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He revived dinos for Jurassic Park: It's time for his film!

Jan Sovák - the world-renowned paleoartist brings dinosaurs to life on canvas. He also made his footprint in Jurassic Park and now it's time for his own film. We are already filming, but we need your help. Support us and get an original dinosaur reward!

  • Artwork by JS: Tyrannosaurus vs. Triceratops

  • Artwork by JS: Pachyrhinosaurus

  • Artwork by JS: Life in the mesozoic sea

  • Spinosaurus tooth demonstration

  • Otodus shark teeth demonstration

  • Amazing t-shirt with Albertosaurus

  • Amazing t-shirt with Gorgosaurus skull

  • Amazing t-shirt with T-rex

  • Original acrylic painting by JS - Anchiceratops

  • Original acrylic painting by JS - Ornitholestes

  • Original acrylic painting by JS - Sinosauropteryx

  • Artwork by JS: The journey to find water

  • Fearless paleontologist Věnceslav Brábek

  • Jan and Phil at the dig site.

EUR 8,519
pledged of EUR 18,439

46%

46% completed

59 contributors pledged

Film, Education

All or nothing. Project finished on Jul 23, 2023 at 16:46.

Show all rewards

What was life on Earth like millions of years ago?

What you see on the picture is Tyrannosaurus rex, which inhabited our planet tens of millions of years ago. I'm sure you've heard of him. This top predator was brought to life by illustrator of prehistoric life, Jan Sovák. By the way, his drawings also accompanied the book Jurassic Park, which was later made into an Oscar-winning film by Steven Spielberg. He collaborates with the world's leading palaeontologists on museum reconstructions. He is the author of the concept and most of the exhibits in the new exhibition of National Museum in Prague. Sovák's works have been part of the successful Universal Studios traveling exhibition and have appeared in documentary programs on National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Still, you may be hearing the name Jan Sovák for the first time. And we want to change that!

Jan deserves his own film. 

A documentary about his life's journey through the world of dinosaurs. From his first drawings as a child and meeting Zdeněk Burian, to emigrating to Canada and working with world-class institutions and top paleontologists, to how one can bring skeletal remains back to life with a paintbrush.

Help us bring Jan Sovák's Lost World to completion. We go to the North American sites where Honza illustrates the battle between two prehistoric giants - the predatory Allosaurus and the armoured Stegosaurus. In Wyoming, we'll be right next to a Stegosaurus skeleton. With him, we'll go back 150 million years into the past and tell the story of those dinosaurs. What was life like on earth back then? How great was the diversity of what is now a semi-desert landscape?

But all this comes at a price. And that's why we need your help. We've already filmed part of the movie, but there are still more expensive trips to North America to make the dinosaur journey with Jan truly complete.

With the funds raised, we will be able to travel with the crew to Canada and the USA this Summer and get to unique locations where we will be filming directly in the field together with Jan Sovák and his fellow paleontologists. We have to pay for flights, accommodation, fees at each location and filming equipment.

But we don't want your help for nothing. Choose unique dinosaur rewards you can't get anywhere else.

Donate to help complete the film and take home a real 100 million year old dinosaur tooth for example.

Join us on Jan's dinosaur journey!

Who is Jan Sovák?

Illustrator of prehistoric life

Jan Sovák is a world-class Czech writer and artist who is one of the most renowned representatives of paleoart. His illustrations of prehistoric life, created in collaboration with leading paleontologists, are among the best in the world. He became interested in dinosaurs at the age of eight and, inspired by Professor Augusta's book with illustrations by Zdeněk Burian, dreamed of Alberta, Canada, where he could paint dinosaurs right at the discovery sites. This dream came true and since 1983 he has lived and worked in Canada. 

He also contributed with his illustrations to Crichton's book Jurassic Park, which later became the basis for the famous film of the same name. Sovák's artwork subsequently became part of a successful travelling exhibition at Universal Studios and has also appeared in documentary programs on National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. Over the course of his career, Jan created thousands of works that have graced museums around the world, as well as hundreds of books, some of which he wrote himself. He currently lives in Prague, working with museums, illustrating, and writing books, and passing on his extensive experience and undying enthusiasm to the next generation.

Read more HERE.

What will we use the money for?

We already have some funds, part of the film has already been shot. But there is still something missing, so we need help with the last trip to North America!

For a minimum of 10 days, four crew members and four performers will travel to a site in Wyoming, USA, as well as a location and museum in Alberta, Canada.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

We anticipate the following costs (CZK): 

  • Airfare to the USA                                                            8x 25,000 = 200,000

  • Car rental, transfers and fuel, travel from the USA to CAN                    85,000

  • Accommodation                                                              10x 10.000 = 100.000

  • Crew per diem                                                                    10x 8.000 = 80.000

  • Contribution to crew fees (the remaining part is from our budget) 4x 15.000 = 60.000

  • Contribution to performers' fees (the remaining part is from our budget) 4x 25.000 = 100.000

  • Fees for filming on location and drone filming                                      150.000

  • Contribution for camera and sound equipment rental                          100.000

  • Insurance                                                                                               30.000

  • Other costs - phones, consumables, overhead 50.000

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

TOTAL                                                                                                                    955.000

We only want to help with  part of the cost. We will make up the rest from our own resources. If we manage to raise more,  all the funds will go to the preparation of the film and Jan's Journey to the Dinosaurs will be all the more interesting.  With your help.

Thanks for reading this far!

And thank you even more for contributing! Only together we can finish the film so that everyone can go with Jan to see the real dinosaurs. But beware, the opportunity to take home a piece of history and still contribute to a good cause is limited. So don't hesitate!

FOR THE CREW

Director Petr Hajn

Petr has been making documentary films for over 30 years. He has directed, for example, “Travelomania” from America, Africa and Asia. Apart from Czech Television, he has worked with Eurosport or BBC and for many years he created documentaries for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. He embarked on the project not only because of his friendship with Jan Sovák, but also to try to convey that hard-to-communicate feeling when you hold a tens of millions of years old tooth in your hand and literally touch history.

Cameraman Petr Vejslík

Petr the cameraman is a similar documentary dinosaur to Petr the director. They have been working together for years on “Travelomania” from around the world. Their last joint project, which you could see on Czech TV, was a big documentary about the national parks of Uganda. As the main cameraman he participated in the Mysterious Depths series. His work can also be seen while listening to classical music on the Arte TV station, where he provides broadcasts from the Rudolfinum in Prague. He was also behind the camera on an expedition in search of endangered species and their domestic rescuers in the series Czechs Rescue with Dan Bárta.

Producer Marek Foltman

Marek worked among other things on the creation of Dinosauria Museum Prague. He hunted for dinosaurs to buy, designed parts of the exhibition and made sure everything worked out. Dinosaurs, the adventures of paleontology, paleoart and the personal story of Jan Sovák fascinated him so much that today he is committed and personally dedicated to the creation of this documentary.

News

Jun 28, 2023 We have fossils ready for you!

Spinosaurus teeth The beautiful teeth of the predatory Spinosaurus are ready for you. A premium quality collector's piece imported fresh from Morocco. Shark teeth of Megalodon's predecessor Each piece is different, but they're all awesome. They've been waiting for you for almost 60 million…

More

Jun 28, 2023 New rewards from Dinosauria Museum Prague

Introducing new rewards from our partner Dinosauria Museum Prague, a unique museum with original giant dinosaur remains located near Prague Airport. The best way to visit the museum is with someone who understands the subject and enjoys it a lot. Paleontologist Stepan is such an enthusiastic…

More

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Choose reward for your contribution

  • remaining 96 from 100
    A personal thank you in the credits

    Do you want to be in the end credits of the film? Support us with any amount and we will do the rest.

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 8.20
    (CZK 200)

  • remaining 32 from 50
    Ticket to Dinosauria Museum Prague for 1 person

    We have a super-low price ticket to the unique Dinosauria Museum Prague? Have you ever seen a real dinosaur skeleton in its majestic size?

    The 24-metre long Diplodocus, perhaps the largest Triceratops on display in the world,
    Allosaurus, Mosasaurus, models of T-rex, Stegosaurus, Quetzalcoatl and much more.

    Tickets are valid for an adult and child (children under 5 get in free), all day, weekdays and
    weekends.

    📦
    Tickets will be available for pick up at the museum box office - Dinosauria Museum Prague
    (POP Airport near Václav Havel Airport).

    Reward delivery: in a week after the Hithit project end

    EUR 8.20
    (CZK 200)

  • remaining 22 from 25
    Postcards from the USA

    Thanks and greetings from Honza and the crew directly from the site in Wyoming, USA.
    Of course signed on the spot and dirty with road dust.

    📦
    Postage is included, so the postcard will fly across the ocean to you.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 16.39
    (CZK 400)

  • remaining 23 from 25
    Thank you from the site in Canada

    For the more adventurous, we also have a postcard from the Badlands area of Alberta,
    Canada.

    The very place where you trip over dinosaur bones and teeth at almost every turn.

    📦
    Postage is included, so the postcard will fly across the ocean to you.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 16.39
    (CZK 400)

  • remaining 22 from 25
    Book with dedication - Věnceslav Brábek's expedition

    Jan Sovák has discovered the journals of an incredible historical explorer and brings his
    accounts of prehistoric expeditions to you in the pages of Expedition Books.
    In this latest volume, you will travel back some 400 million years to the Devonian and its
    forests.

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 16.39
    (CZK 400)

  • remaining 50 from 50
    Tickets - Dinosaur VR - a virtual reality experience

    An experience that truly transports you back to the dinosaurs. With the VR headset you move through space, dinosaurs come to life before your eyes in the latest 4K graphics and you can almost touch them. Plus, you will given a research assignment. You will definitely enjoy this game!

    Tickets are valid all day, weekdays and weekends. The recommended age limit for the
    experience is 8 years and up. Reservations are recommended.

    📦
    Tickets will be available for pick up at the museum box office - Dinosauria Museum Prague
    (POP Airport near Václav Havel Airport).

    Reward delivery: in a week after the Hithit project end

    EUR 16.39
    (CZK 400)

  • remaining 20 from 20
    0,5l drinking bottle with dinosaur motif

    Especially for little dinosaur fans, we have a cool pint bottle from the Dinosauria Museum
    Prague shop.

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 20.49
    (CZK 500)

  • remaining 48 from 50
    T-shirt - Tyrannosaurus

    Something for dinosaur fans! These t-shirts will make you a tough explorer.
    Get a quality black t-shirt in your size printed with an illustration by Jan Sovák.
    Show your teeth!

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    ✂️
    Don't forget to write your size in the note so we can cut the shirt exactly to size (S, M, L, XL, XXL).

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 24.59
    (CZK 600)

  • remaining 46 from 50
    T-shirt - Gorgosaurus skull

    Something for dinosaur fans! These shirts will make you a tough explorer.
    Get a high quality black t-shirt in your size printed with Jan Sovák's illustration.
    Show your teeth!

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    ✂️
    Don't forget to write your size in the note so we can cut the shirt exactly to size (S, M, L, XL, XXL).

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 24.59
    (CZK 600)

  • remaining 49 from 50
    T-shirt - Albertosaurus

    Something for dinosaur fans! These t-shirts will make you a tough explorer.
    Get a quality black t-shirt in your size printed with an illustration by Jan Sovák.
    Show your teeth!

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    ✂️
    Don't forget to write your size in the note so we can cut the shirt exactly to size (S, M, L, XL, XXL).

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 24.59
    (CZK 600)

  • remaining 23 from 25
    Collection of 2 books with dedication - Expedition of Věnceslav Brábek

    Jan Sovák discovered the journals of an incredible historical explorer and brings you his
    accounts of prehistoric expeditions in the pages of Expedition Books.

    Complete the two previous volumes, I. to the Upper Cretaceous under the Black Forests, II. to the dark depths of the Silurian Seas.

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 28.68
    (CZK 700)

  • remaining 19 from 25
    Original shark tooth fossils - Otodus obliquus

    A fossilized tooth of an extinct shark that lived 45-60 million years ago. It could have grown
    to a length of 9-12 metres and was the apex predator of its time.

    Get this original tens of millions of years old souvenir imported from the sites of modern-day Morocco.

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 30.73
    (CZK 750)

  • remaining 12 from 12
    Special tour of Dinosauria Museum Prague with paleontologist Štěpán Pícha

    The best experience of visiting the museum is when accompanied by an expert and enthusiast.

    We know one such person and we asked him to guide you through the unique collection of
    the Dinosauria Museum.

    Štěpán's enthusiasm and interpretation will be appreciated by young and old alike.
    We have limited the size of the guided group to 4 people to make your experience as intense as possible.

    The price includes a ticket to the Dinosauria Museum Prague and is for 1 person regardless of age. The maximum group size is 4 people.

    📦
    The date of the tour can be found by mutual agreement.

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 40.98
    (CZK 1,000)

  • remaining 5 from 5
    Original fossils of Nautilus

    A living fossil of a cephalopod that is older than the dinosaurs. The first appearance of similar animals is 550 million years ago. 

    The fossil measures 8-9 cm. It comes from Madagascar and has been dated to the Cretaceous period, 98-95 million years ago. 

    The fossilised shell in golden section proportions will make the Nautilus a distinctive aesthetic element in your home. 

    📦  Delivery across the Czech Republic is included in the price.
     

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 49.17
    (CZK 1,200)

  • remaining 15 from 15
    FUJIFILM - Peak Design camera strap

    For avid photographers and filmmakers, we have the iconic Peak Design Slide camera straps.

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 73.76
    (CZK 1,800)

  • remaining 16 from 20
    Original Dinosaur Tooth Fossil - Spinosaurus

    A collector's treasure!
    ​
    High quality original tooth of a 112-94 million year old dinosaur found in what is now
    Morocco.

    Spinosaurus was a huge carnivorous predator that was one of the largest theropods, some
    sources list it as the largest. It grew to a length of 14, possibly 18 metres.

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 102.44
    (CZK 2,500)

  • remaining 17 from 20
    Signed collector's print in tube - Wandering for water - A2 format

    And this is awesome!

    Beautiful illustration by Jan Sovák, in high quality print and enlarged format, signed and
    dedicated by the author. All this in a limited edition of only 20 copies.
    This will not happen again!

    📦
    Sensitively packaged in a tube. Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 102.44
    (CZK 2,500)

  • remaining 19 from 20
    Signed collectible print in tube - Tyrannosaurus - A2 format

    And this is awesome!

    Beautiful illustration by Jan Sovák, in high quality print and enlarged format, signed and
    dedicated by the author. All this in a limited edition of only 20 copies.
    This will not happen again!

    📦
    Sensitively packaged in a tube. Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 102.44
    (CZK 2,500)

  • remaining 19 from 20
    Signed collectible print in tube - Life in the sea of Mesozoic - A2 format

    And this is awesome!

    Beautiful illustration by Jan Sovák, in high quality print and enlarged format, signed and
    dedicated by the author. All this in a limited edition of only 20 copies.
    This will not happen again!

    📦
    Sensitively packaged in a tube. Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 102.44
    (CZK 2,500)

  • remaining 19 from 20
    Signed collectible print in tube - Trinity of Pachyrhinosaurs - A2 format

    And this is awesome!

    Beautiful illustration by Jan Sovák, in high quality print and enlarged format, signed and
    dedicated by the author. All this in a limited edition of only 20 copies.
    This will not happen again!

    📦
    Sensitively packaged in a tube. Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 102.44
    (CZK 2,500)

  • remaining 7 from 7
    Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO

    Even Jan Sovák is capturing situations and details from the find on his Instax. You simply
    press the shutter and within seconds a photo comes out. You can have a dinosaur skull on it as well as a selfie with your friends by the pond.

    Of course, we will throw in a couple of boxes of film as well.

    📦
    Delivery within Czech Republic is included.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 163.90
    (CZK 4,000)

  • remaining 9 from 10
    3h Paleoart course with Jan Sovák

    Hear Jan Sovák's experiences and his perspective on the history, present and future of
    reconstructing life long past - paleoart.

    Jan is a man more than called. He has been involved in prehistoric illustration since
    childhood. He was trained by master Burian. He was one of a handful of artists in the world
    who devoted themselves to dinosaurs. This was before Jurassic Park, which Honza was also involved in thanks to his illustrations for Crichton's book. In particular, together with the ace of world paleontology Dr. Phil Currie, he worked and works for many museums not only in Canada, but also in Prague.

    Can you imagine a better guide to the art-science discipline of paleoart? In addition, each
    participant will receive a sketch with a dedication at the end of the course as a testament to their education in paleoart.

    Max capacity is 10 people.

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 204.88
    (CZK 5,000)

  • remaining 1 from 2
    Private screening of the documentary - The Lost World of Jan Sovák

    We will arrange a pre-premiere screening of the finished documentary including the
    participation of a representative of the filmmakers and, depending on time availability, Jan
    Sovák.

    The date will be specified later depending on the completion of the film.

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 2,048.76
    (CZK 50,000)

  • remaining 1 from 1
    Ornitholestes - Original acrylic by Jan Sovák 37x28 cm

    We have no words!

    You can't buy an original painting by Jan Sovák anywhere.
    Ornitholestes lived 155-150 million years ago in the west of today's North America. It was a relatively small, lightly built predator, growing to a length of only 2 metres.

    Can you imagine meeting this pet?

    📦
    We will arrange for framing and delivery to you. A simple glazed frame and delivery across
    the country are included.
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 2,458.51
    (CZK 60,000)

  • remaining 1 from 1
    Sinosauropteryx - Original acrylic by Jan Sovák 37x28 cm

    We have no words!

    You can't buy an original painting by Jan Sovák anywhere.
    125 million years ago, a genus of small predatory dinosaurs called Sinosauropteryx lived in what is now northeastern China. It was the first dinosaur to be found with feather-like feather impressions on its body surface.

    Did dinosaurs need feathers to adapt to the climate? How did they live and care for their
    families? Was the T-rex feathered? These are questions you can debate with friends when
    they see this painting in your home.

    📦
    Framing and delivery to you can be arranged. A simple glazed frame and domestic delivery are included.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 2,458.51
    (CZK 60,000)

  • remaining 1 from 1
    Film partner

    A huge THANK YOU!

    We will get your name not only in the credits as a film partner, on the posters, but also in our hearts.

    Become the main partner of the film about Honza Sovák's journey to find dinosaurs and you will be talked about until the end of the quaternary.

    The date will be specified later depending on the completion of the film.

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 4,097.52
    (CZK 100,000)

  • Sold out!!
    Expedition with Jan to the dinosaurs

    Accompany Honza and a TV crew on a journey to paleontological sites in Canada and the
    United States. You'll get to visit unique places, experience expedition travel to the sites and maybe even steal a page from Honza's sketchbook...

    Included in the price is a rental car, and the reward does not include airfare, visas, or the cost of your stay abroad.

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 2,048.76
    (CZK 50,000)

  • Sold out!!
    Anchiceratops - Original acrylic by Jan Sovák 33x26 cm

    We have no words!

    You can't buy an original painting by Jan Sovák anywhere.
    Anchiceratops, this horned herbivorous dinosaur lived 72-71 million years ago in what is now Alberta, Canada. Like its relative Triceratops, it features three horns, a parrot-like beak and a skull stretched into a bony collar. Was this collar for protection, thermoregulation or was it for show? Perhaps it was to cool a skull heated with worry over its young.

    Adopt an Anchiceratops with its two offspring and help it banish worries about where they
    will live.

    📦
    Framing and delivery to you can be arranged. A simple glass frame and delivery across the country are included.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 2,458.51
    (CZK 60,000)

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