Bad Indian

Denver, Colorado | Film Short

Documentary, Comedy

Jeff Stonic

1 Campaigns | Colorado, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $9,090 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

113 supporters | followers

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Bad Indian begins with Josh Emerson's journey to produce Netflix's first all-native lineup in Los Angeles while spreading his mom's ashes, yet ends with rediscovering a lost path toward the meaning of life. A small step for America, but a giant leap for your friendly neighborhood Navajo comedian.

About The Project

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

Mission Statement

Bad Indian opens up a new means of dialogue in a conversation that's been ongoing since 1492. If the equation for comedy is tragedy+time, then native comedians must regularly perform on lineups nationwide. Through Josh's mission to realize this goal, he's offered a lesson for humanity to listen to.

The Story

This documentary began with a question: can standup comedy save America?


I only knew that it saved my friend, over and over again.


And boy did he need saving at times.



His name is Josh Emerson. He's a two-time college drop-out and former marine turned stand-up comedian and Indigenous rights activist.


In other words, not my typical type of friend. But alas, here we are.


We moved to Denver in 2019 from different places, meaning we were always waiting to go up last at comedy open mics. Those late nights of laughter and patience were where we found common ground in our tastes for movies and food. We also hated a lot of the same things. And our dreams shared destinations.


It didn't take long to start working together as Josh, two of his friends, and I started producing our own open mics and comedy shows under the name Deadroom Comedy.


Then, suddenly, his mom died.


Josh's response to this tragedy has not only assured his loved ones that he will be okay despite this loss in the long run, but it's also inspired those who know him to learn from the way he grappled with grief.


Together, we traveled all around the country performing comedy for years. In 2023, we ended up in Indianapolis - a city I called home for seven years before moving to Denver - and I saw him address something so obvious yet thus far unspoken.


'Indianapolis? City of Indians? That's a crock of sh*t. I've been walking around all day and haven't seen any goddamn Indians.'


Watching him light up the White Rabbit Cabaret as I had never seen done, I saw the true power of his voice and perspective on stage. Native comics confront audiences with hard truths and still gift them the feeling of joy.



And it's not only Josh. He has championed Native representation in every facet of his career and Netflix took notice. That's why they entrusted him to produce and perform on the first all-native lineup for the streaming service.



Knowing he would continue his ritual of spreading his mom's ashes along her favorite spots while traveling west, it seemed like the time to finally elevate our creative partnership and commit to a bigger project.


What we did not know was what was in store for us when Josh returned to the Navajo Nation for the first time since his mother's funeral. There, in his ancestral homeland, his uncle (James Skeet) would dissect his question of 'Are you happy?' and show him what he really should be asking. That reframing and his answer to the new question has lived with us every day since.



But what about that first question: can standup comedy save America?


Maybe. Maybe I need to be asking a different question. All I know for certain is that it's one of the most enjoyable (and thus effective) ways to go about it.


Bad Indian is a blueprint for it.


By helping us build it with this campaign, you will enable us to polish this bad boy with the help of professionals during a second round of fundraising. We've got a former head of sound engineering for a streaming giant (guess which one), a colorist whose work is in movie theatres, and channels established to connect with distributors. We will fund the marketing and outreach for this film with a final, small push of fundraising, with unique moments of celebration of the progress along the way.


Here's a look at the work of Chase Everett, who will be sound editing:





No matter what, this film will live and be seen. I'm certain because it already is made and it already has been seen.


A community-led effort gets our presentation at the level where it belongs and gets America to revisit its history with permission to laugh.


I appreciate your support, both now and continued.


- Jeff Stonic, director


behind the scenes!




Wishlist

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

Creative Direction Compensation

Costs $2,500

We wouldn't be here without the constant efforts of the one and only gandy and he deserves to be paid this at the very least for his work.

Expenses Thus far

Costs $2,500

This a low-end estimate of the investments the director made, such as gear, gas money, and time spent.

The Final Production days

Costs $1,000

This will help the filmmakers return to the Navajo Nation with a tape player to digitize and preserve oral traditions from cassettes.

Audio Engineering

Costs $2,500

The biggest piece missing from Bad Indian is professional audio engineering. Thankfully, Chase is a professional on board to do the work.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team



Josh and I have been creating comedy and producing it together since 2020. He is now the producer and subject of his documentary. I (stonic.studio) am the director, editor, and cinematographer.


Gandy (gandy.cc) came on in the spring of 2024 and has been instrumental with his guidance in the role of creative director and producer.



Current Team

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