Alpha 8 Audio Drama

Los Angeles, California | Radio & Podcasts

Family, Sci-Fi

Stephanie Elie

1 Campaigns | California, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $14,548 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

94 supporters | followers

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Alpha 8 is a family-friendly sci-fi adventure podcast that explores what happens when a desperate alien from another planet body-swaps with a struggling mom to understand the meaning of family to save her own kind from extinction. We produced the pilot, but need your support to finish the season.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

According to a recent LA Times study, Moms are not okay. 80% are still responsible for all the housework. 3 out of 4 spend more time on schooling than dads. Alpha 8 brings to light the inequalities and struggles working moms face all wrapped up into a fun, sci-fi family adventure.

The Story


When your mom isn’t your mom but totally sounds like your
mom – she’s probably an alien.

Alpha 8 is a family-friendly sci-fi adventure podcast that explores what happens when a desperate alien from another planet body-swaps with a struggling mom to understand the meaning of family to save her own kind from extinction.

At its heart, Alpha 8 is a show about family, and just like any real family, the Petersons have their ups and downs. There’s comedic banter between the kids, heartfelt struggles, amazing triumphs, and epic adventures. 

You’re supporting a diverse cast and creators

  • Predominantly African-American lead cast
  • Written and Directed by Stephanie an African-American female
  • Sound Design by an African-American female Xperience J

Early readers have loved the script, so we think you’ll love the finished project

  • An early draft of Alpha 8 was a Finalist in the Shore Scripts Fiction Podcast Competition 2021
  • Alpha 8 was also a Second Rounder at the Austin Film Festival 2021
  • Here’s what folks have said about Alpha 8
    “Tackles an issue that we do not talk about enough and shines a light on the pressure society puts on mothers”
    “An original blend of coming-of-age dramedy and sci-fi conspiracy”
    “Fun, genuine, and heartfelt”
    “Relatable and  authentic”

Alpha 8 is more than just an audio drama

  • The podcast was adapted from my award-winning screenplay to highlight a different character’s perspective. 

Alpha 8 is a compelling story written for anyone to listen to, but the key demographic is families. Think of movies like Super 8, Men in Black, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife

It’s perfect for those trips to and from school and work or on a family road trip.

Sources:
*Los Angeles Times | Kidslistenting.org

We are seeking $13,000 to produce the first season of 8-9 episodes. Each episode will run between 20 - 30 minutes. 

A large portion of the money will go to pay our cast and crew. For the safety of the cast and crew, we will continue to record the show remotely. 

Here’s a breakdown of how we will use your support.

Cast: 35%
Union Fees + Etc.: 8.5%
Sound Design: 38%
Marketing: 9%

Funds raised above our goal will allow us to create an even better show! We know it “takes a village” to develop a great story and produce an amazing show. So the additional funds will go towards hiring additional writers for our writer’s room and creating an original score for the show.

This campaign will help us move forward with the show, we’ve already recorded the pilot episode and have a few additional episodes written.

After the campaign, we will go straight into the writer’s room to finish the rest of the season so we can get back into the virtual sound booths later this year.

Follow

Follow our campaign by clicking the "Follow Project" button and stay up-to-date on the latest Alpha 8 news! It’s 100% free! 

Instagram: @alpha8audio@bizzieliving
Twitter: @bizzieliving, @alpha8auudio

Contribute and pledge

You can make a contribution to our audio drama by making a pledge. Seed & Spark requires at least 80% of our goal in 30 days to receive ANY funds. You can choose an incentive or make a pledge to a specific wishlist item. You can choose any pledge and incentive amount that fits your budget. No pledge is too small. Every dollar makes a difference in making this show possible. 

Spread the word

The only way we will reach our crowdfunding goals is if we reach beyond our networks. If you’d like to be part of supporting an African-American female creative and mom of two please share the campaign via social media, email, word-of-mouth, however, you want. We can’t do this without you!

Here are some examples. Feel free to copy and paste!

Help writer/director @bizzieliving by supporting her audio drama ALPHA 8, a family-friendly scripted series that explores what happens when an alien from another planet swaps places with a struggling mom to find the meaning of family and save her kind from extinction. Join the adventure on @seedandspark: https://seedandspark.com/fund/alpha-8-audio

Make a pledge to support ALPHA 8, by writer/director Stephanie Elie (@bizzieliving)! Recording this winter. Support the show on @seedandspark: https://seedandspark.com/fund/alpha-8-audio

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Actors - Main Characters

Costs $3,612

We have some incredibly talented voice actors ready to bring our story to life!

Actors - Minor Characters

Costs $1,036

Help us support and value our voice talent.

Sound Design

Costs $6,390

Help us pay our extremely talented sound designer, Xperience J.

Marketing

Costs $1,200

A podcast needs an audience, and strong marketing finds the people who will love Alpha 8 the most!

Fees & Incidentals

Costs $1,133

Help us cover fees and incidentals over the course of production.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

Our cast and crew include a diversity of talents, experiences, and backgrounds.


Stephanie Elie (Creator, Producer, and Director)

Alpha 8 was created, written, and directed by Stephanie Elie. Stephanie Elie is an African-American screenwriter and audio drama writer based in Los Angeles whose work seeks to explore themes of personal narrative, social justice, family relationships, and female experiences. At present, she specializes in the thriller, crime, and sci-fi genres. Stephanie loves creating inspiring stories that bring to light societal issues from a struggling mom trying to balance work and life to tackling issues like human trafficking. 


Xperience J (Sound Designer)

Xperience J (Crystal Judkins) is a multi-hyphenate creative from Alexandria, Virginia. She is the co-founder of Black Audio Dramas Exist, where she promotes creatively provocative audio dramas written, produced, and starring Black creatives. Xperience is passionately driven by her love of the arts and the innate desire to amplify Black voices through media. 

She has written and produced two audio dramas, "Past Due Audio Series" and "Kiss: The Audio Series,” which can currently be found on most major streaming platforms. Most recently, she established Shhh! Jus’ Listen Media, where she uses her love of sound to produce innovative audio experiences that will change the face of audio dramas forever.

The Cast

  • Richard Leacock (Voice of Michael Peterson)
  • Henito Telo (Voice of Larson and Alpha 8)
  • Jessi Mechler (Voice of Samantha )
  • Todd Gajdusek (Voice of Dr. Stevens)
  • Sam Gipson (Voice of Ramirez)
  • Jessica McKay (Voice of Operator)
  • Stuart Pankin (Voice of Commander)
  • Naomi Chan (Voice of Delta Leader)
  • Craig Elie (Voice of Willis)
  • Omari William (Voice of Brady and Traffic Controller)

Current Team

Supporters

Followers

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