American Standard: we love it here

This is not a drill! American Standard: we love it here is coming out, and this is its campaign. Following our prequel, American Standard: welcome to the shitshow, we pick up where we leave off with our girls, only bigger, deeper, and 4 30-minute episodes worth. 

They've officially dived headfirst into the scam called "adulthood". Zora navigating her Hunger Games-esque marketing job, stacked with microaggressions and ex-boy-things; Imani finding success in her personal interior design business, with strain in her family life; and Niko juggling side hustles and Russian baddies that somehow attract cops faster than customers. Set in NYC, where success is dangled like a carrot but usually tastes like expired bodega hummus, these three girls show us how to follow our gut and ignore the temptation... sometimes, but always have space for a glass of wine at the end of the day. The prequel uses satirical vignettes to chart the trio's first bruises and breakthroughs, so our first season will expand upon that storyline and introduce new spaces, faces, and potential fuck ups.

Meet Our Ladies

ZORA

played by Rocky Anicette

Zora Greer (25) is a sharp-witted, aware, and exhausted Black woman. Graduating as a salutatorian from Howard University, losing valedictorian to her full-ride white counterpart, whose daddy bought the university a building. Zora is proud, idealistic, and deeply resistant to playing "the game," especially in white corporate spaces. Zora is a steadfast friend and business partner, determined to make her mark and question everything about the world we work and grow in.

IMANI

played by Tuesday Usry

Imani Caldwell (26) is bougie, high-maintenance, and self-centered at times, but always comes through when you need her. Imani was expected to be perfect and take over the family's successful real estate business, but that is not what she wanted. She now works freelance as an interior designer, fixing up the upper echelons' niche design needs and maybe making her clients fall a little in love with her, it's a part of the job!

NIKO

played by Journey Jones

Niko Baptiste (25) is the queer, sarcastic, broke-ass roommate. Armed with a 50k debt and a political science degree they refuse to use, Niko is currently three years deep into a "gap year" before law school. By day, they're a server barely making rent, and by night, they're an expert in finessing free drinks, dodging Sallie Mae, and making bad financial decisions. Everyone loves her, but nobody can ever say exactly where she is as her Find My iPhone location stays toggling on and off.

This system was never built for them, but their chaotic sisterhood might be the only blueprint they need.

Our Mission

American Standard is for young adults (18-30), with the primary audience being Black women, who know what it's like to laugh through stress, question everything, and still show up for themselves and each other, no matter what. In a world where being a woman is a crime and being a Black woman feels like a double homicide, this show cuts through the noise to spotlight the joy, contradictions, and brilliance that mainstream media so often ignores. At a time when audiences are demanding authentic stories that reflect the world as it truly is, American Standard offers a powerful yet humorous response to that desire.

Now is the time!

Our nation needs a piece of media that is light-hearted yet gut-wrenching, based in reality yet full of daydreaming, and, most importantly, for the people by the people. Not another television series that acts as a distraction to the reality of the rising economy and stagnant pay raises, or the horrific government's abuse of power. American Standard is urgently needed to mirror our nation and light a glimmer of hope within it.

It's not about checking boxes. It's about kicking the damn box over.

Our Team

the Don: Jaden Collins

(Writer & Co-Director)

Jaden Collins is a filmmaker based in New York and a recent graduate from NYU with a film degree. He grew up in Baltimore, a city that taught him how to find beauty in the chaos. He uses all that he's experienced and the long list of lessons he's learned in productions over the years to fuel his writing and production style. With American Standard, Collins brings a sharp and intimate lens to the everyday realities of growing up, true Black culture, and trying to thrive in a world that doesn't have a place carved out for you. "As a Black storyteller, I am committed to writing layered and specific stories that reflect the joy and complexity of being Black in America, especially the parts that rarely make it to the screen."

the GOAT: Haley Odum

(Executive Producer & Co-Director)

Haley Odum is a filmmaker who specializes in directing and independent production. Currently based in New York, she is a graduate of NYU with a Film and Business degree. She is currently in pre-production for her debut feature film, "POGI", and curating the pieces to her production company, tho productions LLC, an independent production and distribution house centered around unique aesthetics and character-driven storytelling; there, Odum spearheads all production. Haley believes character leads story, so she strives to make and tell stories with strong character-driven plots and represent people who have been ignored.

Our Goal

We don't plan for American Standard to end here. American Standard: we love it here is our first official season to the series written and developed by Jaden Collins (the Don, himself), produced by tho. We plan to use the funds we raise here to shoot and distribute all independently through our production and distribution house, tho productions LLC. This show is for the people, so we want them to get access to it as soon as possible. American Standard has one thing in mind: continue setting a new standard for the representation of our culture and the way independent film and television are shot, distributed, and enjoyed in the industry.

Now... This is where YOU come in!

Our team is looking to raise $40,000 for all production expenses. It would completely cover all needs for this production (including feeding our people, yes indeed). For a more detailed breakdown of our budget, visit the "Wishlist" page. Every ounce of support (including following and sharing our Seed&Spark) will get us a step closer to reaching our goal. Join the family, you'll love it here ;)