Crayons - A Short Film
Orlando, Florida | Film Short
Drama
Crayons is a coming-of-age drama set in the early 2000s about a creative, socially excluded, Black child coping with the confusing nature of society. Zion is forced to use his creativity in an effort to create his own value in a world that is philosophically opposed to him.
Crayons - A Short Film
Orlando, Florida | Film Short
Drama
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,095 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
73 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Crayons is a coming-of-age drama set in the early 2000s about a creative, socially excluded, Black child coping with the confusing nature of society. Zion is forced to use his creativity in an effort to create his own value in a world that is philosophically opposed to him.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
As of August 26, 2022, we have met our crowdfunding goal! Help us reach our STRETCH financing goals before September 9th to help reduce out-of-pocket costs and ensure we're able to reach more communities with this project!
Our team has $2,000 remaining in out-of-pocket production costs.
- To ensure we adhere to child labor laws re: how long kids can be on set, we have added an additional production day. That means we need more food to feed our lovely team.
- We also have the costs of renting anamorphic lenses to achieve the look and feel we're aiming for with this film. Think Moonlight (2016). In an interview, DP James Laxton explains: "It’s a format, a kind of lens, that is associated with large blockbuster movies: the Star Treks, the Star Wars. It’s for grand stories and big-scope thoughts. Maybe subconsciously we chose it for "Moonlight" in an effort to depict this community in a brand new light."
- Finally, we plan to host a series of in-person and virtual community screenings of Crayons across Florida and Georgia. We want to take this film TO the people who need to see it and build relationships with community organizations committed to racial justice and fostering creativity in Black youth. To do this right, we need adequate funds to cover venue rentals, food, and projection costs.
How can I support?
- During Weeks 6&7, we will be announcing NEW incentives for supporters of our stretch goal campaign. You can FOLLOW our page to be the first to hear these updates.
- SHARE our updated messaging with your community! You can copy and paste the messaging at the bottom of our page.
- If you are in the position to do so, we encourage you to CONTRIBUTE again and qualify for higher-tier incentives! Additionally, our $5+ for $50 special will continue for the remainder of the campaign!
Thank you! We see and appreciate you!
On the first day of 2nd grade, my teacher told me and the other boys in the class to pay attention and to commit ourselves to our education. She said, "The government builds prisons for every Black child that does not pass the 2nd grade," and that she would do everything she could to prevent that from happening.
It's true. It's also a lot of pressure for a child just starting the 2nd grade. Because of institutionalized racism, that pressure is interwoven into every element of life as an African American.
What I know now is that my teacher was describing the school-to-prison pipeline. In the U.S., students of color -- especially Black children and children with disabilities -- are disproportionately subjected to harsh, zero-tolerance disciplinary policies and pushed into the criminal justice system.
When I was a child, I loved to create. It was and is still my favorite past-time. I have such an intense image of my childhood; so much of it was good because I could create.
I realize that this passion for creativity is incompatible, and often philosophically opposed to the expectation of the Black man.
It is society that pressures Zion to be less creative.
It is society that pressures Moms to protect their sons by coercing them to conform. It is society that makes them work until they have no energy left to emotionally connect with their children.
It is society that ties the hand of an effective teacher.
And it is society that creates the pressure that turns masculinity sour.
The narrative of the creative and his relationship with society is a story I never got the chance to prepare myself with, so, I offer Crayons: a film about a creative Black child choosing to be his own hero.
- Victorious "Vic" McLeod, writer-director
Crayons is a coming-of-age drama set in the early 2000s about a creative boy, Zion, coping with the confusing nature of society. He is naturally creative and uses coloring as a solution to most of life's problems. The incompatibility of the Black creative with the modern world is put on a critical stage through a vignette of Zion's life. Written in a circulatory way akin to traditional oral storytelling, Zion is forced to use his creativity to create his value in a world that is philosophically opposed to him.
THEMES: Crayons coaxes its audience into heavy themes that are realistic to the existence of Black Americans. Social exclusion, public education, and racial identity play into every decision that Zion makes. Throughout the short, Zion analyses his understanding of heroes and makes changes to the definition based on his experiences. The impacts of adult figures on the creative spirits within Black children is also explored.
STYLE: Zion's world is one of bright colors and powerful imagination. As we transition through the environments of home, school, and the grocery store, we will see shifts in aspect ratio, shooting style, and color grading that mirror changes in Zion's emotions and perceptions. Through shifts in both the production design and editing over the course of the film, boundless creativity is juxtaposed with both nurturing and inhibiting socioenvironmental factors such as an affirming teacher, racism, and unsupportive peers.
INFLUENCES: Crayons is inspired by writer-director Victorious McLeod's experiences growing up in late '90s / early '00s Broward County, FL. Our hope, then, is to invoke a specificity of time and place within the film -- as seen in retrospective films such as Moonlight and mid90s -- while highlighting how the environment and social norms of Zion's world can function as antagonists.
Films exploring race, class, and community dynamics such as Do the Right Thing and City of God are also major influences on Crayons. Both have been lauded for their colorful production design, editorial precision, musical scores, and authenticity. And it is our hope Crayons blends these elements in a way that gives greater insight into Zion's life.
Our team -- with creatives hailing from across the state, Miami to Jacksonville -- is composed of multidisciplinary artists who want to produce bold films reflective of their lived experiences. Florida is home to lively communities and rich stories that deserve to make their way to the big screen via audience-supported, independent filmmaking.
Critically-acclaimed and commercially successful films such as Moonlight (2016), The Florida Project (2017) and Zola (2020) speak to audiences' warm reception of authentic, Florida-grown stories. Crayons joins a growing canon of original, southern films centering working-class characters as their own heroes.
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded. We must reach this goal in 45 days or we won't receive any funds at all.
We invite you to join us in bringing Crayons to life! The funds raised through this campaign will help us:
- Feed our hardworking cast and crew balanced meals
- Build our time capsule of a story world set in late '90s / early '00s Broward County, FL
- Cover the costs of location and equipment truck rentals
- Keep our team safe with COVID-19 PPE and sanitation supplies
- Host a series of community film screenings with partner organizations
- Submit Crayons to film festivals
.jpg)
Congrats! You've reached the bottom of our fundraising page. We hope you will join us in making this film a reality. Here are four ways you can support Crayons:
- Contribute to our campaign and get some fun perks! Any amount, big or small, is greatly appreciated. Check out the side bar for a list of incentives.
- Follow us on social media and share our campaign! Follow our film on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to help get the word out.
- Create a FREE Seed & Spark account and follow our page to help us qualify for free filmmaking resources from companies like Final Draft, The Black List, and Film Fund Grant
- Give physical assets to the production! Do you have a house or business in Central Florida that we can use as a shooting location? Or maybe you have meals that you can provide for our 4-day production? Check out our wishlist and email [email protected] about in-kind contributions!
SPREAD THE WORD
The only way we will reach our crowdfunding goal is if we reach beyond our networks. If you’d like to be a part of supporting BIPOC filmmakers tell an original, Black Floridian story, then please share our campaign via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, however you want! We can't do this without you!
Here are some examples. Feel free to copy and paste!
- Help @crayons.film by supporting their heartfelt film CRAYONS about an African American boy using his creativity to cope with the confusing nature of society. Join them on @seedandspark: bit.ly/fundcrayons
- I'm so excited to see the short film CRAYONS, by director/writer @victorious.mcleod, be made in Orlando, Florida this fall! Support them on @seedandspark: bit.ly/fundcrayons
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Music
Costs $100
If you're a composer interested in helping us score the film. GET. IN. TOUCH. We appreciate you!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Set Meals (Food)
Costs $1,800
Our large team of crew, child actors, and guardians need balanced meals during our 4-day shoot.
Marketing & Distribution
Costs $650
Got a venue where we can host a community screening? Can you waive festival fees? Hit us up!
Set Decorations
Costs $550
Crank out your vintage '90s / '00s belongings and loan them to the film. Help us build Zion's world!
School Uniforms & Costumes
Costs $450
Zion and his peers attend charter school and wear matching uniforms. Can you help? Let us know!
Contingency
Costs $440
Last-minute expenses are a given for production. But any leftover funds will support our wrap party!
Locations
Costs $360
Do you own an apartment or dollar store where we can film for free? You're a lifesaver already!
Equipment Truck Rental
Costs $350
We have a large film equipment package that needs transport between locations. Help us out!
Set Operations
Costs $200
From masks to sanitation supplies to sunscreen, it takes a lot to run a safe set! Donations welcome!
Retro Game Console
Costs $100
Do you have a retro (late '90s / early '00s) game console that we can borrow (and return)? ?
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
.jpg)
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
As of August 26, 2022, we have met our crowdfunding goal! Help us reach our STRETCH financing goals before September 9th to help reduce out-of-pocket costs and ensure we're able to reach more communities with this project!
Our team has $2,000 remaining in out-of-pocket production costs.
- To ensure we adhere to child labor laws re: how long kids can be on set, we have added an additional production day. That means we need more food to feed our lovely team.
- We also have the costs of renting anamorphic lenses to achieve the look and feel we're aiming for with this film. Think Moonlight (2016). In an interview, DP James Laxton explains: "It’s a format, a kind of lens, that is associated with large blockbuster movies: the Star Treks, the Star Wars. It’s for grand stories and big-scope thoughts. Maybe subconsciously we chose it for "Moonlight" in an effort to depict this community in a brand new light."
- Finally, we plan to host a series of in-person and virtual community screenings of Crayons across Florida and Georgia. We want to take this film TO the people who need to see it and build relationships with community organizations committed to racial justice and fostering creativity in Black youth. To do this right, we need adequate funds to cover venue rentals, food, and projection costs.
How can I support?
- During Weeks 6&7, we will be announcing NEW incentives for supporters of our stretch goal campaign. You can FOLLOW our page to be the first to hear these updates.
- SHARE our updated messaging with your community! You can copy and paste the messaging at the bottom of our page.
- If you are in the position to do so, we encourage you to CONTRIBUTE again and qualify for higher-tier incentives! Additionally, our $5+ for $50 special will continue for the remainder of the campaign!
Thank you! We see and appreciate you!
On the first day of 2nd grade, my teacher told me and the other boys in the class to pay attention and to commit ourselves to our education. She said, "The government builds prisons for every Black child that does not pass the 2nd grade," and that she would do everything she could to prevent that from happening.
It's true. It's also a lot of pressure for a child just starting the 2nd grade. Because of institutionalized racism, that pressure is interwoven into every element of life as an African American.
What I know now is that my teacher was describing the school-to-prison pipeline. In the U.S., students of color -- especially Black children and children with disabilities -- are disproportionately subjected to harsh, zero-tolerance disciplinary policies and pushed into the criminal justice system.
When I was a child, I loved to create. It was and is still my favorite past-time. I have such an intense image of my childhood; so much of it was good because I could create.
I realize that this passion for creativity is incompatible, and often philosophically opposed to the expectation of the Black man.
It is society that pressures Zion to be less creative.
It is society that pressures Moms to protect their sons by coercing them to conform. It is society that makes them work until they have no energy left to emotionally connect with their children.
It is society that ties the hand of an effective teacher.
And it is society that creates the pressure that turns masculinity sour.
The narrative of the creative and his relationship with society is a story I never got the chance to prepare myself with, so, I offer Crayons: a film about a creative Black child choosing to be his own hero.
- Victorious "Vic" McLeod, writer-director
Crayons is a coming-of-age drama set in the early 2000s about a creative boy, Zion, coping with the confusing nature of society. He is naturally creative and uses coloring as a solution to most of life's problems. The incompatibility of the Black creative with the modern world is put on a critical stage through a vignette of Zion's life. Written in a circulatory way akin to traditional oral storytelling, Zion is forced to use his creativity to create his value in a world that is philosophically opposed to him.
THEMES: Crayons coaxes its audience into heavy themes that are realistic to the existence of Black Americans. Social exclusion, public education, and racial identity play into every decision that Zion makes. Throughout the short, Zion analyses his understanding of heroes and makes changes to the definition based on his experiences. The impacts of adult figures on the creative spirits within Black children is also explored.
STYLE: Zion's world is one of bright colors and powerful imagination. As we transition through the environments of home, school, and the grocery store, we will see shifts in aspect ratio, shooting style, and color grading that mirror changes in Zion's emotions and perceptions. Through shifts in both the production design and editing over the course of the film, boundless creativity is juxtaposed with both nurturing and inhibiting socioenvironmental factors such as an affirming teacher, racism, and unsupportive peers.
INFLUENCES: Crayons is inspired by writer-director Victorious McLeod's experiences growing up in late '90s / early '00s Broward County, FL. Our hope, then, is to invoke a specificity of time and place within the film -- as seen in retrospective films such as Moonlight and mid90s -- while highlighting how the environment and social norms of Zion's world can function as antagonists.
Films exploring race, class, and community dynamics such as Do the Right Thing and City of God are also major influences on Crayons. Both have been lauded for their colorful production design, editorial precision, musical scores, and authenticity. And it is our hope Crayons blends these elements in a way that gives greater insight into Zion's life.
Our team -- with creatives hailing from across the state, Miami to Jacksonville -- is composed of multidisciplinary artists who want to produce bold films reflective of their lived experiences. Florida is home to lively communities and rich stories that deserve to make their way to the big screen via audience-supported, independent filmmaking.
Critically-acclaimed and commercially successful films such as Moonlight (2016), The Florida Project (2017) and Zola (2020) speak to audiences' warm reception of authentic, Florida-grown stories. Crayons joins a growing canon of original, southern films centering working-class characters as their own heroes.
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded. We must reach this goal in 45 days or we won't receive any funds at all.
We invite you to join us in bringing Crayons to life! The funds raised through this campaign will help us:
- Feed our hardworking cast and crew balanced meals
- Build our time capsule of a story world set in late '90s / early '00s Broward County, FL
- Cover the costs of location and equipment truck rentals
- Keep our team safe with COVID-19 PPE and sanitation supplies
- Host a series of community film screenings with partner organizations
- Submit Crayons to film festivals
Congrats! You've reached the bottom of our fundraising page. We hope you will join us in making this film a reality. Here are four ways you can support Crayons:
- Contribute to our campaign and get some fun perks! Any amount, big or small, is greatly appreciated. Check out the side bar for a list of incentives.
- Follow us on social media and share our campaign! Follow our film on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to help get the word out.
- Create a FREE Seed & Spark account and follow our page to help us qualify for free filmmaking resources from companies like Final Draft, The Black List, and Film Fund Grant
- Give physical assets to the production! Do you have a house or business in Central Florida that we can use as a shooting location? Or maybe you have meals that you can provide for our 4-day production? Check out our wishlist and email [email protected] about in-kind contributions!
SPREAD THE WORD
The only way we will reach our crowdfunding goal is if we reach beyond our networks. If you’d like to be a part of supporting BIPOC filmmakers tell an original, Black Floridian story, then please share our campaign via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, however you want! We can't do this without you!
Here are some examples. Feel free to copy and paste!
- Help @crayons.film by supporting their heartfelt film CRAYONS about an African American boy using his creativity to cope with the confusing nature of society. Join them on @seedandspark: bit.ly/fundcrayons
- I'm so excited to see the short film CRAYONS, by director/writer @victorious.mcleod, be made in Orlando, Florida this fall! Support them on @seedandspark: bit.ly/fundcrayons
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Music
Costs $100
If you're a composer interested in helping us score the film. GET. IN. TOUCH. We appreciate you!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Set Meals (Food)
Costs $1,800
Our large team of crew, child actors, and guardians need balanced meals during our 4-day shoot.
Marketing & Distribution
Costs $650
Got a venue where we can host a community screening? Can you waive festival fees? Hit us up!
Set Decorations
Costs $550
Crank out your vintage '90s / '00s belongings and loan them to the film. Help us build Zion's world!
School Uniforms & Costumes
Costs $450
Zion and his peers attend charter school and wear matching uniforms. Can you help? Let us know!
Contingency
Costs $440
Last-minute expenses are a given for production. But any leftover funds will support our wrap party!
Locations
Costs $360
Do you own an apartment or dollar store where we can film for free? You're a lifesaver already!
Equipment Truck Rental
Costs $350
We have a large film equipment package that needs transport between locations. Help us out!
Set Operations
Costs $200
From masks to sanitation supplies to sunscreen, it takes a lot to run a safe set! Donations welcome!
Retro Game Console
Costs $100
Do you have a retro (late '90s / early '00s) game console that we can borrow (and return)? ?
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team