Boys Will Be Boys
Hamden, Connecticut | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
When a game threatens to expose them, two gay fraternity members must cope with balancing their identities and confront the opposing ideologies of their fellow fraternity brothers.
Boys Will Be Boys
Hamden, Connecticut | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns | Connecticut, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,900 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
53 supporters | followers
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When a game threatens to expose them, two gay fraternity members must cope with balancing their identities and confront the opposing ideologies of their fellow fraternity brothers.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The idea for this film came from a script that I had written three years ago. For three years I thought about it constantly and was waiting for this moment to be able to bring it to life. Now, having created an entirely new work from that story, it has become something even more powerful. In this film, as we follow Patrick and Tony, we watch as they navigate the difficulties posed by toxic masculinity and how their queer identities oppose the patriarchal ideals upheld by fraternity culture.
Themes
Tony and Patrick represent two sides of the same coin, Patrick being the one who is ready to stray from the society's expectations of him and Tony who is not yet able to let go off the person he pretends to be. Behind closed doors Tony becomes someone entirely different in his relationship with Patrick but is pressured by the harsh reality of fraternity culture to conform. In this film the fraternity not only shows the difficulties LGBTQ+ identifying people experience in certain unwelcome settings but it also serves as a representation of the way society at large still opposes queer identities because they have the power to change social norms and conventions that currently keep down anyone who does not fit the mold laid out before us. As Tony and Patrick are forced by their respective frat presidents, Henry and Truck, to partake in a game that would out them, they come to a startling conclusion. As they try their best to fit in and even begin to feel that they have found acceptance, they quickly realize that the "acceptance" promised by their "friends" is not acceptance at all but a welcoming into a social hierarchy that benefits from keeping people on edge and against each other. It's a cutthroat environment that threatens to squash anyone who opposes a carefully constructed social order that simultaneously rewards complacency and violence.
Ashley's Inspirations
As the writer and director there are a few pieces of media that have inspired me the most in making this film. They are:
Moonlight
The character Patrick is like Chiron in his youth and teenage years. Tony is more similar to Chiron as an adult. The way the lighting helps to tell the story is also something that will be important in our film.
Young Royals
This queer Swedish television show really showed how much people value seeing themselves represented onscreen. Wilhelm and Simon's relationship develops in secret, though none of the characters in out film are royalty they still grapple with social pressures which affects their relationship.
Brokeback Mountain
The push and pull dynamic of Jack and Ennis's relationship is something that we see with Patrick and Tony. This is reinforced by Henry's influence over Tony and his entire social life. Tony grapples with a difficult choice: cast aside the life he knew and grew comfortable in among his fraternity brothers or carve a new path of freedom to be his full self with Patrick.
Why Us? Why Now?
Works like Boys Will Be Boys are exactly what we need right now, a project that illustrates issues in our society and make us reflect on how we can counteract negativity in our world. By supporting this project you can help make a positive impact and create a space for emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers.
Join the Boys Will Be Boys family and follow us on instagram.
By keeping up with us you'll be able to see all the ways in which your contributions helped us bring this piece to life. From getting all the best equipment, to casting great actors, and designing the overall look of our film with costumes and props, your generosity will enable us to create an authentic and emotional world for our characters to live in. Never miss an update as we share important milestones and move past our current stage of development. We'll also be posting key dates regarding the film's completion and premiere!
Thanks for all your support, we can't wait to work with you!
-The Boys Will Be Boys Crew
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Shotgun Mic
Costs $250
A shotgun microphone is to pick up a desired sound source located some distance away.
Boom Pole
Costs $300
A long pole with a microphone attached, used to record participants who are being filmed while allowing the operator to stay out of the shot
External Hard Drive
Costs $100
Hard drives are useful for backing up computers and transferring data between computers. We need this to store files for our editor.
Sound Mixer
Costs $500
Having a professional sound mixer will allow the quality of our sound to match the quality of cinematography!
Colorist
Costs $300
Getting someone to professionally color grade our film will allow the emotional points in our film to be properly expressed.
Costumes
Costs $1,000
Having custom costumes will allow us to fully immerse our audience in the world of the film and make it feel as authentic as possible.
Set Design
Costs $1,500
By adding more detail to our sets we can make our world feel authentic.
Location
Costs $1,500
Finding the right location to shoot is important, without this our film won't be able to reach its full potential.
Food
Costs $1,500
In the film industry, craft services coordinate quick service items like meals and snacks to keep cast and crew members happy and energized.
Actors
Costs $2,000
We need to pay our actors!
Accommodations and Transportation
Costs $2,000
In order to hire the best actors for this project, we will need to be able to provide a way for them to get to our filming location.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
My name is Ashley Campise (they/them), I’m in my senior year at Quinnipiac University and I’m the writer and director of this film! During my four years at Quinnipiac, I’ve had the opportunity to grow as a creative through experiences such as working as a camera operator for some of our Division 1 sports teams, doing an internship in LA, and taking classes that expand my worldview and abilities as a filmmaker. Specifically, in the Film, Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies courses I have taken I feel that I have truly found my voice as a writer. I’ll be graduating with my BFA in Film, television, and Media Arts in May 2024 and an MA in Cinematic Production Management (also from QU) in 2025. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this project with you all and thanks for all your support!
My name is Jordan Stewart (he/him) and I am the producer on this project. I am a filmmaker from New York and a senior at Quinnipiac University. I love telling stories of everyday people, capturing their emotions, experiences, and energy on film. My passion for the art has led me to create my own media production company, JStew Films LLC. JStew Films has expanded its clientele across the Northeast Region and Los Angeles, California. JStew Films provides a comprehensive range of services, including Video Production, Photography, and Social Media Graphics, catering to all needs. Our diverse portfolio includes working with various clients, such as athletes across all levels, producing engaging social media content for small businesses and schools, collaborating with artists in the music industry, and creating high-quality videos for corporate businesses. I have worked with ESPN, WNBA, CBS, Tuff Gong Worldwide, Northeast Gas Association, and many more!
I’m Aidan Oberman (he/him), the assistant director of BWBB. Film has been a passion of mine ever since I was a kid, from making stop-motion shorts with my Legos to watching R-rated movies with my dad far too early for my age. My time at Quinnipiac University has helped make my dream a reality, gaining real-world experiences on film sets. Whether it’s directing, storyboarding, or stepping behind the camera, I love to collaborate and communicate with everyone on set to ensure the best results. This is part of the reason I took on the role of Assistant Director, as I will be in charge of scheduling as well as making sure we are safe on set. Time management is a top priority on set, so I’ll be working closely with the rest of my team to ensure things run smoothly. As AD it’s my job to communicate with our actors and crew, making sure everyone is on the same page. With your contributions to our film, we can hire a fight choreographer and an intimacy coordinator, which will make our film appear much more realistic.
I am William Mella (he/him) a senior-level student at Quinnipiac University, and I am working as the Director of Photography on the film Boys Will Be Boys. As the man behind the lens, it’s my job to keep our picture looking in top shape and to coordinate with my crew about what we want our film to look like when it takes shape. I have had over 9+ years of camera experience and I have had Contracts with Yale University, and Yale Football as an Intern working with Photography and Film. I have a deep love for creating and capturing motion pictures and I'm excited to produce a film with great integrity.
I am Chris Bavaro (he/him) a senior-level student at Quinnipiac University, I am a FTM major and a music minor. I will be working as the editor and sound technician for our film Boys Will Be Boys. It will be my job to capture quality audio to help build the auditory landscape of our film and to assemble the edit when production is finished. In addition to my background in film, I am also a musician and have been playing guitar for 10-plus years. I've accompanied other vocalists while they performed, gigged on my own, and have been working on writing my own music. I have been making short films for the past 8 years, this will be the most intense project I’ve worked on yet, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the team and to make an amazing film.
My name is Jamil Riggins (he/him) but a lot of people call me JJ. I am a senior at Quinnipiac University and also on the men’s basketball team for Quinnipiac University. I have a lot of experience with editing and camera work. I’ll be graduating with my BFA in Film, Television, and Media Arts in May 2024 and playing overseas to continue my basketball dreams.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The idea for this film came from a script that I had written three years ago. For three years I thought about it constantly and was waiting for this moment to be able to bring it to life. Now, having created an entirely new work from that story, it has become something even more powerful. In this film, as we follow Patrick and Tony, we watch as they navigate the difficulties posed by toxic masculinity and how their queer identities oppose the patriarchal ideals upheld by fraternity culture.
Themes
Tony and Patrick represent two sides of the same coin, Patrick being the one who is ready to stray from the society's expectations of him and Tony who is not yet able to let go off the person he pretends to be. Behind closed doors Tony becomes someone entirely different in his relationship with Patrick but is pressured by the harsh reality of fraternity culture to conform. In this film the fraternity not only shows the difficulties LGBTQ+ identifying people experience in certain unwelcome settings but it also serves as a representation of the way society at large still opposes queer identities because they have the power to change social norms and conventions that currently keep down anyone who does not fit the mold laid out before us. As Tony and Patrick are forced by their respective frat presidents, Henry and Truck, to partake in a game that would out them, they come to a startling conclusion. As they try their best to fit in and even begin to feel that they have found acceptance, they quickly realize that the "acceptance" promised by their "friends" is not acceptance at all but a welcoming into a social hierarchy that benefits from keeping people on edge and against each other. It's a cutthroat environment that threatens to squash anyone who opposes a carefully constructed social order that simultaneously rewards complacency and violence.
Ashley's Inspirations
As the writer and director there are a few pieces of media that have inspired me the most in making this film. They are:
Moonlight
The character Patrick is like Chiron in his youth and teenage years. Tony is more similar to Chiron as an adult. The way the lighting helps to tell the story is also something that will be important in our film.
Young Royals
This queer Swedish television show really showed how much people value seeing themselves represented onscreen. Wilhelm and Simon's relationship develops in secret, though none of the characters in out film are royalty they still grapple with social pressures which affects their relationship.
Brokeback Mountain
The push and pull dynamic of Jack and Ennis's relationship is something that we see with Patrick and Tony. This is reinforced by Henry's influence over Tony and his entire social life. Tony grapples with a difficult choice: cast aside the life he knew and grew comfortable in among his fraternity brothers or carve a new path of freedom to be his full self with Patrick.
Why Us? Why Now?
Works like Boys Will Be Boys are exactly what we need right now, a project that illustrates issues in our society and make us reflect on how we can counteract negativity in our world. By supporting this project you can help make a positive impact and create a space for emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers.
Join the Boys Will Be Boys family and follow us on instagram.
By keeping up with us you'll be able to see all the ways in which your contributions helped us bring this piece to life. From getting all the best equipment, to casting great actors, and designing the overall look of our film with costumes and props, your generosity will enable us to create an authentic and emotional world for our characters to live in. Never miss an update as we share important milestones and move past our current stage of development. We'll also be posting key dates regarding the film's completion and premiere!
Thanks for all your support, we can't wait to work with you!
-The Boys Will Be Boys Crew
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Shotgun Mic
Costs $250
A shotgun microphone is to pick up a desired sound source located some distance away.
Boom Pole
Costs $300
A long pole with a microphone attached, used to record participants who are being filmed while allowing the operator to stay out of the shot
External Hard Drive
Costs $100
Hard drives are useful for backing up computers and transferring data between computers. We need this to store files for our editor.
Sound Mixer
Costs $500
Having a professional sound mixer will allow the quality of our sound to match the quality of cinematography!
Colorist
Costs $300
Getting someone to professionally color grade our film will allow the emotional points in our film to be properly expressed.
Costumes
Costs $1,000
Having custom costumes will allow us to fully immerse our audience in the world of the film and make it feel as authentic as possible.
Set Design
Costs $1,500
By adding more detail to our sets we can make our world feel authentic.
Location
Costs $1,500
Finding the right location to shoot is important, without this our film won't be able to reach its full potential.
Food
Costs $1,500
In the film industry, craft services coordinate quick service items like meals and snacks to keep cast and crew members happy and energized.
Actors
Costs $2,000
We need to pay our actors!
Accommodations and Transportation
Costs $2,000
In order to hire the best actors for this project, we will need to be able to provide a way for them to get to our filming location.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
My name is Ashley Campise (they/them), I’m in my senior year at Quinnipiac University and I’m the writer and director of this film! During my four years at Quinnipiac, I’ve had the opportunity to grow as a creative through experiences such as working as a camera operator for some of our Division 1 sports teams, doing an internship in LA, and taking classes that expand my worldview and abilities as a filmmaker. Specifically, in the Film, Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies courses I have taken I feel that I have truly found my voice as a writer. I’ll be graduating with my BFA in Film, television, and Media Arts in May 2024 and an MA in Cinematic Production Management (also from QU) in 2025. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this project with you all and thanks for all your support!
My name is Jordan Stewart (he/him) and I am the producer on this project. I am a filmmaker from New York and a senior at Quinnipiac University. I love telling stories of everyday people, capturing their emotions, experiences, and energy on film. My passion for the art has led me to create my own media production company, JStew Films LLC. JStew Films has expanded its clientele across the Northeast Region and Los Angeles, California. JStew Films provides a comprehensive range of services, including Video Production, Photography, and Social Media Graphics, catering to all needs. Our diverse portfolio includes working with various clients, such as athletes across all levels, producing engaging social media content for small businesses and schools, collaborating with artists in the music industry, and creating high-quality videos for corporate businesses. I have worked with ESPN, WNBA, CBS, Tuff Gong Worldwide, Northeast Gas Association, and many more!
I’m Aidan Oberman (he/him), the assistant director of BWBB. Film has been a passion of mine ever since I was a kid, from making stop-motion shorts with my Legos to watching R-rated movies with my dad far too early for my age. My time at Quinnipiac University has helped make my dream a reality, gaining real-world experiences on film sets. Whether it’s directing, storyboarding, or stepping behind the camera, I love to collaborate and communicate with everyone on set to ensure the best results. This is part of the reason I took on the role of Assistant Director, as I will be in charge of scheduling as well as making sure we are safe on set. Time management is a top priority on set, so I’ll be working closely with the rest of my team to ensure things run smoothly. As AD it’s my job to communicate with our actors and crew, making sure everyone is on the same page. With your contributions to our film, we can hire a fight choreographer and an intimacy coordinator, which will make our film appear much more realistic.
I am William Mella (he/him) a senior-level student at Quinnipiac University, and I am working as the Director of Photography on the film Boys Will Be Boys. As the man behind the lens, it’s my job to keep our picture looking in top shape and to coordinate with my crew about what we want our film to look like when it takes shape. I have had over 9+ years of camera experience and I have had Contracts with Yale University, and Yale Football as an Intern working with Photography and Film. I have a deep love for creating and capturing motion pictures and I'm excited to produce a film with great integrity.
I am Chris Bavaro (he/him) a senior-level student at Quinnipiac University, I am a FTM major and a music minor. I will be working as the editor and sound technician for our film Boys Will Be Boys. It will be my job to capture quality audio to help build the auditory landscape of our film and to assemble the edit when production is finished. In addition to my background in film, I am also a musician and have been playing guitar for 10-plus years. I've accompanied other vocalists while they performed, gigged on my own, and have been working on writing my own music. I have been making short films for the past 8 years, this will be the most intense project I’ve worked on yet, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the team and to make an amazing film.
My name is Jamil Riggins (he/him) but a lot of people call me JJ. I am a senior at Quinnipiac University and also on the men’s basketball team for Quinnipiac University. I have a lot of experience with editing and camera work. I’ll be graduating with my BFA in Film, Television, and Media Arts in May 2024 and playing overseas to continue my basketball dreams.