The Story

Hey, folks! My name is McKegg Collins and I'm here to talk to you about a film that I've wanted to make for years. Almost every story I've ever seen about male and female friendships devolves into this "will they, won't they?" narrative. The friendships I've had in my life are more nuanced than that. I want to create a story that reflects the complexities of male/female friendships through two characters debating the risks of adding romance to their dynamic. The result is Best Buddies. 

Best Buddies follows Tom and Sadie, two best friends who moonlight as contract killers. However, their relationship is put to the test when they run into Tom’s ex Liz and her new boyfriend Paul. Over the course of one long night, Tom and Sadie question if their partnership is something more. It’s like When Harry Met Sally… if Harry and Sally killed people.

Best Buddies is a look at the power of friendship through an offbeat, violent, and even humorous lens. Tom and Sadie's eventful night uproots our perception of what friendships between men and women can be. Tom may be a little uptight and Sadie may be a little overbearing, and while together, they can be themselves. They're perfect for each other, provided they don’t kill each other first. 

After the success of my last short film Eros Point, I have decided to embark once more into the fray and bring a story that’s very near and dear to me. Best Buddies is my first independent feature under my new production banner, Edgemere Pictures in collaboration with the Award-winning Candido Productions. I’ve been working on the script over the last five years and it’s finally ready for production. Financing short films is always a tricky business, but we want to put the power in the hands of who we’re making this movie for: you.

The Ask

After a lot of hard calculations, we determined that $12,000 was the minimum of what we need to afford the best people and equipment to bring Best Buddies to life. We would be using your generous contributions to help make the strongest possible movie we can and sending it to audiences around the world. That includes:

• Cast and Crew – We support great artists getting paid for their work!
• Securing Locations – We want to ensure we have the best locations possible and are supporting local businesses.
• Equipment – Not only cameras and lighting but also generators.
• Transportation and Lodging – A lovely house in Massachusetts, but travel costs can add up.
• Craft Services – Our cast and crew work at their best when they operate on full stomachs.
• COVID -19 Safety Protocols – COVID-19 is an obstacle, but not impossible to work around. The safety and comfort of our cast and crew is our top priority.
• Additional Costs – Insurance, post-production, props, training, festivals, and any other surprises. We will be as prepared as possible, but it never hurts to have something just in case!
  
  

We have a lot of fun incentives to ensure that you get your money’s worth from an early digital release, t-shirts, signed posters, and peek behind the curtain with storyboard animatics and conversations with the filmmakers that offer insight into the inspiration behind and development of Best Buddies.

Best Buddies is a massive undertaking. We aim to start principal photography in early 2021 and there's a lot to take care of. An ambitious action sequence that requires both guns and special effects, multiple locations, and a grand finale with a fire. It’s a tall order, but we plan to overcome those elements through top-tier equipment, an expert crew, and phenomenal actors to create the best possible film.  

COVID-19 has put a lot of things in perspective, but the biggest thing is that it reminded me of what I want to do most of all: tell stories that explore and challenge our notion of the world. Best Buddies takes the idea of the "will they, won't they" narrative and flips it on its head by asking "Why is that our first thought?" I want to change the narrative by showing how destructive that kind of thinking can be. Best Buddies is a bigger and bolder endeavor, but how else can you expect to grow without taking a little risk?

The Influences 

Best Buddies is an exploration of the romantic-action-buddy-comedy and is only influenced by the best. Best Buddies is a twist on romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally… by way of the films of Edgar Wright. The rise of such charismatic killers like Villanelle and Barry in Killing Eve and Barry paved the way for audiences to not only sympathize with ruthless killers but also become invested in their growth. Visually the film is inspired by the classic fluid cinematography of old Hollywood classics like Casablanca and Trouble in Paradise. Through this blend of old and new, we look to give Best Buddies its own unique look and feel.

The Team

McKegg Collins (Writer/Director) – McKegg has been writing and directing since he was old enough to hold a pen. His last short film, Eros Point, was selected for the 2018 New York Horror Film Festival. He is a core member of the production company Fitch Fort Films and independent film criticism and theory writer. His work can be seen at www.mckeggcollins.com

Alex Gould (Producer) - Alex has developed a close working relationship with writer/director McKegg Collins over the past 5 years through multiple artistic mediums. He joined this project in an advisory capacity from the early developmental stages and will happily continue to bring his directing, casting, writing, and producing experience to our project.

Nick Candido (Producer) - Nick Candido is an award-winning NY-based producer with experience bringing stories of all genres to life. On each and every production, Nick drew up the budget, hired the crew, scheduled the shoot days, selected cast members, and so much more. If you need your visual story told, look no further.

Kimberlee Connor (Sadie/Associate Producer) - Kimberlee Connor is an Actor/Creator currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. She is a Massachusetts native proud of her New England roots. She has performed both on stage and on screen and looks forward to a time when we can all cram together and watch some live performance! Until then she can be found performing one-woman shows in her living room and playing elementary piano songs for her cat. She's excited to be back at it and AP'ing her first film! 

Kar Logan (Tom) -  Kar Logan is a Cannes nominated actor, writer and producer from Prince George’s County, MD. Having starred in BET's Situationship and it’s spinoff Wingmen streaming in KweliTV, he continues to make a name for himself in the film industry. From appearing in previous and upcoming TV series and movies by prominent filmmakers, he is set to make an appearance in the new short Best Buddies.

Carrie Stalk (Director of Photography) - Carrie is a Cinematographer, Producer, and Director, born and raised in New England. After graduating from Michigan State University, Carrie moved to New York City to pursue her dream of creating content that moves people. She has since worked on films (documentary and scripted) and commercials with a large swath of brands across platforms and topics.

The Rest

Every little bit helps, so please consider sending whatever you can! Even spreading the word out through social media would be monumentally helpful in helping us reach our goal. Be sure to follow @edgemerepictures on Instagram to stay updated on all developments. Tell your friends! Tell your enemies! We look forward to bringing Best Buddies to you!