AUNTIES

Los Angeles, California | Series

Comedy, Romantic Comedy

Aunties Production Seedandspark

1 Campaigns | California, United States

07 days :15 hrs :39 mins

Until Deadline

154 supporters | followers

Enter the amount you would like to pledge

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$8,190

Goal: $10,900 for production

Aunties tells real, funny, and heartfelt stories about women navigating love, friendship, and starting over. Supporting this project means uplifting Black women’s voices and helping bring authentic, underrepresented stories to life.

About The Project

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

Mission Statement

Aunties is a dramedy about women navigating love, friendship, and reinvention in their 30s-50s. Our mission is to tell honest, funny, and emotionally real stories that center Black women’s voices and reflect a stage of life rarely seen on screen.

The Story


How Your Support Brings Aunties to Life


Aunties is a character-driven comedy that centers sisterhood, healing, and the beautifully chaotic reality of modern womanhood. With your support, we will bring this story to life through a series of vertical episodes designed for digital platforms.


The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward production costs, including:

  • Cast and crew compensation
  • Equipment and camera rentals
  • Location costs
  • Production design (wardrobe, props, etc.)
  • Post-production (editing, sound, and color)
  • Are working with a lean but experienced team to ensure that every dollar is used efficiently while still delivering a high-quality, cinematic final product.

Production Timeline


  • Pre-Production: Finalizing script, casting, and logistics (April–May 2026)
  • Production: Filming of vertical episodes (June 2026)
  • Post-Production: Editing, sound, and final delivery (June–July 2026)

Release: Initial episodes released online (Summer 2026)Why This Campaign Matters

This campaign allows us to move Aunties from script to screen—independently and intentionally. It gives us the ability to create authentic, culturally grounded storytelling while building an audience from the ground up.

Your support is not just funding a project—it’s helping bring a powerful, funny, and relatable story to life.

The Vision

Visually, Aunties blends grounded realism with heightened comedic moments, capturing both the intimacy of personal healing and the energy of sisterhood. With a strong creative team and a clear production plan, we are ready to execute.

Aunties is a story rooted in real life — the kind of conversations, relationships, and experiences that so many women are navigating but rarely see reflected on screen.

It's funny, honest, and deeply relatable — exploring love, friendship, motherhood, healing, and starting over at a stage in life that is often overlooked in mainstream storytelling. This project was inspired by a moment in my own life when my cousin told me, “Your life is like a soap opera — you need to write this.” And I realized he was right… not just about me, but about so many women around me. You are supporting Aunties, you’re helping bring authentic, underrepresented stories to life — stories that make people laugh, reflect, and feel seen. This is an independent production, and every contribution directly impacts what you see on screen — from production quality to the ability to tell these stories with the care and authenticity they deserve.You’re not just supporting this Project — you’re helping build something meaningful, honest, and necessary.

Remember this is a project built by women, looking to uplift and empower women everywhere to over come heart break!Our Cast is a truly talented ensemble including Mara Hall, Tahir Moore, Tiffany Snow, April Hale, Shelli Boone, Tasia Sherel, Raiven French & Stu James! Directed By Dominique Dawson. Producer Spoon Witherspoon.

SO WE ASK YOU, WHAT TYPE OF AUNTIE ARE ?

Actor Stu James played Harpo from the National Tour of THE COLOR PURPLE, Benny from RENT on Broadway and comes with an incredible range of film & tv work.

Wishlist

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

🎬 CAMERA & PRODUCTION

Costs $2,000

Supports camera equipment, lenses, and on-set production needs to ensure high-quality visuals.

💡 LIGHTING & SOUND

Costs $1,200

Covers lighting kits, sound equipment, and audio support to create a polished, professional look and feel.

🎭 CAST & CREW SUPPORT

Costs $2,000

Helps provide stipends for our talented cast and crew who are bringing these characters to life.

🎨 PRODUCTION DESIGN

Costs $1,000

Supports set design, props, and creating authentic environments that reflect the world of Aunties.

👗 COSTUME & WARDROBE

Costs $800

Covers wardrobe and styling to bring each character’s personality and story to life on screen.

🍽 CRAFTY & CATERING

Costs $600

Keeps our cast and crew energized and supported during long production days.

🎬 POST-PRODUCTION

Costs $2,000

Editing, sound design, and color to shape the final look and feel of the project.

📍 LOCATIONS & PERMITS

Costs $1,300

Helps secure filming locations and any necessary permits.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

Creator|Executive Producer

MARA HALL is a multi-hyphenate artist, educator, author, and creative visionary whose work sits at the intersection of storytelling, healing, and cultural legacy. A Detroit native and proud graduate of Jackson State University, Mara’s journey has spanned stages, classrooms, studio lots, and concert halls—but her purpose has always remained the same: to uplift, inspire, and tell the truth.


A classically trained clarinetist, Mara earned her Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and has taught instrumental and vocal music at every level—from elementary classrooms to university marching bands. Known across school communities as “The Band Whisperer,” Mara is passionate about preserving music and arts education in Black and Brown communities and leading programs that center joy, belonging, and cultural pride.


Her creative career extends beyond music. After relocating to Los Angeles, Mara found success on screen with roles in Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Saints & Sinners, The Resident, and as series regular Darcia Lancaster on OWN’s Ambitions. As a writer and producer, her short film Juicy Ladies premiered on Aspire TV and launched her deeper into storytelling rooted in humor, healing, and sisterhood.


Mara is also the author of Lovebombing: How To Avoid Narcissists, Scammers, and Unlock the Treasures of Self-Love, a bold and intimate exploration of emotional abuse, recovery, and self-worth. Her transparency and insight have positioned her as an emerging voice in conversations about mental health, relationships, and spiritual growth.


Currently, Mara is developing Aunties, a heartfelt comedic vertical series celebrating kinship, homegirls-as-family, and the sacred bond of women who carry each other through life’s hardest and most beautiful seasons. She is also expanding The Band Whisperer into a curriculum, workshop series, and school-based arts leadership platform. When she isn’t creating, Mara is raising her daughter Marley Nicole, nurturing community, and choosing peace, purpose, and softness—every day.



Director|Producer

DOMINIQUE DAWSON

San Francisco native, Dominique Dawson is a multidisciplinary creative. Dominique attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts Directing Program. On THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO she jumped at the opportunity to rep her hometown on screen. Now based in LA, Dominique was brought onto Ava Duvernay's feature film, ORIGIN which shot across 3 countries. Her design work on Donald Glover's SWARM earned her an EMMY NOMINATION. HIM, Universal Studios & Jordan Peele's Monkey Paw is where she was able to truly step into her surreal design style. Next came Hulu's Chad Powers, Produced by Eli Manning & Actor Glen Powell. Most recently Dominique Dawson Costume Designed the Pilot of Peacock's THE 'BURBS starring Keke Palmer establishing a signature look for the show. SONY ANIMATIONS & Stephan Curry hand selected her to costume design GOAT. She just wrapped DIARRA FROM DETROIT as the Costume Designer & Co Producer. This duality of disciplines is where she finds her freedom. Dominique is happy to help bring the dynamic Aunties Universe to life.Together with a dedicated team of creatives across cinematography, production design, and producing, the team is working collaboratively to bring this vision to the sen with care, intention, and excellence.ur team brings experience across film, television, and digital media, united by a shared commitment to telling honest, compelling stories that reflect real life.'

Cinematographer

PETER CASTAGNETTI

I am a Los Angeles based image maker.

As both a photographer and a Cinematographer, I've had the good fortune to collaborate with incredible people, on a number of inspiring projects, across all sorts of platforms. Most recently, i was the director of photography on the feature comedy, GOT DADDY ISSUES, written and directed by Maria Bertrand & Meg McCaig, and scheduled to release at the end of 2025.


In 2024, I was the Director of Photography on the three-part Netflix Documentary Series, THE PROGRAM; CONS, CULTS AND KIDNAPPING, as well as a Feature Dark Comedy called THE NAKED UMBRELLA, starring Jeremy Davies, Taryn Manning and Tom Arnold. THE PROGRAM became the #1 show to watch on Netflix and hit #3 globally.

Prior feature documentary projects including SXSW Grand Jury Award winner, ACCIDENTAL COURTESY: DARYL DAVIS, RACE AND AMERICA, as well as the upcoming THIS IS NOT NORMAL. This is Not Normal explores 30 years of American political discourse through the eyes of former G.W. Bush speechwriter, David Frum.

He has worked with rockstars, celebrities, shepherds, CEO’s, thought leaders, tech innovators and street poets. I’ve explored ultra high-speed, animation, stop-motion, technical-directed live visuals for concerts, and lead workshops on creativity and storytelling. Whether commercial, narrative, documentary, sports, music, fashion, adventure or fine art, I care about bringing heart, soul and style to ideas that matter, and creating experiences that energize the human spirit.

Producer

WAYNE "SPOON" WITHERSPOON

Wayne has worked in the entertainment business for over 30 years. He has worked on some of

the biggest film and television projects in the industry. His 1 st job was in 1990 working for Praxis

Filmworks the company that won a Oscar for Star Wars visual effects. Wayne was a key part of

production during the company’s high end commercial production of the 90’s. From there

Wayne landed a position at Paramount Pictures where he worked as a page. This position at

Paramount Pictures where he worked as a page. This position at Paramount Pictures where he

worked as page. This position allowed him to meet and talk and learn how to approach

production companies about being a production assistant (PA). His 1 st big production

assignment was on Beverly Hills Cop 3. PA Opportunities began to flood his way. Here are a

few, Blue Dress, Congo, Virtuosity, The Nutty Professor, That Thing you Do! Can’t Hardley Wait,

Basketball. Wayne started to pursue the next logical step which was to become an Assistant Director (AD)

in the Directors Guild of America (DGA). His 1 st job as an AD was on the film “Letters from a

Killer” it was a one day deal but it got him started on his way to the DGA. Here are a few

projects that Wayne worked on as an AD. Ali, Star Trek: Insurrection, Snow Falling on Cedars,

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Little Nicky, Like Mike, Rat Race, Nope, Collateral,

Their Eyes Were Watching God, TV series:, Chuck, Snowfall, The Underground Railroad,

Invasion, Studio 60….Wayne was a part of the Director team that won the DGA award while

working on The Underground Railroad. Mr. Witherspoon is owner of “Comin Up Production.”

Costume Designer

MIKE "COWBOY" MORRIS

Michael Morris is a Costumer, Stylist, and a Designer at Cwby Studios

Tagline is: Elevating People Through Intentional Style.

Michael is a Detroit native with a deep-rooted passion for personal style

and visual storytelling. He has worked across major fashion and

entertainment hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta, styling some

of the biggest names in music, sports, and entertainment. His client list

includes a few icons like Lil Wayne, Mike Tyson, and NFL stars Davante

Adams and Ernest Jones—each trusting him to craft a look that speaks

louder than words.

Michael specializes in styling with intention-blending personal identity,

cultural awareness, and fashion-forward sensibilities to create looks that

resonate and elevate. Whether he's curating red carpet moments, brand

campaigns, or everyday elite wardrobes looks for actors, Michael's goal is

simple: to help clients show up as their most powerful, stylish selves.

Each experience has expanded his understanding of how wardrobe

transforms not just appearance—but presence. He has assisted in

curating looks for large venue performances for top artist dancers

including SZA, Tyla, Sexy Red, Shaboozey, Omarion, and the Backstreet

Boys.

Behind the scenes, Michael brings the same level of vision and detail as

a Costumer on acclaimed film and television projects including:

Loose Ends, Kenya Barris x Kim Kardashian’s Group Chat, Ryan

Murphy's Grotesquerie, Bel-Air, Grown-ish, The Vince Staples Show,

White Men Can't Jump (2022), AlI American: Homecoming, and Swarm

(Prod by Donald Glover)

Each role—whether Costuming, Styling, or Designing-reflects Michael's

unique perspective: Style isn't just about clothing; it's about how the world

sees you. With a personal aesthetic rooted in streetwear edge meets

preppy polish, Mike brings boldness, versatility, and authenticity to every

project.


Makeup Artist

SYDNEE MILAN

Licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair care, hairstyling, and custom wig making for all hair types & textures. Experienced in working with salon clients, actors and actresses in television and film productions. Passionate about delivering quality service and using my skills to meet each client’s unique needs and requests. 


Currently a 5yr member of IATSE Local 706 Union (Make-Up & Hairstyling Guild) my experience has allowed me to excel into this industry where I get use my artistic skills to help actors transform into their characters roles through hair design and styling. Collaborating closely with wardrobe stylists, makeup artists, and producers to bring creative visions and scripted characters to life on screen.

Hair Stylist

VEDA


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FOLLOW OUR CAST!!!!!!!

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