AXED: A Maid and Butler Cafe Documentary
Los Angeles, California | Series
Documentary
By joining our project, you can help us: preserve and celebrate the 15 years of history, tradition, and culture of AX's former Maid & Butler Cafe; honor the volunteers who helped to make Cafe happen; and give the department a proper goodbye.
AXED: A Maid and Butler Cafe Documentary
Los Angeles, California | Series
Documentary
1 Campaigns | California, United States
32 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$2,615
Goal: $10,175 for production
By joining our project, you can help us: preserve and celebrate the 15 years of history, tradition, and culture of AX's former Maid & Butler Cafe; honor the volunteers who helped to make Cafe happen; and give the department a proper goodbye.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
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Ever since I watched Ouran High School Host Club in middle school, I had always wanted to visit a Butler Cafe—but I never thought I'd become a butler. Especially not right after the abrupt death of my father in September 2023.
One moment, I was in Oregon having the day of my life on a work trip and the next moment, I was at home, rotting on my couch in California. After receiving the news of my father's passing from my aunt, the days bled into each other—a monotonous collage of gray skies and YouTube videos, each without distinct meaning or flavor. My sofa now has a permanent dent within it, a mark of the time period when I was too depressed and burdened with grief to even move.
Then, after a winter that passed without fanfare, I remembered how every year prior, Anime Expo (AX) recruited volunteers for the largest anime convention in North America. I remembered how the year before, I experienced the joy, the wonder, and the light of Anime Expo's Maid & Butler Cafe: a unique experience full of charismatic characters that only appeared every summer within the freezing halls of the con. I signed up to audition and what happened next completely changed my world. I transformed from a depressed young woman with only one friend in LA into a purple-haired butler that performed complex KPOP pieces and original choreography in front of several hundred attendees. I ended the year with dozens of friends and a newfound love for life.
Many of us were excited to volunteer again—but there was just one problem: without warning, SPJA (the organization that runs Anime Expo) cut their Maid and Butler Volunteer Department in December 2024. Suddenly, within one email, hundreds of people had to grapple with the fact that their hub of connection and community no longer existed (myself included). For anime fans, finding a place of acceptance and community isn't just a hobby, it is a rarity. And for nearly 15 years, the Café served as a place where anime fans met people who would become lifelong friends (and even spouses!). I firmly believe that the AX Maid and Butler Cafe will never happen in the same way again.
A newcomer to the AX Maid and Butler Cafe, I asked plenty of questions during my first and only year as a Dancing Butler. I found out that the department we lovingly refer to as "Cafe" had a long and extensive history driven by dozens of fans who poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making Cafe happen year after year. As an experience that lifted me out of the depths of depression and permanently altered my life for the better, I decided I couldn't let Cafe die--not without a proper burial. That's when I recruited my friends, Aimee Hernandez, Wissall Homayun, Sean-Paul Gouw, and Christina Velazquez to assist me in making a documentary series that takes the viewers into the unique world of the AX Maid and Butler Cafe.
Maid and Butler volunteers would drive numerous hours just to attend the rehearsals and general meetings. Despite being a volunteer position, it was obvious that people put so much time and energy into preparing for the con because they wanted attendees to have a wonderful experience and they loved the community of Cafe. Cafe often felt like a safe and inclusive space where being quirky and nerdy was embraced, not shamed. The aspects of self that are often side-eyed in mainstream society were celebrated and welcomed with open arms and open minds.
Most cafes only feature maids, but AX Maid & Butler Cafe was one of the only experiences with a separate butler show, After Dark (18+) offerings, and a dedicated Butler Band. Additionally, AX Maid & Butler Cafe was arguably one of the most diverse maid cafes in North America. One could find maids and butlers of every race, shape, and size. Although a majority of the maids and butlers were Asian American (mostly Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and Japanese), there were still white, Black, and Latino maids and butlers throughout cafe. Additionally, LGBTQIA+ representation was also thoroughly present within Cafe.
Beyond AX Maid and Butler Cafe's uniqueness, the Cafe was also extremely popular with attendees--consistently selling out shows, repeatedly displayed as a main attraction on AX's website, and even getting featured in high-profile YouTube videos like THE TRY GUYS.
(Get a glimpse of the cafe starting at 02:55!)
By making this documentary series, my team and I will ensure that the story of AX's Maid and Butler Cafe becomes more than a passing memory. We want to show the world that volunteering and community matters—and that just because one's labor is free, doesn't mean one's labor is without value. We also want it to be known that even though the volunteering department itself is over, Cafe will never die.
We realized if we want to make this documentary, it’s best to do it right away. If we learned anything from the abrupt cancellation of our Cafe, it’s that life can change in an instant and we want to collect these interviews as soon as possible to preserve 15 years of unwritten history while everyone’s memory is still fresh. There are hundreds of volunteers we can interview for the doc—not including the earliest generations of Maids that started the AX Cafe in 2009. As we speak, some of Cafe's original members are difficult to get in contact with due to the amount of time that's passed between the start of Cafe and its end. Additionally, even the newer members of Cafe frequently move to pursue new career opportunities or become inaccessible due to changing life circumstances. The more time passes, the more likely we are to lose a unique and compelling story that deserves to be shared. So it's imperative that we begin creating our documentary right now.
Project Synopsis
We don't want to spoil all the fun, but our documentary will have four episodes! Each one will be dedicated to a different aspect of the AX Maid and Butler Cafe's History and Culture.
Here's a quick breakdown:
- Episode One: “I’m Not Going for the Anime”—That Time I Got Reincarnated into a Girl living in Gainesville, Florida Who Loves Anime
- This episode gives an introduction to the world of anime and weeb subculture--and thus, not only the origin of Maid and Butler Cafes, but how all of the volunteers got involved with convention life to begin with! An exciting and informative introduction, sure to be enjoyable for con-goers and those who are merely curious.
- Episode Two: "What Happens at Con Stays at Con"
- Now that our viewers understand what a convention is and why it's so important, episode two of AXED: The Documentary explores what happens at Anime Expo specifically and what makes the AX Maid and Butler Cafe so unique. Former Maids and Butlers discuss their favorite performances at Anime Expo's Cafe, what the Maids and Butlers actually do, and what the AX Maid and Butler Cafe did to prepare for each show.
- Episode Three: Cafe History
- In episode three, we go deeper into the specific subculture and "found family" of Cafe. We follow our Maids and Butlers as they navigate marriage, life-long friendships, and other significant relationships that they built within Cafe. Here we learn about the origins of certain traditions (How did Shibae become the Butler Cafe mascot? Why are "Apes Together Strong"? When was the first Cafe Christmas?) and more!
- Episode Four: Roll the Credits
- The fourth and final episode of AXED: the Documentary follows the Maids and Butlers as they reckon with the official loss of their Cafe. How did they feel when Cafe came to an end? How did they cope? What are they doing now? And what happens next for the volunteers of a department that no longer exists? All of these questions are explored in a somber, but hopeful finale.
We've only got one shot to hit our $10,175 goal and Seed & Spark is our best bet. Not only does this platform have the highest crowdfunding rate in the world, but it also features the A.A.P.I. Renaissance Rally for the month of June which means:
We only have one month to reach our $10,175 goal.
But we're not worried!
In fact, we see this as perfect timing! AXED: The Documentary focuses on a department where Asian American and Pacific Islander representation is the norm, not the exception. Additionally, our team cannot think of any roles more unconventional than Maid and Butlers performing at an anime convention!
The opportunities provided by the AAPI Renaissance Rally would greatly benefit at least three-fifths of my direct team (Aimee, Wissall, and Sean-Paul) who have been actively involved in film creation and the arts for decades and draw attention to the other incredibly talented members of the Maid and Butler Cafe who are currently involved in the documentary's development.
Our goal is to screen this documentary at film festivals (Sean-Paul and Christina are thinking Cannes), but my deepest wish is to project this documentary in a theater large enough so that every Maid and Butler Cafe volunteer—along with our friends and family—can see that our years of effort wasn't for naught.
Whether this documentary ultimately ends up on YouTube or on a streaming platform—the purpose of the campaign is to generate enough funds and interest so that our Cafe can be immortalized, because it wasn't just a place—it was the people! The AX Maid and Butler Cafe deserves a send-off proportional to how epic and impactful Cafe truly was...but to do all this, we need your support!
.jpg)
APES TOGETHER STRONG (a butler inside joke we hope to share with you soon!)
The Last Cafe Christmas (and no, this still isn't everyone)
While we're still in the process of making social media content and promotional videos to spread awareness of our documentary, the main reason we haven't moved forward yet is due to lack of funding. While we successfully completed our teaser video with ZERO external contributions, the teaser still cost our team about $560 from our own pockets just to feed the cast and prepare the set (which was a house generously donated to us for use of rehearsal and filming by Daigo, the Butler who sits on the table in our teaser. Thank you, Daigo!). Although we are happy with the quality of the teaser we produced in such a short time frame and with virtually no money (and also my first time leading a film project with over 20 people), Sean-Paul Gouw has his Masters in Film Composition, Christina has studied cinematography for over a decade, Wissall has fourteen years of production experience behind the camera as a costume designer, and Aimee has years of experience as a Creative Director—and those are just the members of my direct team. Even I leveled up after taking a Documentary and Reality TV Production course with the intention of making this documentary as amazing as possible. My point is—we know the quality of production that our documentary deserves and we know we can handle that production with care.
The majority of our funds will go to securing aesthetically-pleasing sets and renting/acquiring equipment that will grant us the best picture and audio possible. It can cost upwards of $120 for three hours on set for teams of ten people—and if you've seen, we have A LOT of people we need to accommodate and interview. I shared with Christina my vision for the Maids and Butlers to give their interviews in spaces that align with the luxury and splendor of Ouran High School Host Club and she was totally on board! And it makes sense: a lot of anime fans find Maid and Butler Cafes to be forever associated with either Ouran High School Host Club or Kaichou wa Maid-Sama!
.jpg)
Ideal Set for the Maid Interviews
Ideal Set for the Butler Interviews
For the choreographers' interviews (choreographers pretty much defined every major era of the Maid and Butler Cafe), it felt most appropriate to film them in a dance studio—not only to give them context, but so we have an excuse to see them show off their skills and see how they made the magic for some of Cafe's most iconic dance routines.
.jpg)
Ideal Set for the Choreographer Interviews
For the members of Butler Band (one of the only Butler Bands in existence) we would love to have their interviews take place within an intimate recording studio to maximize their musical vibes and get a demonstration of their skills for the doc.
Ideal Set for Butler Band
Other costs include but are not limited to: feeding the cast and crew (long hours on set equals lots of hungry people); acquiring LLC status for our documentary to protect those who choose to share their stories (although the purpose of the doc is to celebrate our time at Cafe and we have no interest in slandering or denigrating Anime Expo, we want to ensure that any legal impacts are minimized); and setting aside an emergency fund solely to cover any incidentals while filming (true story: a microphone on set broke on the very last day of filming).
If we happen to exceed our crowdfunding goal, any additional funds would go towards: hiring niche personnel (most likely a sound engineer or boom operator), employing an orchestra or professional musicians; featuring original animations and reenacments to deliver our history in an accurate and entertaining manner; and compensating the cast for our teaser and, of course, our hardworking crew (including our post-production team).
We plan to use the funds immediately after their distribution. We have plans to begin our first interviews in August.
Anything and everything really does assist us on our documentary-making journey, so:
If our project piques your interest, we would love for you to join our campaign here on Seed&Spark AND follow us on Instagram (@axed_doc).
Just hit the follow button on this campaign so we can keep you updated on everything related to this project. We'll be together on this journey from start to finish and we have lots of fun content and events in the works to keep our followers entertained well after the campaign ends. Pop-up Maid and Butler Cafes or funny TikTok videos, anyone? Although the crowdfunding campaign for AXED: the Documentary will only be on Seed & Spark for a month, our team will be active for as long as we're making the doc and we don't want you to miss out!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Audio/Mics
Costs $500
We need high-quality microphones that properly capture the beautiful stories that our maid and Butlers have to share.
Alexa Mini Rental
Costs $875
Daily equipment rentals are critical for gathering the best footage possible to show the world what the Maid and Butler Cafe is all about!
Studio Rentals
Costs $3,000
This will help us get a few hours for each interviewee at some of our desired locations. We want a red set, a pink set, and a dance studio.
Lighting Kit
Costs $1,000
We need our own lighting equipment to ensure we capture the highest quality image for our interviews. We want our guests to shine!
LLC Application
Costs $800
Making a documentary is risky work, which is why we want to protect ourselves. This covers application costs, legal fees, and any taxes!
Staff Costs
Costs $2,000
We need to feed our interviewees and our crew during their long days on set. It takes a lot of time and energy to make great work!
Emergency Fund/Insurance
Costs $2,000
Accidents happen. We want to ensure that this project stays on track for completion no matter what. We won't let unexpected events stop us.
Share this update!
About This Team
Nailah Davis is the director and producer of AXED: The Documentary. She has written and led numerous creative project since middle school. She is an avid researcher and recently completed a Documentary and Reality TV Production course at PCC. AXED will be her first documentary.
Aimee Hernandez is the Production Manager of AXED: The Documentary. She has worked on commercial shoots for Honda and has over 4+ years of experience product managing client production processes (e.g. ideation, branding, photoshoot, and advertising campaigns). Her work has spanned different industries from beauty & wellness to financial planning and securities.
Wissall Homayun is the head of legal counsel and a core team member for AXED: The Documentary. She has been working in the entertainment industry since 2011, working behind-the-camera as well as acting, and voice over work. Some of her major works include short films, commercials and ULB productions. Graduating from fashion school, she pursued costume design and styling work in entertainment, but soon took a liking to writing and overall production.
Christina Velazquez is a cinematographer and former Maid performer at AX Maid & Butler Cafe. Driven by personal connection, she brings an intimate lens to this passion project documentary, chronicling the cafe’s vibrant legacy and its heartbreaking end.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sean-Paul Gouw is the Film Composer for AXED: The Documentary. Finishing his Master’s in Film Composition at the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program, Sean-Paul studied with two-time Emmy award winning composer Hummie Mann (Robinhood Men in Tights, Thomas and the Magic Railroad). His music explores a variety of different genres, styles, and character, and can be heard in numerous short film and indie video game projects. In addition, Sean-Paul has been involved with many teams in orchestration and music prep, and has worked for projects such as Story Ave, A Legend, and Metroboomin: Red Bull Symphonic.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ever since I watched Ouran High School Host Club in middle school, I had always wanted to visit a Butler Cafe—but I never thought I'd become a butler. Especially not right after the abrupt death of my father in September 2023.
One moment, I was in Oregon having the day of my life on a work trip and the next moment, I was at home, rotting on my couch in California. After receiving the news of my father's passing from my aunt, the days bled into each other—a monotonous collage of gray skies and YouTube videos, each without distinct meaning or flavor. My sofa now has a permanent dent within it, a mark of the time period when I was too depressed and burdened with grief to even move.
Then, after a winter that passed without fanfare, I remembered how every year prior, Anime Expo (AX) recruited volunteers for the largest anime convention in North America. I remembered how the year before, I experienced the joy, the wonder, and the light of Anime Expo's Maid & Butler Cafe: a unique experience full of charismatic characters that only appeared every summer within the freezing halls of the con. I signed up to audition and what happened next completely changed my world. I transformed from a depressed young woman with only one friend in LA into a purple-haired butler that performed complex KPOP pieces and original choreography in front of several hundred attendees. I ended the year with dozens of friends and a newfound love for life.
Many of us were excited to volunteer again—but there was just one problem: without warning, SPJA (the organization that runs Anime Expo) cut their Maid and Butler Volunteer Department in December 2024. Suddenly, within one email, hundreds of people had to grapple with the fact that their hub of connection and community no longer existed (myself included). For anime fans, finding a place of acceptance and community isn't just a hobby, it is a rarity. And for nearly 15 years, the Café served as a place where anime fans met people who would become lifelong friends (and even spouses!). I firmly believe that the AX Maid and Butler Cafe will never happen in the same way again.
A newcomer to the AX Maid and Butler Cafe, I asked plenty of questions during my first and only year as a Dancing Butler. I found out that the department we lovingly refer to as "Cafe" had a long and extensive history driven by dozens of fans who poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making Cafe happen year after year. As an experience that lifted me out of the depths of depression and permanently altered my life for the better, I decided I couldn't let Cafe die--not without a proper burial. That's when I recruited my friends, Aimee Hernandez, Wissall Homayun, Sean-Paul Gouw, and Christina Velazquez to assist me in making a documentary series that takes the viewers into the unique world of the AX Maid and Butler Cafe.
Maid and Butler volunteers would drive numerous hours just to attend the rehearsals and general meetings. Despite being a volunteer position, it was obvious that people put so much time and energy into preparing for the con because they wanted attendees to have a wonderful experience and they loved the community of Cafe. Cafe often felt like a safe and inclusive space where being quirky and nerdy was embraced, not shamed. The aspects of self that are often side-eyed in mainstream society were celebrated and welcomed with open arms and open minds.
Most cafes only feature maids, but AX Maid & Butler Cafe was one of the only experiences with a separate butler show, After Dark (18+) offerings, and a dedicated Butler Band. Additionally, AX Maid & Butler Cafe was arguably one of the most diverse maid cafes in North America. One could find maids and butlers of every race, shape, and size. Although a majority of the maids and butlers were Asian American (mostly Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and Japanese), there were still white, Black, and Latino maids and butlers throughout cafe. Additionally, LGBTQIA+ representation was also thoroughly present within Cafe.
Beyond AX Maid and Butler Cafe's uniqueness, the Cafe was also extremely popular with attendees--consistently selling out shows, repeatedly displayed as a main attraction on AX's website, and even getting featured in high-profile YouTube videos like THE TRY GUYS.
(Get a glimpse of the cafe starting at 02:55!)
By making this documentary series, my team and I will ensure that the story of AX's Maid and Butler Cafe becomes more than a passing memory. We want to show the world that volunteering and community matters—and that just because one's labor is free, doesn't mean one's labor is without value. We also want it to be known that even though the volunteering department itself is over, Cafe will never die.
We realized if we want to make this documentary, it’s best to do it right away. If we learned anything from the abrupt cancellation of our Cafe, it’s that life can change in an instant and we want to collect these interviews as soon as possible to preserve 15 years of unwritten history while everyone’s memory is still fresh. There are hundreds of volunteers we can interview for the doc—not including the earliest generations of Maids that started the AX Cafe in 2009. As we speak, some of Cafe's original members are difficult to get in contact with due to the amount of time that's passed between the start of Cafe and its end. Additionally, even the newer members of Cafe frequently move to pursue new career opportunities or become inaccessible due to changing life circumstances. The more time passes, the more likely we are to lose a unique and compelling story that deserves to be shared. So it's imperative that we begin creating our documentary right now.
Project Synopsis
We don't want to spoil all the fun, but our documentary will have four episodes! Each one will be dedicated to a different aspect of the AX Maid and Butler Cafe's History and Culture.
Here's a quick breakdown:
- Episode One: “I’m Not Going for the Anime”—That Time I Got Reincarnated into a Girl living in Gainesville, Florida Who Loves Anime
- This episode gives an introduction to the world of anime and weeb subculture--and thus, not only the origin of Maid and Butler Cafes, but how all of the volunteers got involved with convention life to begin with! An exciting and informative introduction, sure to be enjoyable for con-goers and those who are merely curious.
- Episode Two: "What Happens at Con Stays at Con"
- Now that our viewers understand what a convention is and why it's so important, episode two of AXED: The Documentary explores what happens at Anime Expo specifically and what makes the AX Maid and Butler Cafe so unique. Former Maids and Butlers discuss their favorite performances at Anime Expo's Cafe, what the Maids and Butlers actually do, and what the AX Maid and Butler Cafe did to prepare for each show.
- Episode Three: Cafe History
- In episode three, we go deeper into the specific subculture and "found family" of Cafe. We follow our Maids and Butlers as they navigate marriage, life-long friendships, and other significant relationships that they built within Cafe. Here we learn about the origins of certain traditions (How did Shibae become the Butler Cafe mascot? Why are "Apes Together Strong"? When was the first Cafe Christmas?) and more!
- Episode Four: Roll the Credits
- The fourth and final episode of AXED: the Documentary follows the Maids and Butlers as they reckon with the official loss of their Cafe. How did they feel when Cafe came to an end? How did they cope? What are they doing now? And what happens next for the volunteers of a department that no longer exists? All of these questions are explored in a somber, but hopeful finale.
We've only got one shot to hit our $10,175 goal and Seed & Spark is our best bet. Not only does this platform have the highest crowdfunding rate in the world, but it also features the A.A.P.I. Renaissance Rally for the month of June which means:
We only have one month to reach our $10,175 goal.
But we're not worried!
In fact, we see this as perfect timing! AXED: The Documentary focuses on a department where Asian American and Pacific Islander representation is the norm, not the exception. Additionally, our team cannot think of any roles more unconventional than Maid and Butlers performing at an anime convention!
The opportunities provided by the AAPI Renaissance Rally would greatly benefit at least three-fifths of my direct team (Aimee, Wissall, and Sean-Paul) who have been actively involved in film creation and the arts for decades and draw attention to the other incredibly talented members of the Maid and Butler Cafe who are currently involved in the documentary's development.
Our goal is to screen this documentary at film festivals (Sean-Paul and Christina are thinking Cannes), but my deepest wish is to project this documentary in a theater large enough so that every Maid and Butler Cafe volunteer—along with our friends and family—can see that our years of effort wasn't for naught.
Whether this documentary ultimately ends up on YouTube or on a streaming platform—the purpose of the campaign is to generate enough funds and interest so that our Cafe can be immortalized, because it wasn't just a place—it was the people! The AX Maid and Butler Cafe deserves a send-off proportional to how epic and impactful Cafe truly was...but to do all this, we need your support!
APES TOGETHER STRONG (a butler inside joke we hope to share with you soon!)
The Last Cafe Christmas (and no, this still isn't everyone)
While we're still in the process of making social media content and promotional videos to spread awareness of our documentary, the main reason we haven't moved forward yet is due to lack of funding. While we successfully completed our teaser video with ZERO external contributions, the teaser still cost our team about $560 from our own pockets just to feed the cast and prepare the set (which was a house generously donated to us for use of rehearsal and filming by Daigo, the Butler who sits on the table in our teaser. Thank you, Daigo!). Although we are happy with the quality of the teaser we produced in such a short time frame and with virtually no money (and also my first time leading a film project with over 20 people), Sean-Paul Gouw has his Masters in Film Composition, Christina has studied cinematography for over a decade, Wissall has fourteen years of production experience behind the camera as a costume designer, and Aimee has years of experience as a Creative Director—and those are just the members of my direct team. Even I leveled up after taking a Documentary and Reality TV Production course with the intention of making this documentary as amazing as possible. My point is—we know the quality of production that our documentary deserves and we know we can handle that production with care.
The majority of our funds will go to securing aesthetically-pleasing sets and renting/acquiring equipment that will grant us the best picture and audio possible. It can cost upwards of $120 for three hours on set for teams of ten people—and if you've seen, we have A LOT of people we need to accommodate and interview. I shared with Christina my vision for the Maids and Butlers to give their interviews in spaces that align with the luxury and splendor of Ouran High School Host Club and she was totally on board! And it makes sense: a lot of anime fans find Maid and Butler Cafes to be forever associated with either Ouran High School Host Club or Kaichou wa Maid-Sama!
Ideal Set for the Maid Interviews
Ideal Set for the Butler Interviews
For the choreographers' interviews (choreographers pretty much defined every major era of the Maid and Butler Cafe), it felt most appropriate to film them in a dance studio—not only to give them context, but so we have an excuse to see them show off their skills and see how they made the magic for some of Cafe's most iconic dance routines.
Ideal Set for the Choreographer Interviews
For the members of Butler Band (one of the only Butler Bands in existence) we would love to have their interviews take place within an intimate recording studio to maximize their musical vibes and get a demonstration of their skills for the doc.
Ideal Set for Butler Band
Other costs include but are not limited to: feeding the cast and crew (long hours on set equals lots of hungry people); acquiring LLC status for our documentary to protect those who choose to share their stories (although the purpose of the doc is to celebrate our time at Cafe and we have no interest in slandering or denigrating Anime Expo, we want to ensure that any legal impacts are minimized); and setting aside an emergency fund solely to cover any incidentals while filming (true story: a microphone on set broke on the very last day of filming).
If we happen to exceed our crowdfunding goal, any additional funds would go towards: hiring niche personnel (most likely a sound engineer or boom operator), employing an orchestra or professional musicians; featuring original animations and reenacments to deliver our history in an accurate and entertaining manner; and compensating the cast for our teaser and, of course, our hardworking crew (including our post-production team).
We plan to use the funds immediately after their distribution. We have plans to begin our first interviews in August.
Anything and everything really does assist us on our documentary-making journey, so:
If our project piques your interest, we would love for you to join our campaign here on Seed&Spark AND follow us on Instagram (@axed_doc).
Just hit the follow button on this campaign so we can keep you updated on everything related to this project. We'll be together on this journey from start to finish and we have lots of fun content and events in the works to keep our followers entertained well after the campaign ends. Pop-up Maid and Butler Cafes or funny TikTok videos, anyone? Although the crowdfunding campaign for AXED: the Documentary will only be on Seed & Spark for a month, our team will be active for as long as we're making the doc and we don't want you to miss out!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Audio/Mics
Costs $500
We need high-quality microphones that properly capture the beautiful stories that our maid and Butlers have to share.
Alexa Mini Rental
Costs $875
Daily equipment rentals are critical for gathering the best footage possible to show the world what the Maid and Butler Cafe is all about!
Studio Rentals
Costs $3,000
This will help us get a few hours for each interviewee at some of our desired locations. We want a red set, a pink set, and a dance studio.
Lighting Kit
Costs $1,000
We need our own lighting equipment to ensure we capture the highest quality image for our interviews. We want our guests to shine!
LLC Application
Costs $800
Making a documentary is risky work, which is why we want to protect ourselves. This covers application costs, legal fees, and any taxes!
Staff Costs
Costs $2,000
We need to feed our interviewees and our crew during their long days on set. It takes a lot of time and energy to make great work!
Emergency Fund/Insurance
Costs $2,000
Accidents happen. We want to ensure that this project stays on track for completion no matter what. We won't let unexpected events stop us.
Share this update!
About This Team
Nailah Davis is the director and producer of AXED: The Documentary. She has written and led numerous creative project since middle school. She is an avid researcher and recently completed a Documentary and Reality TV Production course at PCC. AXED will be her first documentary.
Aimee Hernandez is the Production Manager of AXED: The Documentary. She has worked on commercial shoots for Honda and has over 4+ years of experience product managing client production processes (e.g. ideation, branding, photoshoot, and advertising campaigns). Her work has spanned different industries from beauty & wellness to financial planning and securities.
Wissall Homayun is the head of legal counsel and a core team member for AXED: The Documentary. She has been working in the entertainment industry since 2011, working behind-the-camera as well as acting, and voice over work. Some of her major works include short films, commercials and ULB productions. Graduating from fashion school, she pursued costume design and styling work in entertainment, but soon took a liking to writing and overall production.
Christina Velazquez is a cinematographer and former Maid performer at AX Maid & Butler Cafe. Driven by personal connection, she brings an intimate lens to this passion project documentary, chronicling the cafe’s vibrant legacy and its heartbreaking end.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sean-Paul Gouw is the Film Composer for AXED: The Documentary. Finishing his Master’s in Film Composition at the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program, Sean-Paul studied with two-time Emmy award winning composer Hummie Mann (Robinhood Men in Tights, Thomas and the Magic Railroad). His music explores a variety of different genres, styles, and character, and can be heard in numerous short film and indie video game projects. In addition, Sean-Paul has been involved with many teams in orchestration and music prep, and has worked for projects such as Story Ave, A Legend, and Metroboomin: Red Bull Symphonic.