You probably 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 hear yourself saying things like “The Army doesn’t give a ship,” straight from his “We Give a Ship” video.

We promise. You know this guy:

And now, Tuohy (who also happens to be one of WATM’s favorite guests) is back with the ultimate goal: crowdfunding enough money to create a Spirit Spot by 2024, made possible 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 rivalry, but it’s also about camaraderie. Spirit spots are unique to the military academies, and since the advent of YouTube, they’ve been created to rally support and foster a sense of community. I think pride is just as important as the game itself. If I can help foster that spirit with a hilarious and hopefully viral video, then I’m all for it.”

Tuohy hopes to raise $50,000 to create another epic Spirit Spot. When he was at USNA, he made his videos with no budget, but he also had no expenses. Tuohy will not profit from the money raised, but it will all go towards 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, humorous online video created to gather support and spirit for the Navy and the U.S. Naval Academy. Spirit Spots are unique to the service academies and represent the friendly rivalry and camaraderie between the U.S. military branches.

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 can watch, laugh, and share the video with your family and friends.

The idea for the project is secret, but…

Here’s what I can tell you about how awesome it will be:

• The project is all about the Navy – it will be a source of pride!
• The spiritual song will be catchy: if you liked We Give A Ship and Helm Yeah, you will love this song too.
• The video is for all target groups, from young to old.
• The script has been written and will remain ‘Top Secret’ until its release!

And don’t just take my word for it, here’s what some Navy icons and supporters had to say about the top-secret idea for a spiritual haven (they got a sneak peek at the script):

“I know that any project (Rylan Tuohy) starts is going to be fantastic.”

• Vice Admiral Ted Carter, USN (Ret.) | President, The Ohio State University

“It would be quite fun, especially if you get the person you mentioned in (the script)… That would be really, really fun.”

• CDR Nicole Schwegman, USN (Ret.) | TV Writer, Former Pentagon Public Affairs Officer

“Every alumni I know would, and I predict will, be 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 greatest spiritual places of all time.”

• Karl Smith | USNA Dad and Blogger, MyKidTheMid.com

“It should work.”

• LCDR Andrea Howard | Nuclear Submarine Officer and Marshall Scholar

“How can you not support something like that?”

• Ausa Faria | USNA Mom & Social Media Director, North Texas Parents Club

We need to raise $50,000…

So we came up with Kickstarter, where fans can back projects in exchange for rewards. We offer all sorts of swag and involvement in the project in exchange for your support. The rewards are summarized below!

With $50,000 we can create a video that will go down in history as the best place for spiritual activities ever (and maybe even take over the internet).

Every dollar raised goes directly to the production of the amazing spirit spot. Specifically, you support a minimal production crew, actors (many of whom will be veterans), professional cinema equipment and rental, location bookings and fees, post-production and editorial services, and two days of production.

Rylan Tuohy will not profit from the money raised. He will spend every penny you pledge to make this video awesome and show the film community that grassroots, Navy-backed projects CAN work.

The rewards for supporting this project

• ‘Fan’ ($25) | Receive a limited edition beer cooler with Spirit Spot’s unique slogan!
• ‘Production Assistant’ ($40) | Receive a unique, limited edition challenge coin to show others you supported this campaign.
• ‘Crew’ ($50) | Get a limited edition T-shirt featuring Spirit Spot’s unique slogan!
• ‘Groupie’ ($50) | Get a uniquely designed movie poster from Spirit Spot thanks to this project!
• ‘Writer’ ($75) | Purchase your own paper copy of the spirit spot script, signed by Rylan Tuohy.
• ‘Virtual Backstage Pass’ ($100) | Get access to behind-the-scenes updates from Rylan Tuohy during production of the spirit spot.
• ‘Publicist’ ($150) | Have your name (first letter of your first and last name) added to the ‘Supporters’ section of the video description on YouTube (e.g. Rylan T.), so others can always see that you supported this project.
• ‘Wardrobe & Props’ ($200) | Get all the cool limited edition swag, for a discounted price. You’ll receive the t-shirt, koozie, signed hardcopy script, and spirit spot movie poster!
• ‘Agent’ ($250) | Have your name or the name of your entity added as a credit on the video as “Special Thanks!”
• ‘Producer’ ($500) | Please include your name or entity on the video as “Producer” which are larger and appear earlier than the lower level credits.
• ‘Studio’ ($750) | Have your name or entity listed as a producer on the video and receive a personalized thank you video on set from Rylan Tuohy!
• ‘VIP’ ($1,000) | Join the production crew on set and witness the creation of the spirit spot! Valid for one person. 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) | Listed as ‘Producer’, receive limited edition swag and appear on screen as a background extra actor! To be eligible for this reward, you must be available from October 6-7, 2024 and October 13-14, 2024 and be located in (or willing to travel to) San Diego, CA. Travel is not included. Actor must be at least 18 years of age.
• ‘Co-Executive Producer’ ($7,500) | Have your name or entity/organization prominently listed as the “Co-Executive Producer.” Additionally, you will receive limited edition swag and be invited to be on set with a guest during production.
• ‘Celebrity’ ($10,000) | Be in the spotlight! You’ll have a speaking role on camera and be in the final video! You’ll also be prominently listed as a ‘Co-Executive Producer’ and receive swag and be on set with two additional guests. Filming will take place on October 6-7, 2024 and October 13-14, 2024 in San Diego, CA. Travel is not included. Actor must be at least 18 years of age.

Extensions

With your support for the project and the selection of the reward, you will be given the opportunity to select an add-on, which is an additional reward that you can add before submitting the payment. Here are the add-ons for the rewards:

• Spirit Spot Script – Digital Copy ($25) | You will receive a digital copy (.pdf) of the spirit spot script via email!
• Limited Edition Koozie ($25) | Shop the limited edition, uniquely branded koozie now.
• Limited Edition Challenge Coin ($40) | Buy your own unique Challenge Coin.
• Limited Edition T-shirt ($50) | Show your pride and wear your unique limited edition T-shirt.
• Spirit Spot Movie Poster ($50) | Receive a unique Spirit Spot movie poster (size 11″ x 14″).
• Signed Spirit Spot Script ($75) | Learn how a spirit spot is made. Own your script and have it signed by Rylan Tuohy.
• Personalized Video on Set ($250) | Whether it’s for yourself, your loved one, your midshipman, your friend, or your military rival, get a personalized video from Rylan Tuohy on set.

But there’s more…

If we raise $50,000, we will make this video, BUT, our goal is to raise $100,000. With that, we can hire more crew to handle the complex production that goes into this great idea, build more realistic and authentic Navy sets and backdrops, have a dedicated behind-the-scenes videography and photography team, and…

We have a specific A-list celebrity in mind.

If we go over budget, our goal is to invite a specific A-List celebrity to make a guest appearance. This opportunity is only achievable if we go above and beyond our campaign budget. While our $100,000 target may seem like a lot, an average 30-second TV commercial can cost around $1,000,000 or more.

Be part of the magic and donate here!