Childish Things
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama
Adapted from the short play by award-winning author Arthur M. Jolly, CHILDISH THINGS is the heartbreaking story of a terminally-ill father who, crippled by fear, seeks the aid of two "friends" from the past in an attempt to reach out to his estranged daughter - before it is too late.
Childish Things
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama

1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,940 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Adapted from the short play by award-winning author Arthur M. Jolly, CHILDISH THINGS is the heartbreaking story of a terminally-ill father who, crippled by fear, seeks the aid of two "friends" from the past in an attempt to reach out to his estranged daughter - before it is too late.
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In Childish Things, a terminally-ill father (Jerry) desperately seeks to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Rachel, who has distanced herself from her family due to her mother's alcoholism. When Rachel was little, Jerry used two stuffed animals - Teddy and Bunny - to explain what was happening and to help her make sense of her world. Facing his last chance to tell Rachel that he is dying, Jerry once again strives to rely on Teddy and Bunny to break the bad news - but they have different ideas.
Childish Things first began as a short play by award-winning writer Arthur M. Jolly, who also penned the screenplay for the short film. It was first performed at Mount Hood Community College (OR) in April of 2016, then received two additional 2016 productions - at Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company (TX) and for the Short & Sweet Hollywood Play Festival at the Stella Adler Theatre (Los Angeles), where Matthew Singletary directed actors Frank Collison, Kay Capasso, Mia Fraboni and J.P. Morgan in an acclaimed production. The play will soon be produced as part of Midnight Summit Ensemble's Ten-Minute Play Slam in Chicago, and will be included in Applause Books' Iconic book series Best American Short Plays 2015-16.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Post-Production
Costs $700
Editing, color, and finishing are critical to the filmmaking process, to improve the quality of the story and achieve technical excellence
Music and Sound
Costs $400
What would a film be without sound and music! A great score and sound design can make all the difference in creating emotional moments.
Locations
Costs $400
Finding the right locations for our film is critical. Even when locations are free, the art team makes modifications and permits add costs.
Cast & Crew
Costs $1,900
Great people make projects happen! We have an award winning cast and crew willing to work at very low rates to bring this story to life.
Meals
Costs $250
A tasty meal can make any 12 hour film day a happy one, so snacks and lunch are key for our cast and crew.
Rentals & Necessities
Costs $1,350
Rental equipment for camera, art department, etc can make all the difference in creating a realistic world and professional quality film.
About This Team
Matthew Singletary (Director) is a freelance director of theatre and film who has directed over 50 plays for the American stage. His productions have been seen in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and in theaters all over the country. His first short film, Peeling It Off, was an official selection of the Slamdance Film Festival. www.MattSingletary.com
Arthur M. Jolly (Writer) is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. He won the Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his screenplay The Free Republic of Bobistan, and the 2011 Kay Snow Award in Screenwriting for his feature comedy The Hero. His numerous plays have been produced across the United States and in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America. www.ArthurJolly.com
Vanessa Pantley (Producer) is a producer and director of film and television. A graduate of the University of Southern California, she has worked with artists such as James Franco, Carmen Argenziano, Horatio Sanz, Vera Cherny and others.
Frank Collison (Jerry) is a well-known actor of film and television, having appeared in such projects as: American Horror Story; Twin Peaks; My Name Is Earl; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; The Village; O Brother, Where Art Thou? and many others. http://blog.frankcollison.com/
Laura Gardner (Alice) is a veteran actress of stage and screen, and has appeared in numerous projects such as the television series Doubt, Secrets and Lies, Scandal, Outcast, My Name Is Earl, and many others. www.lauragardner.com
Kay Capasso (Rachel) is a graduate of the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School in New York, and has appeared in over 80 theatre and film projects in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, including the world premiere production of the play As Wide As I Can See and the New York premiere of Brad Fraser's critically-acclaimed play Kill Me Now. www.kaycapasso.com
Mia Fraboni (Bunny) is a graduate of the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers Univeristy (NJ) and a member of the Road Theatre Company in Los Angeles, where she appeared in the West Coast premiere of Steven Simoncec's play Broken Fences. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has worked on the films Viral, Creedmoria, I Am Michael and others. www.miafraboni.com
Ari Stidham (Teddy) is an actor, writer, director and musician most known for his role as Sylvester on the television show Scorpion. A California native, he has appeared in numerous short and feature films, many of which he has produced through his independent production company. www.aristidham.com
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In Childish Things, a terminally-ill father (Jerry) desperately seeks to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Rachel, who has distanced herself from her family due to her mother's alcoholism. When Rachel was little, Jerry used two stuffed animals - Teddy and Bunny - to explain what was happening and to help her make sense of her world. Facing his last chance to tell Rachel that he is dying, Jerry once again strives to rely on Teddy and Bunny to break the bad news - but they have different ideas.
Childish Things first began as a short play by award-winning writer Arthur M. Jolly, who also penned the screenplay for the short film. It was first performed at Mount Hood Community College (OR) in April of 2016, then received two additional 2016 productions - at Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company (TX) and for the Short & Sweet Hollywood Play Festival at the Stella Adler Theatre (Los Angeles), where Matthew Singletary directed actors Frank Collison, Kay Capasso, Mia Fraboni and J.P. Morgan in an acclaimed production. The play will soon be produced as part of Midnight Summit Ensemble's Ten-Minute Play Slam in Chicago, and will be included in Applause Books' Iconic book series Best American Short Plays 2015-16.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Post-Production
Costs $700
Editing, color, and finishing are critical to the filmmaking process, to improve the quality of the story and achieve technical excellence
Music and Sound
Costs $400
What would a film be without sound and music! A great score and sound design can make all the difference in creating emotional moments.
Locations
Costs $400
Finding the right locations for our film is critical. Even when locations are free, the art team makes modifications and permits add costs.
Cast & Crew
Costs $1,900
Great people make projects happen! We have an award winning cast and crew willing to work at very low rates to bring this story to life.
Meals
Costs $250
A tasty meal can make any 12 hour film day a happy one, so snacks and lunch are key for our cast and crew.
Rentals & Necessities
Costs $1,350
Rental equipment for camera, art department, etc can make all the difference in creating a realistic world and professional quality film.
About This Team
Matthew Singletary (Director) is a freelance director of theatre and film who has directed over 50 plays for the American stage. His productions have been seen in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and in theaters all over the country. His first short film, Peeling It Off, was an official selection of the Slamdance Film Festival. www.MattSingletary.com
Arthur M. Jolly (Writer) is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. He won the Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his screenplay The Free Republic of Bobistan, and the 2011 Kay Snow Award in Screenwriting for his feature comedy The Hero. His numerous plays have been produced across the United States and in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America. www.ArthurJolly.com
Vanessa Pantley (Producer) is a producer and director of film and television. A graduate of the University of Southern California, she has worked with artists such as James Franco, Carmen Argenziano, Horatio Sanz, Vera Cherny and others.
Frank Collison (Jerry) is a well-known actor of film and television, having appeared in such projects as: American Horror Story; Twin Peaks; My Name Is Earl; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; The Village; O Brother, Where Art Thou? and many others. http://blog.frankcollison.com/
Laura Gardner (Alice) is a veteran actress of stage and screen, and has appeared in numerous projects such as the television series Doubt, Secrets and Lies, Scandal, Outcast, My Name Is Earl, and many others. www.lauragardner.com
Kay Capasso (Rachel) is a graduate of the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School in New York, and has appeared in over 80 theatre and film projects in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, including the world premiere production of the play As Wide As I Can See and the New York premiere of Brad Fraser's critically-acclaimed play Kill Me Now. www.kaycapasso.com
Mia Fraboni (Bunny) is a graduate of the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers Univeristy (NJ) and a member of the Road Theatre Company in Los Angeles, where she appeared in the West Coast premiere of Steven Simoncec's play Broken Fences. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has worked on the films Viral, Creedmoria, I Am Michael and others. www.miafraboni.com
Ari Stidham (Teddy) is an actor, writer, director and musician most known for his role as Sylvester on the television show Scorpion. A California native, he has appeared in numerous short and feature films, many of which he has produced through his independent production company. www.aristidham.com