Bound
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, Shorts Program
Jason and Jim Koss are estranged brothers who have come together after the death of their father, a well respected academic but painfully overbearing parent. Surrounded by decades of dad’s writings and memories, old wounds resurface as the brothers are faced with a life or death choice.
Bound
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, Shorts Program
2 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $46,743 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
134 supporters | followers
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Jason and Jim Koss are estranged brothers who have come together after the death of their father, a well respected academic but painfully overbearing parent. Surrounded by decades of dad’s writings and memories, old wounds resurface as the brothers are faced with a life or death choice.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
“Selfishness is family napalm.” ― Dr. Jason Koss,
from the screenplay of Bound
-/\/\/\-
The Story...
Jason and Jim Koss are the sons of the well-respected Professor of Behavioral Psychology, Dr. Stanley James Koss. Dr. Koss was a stern, overbearing father who insisted that his sons follow in his footsteps. Jason, his oldest, did follow that dream but veered off to become a very successful "celebrity psychologist" whom his father regards as a sellout. Jim steered clear of the intellectual drama and decided to play football, and is now a hugely successful high school football coach. The years of tension and strain caused deep divisions in the Koss family. Dr. Koss was never really close to his sons and the boys have rarely spoken to each other since the death of their mother 10 years ago. Now Dr. Koss has passed away and the boys are forced to come together to settle his estate. This reunion reveals a new crisis which forces the brothers to make a life or death choice.
Bound takes place in Dr. Stanley Koss' apartment.
Here are some images to give you a feel for what that will look like -
-/\/\/\-
How did this film happen?
Bound was inspired by the friendship between the two seasoned actors in the film - Michael O'Neill and Mike Pniewski. Almost twenty years ago they worked together on a movie and became close friends. Over the years, they talked often about creating a dramatic piece that would allow them to collaborate. COVID gave them the break they needed from their busy film and TV projects to develop this powerful script. Today's world of independent film makes it possible, with your help, to bring this story to life. Along with their fabulously talented wives, they have created a family affair that tells a moving story about love, loss and fear.
-/\/\/\-
The time is now!
It's time to get back to creating again. Time to tell stories that nurture the best parts of ourselves. And Bound focuses on getting past old wounds in order to love and respect each other as humans. It calls on the power of the human spirit, which sustains us and drives us as a community to be better and more loving to each other. The story of the Koss brothers shows us how after years of family pain and suffering, that fierce spirit of humanity ultimately leads them back to caring for each other.
-/\/\/\-
Total Bound Production Budget -- $29,815
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-/\/\/\-
Why us?
We are a team of actors and filmmakers with over 100 years of collective experience telling stories and moving audiences. We are also humans who value family, relationships and the power of compelling storytelling. And we've performed in some of the biggest shows in Film & TV.
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Thank you for contributing to our film
and for your continued support!
- the Bound Production Team
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $3,150
Our crew must have the right tools to make a great movie. Lights, camera, lenses and monitors.
Crew
Costs $12,900
We are committed to paying fair wages to our entire crew. Our crew are some of the best in Atlanta!
Catering
Costs $665
Our crew works very hard and keeping them well fed enables them to work at their best.
Art Department
Costs $1,500
Our designers create the world in which the characters in Bound exist. They are talented pros!!
COVID Protocols & Locations
Costs $2,000
Working in 2022 requires that we keep our team safe. It also helps us stay on schedule & on budget.
Post Production
Costs $5,050
A great film is made in the editing room. Help us complete this powerful and emotional film!
Production Insurance
Costs $2,000
It's the foundation of any professional film set. Our crew will know that they are protected!
Festival and Contingency Fees
Costs $2,000
It's smart to have some cushion for surprise costs. And we will be submitting to film festivals.
Cast
Costs $550
We always work on union contracts and our actors will be paid the union short film minimum.
Share this update!
About This Team
Jaye Pniewski // Director-Producer
Jaye Pniewski has an extensive background in the entertainment industry and brings a wealth of passion and energy to her work. She has been a successful make up artist for over 30 years in film and television. She has worked on numerous, high profile projects with celebrities from every area of the business. Jaye produced the award winning short film, Mend, in 2019, with her very talented daughter, Hannah Pniewski, written by and staring her equally talented husband, Mike Pniewski. Go to www.BuddyBoyFilms.com to view this great short film. She is also an accomplished commercial director and owner of BlueJaye Films, an Atlanta based full house production company. She has created a multitude of projects for various non profit organizations, and incredible commercial clients for the past 10 years. Jaye is a child advocate who hopes to make a positive impact on issues dealing with any injustice against children, therefore creating a safer, happier planet for all. BlueJaye Films is making a difference, one film at a time. www.bluejayefilms.com Jaye is a member of GPP, Georgia Production Partnership, as well as serves on the Board of Directors for Rail Against the Danger (RAD), a non profit educating the public on the importance of safety rails on lofted and bunk beds. (www.railagainstthedanger.org)
Mike Pniewski // Writer-Actor "Jim Koss"
Over his 38 year career, Mike Pniewski has appeared in hundreds of TV shows, films and commercials. You've probably seen him in Hightown, Madam Secretary, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, The Resident, Quantico, Longmire and lots more. He's also appeared in the films American Made, The Founder, Million Dollar Arm, We Are Marshall, Remember the Titans and yes, he was also in Spaceballs. You can learn lots more about Mike's career at www.mikepniewski.com.
Mary O'Neill // Producer
A New York native, and graduate of Fordham Law School, Mary began practicing law in Los Angeles at O’Melveny & Myers. After twenty-five years in California, practicing all types of law ranging from Habeas Writs for clients sentenced to the death penalty to music copyright, she and her husband Michael moved to Mountain Brook in 2011 to be closer to his ailing father. She took and passed the bar in Alabama in 2013. Recently, Mary left the international law firm of Ogletree Deakins where, in addition to litigating employment cases, she produced training videos, developed written materials and represented the firm at numerous events and conferences including the Alabama Society for Human Resource Management and the National Association of College & University Attorneys. Currently, she is producing a short film, managing a furnished rental by the beach in Los Angeles and enjoying COVID at-home culture.
Since moving to Alabama, Mary has volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Jefferson County CASA and was named CASA of the year in 2015 by Alabama CASA for her work on behalf of a teenager in foster care. For the past six years she has worked with the Alabama Lawyers Assistance Program, which is part of the Alabama State Bar, and helps judges and lawyers overcome addiction and mental health issues. As a result of her close connections to the film business, she has been a juror for the Fairhope Film Festival in Fairhope, Alabama for several years. An active member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Mary has served in many volunteer roles within the church and diocese.
Michael O'Neill // Producer-Actor "Jason Koss"
Renowned actor Michael O’Neill was recently seen as “Larry Mills” in the NBC drama series, COUNCIL OF DADS, “Chaplain Kendricks” in the critically acclaimed feature film, CLEMENCY (which won the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize), “Senator Mitchell Chapin” in Season 2 of TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN on Amazon and “Dell Connelly” in the film, THE STAND AT PAXTON COUNTY on Netflix. O’Neill’s memorable TV roles include GREY’S ANATOMY and fan favorite “Special Agent Ron Butterfield” on THE WEST WING, as well as NECESSARY ROUGHNESS, VEGAS, THE GRIM SLEEPER, NCIS, SONS OF ANARCHY and THE UNIT. In feature films, O’Neill played FDA Agent “Richard Barkley” in the award winning DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and his vast credits include J. EDGAR, GREEN ZONE, TRANSFORMERS, SECONDHAND LIONS, TRAFFIC, SEA OF LOVE and SEABISCUIT. O’Neill also recently completed the feature film, INDIVISIBLE and a limited series for Netflix entitled ECHOES.
Michael is married to Mary O’Keefe O’Neill and they have three wonderful daughters, Ella, Annie and Molly. O’Neill has served on the Board of the Hollywood Branch of the Screen Actors Guild and has often participated in the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s BookPALS program, reading to elementary school children. He has also been involved in Teach for America, Habitat for Humanity, and Focus on Recovery in Birmingham.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
“Selfishness is family napalm.” ― Dr. Jason Koss,
from the screenplay of Bound
-/\/\/\-
The Story...
Jason and Jim Koss are the sons of the well-respected Professor of Behavioral Psychology, Dr. Stanley James Koss. Dr. Koss was a stern, overbearing father who insisted that his sons follow in his footsteps. Jason, his oldest, did follow that dream but veered off to become a very successful "celebrity psychologist" whom his father regards as a sellout. Jim steered clear of the intellectual drama and decided to play football, and is now a hugely successful high school football coach. The years of tension and strain caused deep divisions in the Koss family. Dr. Koss was never really close to his sons and the boys have rarely spoken to each other since the death of their mother 10 years ago. Now Dr. Koss has passed away and the boys are forced to come together to settle his estate. This reunion reveals a new crisis which forces the brothers to make a life or death choice.
Bound takes place in Dr. Stanley Koss' apartment.
Here are some images to give you a feel for what that will look like -
-/\/\/\-
How did this film happen?
Bound was inspired by the friendship between the two seasoned actors in the film - Michael O'Neill and Mike Pniewski. Almost twenty years ago they worked together on a movie and became close friends. Over the years, they talked often about creating a dramatic piece that would allow them to collaborate. COVID gave them the break they needed from their busy film and TV projects to develop this powerful script. Today's world of independent film makes it possible, with your help, to bring this story to life. Along with their fabulously talented wives, they have created a family affair that tells a moving story about love, loss and fear.
-/\/\/\-
The time is now!
It's time to get back to creating again. Time to tell stories that nurture the best parts of ourselves. And Bound focuses on getting past old wounds in order to love and respect each other as humans. It calls on the power of the human spirit, which sustains us and drives us as a community to be better and more loving to each other. The story of the Koss brothers shows us how after years of family pain and suffering, that fierce spirit of humanity ultimately leads them back to caring for each other.
-/\/\/\-
Total Bound Production Budget -- $29,815
-/\/\/\-
Why us?
We are a team of actors and filmmakers with over 100 years of collective experience telling stories and moving audiences. We are also humans who value family, relationships and the power of compelling storytelling. And we've performed in some of the biggest shows in Film & TV.
Thank you for contributing to our film
and for your continued support!
- the Bound Production Team
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $3,150
Our crew must have the right tools to make a great movie. Lights, camera, lenses and monitors.
Crew
Costs $12,900
We are committed to paying fair wages to our entire crew. Our crew are some of the best in Atlanta!
Catering
Costs $665
Our crew works very hard and keeping them well fed enables them to work at their best.
Art Department
Costs $1,500
Our designers create the world in which the characters in Bound exist. They are talented pros!!
COVID Protocols & Locations
Costs $2,000
Working in 2022 requires that we keep our team safe. It also helps us stay on schedule & on budget.
Post Production
Costs $5,050
A great film is made in the editing room. Help us complete this powerful and emotional film!
Production Insurance
Costs $2,000
It's the foundation of any professional film set. Our crew will know that they are protected!
Festival and Contingency Fees
Costs $2,000
It's smart to have some cushion for surprise costs. And we will be submitting to film festivals.
Cast
Costs $550
We always work on union contracts and our actors will be paid the union short film minimum.
Share this update!
About This Team
Jaye Pniewski // Director-Producer
Jaye Pniewski has an extensive background in the entertainment industry and brings a wealth of passion and energy to her work. She has been a successful make up artist for over 30 years in film and television. She has worked on numerous, high profile projects with celebrities from every area of the business. Jaye produced the award winning short film, Mend, in 2019, with her very talented daughter, Hannah Pniewski, written by and staring her equally talented husband, Mike Pniewski. Go to www.BuddyBoyFilms.com to view this great short film. She is also an accomplished commercial director and owner of BlueJaye Films, an Atlanta based full house production company. She has created a multitude of projects for various non profit organizations, and incredible commercial clients for the past 10 years. Jaye is a child advocate who hopes to make a positive impact on issues dealing with any injustice against children, therefore creating a safer, happier planet for all. BlueJaye Films is making a difference, one film at a time. www.bluejayefilms.com Jaye is a member of GPP, Georgia Production Partnership, as well as serves on the Board of Directors for Rail Against the Danger (RAD), a non profit educating the public on the importance of safety rails on lofted and bunk beds. (www.railagainstthedanger.org)
Mike Pniewski // Writer-Actor "Jim Koss"
Over his 38 year career, Mike Pniewski has appeared in hundreds of TV shows, films and commercials. You've probably seen him in Hightown, Madam Secretary, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, The Resident, Quantico, Longmire and lots more. He's also appeared in the films American Made, The Founder, Million Dollar Arm, We Are Marshall, Remember the Titans and yes, he was also in Spaceballs. You can learn lots more about Mike's career at www.mikepniewski.com.
Mary O'Neill // Producer
A New York native, and graduate of Fordham Law School, Mary began practicing law in Los Angeles at O’Melveny & Myers. After twenty-five years in California, practicing all types of law ranging from Habeas Writs for clients sentenced to the death penalty to music copyright, she and her husband Michael moved to Mountain Brook in 2011 to be closer to his ailing father. She took and passed the bar in Alabama in 2013. Recently, Mary left the international law firm of Ogletree Deakins where, in addition to litigating employment cases, she produced training videos, developed written materials and represented the firm at numerous events and conferences including the Alabama Society for Human Resource Management and the National Association of College & University Attorneys. Currently, she is producing a short film, managing a furnished rental by the beach in Los Angeles and enjoying COVID at-home culture.
Since moving to Alabama, Mary has volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Jefferson County CASA and was named CASA of the year in 2015 by Alabama CASA for her work on behalf of a teenager in foster care. For the past six years she has worked with the Alabama Lawyers Assistance Program, which is part of the Alabama State Bar, and helps judges and lawyers overcome addiction and mental health issues. As a result of her close connections to the film business, she has been a juror for the Fairhope Film Festival in Fairhope, Alabama for several years. An active member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Mary has served in many volunteer roles within the church and diocese.
Michael O'Neill // Producer-Actor "Jason Koss"
Renowned actor Michael O’Neill was recently seen as “Larry Mills” in the NBC drama series, COUNCIL OF DADS, “Chaplain Kendricks” in the critically acclaimed feature film, CLEMENCY (which won the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize), “Senator Mitchell Chapin” in Season 2 of TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN on Amazon and “Dell Connelly” in the film, THE STAND AT PAXTON COUNTY on Netflix. O’Neill’s memorable TV roles include GREY’S ANATOMY and fan favorite “Special Agent Ron Butterfield” on THE WEST WING, as well as NECESSARY ROUGHNESS, VEGAS, THE GRIM SLEEPER, NCIS, SONS OF ANARCHY and THE UNIT. In feature films, O’Neill played FDA Agent “Richard Barkley” in the award winning DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and his vast credits include J. EDGAR, GREEN ZONE, TRANSFORMERS, SECONDHAND LIONS, TRAFFIC, SEA OF LOVE and SEABISCUIT. O’Neill also recently completed the feature film, INDIVISIBLE and a limited series for Netflix entitled ECHOES.
Michael is married to Mary O’Keefe O’Neill and they have three wonderful daughters, Ella, Annie and Molly. O’Neill has served on the Board of the Hollywood Branch of the Screen Actors Guild and has often participated in the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s BookPALS program, reading to elementary school children. He has also been involved in Teach for America, Habitat for Humanity, and Focus on Recovery in Birmingham.