California Sober
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy
California Sober is the whimsical Gen Z girlie stoner comedy of our dreams. We can't wait to bring her to life, but we can't do it without your help! Due to the mall location, this film requires a higher budget than a lot of indie shorts of its kind.
Green Light
This campaign raised $13,082 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
115 supporters | followers
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California Sober is the whimsical Gen Z girlie stoner comedy of our dreams. We can't wait to bring her to life, but we can't do it without your help! Due to the mall location, this film requires a higher budget than a lot of indie shorts of its kind.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
California Sober is a whimsical buddy comedy about the highs and lows of searching for meaning in your 20s.
Set in an upscale (but nonetheless passé) mall in Los Angeles, the short follows Tyler and Lola, best friends and begrudging mall employees.
With help from a crew of ragtag mall employees, the girls embark on a wayward pursuit of purpose (and a vial of clean pee, god damn it!).
The mall's a big place, but in this short we will be stopping by a few stores:
Angel Dust, the Gen Z makeup store where Tyler & Lola work
CL3ANS3D, the minimalist juice bar that promises absolutely undeliverable health gains
Seaside Vibes, the Hollister-esque apparel retailer stocked to the brim with himbos
Yamini Nambimadom is an actor, writer, and comedian based in Los Angeles. In the last few years, she has acted in several national commercials and indie film projects. Since joining her high school improv team over ten years ago, she has been writing and performing comedy of all kinds.
Isabella Zanobini is a writer and producer from the mall-land of suburban New Jersey. Now based in LA, she works in film development for an independent production company and loves architecture and surfing gentle waves.
The two of us met 7 years ago at the callbacks for our college improv group. On that day, the friendship and comedy angels were smiling.
Since then, we've bonded over our suburban upbringings, a shared love for female-driven comedy, and the euphoria of passing a well-rolled joint around a circle of interesting friends.
During the pandemic, the two of us decided to write a story about a pair of friends who work a blowoff job at the mall. Having both grown up in mall culture, California Sober became a delicious little ode to the places and people that shaped us.
Like many of our favorite comedies, the short is anchored by a compelling & chaotic pair of female best friends as they navigate the highs and lows of daily life.
We've taken the buddy comedy and put our own whimsical girlie Gen Z stoner spin on it.
Our fundraising goal is broken down into five major categories, as seen above.
Our production timeline is as follows:
Summer 2023: Pre-Production/Fundraising
Fall 2023: Production
Winter 2023/2024: Post-Production & Updates
Spring 2024: Screening/Submissions/Final Reward Deliveries
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location & Insurance
Costs $3,000
Shooting this project at an authentic California mall is an integral part of our short.
Catering & Crafty
Costs $1,000
We will be feeding our cast & crew on set.
Crew & Equipment
Costs $6,000
We will need to rent equipment and hire a production crew.
Production Design
Costs $2,000
We will need to dress the set and account for wardrobe/makeup/etc.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Yamini Nambimadom is an actor, writer, and comedian based in Los Angeles. In the last few years, she has acted in several national commercials and indie film projects. Since joining her high school improv team over ten years ago, she has been writing and performing comedy of all kinds. Her podcast, Pillow Fight, aims to foster fun, accessible conversations about culture and politics. She also hosts a monthly LA-based comedy variety show, Chicago 10s.
Isabella Zanobini is a writer/producer from the mall-land of suburban New Jersey, now based in LA. She works in film development for an independent production company and loves architecture and surfing gentle waves.
Juliette Strangio is an LA-based filmmaker originally from Naarm/Melbourne. In 2021, she debuted her first feature film, Cecily and Lydia at the Waypoint. The film won her Best Film and Best Director at the 2022 Midwest Film Festival and was included in the Discovery competition at the Seoul International Women's Film Festival. She is a member of the inaugural class of the Harold Ramis Film School in Chicago and has co-produced several films.
Catalina Parra is a Director of Photography dedicated to diverse representation, detail-oriented visuals, and unique storytelling. Cat is based in the Los Angeles area after living in Chicago; she's originally from Houston and even more originally from a culturally mixed immigrant family. Cat owns a Videography Business, in addition to working as a Camera Assistant and Gaffer since graduating with her MFA in Cinematography and Directing from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. Cat's DP projects have screened at Outfest, Beverly Hills Film Festival, and she was nominated for Best Cinematography at 2023 Camerimage Competition. She can't wait to tell this funny, genuine story with fellow female creatives!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
California Sober is a whimsical buddy comedy about the highs and lows of searching for meaning in your 20s.
Set in an upscale (but nonetheless passé) mall in Los Angeles, the short follows Tyler and Lola, best friends and begrudging mall employees.
With help from a crew of ragtag mall employees, the girls embark on a wayward pursuit of purpose (and a vial of clean pee, god damn it!).
The mall's a big place, but in this short we will be stopping by a few stores:
Angel Dust, the Gen Z makeup store where Tyler & Lola work
CL3ANS3D, the minimalist juice bar that promises absolutely undeliverable health gains
Seaside Vibes, the Hollister-esque apparel retailer stocked to the brim with himbos
Yamini Nambimadom is an actor, writer, and comedian based in Los Angeles. In the last few years, she has acted in several national commercials and indie film projects. Since joining her high school improv team over ten years ago, she has been writing and performing comedy of all kinds.
Isabella Zanobini is a writer and producer from the mall-land of suburban New Jersey. Now based in LA, she works in film development for an independent production company and loves architecture and surfing gentle waves.
The two of us met 7 years ago at the callbacks for our college improv group. On that day, the friendship and comedy angels were smiling.
Since then, we've bonded over our suburban upbringings, a shared love for female-driven comedy, and the euphoria of passing a well-rolled joint around a circle of interesting friends.
During the pandemic, the two of us decided to write a story about a pair of friends who work a blowoff job at the mall. Having both grown up in mall culture, California Sober became a delicious little ode to the places and people that shaped us.
Like many of our favorite comedies, the short is anchored by a compelling & chaotic pair of female best friends as they navigate the highs and lows of daily life.
We've taken the buddy comedy and put our own whimsical girlie Gen Z stoner spin on it.
Our fundraising goal is broken down into five major categories, as seen above.
Our production timeline is as follows:
Summer 2023: Pre-Production/Fundraising
Fall 2023: Production
Winter 2023/2024: Post-Production & Updates
Spring 2024: Screening/Submissions/Final Reward Deliveries
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location & Insurance
Costs $3,000
Shooting this project at an authentic California mall is an integral part of our short.
Catering & Crafty
Costs $1,000
We will be feeding our cast & crew on set.
Crew & Equipment
Costs $6,000
We will need to rent equipment and hire a production crew.
Production Design
Costs $2,000
We will need to dress the set and account for wardrobe/makeup/etc.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Yamini Nambimadom is an actor, writer, and comedian based in Los Angeles. In the last few years, she has acted in several national commercials and indie film projects. Since joining her high school improv team over ten years ago, she has been writing and performing comedy of all kinds. Her podcast, Pillow Fight, aims to foster fun, accessible conversations about culture and politics. She also hosts a monthly LA-based comedy variety show, Chicago 10s.
Isabella Zanobini is a writer/producer from the mall-land of suburban New Jersey, now based in LA. She works in film development for an independent production company and loves architecture and surfing gentle waves.
Juliette Strangio is an LA-based filmmaker originally from Naarm/Melbourne. In 2021, she debuted her first feature film, Cecily and Lydia at the Waypoint. The film won her Best Film and Best Director at the 2022 Midwest Film Festival and was included in the Discovery competition at the Seoul International Women's Film Festival. She is a member of the inaugural class of the Harold Ramis Film School in Chicago and has co-produced several films.
Catalina Parra is a Director of Photography dedicated to diverse representation, detail-oriented visuals, and unique storytelling. Cat is based in the Los Angeles area after living in Chicago; she's originally from Houston and even more originally from a culturally mixed immigrant family. Cat owns a Videography Business, in addition to working as a Camera Assistant and Gaffer since graduating with her MFA in Cinematography and Directing from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. Cat's DP projects have screened at Outfest, Beverly Hills Film Festival, and she was nominated for Best Cinematography at 2023 Camerimage Competition. She can't wait to tell this funny, genuine story with fellow female creatives!