, MyKidTheMid.com
“It has to be a go.”
- LCDR Andrea Howard | Nuclear Submarine Officer & Marshall Scholar
“How could you not get behind something like [this].”
- Ausa Faria | USNA Mom & Social Media Director, North Texas Parents Club
We need to raise $50,000…
So we came to Kickstarter where fans can back projects in exchange for rewards. We’re offering all sorts of swag and involvement in the project in exchange for your support. The rewards are summarized below!
$50,000 will allow us to create a video that will go down in history as the greatest spirit spot ever made (and maybe even break the internet).
Every dollar raised will go directly to producing the amazing spirit spot. Specifically, you’ll be supporting a minimal production crew, actors (many of whom will be Veterans), professional cinema equipment and rentals, location reservation and expenses, post-production and editorial services, and two production shoot days.
Rylan Tuohy won’t be making any profit from any money raised. He will spend every dime you pledge making this video awesome and proving to the film community that grass-roots, Navy supported projects CAN work.
The Rewards for Supporting this Project
- ‘Fan’ ($25) | Get a limited edition koozie branded with the unique spirit spot slogan!
- ‘Production Assistant’ ($40) | Receive a limited edition, uniquely branded challenge coin to show others that you supported this campaign.
- ‘Crew’ ($50) | Get your limited edition t-shirt branded with the unique spirit spot slogan!
- ‘Groupie’ ($50) | Get a spirit spot movie poster uniquely designed from this project!
- ‘Writer’ ($75) | Own your own hard copy of the spirit spot script, signed by Rylan Tuohy.
- ‘Virtual Backstage Pass’ ($100) | Get access to behind-the-scenes updates from Rylan Tuohy throughout the production of the spirit spot.
- ‘Publicist’ ($150) | Have your name (first & last initial) added to the ‘Supporters’ section of the video description on YouTube (ie. Rylan T.) where it will always be for others to see you supported this project.
- ‘Wardrobe & Props’ ($200) | Get all of the cool limited edition swag, for a reduced price. You’ll receive the t-shirt, koozie, autographed hard copy script, and spirit spot movie poster!
- ‘Agent’ ($250) | Get your name or your entity name added as a credit on the video as “Special Thanks!”
- ‘Producer’ ($500) | Have your name or entity credited on the video as a “Producer” which will be larger and appear earlier than lower tiered credits.
- ‘Studio’ ($750) | Have your name or entity credited on the video as a Producer and also get a personalized thank you video on set from Rylan Tuohy!
- ‘VIP’ ($1,000) | Join the production crew on set and watch the spirit spot get made! Valid for one individual. Filming will take place on October 6-7, 2024 and October 13-14, 2024 in San Diego, CA. Travel is not included.
- ‘Background Extra’ ($5,000) | Be credited as a “Producer, receive the limited edition swag, and appear on screen as a background extra actor! To be eligible for this reward, you must be available October 6-7, 2024 and October 13-14, 2024 and located in (or be willing to travel to) San Diego, CA. Travel is not included. The actor must be at least 18 years of age.
- ‘Co-Executive Producer’ ($7,500) | Have your name or entity/organization credited prominently as the “Co-Executive Producer.” Additionally, you’ll receive the limited edition swag and be invited for you and a guest to be on set during production.
- ‘Celebrity’ ($10,000) | Be in the spotlight! You’ll be cast in a speaking role on camera and be a part of the final video! You’ll additionally be prominently credited as ‘Co-Executive Producer’ and receive the swag and be on set with two additional guests. Filming will take place October 6-7, 2024 and October 13-14, 2024 in San Diego, CA. Travel is not included. The actor must be at least 18 years of age.
Add-Ons
With your backing of the project and reward selection, you’ll have the opportunity to select an add-on, which is an additional reward for you to include before submitting payment. Here are the add-ons for the rewards:
- Spirit Spot Script – Digital Copy ($25) | You’ll receive a digital copy (.pdf) via email of the spirit spot script!
- Limited Edition Koozie ($25) | Get your hands on the limited edition, uniquely branded koozie.
- Limited Edition Challenge Coin ($40) | Own your own uniquely branded challenge coin.
- Limited Edition T-Shirt ($50) | Show your pride and wear your limited edition, uniquely branded t-shirt.
- Spirit Spot Movie Poster ($50) | Get a uniquely created spirit spot movie poster (size 11″ x 14″).
- Autographed Spirit Spot Script ($75) | Read how a spirit spot is crafted. Own your script and have it autographed by Rylan Tuohy.
- Personalized Video from Set ($250) | Whether you want this for yourself, your loved one, your Midshipman, your friend, or your Army rival, get a personalized video from Rylan Tuohy on set.
But, there’s more…
If we raise $50,000 we’re going to make this video, BUT, our stretch goal is to raise $100,000. That will let us hire more crew to handle the complex production that would be involved in this awesome idea, build more realistic and authentic Navy sets and backdrops, have a behind-the-scenes dedicated videography and photography team, and…
We have a specific A-List Celebrity in mind.
If we exceed our budget, it is our goal to invite a specific A-List celebrity for a guest cameo. This opportunity could only be feasible if we go above and beyond our campaign budget. While our stretch goal of $100,000 may sound like a lot, an average 30 second commercial on TV can be around $1,000,000 or more.