By Night investigates the awkward sincerity of how people act when no one is watching. For office worker/graffiti artist David, embracing his passion would be a lot easier if someone stopped painting butts on his expressionistic street art.
By Night investigates the awkward sincerity of how people act when no one is watching. For office worker/graffiti artist David, embracing his passion would be a lot easier if someone stopped painting butts on his expressionistic street art.
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Story
Mission Statement
Comprised of an extremely diverse and multifaceted crew, By Night has become a collaboration showcasing wonderfully different voices. Our story bears at its core a message of acceptance and recognition for the mysterious interests that guide people's lives.About The Project
Logline
An office worker/graffiti artist clashes with a hooded figure who keeps painting butts on his neighborhood street art.
Synopsis
David spends his days doing “ordinary” adult things; however, once night descends, he puts on a mask and decorates the suburb with graffiti-style designs. One morning, David’s routine is harshly interrupted when he finds his art covered by painted butts. He designs a trap for the Vandal, but it fails. The only way to attract the mysterious figure’s attention is by David painting over and desecrating the butts. The two have a standoff in the middle of the night, and by the end of the duel, David realizes that this newcomer could bring a new excitement to his strange habit instead of simply being an adversary.
Main Character
David plays by the rules during the day. He goes through his routine at work with almost robotic precision and remains subdued until he gets the chance to do his art at home. Once night falls, David's imagination carries him around town as an unpredicatable, exciting new person. David will be portrayed by the dynamic SAG-AFTRA actor, Paul Todd.
Director's Statement
I grew up in a small town that didn’t have much to offer - still, I was never bored. My best friends and I would go through the weirdest, dorkiest interests and create our own games together. We never looked for things to do, we just did them. Now that I am a film student in Los Angeles, I often think back to my friends and how much easier it was to create things as a kid. When we get older, ideas are often repressed out of fear of judgement. I want to make a film that shows childlike confidence, weirdness, and imagination in an ordinary, adult setting.
Your Help
Filmmaking is an expensive process, and aside from state of the art gear provided by the University, there are still lots of elements that need to be covered. From food and production design, to transportation and storage hardware - there are so many moving pieces that come together behind a project like this.
The beauty of filmmaking is how necessary a community is in order for it to be realized. Taking the time to sit through the end credits of feature films is enough to put that into perspective; and yet, this doesn't just stop with the cast and crew. Big budget movies are made with the intention that thousands will pay to see them. For independent films like By Night, profit isn't the motivation. Instead, there is the hope that a story like this will promote rising talent and lead to something greater. Pledges from the community are acts of faith in the future of this project, and that is truly special.
Any donations that you can provide will have a direct impact on this film. I can’t thank you enough for helping us reach our goal!
Incentives
$10
Catching a Flick
Your interest in this production has helped bring it to life! You will receive a personal thank you email from the director.
$25
Avid Moviegoer
Along with a thank you letter, you will receive a private link to the film before public release!
$50
Film Buff
You will receive all previous incentives plus:
- Digital copy of the By Night movie poster
$100
Media Enthusiast
You will receive all of the following:
- Personal thank you
- Private link to film
- Digital movie poster
- Digital behind the scenes booklet with images from set
$250
Cinema Connoisseur
You will receive all of the following:
- Personal thank you
- Private link to film
- Digital poster
- Digital behind the scenes booklet
- Shooting draft of the script signed by the director and lead actor
$500
Motion Picture Historian
You will receive all of the following:
- Personal thank you
- Private link to film
- Digital poster
- Digital behind the scenes booklet
- Shooting draft of the script signed by the director and lead actor
- Custom graffiti artist respirator mask like the one David wears in the film
$1,000
Associate Producer
You will receive all of the following:
- Personal thank you
- Private link to film
- Digital poster
- Digital behind the scenes booklet
- Shooting draft of the script signed by the director and lead actor
- Custom graffiti artist respirator mask
- Associate producer credit in the film
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Catching a Flick
Your interest in this production has helped bring it to life! You will receive a personal thank you email from the director.
$25
Avid Moviegoer
Along with a thank you letter, you will receive a private link to the film before public release!
$50
Film Buff
You will receive all previous incentives plus:
- Digital copy of the By Night movie poster
$100
Media Enthusiast
You will receive all of the following:
- Personal thank you
- Private link to film
- Digital movie poster
- Digital behind the scenes booklet with images from set
$250
Cinema Connoisseur
You will receive all of the following:
- Personal thank you
- Private link to film
- Digital poster
- Digital behind the scenes booklet
- Shooting draft of the script signed by the director and lead actor
$500
Motion Picture Historian
You will receive all of the following:
- Personal thank you
- Private link to film
- Digital poster
- Digital behind the scenes booklet
- Shooting draft of the script signed by the director and lead actor
- Custom graffiti artist respirator mask like the one David wears in the film
$1,000
Associate Producer
You will receive all of the following:
- Personal thank you
- Private link to film
- Digital poster
- Digital behind the scenes booklet
- Shooting draft of the script signed by the director and lead actor
- Custom graffiti artist respirator mask
- Associate producer credit in the film
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Connor Smyers - Cinematographer
Connor is a recent graduate of LMU who has worked on countless student films as a cinematographer and gaffer. His willingness to give everything to a production no matter the circumstances is inspiring, and he just recently finished shooting his thesis documentary Diomede in Alaska. Connor's extensive knowledge, experience, and creative eye are crucial to executing the distinct look of By Night.
Liz Holland - Producer
Liz Holland is a Los Angeles native who graduated from Loyola Marymount University with bachelor’s degrees in Film & Television Production and English, minoring in Film & Television Studies. Since graduating, Liz has produced and assistant directed numerous projects, including commercial advertisements for companies ranging from Aleve to Coca Cola, series streaming on Funny or Die (The Room Actors: Where Are They Now) and Netflix (The Hollywood Masters Series), as well as feature films, one of which was shot in Sweden. Over the past three years she has directed two short films that she also produced and wrote. With over five years of production experience and the LMU School of Film and Television Undergraduate Production Award Liz is an active and avid member of the film community.
Kesia Lavelle - Producer
Kesia is a Freshman Film, Media, Television Studies major who has always been intrigued by film making and the logistics of bringing a story to life. Since a young age, films have held a special meaning in her life and ever since it has been her goal to help others feel the same.
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