Filmmaker uses movie company’s budget to help Yolanda victims

MANILA, Philippines – Hollywood filmmaker Casey Neistat uses up all of the budget for an upcoming movie’s promotional video to help victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Neistat received a call from 20th Century Fox 5 days after Typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the Visayas, asking him to create a promotional video for the upcoming movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” that will “motivate, inspire, and give people a catalyst to do something they have never done.”

He sent them his concept which the movie company agreed to – they will spend the entire US$25,000-budget in helping Filipinos affected by the typhoon in the Philippines.

Neistat flew to Manila then to Cebu with a friend where they used up all the money in buying relief goods. They then rented 2 buses to bring them and the goods to Tacloban.

Upon arrival, they were helped by volunteers in repacking goods.

The $25,000-budget was able to provide 10,000 meals, tools for 35 villages, and basic medicines to local organizations. 

Typhoon Yolanda struck several provinces in the Visayas on November 8. It is said to be the strongest typhoon to make landfall with winds over 300kph. The death toll is now over 6,000 – and the numbers are still rising.

Neistat dedicates the almost 7-minute video to the victims of the typhoon – “the most reslient people” he has ever encountered. He also urged viewers to donate.

Watch Neistat’s video here:

– Rappler.com