Two boys, Malik and Jamal, witness the changing of time in history (60'-90's), learning to deal with worldly struggles—and Family dynamics in times of injustice and prejudice—as they turn from boys to men. Will they be hardened by experiences, or will they overcome the environment around them?
Two boys, Malik and Jamal, witness the changing of time in history (60'-90's), learning to deal with worldly struggles—and Family dynamics in times of injustice and prejudice—as they turn from boys to men. Will they be hardened by experiences, or will they overcome the environment around them?
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Story
Mission Statement
As young mixed black males, my co-creator and I have stake in this story because these are the stories of our family, stories that echo in realism and reality. A lot of these stories we don't get a glimpse at, but much of these issues we still fight and die for today. It's about Inclusion.About The Project
AS OF SEPTEMBER 22, WE ARE AT 100% OF OUR GOAL!!! THANK YOU!!!
You've come this far with us, please join us in going even further to our
NEW STRETCH GOALS!!!
Every dollar we get helps us expand our vision.
Help us spread the word, reach more people, build our community.
Let all our voices be heard together.
People marching and fighting in the streets. Buildings burning, people dying, tear gas, violence, speeches about rights, and protest. All these things are happening now down the street as I am typing.
How did we get here? What are some of the events that occurred to get to this point?
In order to better understand and to get a glimpse of this, it's important to look back into those moments. This project AFTER LAUGHTER is a brief glimpse into one of those stories.
A story of a FAMILY pushed together and stretched apart in order to pick up the pieces only to find the importance of living a FULL LIFE.
A question that we find ourselves asking to people who lived through important events in history are: What were you doing when ... this happened? Where were you when ... this happened? These are stories based on factual worldly life events that show you what someone might have been doing, or going through.
We want to show how these worldly events can affect and shift and shape what's going on personally. This is beyond important today because it's happening again. Right now! History has a tendency to repeat itself, and these are the STORIES that we NEED to TELL.
AFTER LAUGHTER takes place throughout two and a half decades of early 1960s through the late 1980s in Baltimore.
We see the world through the history of a black family and the characters involved. The house being a character as we sift through a middle-class and low socio-economic family in these times.
Finally, it’s an homage to films such as Birdman with long takes—with the emotions and feelings of Whiplash and Moonlight—but set in historical background of films such as Malcolm X and Selma.
Jamal and Malik, two African-American boys, learn what it’s really like growing up in America through the 60's, 70's and 80's.
Each decade provides emotions and challenges that bring the boys into adulthood.
While Malik deals with his sexuality and family conflict, Jamal experiences loss and struggles finding his voice.
How will their family and friendship survive the changing of the times and how will they learn to become men in a society full of turmoil and rampant injustice?
Currently, we are in pre-production. All we need is you and the right finances in order to film Principal Photography. We are still casting and hiring but we have booked most of our talented cast and crew, along with a tentative location (pending). We just have to climb up over that hill so that we can actually bring our vision to life.
Our plan for AFTER LAUGHTER is to get it out there as much as possible. We want to bring it to the Festival Circuit and submit to the Sundance Film Festival, TriBeCa, sxsw,... and more.
Thanks to your donation we get the opportunity to shoot this beautiful film the way we want to.
These are harsh and trying times. It's proving extremely difficult to film anything due to COVID-19 because of the regulations now required to film. This pandemic comes also with a price tag that productions have to follow for testing for cast and crew along with other safety precaution protocols.
We want to shoot in a safe and healthy environment.
However, despite this with COVID-19, the recent social events in our world and my community made us realize that now more than ever is the time to tell this story and other stories like this. Stories of Unity and Inclusion and the Struggles involved are vital.
These are the stories we need right now.
Check out all our cool perks!!!
Be part of one of our Production Meetings!!!
Why Stretch Goals?
When we started this campaign we thought it would take us the whole 30 days to reach our $15,000 goal. Thanks to your amazing support and response we have reached that goal in just two weeks!
We could never thank you enough. We would like to use the time we have left to reach some stretch goals that can take After Laughter even further.
$15,000 is our minimal budget for production and it covers exactly what we listed: key crew, talent, set building, location and production design.
Here are other things that we need:
Every dollar we get helps us expand our vision.
You can help us spread the word, reach more people, build our community.
Let all our voices be heard together.
THANK YOU!!!
Incentives
$15
The Epitome of Cool
No one screams Effortlessly Cool better than Barry White.
Pledge $15 and our Social Media will celebrate your Awesomeness for a day.
INCLUDES:
- Our Eternal Gratitude
- A Massive Shout Out on all our Social Media
- A spot on our Weekly Social Media Wall of Fame
$25
The Magnetic
When we think Magnetic, we think Eartha Kitt.
Pledge $25, star in our vintage TV Photobooth.
INCLUDES:
- A Personalized Digital print of YOU set in the Your Close Up of After Laughter vintage TV Photobooth
- Previous Incentives
$50
The Ever Generous
Oprah Winfrey has been lighting up our TV sets with her beautiful generosity.
Pledge $50, let your huge heart shine!
INCLUDES:
- Your name in the Film Credits under Special Thanks
- Previous Incentives
$100
The Groundbreaker
Melvin Van Peebles paved the road as the "The Godfather of Modern Black Cinema".
Pledge $100, show the way:
INCLUDES:
- A Digital Copy of the After Laughter Poster signed by Emmy Award Winner Artist Teddy Wright
- Previous Incentives
$125
THE FIGHTER
Michelle “Mikki” Agins won the Pulitzer Prize with her team
for a series in 2000 on “How Race is Lived in America”
Pledge $125 and take a peek behind the scenes!
INCLUDES:
- An exclusive Digital Photo Album of the After Laughter film shoot
- A Spot on our Wall of Fame + Your name in the Film Credits under Special Thanks
$150
The Trendsetter
Set the trend like no other! Ann Cole Lowe's gorgeous designs are displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Pledge $150, get your stylin' going!
INCLUDES:
- The After Laughter T-shirt featuring Artwork by Emmy Award Winner Teddy Wright
- Previous Incentives
$250
The Poet of the Truth
James Baldwin is undoubtedly one of the most truthful voices of America.
Pledge $250, make your voice matter.
INCLUDES:
- A digital copy of the After Laughter Script signed by our Creative Team Adrian Burks & Teddy Wright
- Previous Incentives
$500
The Just
Chuck Stone, groundbreaking journalist and editor, decried racism, political corruption, and police brutality, particularly against African Americans.
Pledge $500 and be in the creative room.
INCLUDES:
- Virtual Post-Production meeting as an observer with the Creative Team & Producers
- A Spot on our Wall of Fame + Film Credits under Special Thanks
Claimed: 0 of 9
$500
The Unassuming Legend
Wendy Rene's soulful voice and transporting song After Laughter inspired our film.
Pledge $500, let it be music to your ears.
INCLUDES:
- A digital Download of the Soundtrack of After Laughter composed by musicians Adrian Burks, Teddy Wright & Danny Alfaro (Please note Soundtrack will not be available until after the movie has been filmed)
- Previous Incentives
$1,000
The Brave
Rosa Parks, "The First Lady fof Civil Rights" is the beacon to our moral compass.
Pledge $1,000 and become part of the production team.
INCLUDES:
- An Associate Producer Credit (Please note creative control remains in the full hands of the creative team)
- IMDB Credit
- Previous Incentives
$3,000
The Leader
Martin Luther King, Jr. left us the gift of Courage to fight for a fair tomorrow.
Pledge $3,000 or more and become part of the production team.
INCLUDES:
- An Executive Producer Credit (Please note creative control remains in the full hands of the creative team)
- IMDB Credit
- Previous Incentives (minus Associate Producer Credit)
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
The Epitome of Cool
No one screams Effortlessly Cool better than Barry White.
Pledge $15 and our Social Media will celebrate your Awesomeness for a day.
INCLUDES:
- Our Eternal Gratitude
- A Massive Shout Out on all our Social Media
- A spot on our Weekly Social Media Wall of Fame
$25
The Magnetic
When we think Magnetic, we think Eartha Kitt.
Pledge $25, star in our vintage TV Photobooth.
INCLUDES:
- A Personalized Digital print of YOU set in the Your Close Up of After Laughter vintage TV Photobooth
- Previous Incentives
$50
The Ever Generous
Oprah Winfrey has been lighting up our TV sets with her beautiful generosity.
Pledge $50, let your huge heart shine!
INCLUDES:
- Your name in the Film Credits under Special Thanks
- Previous Incentives
$100
The Groundbreaker
Melvin Van Peebles paved the road as the "The Godfather of Modern Black Cinema".
Pledge $100, show the way:
INCLUDES:
- A Digital Copy of the After Laughter Poster signed by Emmy Award Winner Artist Teddy Wright
- Previous Incentives
$125
THE FIGHTER
Michelle “Mikki” Agins won the Pulitzer Prize with her team
for a series in 2000 on “How Race is Lived in America”
Pledge $125 and take a peek behind the scenes!
INCLUDES:
- An exclusive Digital Photo Album of the After Laughter film shoot
- A Spot on our Wall of Fame + Your name in the Film Credits under Special Thanks
$150
The Trendsetter
Set the trend like no other! Ann Cole Lowe's gorgeous designs are displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Pledge $150, get your stylin' going!
INCLUDES:
- The After Laughter T-shirt featuring Artwork by Emmy Award Winner Teddy Wright
- Previous Incentives
$250
The Poet of the Truth
James Baldwin is undoubtedly one of the most truthful voices of America.
Pledge $250, make your voice matter.
INCLUDES:
- A digital copy of the After Laughter Script signed by our Creative Team Adrian Burks & Teddy Wright
- Previous Incentives
$500
The Just
Chuck Stone, groundbreaking journalist and editor, decried racism, political corruption, and police brutality, particularly against African Americans.
Pledge $500 and be in the creative room.
INCLUDES:
- Virtual Post-Production meeting as an observer with the Creative Team & Producers
- A Spot on our Wall of Fame + Film Credits under Special Thanks
Claimed: 0 of 9
$500
The Unassuming Legend
Wendy Rene's soulful voice and transporting song After Laughter inspired our film.
Pledge $500, let it be music to your ears.
INCLUDES:
- A digital Download of the Soundtrack of After Laughter composed by musicians Adrian Burks, Teddy Wright & Danny Alfaro (Please note Soundtrack will not be available until after the movie has been filmed)
- Previous Incentives
$1,000
The Brave
Rosa Parks, "The First Lady fof Civil Rights" is the beacon to our moral compass.
Pledge $1,000 and become part of the production team.
INCLUDES:
- An Associate Producer Credit (Please note creative control remains in the full hands of the creative team)
- IMDB Credit
- Previous Incentives
$3,000
The Leader
Martin Luther King, Jr. left us the gift of Courage to fight for a fair tomorrow.
Pledge $3,000 or more and become part of the production team.
INCLUDES:
- An Executive Producer Credit (Please note creative control remains in the full hands of the creative team)
- IMDB Credit
- Previous Incentives (minus Associate Producer Credit)
- Updates
-
Current Team
About This Team
Adrian Burks- Adrian is an actor, writer, and producer. He is the co-writer, producer, and co-star of After Laughter. Orginally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and an ex semi-professional athlete, he has been a filmmaker in Los Angeles for about 9 years, in which he has appeared in movies such as the Academy Award winning WHIPLASH and the comedic cult classic FIRST PERIOD. He has also appeared in television shows such as CBS: CODE BLACK, and ALL ABOUT LIZZIE. He has also had the pleasure of working for major studios assisting in production at CBS and FOX. He has written 3 short films that went into production, and directed one. After laughter will be his biggest venture yet as a creator. (link to reel) https://vimeo.com/198123580 IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5222453/
Theodore wright IV- Teddy is a writer, director, and graphic artist. He is the Co-writer and director of AFTER LAUGHTER. He has created graphic art and illustrations for various companies such as the National Football League (sole illustrator for 100 All-Time team), ACME ARCHIVES (created art and licensing for Disney star wars, marvel, lucas films). He also has literary publications for children books and comic books. (link to website) https://www.teddywrightiv.com
Alexandra Guérineaud- is a French Actor-Writer-Producer, based in Los Angeles. She was born and raised in Bordeaux, France. Right after college she moved to San Francisco and studied drama at the American Conservatory Theater. She soon met Artist and Filmmaker Lynn Hershman Leeson and became her assistant. She took part in a variety of the Artist’s fascinating projects from early development to completion including TEKNOLUST starring Tilda Swinton. She also acted in Caveh Zahedi’s brilliant “I am a Sex Addict”. She is the co-creator, co-writer, and co-producer of the dark comedy “Frennemis Jurés” (Sworn Frenemies) in which she stars with Weetus Cren. The series is currently in the festival circuit and won Best Dramedy at the Asia Web Awards, and Best Actor in a Comedy at the New Jersey Web Fest. Her latest short film “Satin White”, a psychological thriller which she co-wrote, co-produced and acted in won Best Indie Short at the Festigious International Film Festival and at the Top Shorts Film Festival. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0345947/
Valerie Cook- has 10 years of film and television experience, spanning from page to post. She received a B.A. from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Valerie assisted in developing the script for TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D, and later relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana to work as a Production Assistant on TC3D, and Brandon Braga’s SALEM. Valerie also produced and directed a documentary short entitled INSIDE THE PRISON LIBRARY PROJECT, which discusses the correlation between illiteracy and recidivism in prisons through the lens of a nonprofit book sharing program. Valerie has Assistant Directed multiple award winning short films, and was the 2nd 2nd AD on Amber Tamblyn’s directorial debut, PAINT IT BLACK. Her work as a Production or Executive Assistant includes: BOSCH, PENN & TELLER: FOOL US, SECRET IN THEIR EYES, and SUBURBICON. Valerie worked in Post Operations at Amazon Studios for 4 years, and is currently attending law school at American University.
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6000061/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1. Produced and Directed by Valerie: https://vimeo.com/77454228Michelle Huynh- Is a versatile producer who has an eye for bringing creative talents together to tell unique stories. She has worked on many productions ranging from short stories, branded content, music videos and Television series: Including HBO's show WATCHMEN. She has worked with Adrian before on his productions and helps run an equipment rental house.
Paul Moore- Screenwriter/editor in Los Angeles. Hailing originally from Northern Virginia, the one thing consistent in his life is his drive to craft original content and stories from a unique perspective. His most recent credits include television series CARS.TV and the AMERICAN ATHLETE as an editor, and the hit narrative audio series EMPEROR PIGS and MANDARWAN INN DEEP as a writer.
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