BASTARD
Chandler, Arizona | Film Short
Comedy, Satire
When two women turn up pregnant after government-sanctioned sex with a sterilized man, they turn to law enforcement to lock him up. Conceived in 2022 at the overturning of Roe v Wade, BASTARD absurdly asks: "Uh, why force women to have babies, but then shame and abandon them once the kid's born?"
BASTARD
Chandler, Arizona | Film Short
Comedy, Satire
1 Campaigns | Arizona, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $15,637 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
100 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
When two women turn up pregnant after government-sanctioned sex with a sterilized man, they turn to law enforcement to lock him up. Conceived in 2022 at the overturning of Roe v Wade, BASTARD absurdly asks: "Uh, why force women to have babies, but then shame and abandon them once the kid's born?"
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When two women turn up pregnant after government-sanctioned sex with a sterilized man, they turn to law enforcement to lock him up.
CAN YOU IMAGINE?
Casual sex, in fact, sex of any kind, is now government regulated and its consequences are punishable as a crime. Sharifa and Dixon, two ride-or-die girlfriends, have chosen to live off grid as a way to escape the enforced reproductive ills of the government.
When they decide to have a bit of fun and use their health care stimulus benefit of government-sanctioned sex with a sterilized man (Brian), a mistake occurs. Sharifa, who is very in tune with her body, feels that something is off and persuades Dixon that they should lock up Brian for two weeks to wait for a confirmation of a pregnancy test.
When they get confirmation that they are in fact pregnant, they call DCFS (Department of Child and Family Services) which has become the law enforcement arm for unplanned pregnancies.
Officer Lewis arrives to take Brian away to jail, where he will be incarcerated with his children for 18-21 years.
HOW 'BOUT WE OVERTURN BIAS AND MIS-CONCEPTION
TOWARD WOMEN, INSTEAD??
This film was conceived in 2022 at the overturning of Roe vs Wade. With women marching down streets across America screaming into bullhorns and demanding that the government stay out of our uterus, I felt compelled to raise my own bullhorn and this film is it.
It began as a play which debuted to a SOLD-OUT audience at the Inglewood Playhouse. Directed by LeShay Tomlinson Boyce, who also stars, the piece was a hit. We were inspired to adapt it to film to reach more folks.
BASTARD takes place in the not-too-distant future and casual sex, in fact, sex of any kind, is now government regulated and its consequences are punishable as a crime. Sound familiar? It should. The overturning of Roe vs Wade is a violation of women’s rights; it is punishing us for the consequences of sex. It’s an avalanche of a slippery slope from which we may never fully recover. As more and more things about our bodies are regulated, this leaves me (Peppur: writer/director) with the question, “Well, damn. What’s next?!”
This isn’t a film about abortion. In fact, this is probably the only time you’ll see the word mentioned in this is entire project. The film is not about whether abortion is right or wrong. What is a central message is this: we can't keep punishing THE WOMEN for the "crime" of pregnancy.
If we're gonna be punished, then we should have a right to protect our bodies before the government wants to get involved. That is the beauty of our body being our own. I believe women should get to decide what happens with it. This is our right.
WITH HUMOR AND GRACE,
THIS FILM RAISES A FIST FOR THE SINGLE MOTHERS WHO DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE OR WHO DIDN'T HAVE HELP.
Here's somethin' to ponder: 27% of single mothers live in poverty with their children, compared to fewer than 1% of single fathers.
Relevancy? This statistic is a result of choice and power. Who has it and who doesn't.
I’m very interested in the basic concept of power; specifically, that government has the power to mandate what happens with a woman’s body. If men were capable of carrying a child, then perhaps there would be some understanding and some empathy. If the male body fed the child, then perhaps there would be some understanding and some empathy. If men were shamed and therefore left solely responsible for and government-forced to care for a child for 18-21 years, without the “ability” to walk away, then maybe there would be some empathy and understanding. But this currently is not the case. In BASTARD, it is.
With this story, I want to reverse some gender and power standards; highlight some of society’s mis-conceptions and bias toward women, and inspire hope for equality for ALL of us.
One more personal thing. My parents divorced when I was about eight years old. My mom won custody of us and raised us for a few years -- until she couldn't. We were on government assistance, we struggled and we survived. Then, my dad and stepmom got custody of us three. We made it through. All of us. Many do not. Some of you reading this know exactly what I mean because you too have experienced this in some kinda way.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE CHANGE?
We are making this film. Once completed, we will share it with as many organizations and social justice folks we can find and use this film to open the door to conversation, awareness and change. You can join us or you can go out and raise your own bullhorn. (Psst, we hope you do BOTH!)
A lot of my work (novels, radio plays, plays) has a social justice message and more often than not, I deliver this message with some kinda humor…especially when the topic at hand ain’t all that funny. Bastard is no exception.
SOME FUNNY, SOME NOT SO.
.png)
BASTARD FITS RIGHT IN!
- STYLE: Documentary-ish. I think this approach is great at capturing the humanity of subjects -- their inner stories and struggles -- while making a statement to ‘document’ where we are in history. Then, some silliness will be sprinkled in where folks get zapped with laser beams. And we’ll have a little nod to action films with a man on the run.
- TONE: Humorous approach to a serious topic.
INSPIRATION
(READ This Perfect Day! Set in a seemingly perfect global society. Uniformity is the defining feature; there is only one language and all ethnic groups have been eugenically merged into one race called "The Family." The world is ruled by a central computer called UniComp that has been programmed to keep every single human on the surface of the earth in check. People are continually drugged by means of regular injections so that they can never realize their potential as human beings, but will remain satisfied and cooperative. They are told where to live, when to eat, whom to marry, when to reproduce, even the basic facts of nature are subject to the UniComp's will--men do not grow facial hair, women do not develop breasts, and it only rains at night. With a vision as frightening as any in the history of the science fiction genre, This Perfect Day is one of Ira Levin s most haunting novels.)
Our kick-ass DP, Stephanie Rose is a documentarian at heart with a zest for forging into the narrative space.
Our insightful, fantastic and versatile actors, LeShay Tomlinson Boyce, Tina McDowelle, Tanya Alexander and Aaron Lyons all know how to play to the comedy while staying true to the grave nature of our subject. They are all gonna knock this film out of the park!
Our Bastard team is the best team of Bastards around! Here is a brief introduction. Please find their bios on the TEAM tab to learn more.
A C T O R S
I wrote this film SPECIFICALLY for my dear friends.
LeShay Tomlinson Boyce (Note: All cast photos by Jackson Lynch)
Tina McDowelle
With LeShay Tomlinson Boyce and Tina McDowelle as the leads (these two are known to take African dance together, hike, and hang), I knew their chemistry. I know what makes them tick as the fantastic storytellers they are and leaned on my instinct of how to bring that out in characters they may not always get to play on screen. Both have unique qualities about them that truly light up the screen and stage. LeShay is funny as fuuudge while still being incredibly real and believable and Tina is brilliant at being in the moment and telling the truth.
Aaron Lyons and I met in the Antaeus Playwright's Lab. He was cast in a reading for one of my plays, New Dawn, where he played a vulnerable, questioning white supremacist, and every rewrite since has been with him in mind. He was my BRIAN from the start. His imagination, joy and chilling stillness bring his characters to L I F E. He is hilarious and heart-felt as our sex man.
Tanya Alexander is a take-no-prisoners dynamo. She is intense and playful all at the same time. She can act her ass off and is so fun to watch as our stiletto-wearing, no-nonsense cop.
These four hold their own and also mesh together so well. I'm truly excited for the magic that will leap off screen when we shoot BASTARD! Le Sigh.
W R I T E R / D I R E C T O R
BASTARD is my fourth short film which I have directed and written. Whoop, whoop! I am a life-long storyteller. I began writing short stories around eight years old, I wrote my first play at twelve and forced my brothers to act in it. And shot my first short in New York when I barely knew what the hell I was doing.
I have over twenty years of storytelling experience in Los Angeles, New York and internationally – both on screen and on stage. My film DO SOMETHING (Dir/co-writer, co-producer) about protest and social justice is currently streaming on Tubi.com. Ownership (writer), produced by The Lagralane Group, is a short about how we collectively deal with our nation's history with owning folks and is currently on the festival circuit. My most recent play, F/K/A Meridian about Black women and mental health was a top 15% finalist for the 2022 O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, and a semi-finalist for the 2021 Garry Marshall Theatre New Works Festival. My play Unexplained Infertility about pregnancy, verbal abuse and the ancestors was a semi-finalist for the 2021 O’Neill. My novels Harlem’s Last Dance and Harlem’s Awakening -- about human trafficking and self empowerment -- are available where books are sold online.
I'm a Black woman tellin' stories about Black girl things, women things and people things. I thank you in advance for supporting me and all involved with our delightful project! (Please tell a friend!)
C I N E M A T O G R A P H E R
Stephanie Rose
LOOK AT STEPHANIE'S WORK! DELIGHTFUL!
I'm so excited to be working with Stephanie! Matt and I had coffee with her and we all connected immediately. She speaks her mind, is dedicated to multiple social justice causes and is incredibly talented as a narrative and documentary DP/Cinematographer.
Our production manager and overall Our Girl Friday, EMERALD LEONG found Stephanie. (Emerald also edited our promo video you just watched.)
Here we are on our location scout to Pinetop, AZ.
.png)
P R O D U C E R S
Matthew Soraci & Peppur Chambers-Soraci
We met in 2012. Our first date wasn't until January 2018 -- at Sundance (from where this picture was taken)! We're dedicated to producing not just a top-quality film, but to creating an environment that is inclusive, supportive and professional. You will be supporting a film that puts women to work!
This is our first film we're producing together and it is also our first under our new production company, Peppured Matthew Media. (We have been producing Her Words His Wine, our YouTube show, for three years.) Matthew has been producing with The Lagralane Group for nearly ten years, where he is also the COO.
B U D G E T
Our entire budget is $40,000. We have chosen to crowd fund a portion of our budget. We need to make 80% of our goal otherwise, we get a goose egg. Therefore, it's crucial for us to raise this $15,000. The entire amount will go to Cast & Crew and production so that we can begin shooting in November.
STRETCH GOAL: $40,000
We would love to hit our full $40k with this effort, so please give and SHARE as you can. Currently in the works:
- International VFX team. More money = better ant and lasers.
- Location and set design. More money = more realistic cabin, props and exterior location.
- Equipment. More money = dolly, dolly operator and better zoomy shots.
- Crew. More money = fortifies LOCAL women filmmakers (and our awesome men, too!)
- Lodging. More money = closer AirBnB for cast (this means more sleep, less gas, etc.)
- Post-production. More money = opportunity to hire producer for original soundtrack.
- Film festivals. More money = more entry fees covered ($50-90 per!), more travel to attend festivals.
- Public Relations. More money = more bullhorns blaring about this important work.
If you cannot support financially, sharing this campaign with others or even asking just one person in your life to contribute, is a huge win for us, our messaging and an opportunity to bring awareness to reproductive rights, power and women's bodies.
G R A T I T U D E
Thank you!
Thank you in advance for supporting the arts, for supporting this important story and our ridiculously talented team. If your pockets are already screaming, there are plenty of other ways to be involved! Crowdfunding is a numbers game, so the more eyeballs that this campaign reaches, the bettah! Therefore, you can share this campaign with as many people as you like; you can pick up the phone and ask a colleague, affiliated organization or family member to support; you can interact with us on Facebook...You can send us chocolates. We're happy to accept your positive energy and small acts of kindness! Gracias!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
CREW SALARIES
Costs $10,000
You saw our video, right? Listen, you get what you pay for--and it shows on screen. We've got crew (mostly women!) who know their $h*t!
LOCATION INSURANCE
Costs $3,000
Insurance is required to cover our asses and that of the location. We anticipate everything running smoothly, naturally, but it's a must.
CAST AIRFARE
Costs $2,000
We are shooting in Arizona; our cast (for which this film was specifically written) are all LA-based. We gotta get these folks to set!
Share this update!
About This Team
As a team, we are excited to make this campaign soar! Thank you for being on the ride with us!
More about our CAST:
(In Alpha Order)
BIO:
Tanya Alexander is a high school valedictorian, an alumnus of AMDA-New York and a Summa Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa graduate of St. Louis University's theatre program. A diverse actor, stage and street performer, and spoken word artist, her credits include…Off-Broadway: In Dahomey, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Crimson Landbeats. Mark Taper Forum: Nothing But the Truth (u/s), Clybourne Park (u/s). San Diego Rep: Honky. A Noise Within: Day of Absence. National Tour: The Wiz. LA Local: Human Interest Story (The Fountain Theatre world premiere), Mono/Poly (Odyssey Theatre), Future Sex Inc. (Lounge Theatre), SuperNatural: The Play (Chromolume Theatre), When Paul Robeson Quit the Movies (Stella Adler Theatre), Here's to Life (The Complex), Harlem's Night (The Mint), The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Union, The Poetry Lounge, S.W.A.A.M. Film/TV: The Shield, Law & Order: SVU, Murder Among Friends, Coroner: I Speak for the Dead, Onstage in America, Bones, Lucky Louie, Recovery, Where Children Play, Material Girls, Minty, Beyond Doubt, Humble Pie. Voiceover: Tombraider (video game), Fire Escape (Tribeca Film Fest winner for interactive media), 1001 Cuts (interactive media). Radio/Web: Amazon, Coca Cola, Dasani, California Tobacco Control Program, New Jersey LIFO, Committee For Children, Mejier, Golden Plump. She has also released two spoken word albums and won the following awards: Santa Monica Film Fest (best supporting actress), NAACP Theatre Award (best solo show), Hollywood Black Film Fest (best music video), COLSAC Award (best choreography). She is also the recipient of the keys to the city of Jennings, MO (her hometown!). Visit www.TanyaAlexander.net for more info.
BIO: A NOISE WITHIN: 2024-25 Season: Grace, The Piano Lesson; ELSEWHERE: This Land– Company of Angels Theater Company, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Understudy); Mark Taper Forum. Hellcab and Seven Red Neck Cheerleaders; Elephant Theater Company, This Land; Mark Taper Forum Workshop. LeShay was nominated for the NAACP theater award for best Supporting Actress in the play Insurrection Holding History by Robert O’hara. On the Chicago Stage, LeShay originated the role of “Lenora” in the Knock Me a Kiss at the “Victory Gardens” theater. She also won the Black Theater Alliance Award for “Best Featured Actress” for this Production. Film/TV: recurring roles on From Scratch (Netflix), Truth Be Told (Apple TV), House of Payne, Shook (Disney), S.W.A.T. (CBS), Bosch (Amazon), All Rise (OWN), Insecure (HBO), Doubt (CBS), and the video HipHopera Trapped in the Closet.
BIO: Aaron Lyons does theatre. Lots of it. As an actor, director, designer, producer, stage manager, technical director, and crew member, he has over 250 credits on his National and International resumes. Most recent credits include: Film - To The Beat 2!,To The Beat!, Switchback. TV/Web - The Wasteland, Company; Theatre: Measure For Measure (Antaeus), Pulp Shakespeare, Delusion 2015-2019 Seasons (Immersive Theatre).
BIO: I'm just here for the revolution.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When two women turn up pregnant after government-sanctioned sex with a sterilized man, they turn to law enforcement to lock him up.
CAN YOU IMAGINE?
Casual sex, in fact, sex of any kind, is now government regulated and its consequences are punishable as a crime. Sharifa and Dixon, two ride-or-die girlfriends, have chosen to live off grid as a way to escape the enforced reproductive ills of the government.
When they decide to have a bit of fun and use their health care stimulus benefit of government-sanctioned sex with a sterilized man (Brian), a mistake occurs. Sharifa, who is very in tune with her body, feels that something is off and persuades Dixon that they should lock up Brian for two weeks to wait for a confirmation of a pregnancy test.
When they get confirmation that they are in fact pregnant, they call DCFS (Department of Child and Family Services) which has become the law enforcement arm for unplanned pregnancies.
Officer Lewis arrives to take Brian away to jail, where he will be incarcerated with his children for 18-21 years.
HOW 'BOUT WE OVERTURN BIAS AND MIS-CONCEPTION
TOWARD WOMEN, INSTEAD??
This film was conceived in 2022 at the overturning of Roe vs Wade. With women marching down streets across America screaming into bullhorns and demanding that the government stay out of our uterus, I felt compelled to raise my own bullhorn and this film is it.
It began as a play which debuted to a SOLD-OUT audience at the Inglewood Playhouse. Directed by LeShay Tomlinson Boyce, who also stars, the piece was a hit. We were inspired to adapt it to film to reach more folks.
BASTARD takes place in the not-too-distant future and casual sex, in fact, sex of any kind, is now government regulated and its consequences are punishable as a crime. Sound familiar? It should. The overturning of Roe vs Wade is a violation of women’s rights; it is punishing us for the consequences of sex. It’s an avalanche of a slippery slope from which we may never fully recover. As more and more things about our bodies are regulated, this leaves me (Peppur: writer/director) with the question, “Well, damn. What’s next?!”
This isn’t a film about abortion. In fact, this is probably the only time you’ll see the word mentioned in this is entire project. The film is not about whether abortion is right or wrong. What is a central message is this: we can't keep punishing THE WOMEN for the "crime" of pregnancy.
If we're gonna be punished, then we should have a right to protect our bodies before the government wants to get involved. That is the beauty of our body being our own. I believe women should get to decide what happens with it. This is our right.
WITH HUMOR AND GRACE,
THIS FILM RAISES A FIST FOR THE SINGLE MOTHERS WHO DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE OR WHO DIDN'T HAVE HELP.
Here's somethin' to ponder: 27% of single mothers live in poverty with their children, compared to fewer than 1% of single fathers.
Relevancy? This statistic is a result of choice and power. Who has it and who doesn't.
I’m very interested in the basic concept of power; specifically, that government has the power to mandate what happens with a woman’s body. If men were capable of carrying a child, then perhaps there would be some understanding and some empathy. If the male body fed the child, then perhaps there would be some understanding and some empathy. If men were shamed and therefore left solely responsible for and government-forced to care for a child for 18-21 years, without the “ability” to walk away, then maybe there would be some empathy and understanding. But this currently is not the case. In BASTARD, it is.
With this story, I want to reverse some gender and power standards; highlight some of society’s mis-conceptions and bias toward women, and inspire hope for equality for ALL of us.
One more personal thing. My parents divorced when I was about eight years old. My mom won custody of us and raised us for a few years -- until she couldn't. We were on government assistance, we struggled and we survived. Then, my dad and stepmom got custody of us three. We made it through. All of us. Many do not. Some of you reading this know exactly what I mean because you too have experienced this in some kinda way.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE CHANGE?
We are making this film. Once completed, we will share it with as many organizations and social justice folks we can find and use this film to open the door to conversation, awareness and change. You can join us or you can go out and raise your own bullhorn. (Psst, we hope you do BOTH!)
A lot of my work (novels, radio plays, plays) has a social justice message and more often than not, I deliver this message with some kinda humor…especially when the topic at hand ain’t all that funny. Bastard is no exception.
SOME FUNNY, SOME NOT SO.
BASTARD FITS RIGHT IN!
- STYLE: Documentary-ish. I think this approach is great at capturing the humanity of subjects -- their inner stories and struggles -- while making a statement to ‘document’ where we are in history. Then, some silliness will be sprinkled in where folks get zapped with laser beams. And we’ll have a little nod to action films with a man on the run.
- TONE: Humorous approach to a serious topic.
INSPIRATION
(READ This Perfect Day! Set in a seemingly perfect global society. Uniformity is the defining feature; there is only one language and all ethnic groups have been eugenically merged into one race called "The Family." The world is ruled by a central computer called UniComp that has been programmed to keep every single human on the surface of the earth in check. People are continually drugged by means of regular injections so that they can never realize their potential as human beings, but will remain satisfied and cooperative. They are told where to live, when to eat, whom to marry, when to reproduce, even the basic facts of nature are subject to the UniComp's will--men do not grow facial hair, women do not develop breasts, and it only rains at night. With a vision as frightening as any in the history of the science fiction genre, This Perfect Day is one of Ira Levin s most haunting novels.)
Our kick-ass DP, Stephanie Rose is a documentarian at heart with a zest for forging into the narrative space.
Our insightful, fantastic and versatile actors, LeShay Tomlinson Boyce, Tina McDowelle, Tanya Alexander and Aaron Lyons all know how to play to the comedy while staying true to the grave nature of our subject. They are all gonna knock this film out of the park!
Our Bastard team is the best team of Bastards around! Here is a brief introduction. Please find their bios on the TEAM tab to learn more.
A C T O R S
I wrote this film SPECIFICALLY for my dear friends.
LeShay Tomlinson Boyce (Note: All cast photos by Jackson Lynch)
Tina McDowelle
With LeShay Tomlinson Boyce and Tina McDowelle as the leads (these two are known to take African dance together, hike, and hang), I knew their chemistry. I know what makes them tick as the fantastic storytellers they are and leaned on my instinct of how to bring that out in characters they may not always get to play on screen. Both have unique qualities about them that truly light up the screen and stage. LeShay is funny as fuuudge while still being incredibly real and believable and Tina is brilliant at being in the moment and telling the truth.
Aaron Lyons and I met in the Antaeus Playwright's Lab. He was cast in a reading for one of my plays, New Dawn, where he played a vulnerable, questioning white supremacist, and every rewrite since has been with him in mind. He was my BRIAN from the start. His imagination, joy and chilling stillness bring his characters to L I F E. He is hilarious and heart-felt as our sex man.
Tanya Alexander is a take-no-prisoners dynamo. She is intense and playful all at the same time. She can act her ass off and is so fun to watch as our stiletto-wearing, no-nonsense cop.
These four hold their own and also mesh together so well. I'm truly excited for the magic that will leap off screen when we shoot BASTARD! Le Sigh.
W R I T E R / D I R E C T O R
BASTARD is my fourth short film which I have directed and written. Whoop, whoop! I am a life-long storyteller. I began writing short stories around eight years old, I wrote my first play at twelve and forced my brothers to act in it. And shot my first short in New York when I barely knew what the hell I was doing.
I have over twenty years of storytelling experience in Los Angeles, New York and internationally – both on screen and on stage. My film DO SOMETHING (Dir/co-writer, co-producer) about protest and social justice is currently streaming on Tubi.com. Ownership (writer), produced by The Lagralane Group, is a short about how we collectively deal with our nation's history with owning folks and is currently on the festival circuit. My most recent play, F/K/A Meridian about Black women and mental health was a top 15% finalist for the 2022 O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, and a semi-finalist for the 2021 Garry Marshall Theatre New Works Festival. My play Unexplained Infertility about pregnancy, verbal abuse and the ancestors was a semi-finalist for the 2021 O’Neill. My novels Harlem’s Last Dance and Harlem’s Awakening -- about human trafficking and self empowerment -- are available where books are sold online.
I'm a Black woman tellin' stories about Black girl things, women things and people things. I thank you in advance for supporting me and all involved with our delightful project! (Please tell a friend!)
C I N E M A T O G R A P H E R
Stephanie Rose
LOOK AT STEPHANIE'S WORK! DELIGHTFUL!
I'm so excited to be working with Stephanie! Matt and I had coffee with her and we all connected immediately. She speaks her mind, is dedicated to multiple social justice causes and is incredibly talented as a narrative and documentary DP/Cinematographer.
Our production manager and overall Our Girl Friday, EMERALD LEONG found Stephanie. (Emerald also edited our promo video you just watched.)
Here we are on our location scout to Pinetop, AZ.
P R O D U C E R S
Matthew Soraci & Peppur Chambers-Soraci
We met in 2012. Our first date wasn't until January 2018 -- at Sundance (from where this picture was taken)! We're dedicated to producing not just a top-quality film, but to creating an environment that is inclusive, supportive and professional. You will be supporting a film that puts women to work!
This is our first film we're producing together and it is also our first under our new production company, Peppured Matthew Media. (We have been producing Her Words His Wine, our YouTube show, for three years.) Matthew has been producing with The Lagralane Group for nearly ten years, where he is also the COO.
B U D G E T
Our entire budget is $40,000. We have chosen to crowd fund a portion of our budget. We need to make 80% of our goal otherwise, we get a goose egg. Therefore, it's crucial for us to raise this $15,000. The entire amount will go to Cast & Crew and production so that we can begin shooting in November.
STRETCH GOAL: $40,000
We would love to hit our full $40k with this effort, so please give and SHARE as you can. Currently in the works:
- International VFX team. More money = better ant and lasers.
- Location and set design. More money = more realistic cabin, props and exterior location.
- Equipment. More money = dolly, dolly operator and better zoomy shots.
- Crew. More money = fortifies LOCAL women filmmakers (and our awesome men, too!)
- Lodging. More money = closer AirBnB for cast (this means more sleep, less gas, etc.)
- Post-production. More money = opportunity to hire producer for original soundtrack.
- Film festivals. More money = more entry fees covered ($50-90 per!), more travel to attend festivals.
- Public Relations. More money = more bullhorns blaring about this important work.
If you cannot support financially, sharing this campaign with others or even asking just one person in your life to contribute, is a huge win for us, our messaging and an opportunity to bring awareness to reproductive rights, power and women's bodies.
G R A T I T U D E
Thank you!
Thank you in advance for supporting the arts, for supporting this important story and our ridiculously talented team. If your pockets are already screaming, there are plenty of other ways to be involved! Crowdfunding is a numbers game, so the more eyeballs that this campaign reaches, the bettah! Therefore, you can share this campaign with as many people as you like; you can pick up the phone and ask a colleague, affiliated organization or family member to support; you can interact with us on Facebook...You can send us chocolates. We're happy to accept your positive energy and small acts of kindness! Gracias!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
CREW SALARIES
Costs $10,000
You saw our video, right? Listen, you get what you pay for--and it shows on screen. We've got crew (mostly women!) who know their $h*t!
LOCATION INSURANCE
Costs $3,000
Insurance is required to cover our asses and that of the location. We anticipate everything running smoothly, naturally, but it's a must.
CAST AIRFARE
Costs $2,000
We are shooting in Arizona; our cast (for which this film was specifically written) are all LA-based. We gotta get these folks to set!
Share this update!
About This Team
As a team, we are excited to make this campaign soar! Thank you for being on the ride with us!
More about our CAST:
(In Alpha Order)
BIO:
Tanya Alexander is a high school valedictorian, an alumnus of AMDA-New York and a Summa Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa graduate of St. Louis University's theatre program. A diverse actor, stage and street performer, and spoken word artist, her credits include…Off-Broadway: In Dahomey, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Crimson Landbeats. Mark Taper Forum: Nothing But the Truth (u/s), Clybourne Park (u/s). San Diego Rep: Honky. A Noise Within: Day of Absence. National Tour: The Wiz. LA Local: Human Interest Story (The Fountain Theatre world premiere), Mono/Poly (Odyssey Theatre), Future Sex Inc. (Lounge Theatre), SuperNatural: The Play (Chromolume Theatre), When Paul Robeson Quit the Movies (Stella Adler Theatre), Here's to Life (The Complex), Harlem's Night (The Mint), The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Union, The Poetry Lounge, S.W.A.A.M. Film/TV: The Shield, Law & Order: SVU, Murder Among Friends, Coroner: I Speak for the Dead, Onstage in America, Bones, Lucky Louie, Recovery, Where Children Play, Material Girls, Minty, Beyond Doubt, Humble Pie. Voiceover: Tombraider (video game), Fire Escape (Tribeca Film Fest winner for interactive media), 1001 Cuts (interactive media). Radio/Web: Amazon, Coca Cola, Dasani, California Tobacco Control Program, New Jersey LIFO, Committee For Children, Mejier, Golden Plump. She has also released two spoken word albums and won the following awards: Santa Monica Film Fest (best supporting actress), NAACP Theatre Award (best solo show), Hollywood Black Film Fest (best music video), COLSAC Award (best choreography). She is also the recipient of the keys to the city of Jennings, MO (her hometown!). Visit www.TanyaAlexander.net for more info.
BIO: A NOISE WITHIN: 2024-25 Season: Grace, The Piano Lesson; ELSEWHERE: This Land– Company of Angels Theater Company, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Understudy); Mark Taper Forum. Hellcab and Seven Red Neck Cheerleaders; Elephant Theater Company, This Land; Mark Taper Forum Workshop. LeShay was nominated for the NAACP theater award for best Supporting Actress in the play Insurrection Holding History by Robert O’hara. On the Chicago Stage, LeShay originated the role of “Lenora” in the Knock Me a Kiss at the “Victory Gardens” theater. She also won the Black Theater Alliance Award for “Best Featured Actress” for this Production. Film/TV: recurring roles on From Scratch (Netflix), Truth Be Told (Apple TV), House of Payne, Shook (Disney), S.W.A.T. (CBS), Bosch (Amazon), All Rise (OWN), Insecure (HBO), Doubt (CBS), and the video HipHopera Trapped in the Closet.
BIO: Aaron Lyons does theatre. Lots of it. As an actor, director, designer, producer, stage manager, technical director, and crew member, he has over 250 credits on his National and International resumes. Most recent credits include: Film - To The Beat 2!,To The Beat!, Switchback. TV/Web - The Wasteland, Company; Theatre: Measure For Measure (Antaeus), Pulp Shakespeare, Delusion 2015-2019 Seasons (Immersive Theatre).
BIO: I'm just here for the revolution.