A Piece of You
Manhasset, New York | Film Short
Drama, Thriller
A Piece of You is a psychological thriller/drama with touches of black comedy about a dysfunctional family who get together after a long time of not seeing each other to celebrate the family dog’s birthday.
A Piece of You
Manhasset, New York | Film Short
Drama, Thriller
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
100 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$16,462
Goal: $20,000 for production
A Piece of You is a psychological thriller/drama with touches of black comedy about a dysfunctional family who get together after a long time of not seeing each other to celebrate the family dog’s birthday.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Synopsis
A Piece of You is a psychological thriller/drama with touches of black comedy about a dysfunctional family who get together after a long time of not seeing each other to celebrate the family dog’s birthday in their Brooklyn brownstone. Margaret, the narcissistic mother who likes to take control, feels underappreciated by her two grown daughters; so, during this visit, she demands that they prove their dedication to her in a grotesque way– and things go very wrong from there.
Why Are We Making This?
A Piece of You explores the traumatic effect of a deeply toxic family dynamic that truly revolves around one person. This short film will magnify how a narcissist changes a group dynamic and how each member of the group has their own deformed way of reacting to one bad apple. I have personally been in a few of these toxic dynamics and I know many other people have been too. Therefore, my goal is to reach those of you who have suffered from narcissistic abuse or can simply relate to having someone in your life who constantly put you down and made you feel small to boost themselves up.
The Characters
Margaret (61) is a narcissistic mommy with a psycho twist who determines the mood in every room she enters. She is physically small and emotionally delicate but has a strong presence and flips like a light switch.
George (48) is a classic beta male plagued by Stockholm syndrome whose survival instinct is to make himself invisible. Despite his tall, lanky frame, he shakes like a shivering wet chihuahua while stuck in a toxic relationship and the cognitive dissonance accompanying that experience.
Nina (24) is an unwavering POV, a classic, protective oldest daughter. A strong, principled fighter, she often appears fearless, but even she has her limits.
Rachel (20) is our youngest daughter who aims to please and maintain the peace. Sickeningly sweet, she fawns in the face of conflict and danger but can ultimately distinguish right from wrong.
Why Should You See This Film? Why Now?
Many people can relate to having a narcissist in their families, friend groups, workplaces, or love lives. Now more than ever seems like a good time to shine a light on this issue– especially since a lot of the people running our world today are greedy, insecure individuals who constantly want more power and control, regardless of the cost that this has on others. Although Margaret is not a member of said oligarchy, she certainly behaves like it, and I aim to expose the core of her character as a case study.
Ways You Can Support
Money. We need money in order to hopefully shoot this thing this year. You can see how we plan to use this money in our Wishlist section!
And of course we need money, but we’d also love for you to share the link to our fundraiser or offer any resources. For instance, do you know anyone who has equipment we could use? Do you know any potential crew members? Do you have ties to any local restaurants who would feed some lowly filmmakers for free or for cheap? If yes to any of these questions, please come through! We will be eternally grateful.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food
Costs $1,000
Food is fuel and we need fuel to make a killer movie (no pun intended). Feed our hardworking cast & crew!
Cast & Crew
Costs $8,400
Talented people need to be paid. Help us give them they deserve for their blood, sweat, and tears (also no pun intended)!
Equipment & Insurance
Costs $4,200
Quality equipment and insurance ensures that we make the most beautiful film we can make in the most safe, efficient way.
Post-Production
Costs $2,500
In order for our film to hit the screen, we need the technology and a team of talented friends to make this super indie film come alive.
Film Festivals
Costs $1,600
We need to submit our film to festivals– which costs money– to show it to audiences. So, if you want to actually see it, make a pledge!
Props & Wardrobe
Costs $600
Every detail matters! Props and wardrobe are key to convey a message and tell our story.
Contingency
Costs $1,700
This should cover any unexpected expenses that may arise in the process.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Stephanie Okun - Writer/Director
Stephanie Okun is an emerging writer/director based in New York, NY. As a playwright, her work has been shown at Frigid New York, Theater for the City, Irvington Town Hall Theatre, Midnight Sun Theatre Company in Anchorage, Alaska, and more. As a screenwriter/director, her film He Took the B Train was selected for screening at Black Bear Film Festival in Pennsylvania, another film of hers was shown at Wesleyan University’s Cardinal Pictures Film Festival, and her short film script Fugu won an honorable mention in Off-Page Film Festival’s script competition. She is also a proud alum of Stephen Sondheim's Young Playwrights Inc and a former intern/current member at New York Women in Film & Television. She is excited for the future and can't wait to share her work with you.
Ozzi Ramirez - Producer
Ozzi Alexander Ramirez is a Cuban-American filmmaker from Miami. He received a Bachelors in English Literature at the University of Vermont and a Master's Degree in Communications from Florida International University. Since moving to New York City in 2019, Ozzi has worked as a PA on various projects, interned at New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), and explored various roles at film festivals such as NewFest, Tribeca, Miami Film Festival, Hamptons Film Festival, and Brooklyn Film Festival. Having participated as part of several screening committees, he recently segued into programming. A Piece of You marks his venture into the world of producing and he is excited to continue to explore new bold and innovative projects while collaborating with other filmmakers. Some of his favorite films include but are not limited to American Beauty, All About My Mother, The Graduate, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, Frida, Pete's Dragon (1977) High Art, The Tenant, Grease 2, Pink Flamingos, All of Us Strangers, Streetwise, Cinema Paradiso, and Scream (1996).
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Synopsis
A Piece of You is a psychological thriller/drama with touches of black comedy about a dysfunctional family who get together after a long time of not seeing each other to celebrate the family dog’s birthday in their Brooklyn brownstone. Margaret, the narcissistic mother who likes to take control, feels underappreciated by her two grown daughters; so, during this visit, she demands that they prove their dedication to her in a grotesque way– and things go very wrong from there.
Why Are We Making This?
A Piece of You explores the traumatic effect of a deeply toxic family dynamic that truly revolves around one person. This short film will magnify how a narcissist changes a group dynamic and how each member of the group has their own deformed way of reacting to one bad apple. I have personally been in a few of these toxic dynamics and I know many other people have been too. Therefore, my goal is to reach those of you who have suffered from narcissistic abuse or can simply relate to having someone in your life who constantly put you down and made you feel small to boost themselves up.
The Characters
Margaret (61) is a narcissistic mommy with a psycho twist who determines the mood in every room she enters. She is physically small and emotionally delicate but has a strong presence and flips like a light switch.
George (48) is a classic beta male plagued by Stockholm syndrome whose survival instinct is to make himself invisible. Despite his tall, lanky frame, he shakes like a shivering wet chihuahua while stuck in a toxic relationship and the cognitive dissonance accompanying that experience.
Nina (24) is an unwavering POV, a classic, protective oldest daughter. A strong, principled fighter, she often appears fearless, but even she has her limits.
Rachel (20) is our youngest daughter who aims to please and maintain the peace. Sickeningly sweet, she fawns in the face of conflict and danger but can ultimately distinguish right from wrong.
Why Should You See This Film? Why Now?
Many people can relate to having a narcissist in their families, friend groups, workplaces, or love lives. Now more than ever seems like a good time to shine a light on this issue– especially since a lot of the people running our world today are greedy, insecure individuals who constantly want more power and control, regardless of the cost that this has on others. Although Margaret is not a member of said oligarchy, she certainly behaves like it, and I aim to expose the core of her character as a case study.
Ways You Can Support
Money. We need money in order to hopefully shoot this thing this year. You can see how we plan to use this money in our Wishlist section!
And of course we need money, but we’d also love for you to share the link to our fundraiser or offer any resources. For instance, do you know anyone who has equipment we could use? Do you know any potential crew members? Do you have ties to any local restaurants who would feed some lowly filmmakers for free or for cheap? If yes to any of these questions, please come through! We will be eternally grateful.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food
Costs $1,000
Food is fuel and we need fuel to make a killer movie (no pun intended). Feed our hardworking cast & crew!
Cast & Crew
Costs $8,400
Talented people need to be paid. Help us give them they deserve for their blood, sweat, and tears (also no pun intended)!
Equipment & Insurance
Costs $4,200
Quality equipment and insurance ensures that we make the most beautiful film we can make in the most safe, efficient way.
Post-Production
Costs $2,500
In order for our film to hit the screen, we need the technology and a team of talented friends to make this super indie film come alive.
Film Festivals
Costs $1,600
We need to submit our film to festivals– which costs money– to show it to audiences. So, if you want to actually see it, make a pledge!
Props & Wardrobe
Costs $600
Every detail matters! Props and wardrobe are key to convey a message and tell our story.
Contingency
Costs $1,700
This should cover any unexpected expenses that may arise in the process.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Stephanie Okun - Writer/Director
Stephanie Okun is an emerging writer/director based in New York, NY. As a playwright, her work has been shown at Frigid New York, Theater for the City, Irvington Town Hall Theatre, Midnight Sun Theatre Company in Anchorage, Alaska, and more. As a screenwriter/director, her film He Took the B Train was selected for screening at Black Bear Film Festival in Pennsylvania, another film of hers was shown at Wesleyan University’s Cardinal Pictures Film Festival, and her short film script Fugu won an honorable mention in Off-Page Film Festival’s script competition. She is also a proud alum of Stephen Sondheim's Young Playwrights Inc and a former intern/current member at New York Women in Film & Television. She is excited for the future and can't wait to share her work with you.
Ozzi Ramirez - Producer
Ozzi Alexander Ramirez is a Cuban-American filmmaker from Miami. He received a Bachelors in English Literature at the University of Vermont and a Master's Degree in Communications from Florida International University. Since moving to New York City in 2019, Ozzi has worked as a PA on various projects, interned at New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), and explored various roles at film festivals such as NewFest, Tribeca, Miami Film Festival, Hamptons Film Festival, and Brooklyn Film Festival. Having participated as part of several screening committees, he recently segued into programming. A Piece of You marks his venture into the world of producing and he is excited to continue to explore new bold and innovative projects while collaborating with other filmmakers. Some of his favorite films include but are not limited to American Beauty, All About My Mother, The Graduate, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, Frida, Pete's Dragon (1977) High Art, The Tenant, Grease 2, Pink Flamingos, All of Us Strangers, Streetwise, Cinema Paradiso, and Scream (1996).