Buttons
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy
A story of cyclical violence, masculinity, redemption and a giant teddy bear.
Buttons
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy

5 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,116 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
20 supporters | followers
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A story of cyclical violence, masculinity, redemption and a giant teddy bear.
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
CHARLIE, a twelve year old boy, runs away from home after a violent interaction with his family. He flees into the nearby woods and discovers that BUTTONS, Charlie's stuffed teddy bear, has come to life. During the day, both of them work together to find food, water, and shelter. At night, Charlie’s memories of his last day at home turn into nightmares after it is revealed that he murdered his abusive father.
Charlie quickly grows up into a man, assuming a parental role over Buttons who is still curious about the world. While hunting a deer, Buttons tests Charlie’s leadership which leads to a physical fight between the two. Charlie wins by ripping off one of his ears and begins tracking the deer. He is led to the edge of the wilderness where he finds his mother. She begs him to come home.
Reminded of his past, Charlie refuses and returns to camp. He sews Buttons’ ear back into place and promises to be better, ending the cycle of violence.
Buttons investigates and interrogates cyclical violence and flaws, ultimately landing on the idea that future generations can do better. We needn't repeat the mistakes of the past, which is why we want to make Buttons a reality.
Charlie - A young boy living in a violent home. Pushed to the limit, he runs away to live in the wilderness with his stuffed teddy bear (who has come to life and is now six feet tall). He is reserved, but aggressive when provoked. Ultimately he becomes his own person, choosing to end the familial cycle of violence.
Seth Matarazzo as Charlie
Seth is 8 years old and lives in New Jersey. He loves cars, being outside, basketball, video games, and anything with a motor. He can ride a four-wheeler and a bike.
Buttons - Charlie's lifelong friend. He is a source of comfort to him during difficult times. Now, when Charlie needs him most, he comes to life and helps him survive in the wilderness on his own. He is very curious, longing to explore and learn more about this new world.
Matt Brady as Buttons
Matt is an extreme puppeteer from Philadelphia. Specializing in portraying several animals for the big screen, you may have seen him as Bearshark in Avril Lavigne's Rock N Roll music video, Motorcycle bear in the Big Time Rush movie: Big Time Movie, or as the bear in the 2013 Doritos Super Bowl commercial: Fetch.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2188420/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_matt%2520brady
Mother - A vulgar woman. She disciplines the only way she knows how, the way she was raised. If you ask her, she will say that she did what was best for Charlie. In the end, all she wants is for her baby to come back home.
Amy Rose Traynor as Mother.
Amy Rose Traynor grew up in Buffalo NY, and studied Musical Theater in college, both at SUNY Fredonia and The New York State Theater Institute. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
Above is a detailed budget breakdown for our film. Should we exceed our initial reach, we've arranged a stretch goal plan:
- If we raise $5,000, the additional funds will be used to enhance production design, provide additional resources to crew, and pay a stipend to each actor (they are currently giving their time for free, simply because they love the project)
- If we raise $7,500, the additional funds will be used towards housing the cast and crew, allowing for more flexibility and easier shooting days
- If we raise $10,000, the additional funds will be used to submit the film to more film festivals, increasing its chance to make an impact in the industry and allay any unforeseen expenses
BUTTONS is a film about cyclical violence, masculinity and redemption. Every parent makes mistakes -- some more so than others. I believe that, when growing up, children have two directions which they can follow when forging their parenting style. They can either follow in their parents footsteps, or learn from their mistakes and be better.
This is Charlie’s journey to making that choice, growing into a man through the discovery of a new, magical, and terrifying world.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Costumes/Production Design
Costs $500
To enhance the film with believable costumes and set decoration!
About This Team
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Jacob Dean
Jacob Dean is a writer, director and editor in his senior year at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Originally from Sacramento, CA, Jacob has been passionate about filmmaking his entire life, with his interest sparking during his time creating documentaries for the nonprofit organization Kids Helping Kids. Last semester, he finished his first short film; 5 Days 'Till Tuesday, which is currently in post-production.
PRODUCER: Sebastian Hunt
Growing up in a small Connecticut town alongside two brothers, one goldfish and an armada of stuffed animals, Sebastian began his filmmaking career at a young age with a slew of independent home movies shot with his father's Flip camcorder (all of which, to his dismay, are widely available on YouTube). His present day moviemaking efforts are slightly more sophisticated, frequently focusing on darkly comedic, absurdist plots, and believably unbelievable characters. Known for his award-winning short films Served and The Lord's House, and currently in post-production for his third film, Earnestly Yours.
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
CHARLIE, a twelve year old boy, runs away from home after a violent interaction with his family. He flees into the nearby woods and discovers that BUTTONS, Charlie's stuffed teddy bear, has come to life. During the day, both of them work together to find food, water, and shelter. At night, Charlie’s memories of his last day at home turn into nightmares after it is revealed that he murdered his abusive father.
Charlie quickly grows up into a man, assuming a parental role over Buttons who is still curious about the world. While hunting a deer, Buttons tests Charlie’s leadership which leads to a physical fight between the two. Charlie wins by ripping off one of his ears and begins tracking the deer. He is led to the edge of the wilderness where he finds his mother. She begs him to come home.
Reminded of his past, Charlie refuses and returns to camp. He sews Buttons’ ear back into place and promises to be better, ending the cycle of violence.
Buttons investigates and interrogates cyclical violence and flaws, ultimately landing on the idea that future generations can do better. We needn't repeat the mistakes of the past, which is why we want to make Buttons a reality.
Charlie - A young boy living in a violent home. Pushed to the limit, he runs away to live in the wilderness with his stuffed teddy bear (who has come to life and is now six feet tall). He is reserved, but aggressive when provoked. Ultimately he becomes his own person, choosing to end the familial cycle of violence.
Seth Matarazzo as Charlie
Seth is 8 years old and lives in New Jersey. He loves cars, being outside, basketball, video games, and anything with a motor. He can ride a four-wheeler and a bike.
Buttons - Charlie's lifelong friend. He is a source of comfort to him during difficult times. Now, when Charlie needs him most, he comes to life and helps him survive in the wilderness on his own. He is very curious, longing to explore and learn more about this new world.
Matt Brady as Buttons
Matt is an extreme puppeteer from Philadelphia. Specializing in portraying several animals for the big screen, you may have seen him as Bearshark in Avril Lavigne's Rock N Roll music video, Motorcycle bear in the Big Time Rush movie: Big Time Movie, or as the bear in the 2013 Doritos Super Bowl commercial: Fetch.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2188420/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_matt%2520brady
Mother - A vulgar woman. She disciplines the only way she knows how, the way she was raised. If you ask her, she will say that she did what was best for Charlie. In the end, all she wants is for her baby to come back home.
Amy Rose Traynor as Mother.
Amy Rose Traynor grew up in Buffalo NY, and studied Musical Theater in college, both at SUNY Fredonia and The New York State Theater Institute. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
Above is a detailed budget breakdown for our film. Should we exceed our initial reach, we've arranged a stretch goal plan:
- If we raise $5,000, the additional funds will be used to enhance production design, provide additional resources to crew, and pay a stipend to each actor (they are currently giving their time for free, simply because they love the project)
- If we raise $7,500, the additional funds will be used towards housing the cast and crew, allowing for more flexibility and easier shooting days
- If we raise $10,000, the additional funds will be used to submit the film to more film festivals, increasing its chance to make an impact in the industry and allay any unforeseen expenses
BUTTONS is a film about cyclical violence, masculinity and redemption. Every parent makes mistakes -- some more so than others. I believe that, when growing up, children have two directions which they can follow when forging their parenting style. They can either follow in their parents footsteps, or learn from their mistakes and be better.
This is Charlie’s journey to making that choice, growing into a man through the discovery of a new, magical, and terrifying world.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Costumes/Production Design
Costs $500
To enhance the film with believable costumes and set decoration!
About This Team
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Jacob Dean
Jacob Dean is a writer, director and editor in his senior year at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Originally from Sacramento, CA, Jacob has been passionate about filmmaking his entire life, with his interest sparking during his time creating documentaries for the nonprofit organization Kids Helping Kids. Last semester, he finished his first short film; 5 Days 'Till Tuesday, which is currently in post-production.
PRODUCER: Sebastian Hunt
Growing up in a small Connecticut town alongside two brothers, one goldfish and an armada of stuffed animals, Sebastian began his filmmaking career at a young age with a slew of independent home movies shot with his father's Flip camcorder (all of which, to his dismay, are widely available on YouTube). His present day moviemaking efforts are slightly more sophisticated, frequently focusing on darkly comedic, absurdist plots, and believably unbelievable characters. Known for his award-winning short films Served and The Lord's House, and currently in post-production for his third film, Earnestly Yours.