It's of utmost importance to us that we accurately represent the diverse world we live in. As queer storytellers of color, our team strives for inclusivity both on and off screen. We aim to increase visibility of mental health, especially in Asian American cultures where it's very stigmatized.

Frenemies in their 20s navigate life after college with mental illnesses that teach them they’re more alike than they realize.

As filmmakers, we recognized a lack of

accurate & authentic representation of

mental illness in the media.

This affects you. This affects us. Because it is our universal human condition. Some glamorize & romanticize our experiences. Some make us out to be evil monsters, murderers, and crazy ex-girlfriends (though Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW) is a wonderful exception that highlights the complexity of mental illness - go watch it!) These depictions are dangerous. They minimize us to a single identity. 

 

 

We are not our illnesses.

It is NOT something we are.

It IS something we have.

What we are, is simply human.

What we have, are complex emotions.

These misconceptions further perpetuate the stigma.

So let’s end it, yeah?

 

 

 

Mental disorders affect 1 in 3 people globally and is one of the most prevalent health care issues in today’s society, and yet so few people are talking about it. In addition, women and the LGBTQ population are significantly more affected.

 

As queer women of color dealing with our own mental health issues, it can be terrifying and lonely AF.  Especially in the Asian-American community. In our own separate journeys, we found that the stigma surrounding mental health was - and still is - heavier than coming out as queer.

 

(Surprised? We were too!)

 

 

 

This show was created after we bonded over our similar personal experiences. It’s loosely based on our friendship and the difficulties with  finding a balance between helping each other and nurturing our own emotional well-being.

The title “Crazy” was born from a desire to reclaim that word, and diminish the negative power it  can hold. People call someone or something “crazy" when they don’t understand it or feel it’s out of the ordinary in some way. So, we want to take back “Crazy” and own it — the way we want to own our power even in the struggle with our illnesses.

 

 

 

 

 

Because of this pervasive stigma, people don’t feel comfortable talking about their mental health struggles. The irony is that a key ingredient to combating mental health imbalance is to feel connected, loved and accepted by others. So that is our mission.

 

We are raising money to film our PILOT. Our plan is to pitch our pilot to production companies and financiers to fund our first season.

 

 

We need to feel like we’re not alone.

So we created this story to do just that. To break stigma.

To help society understand the nuances of mental illness.

To let you know that you are not alone in this life.

 

 

 

 

This 6 episode web series aims to reflect real-life

challenges in dealing with mental health, that will allow

the conversation to grow and create a more open and connected community. Our goal is to premiere the

show on a prominent digital platform and

eventually, a bigger badass network.

 

 

RACHEL LEYCO

Creator, Writer, Director, Actress. Mental Health Advocate

 

Rachel Leyco is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, actress, and activist. 

Notably, she won a student Emmy at the 2013 College Television Awards as Writer/Director/Producer in the pilot web series, "The Sub Club.” She currently holds many writing/directing/producing credits, ranging from short films and web series to TV pilots and features.

 

As an actress, Rachel started off in theatre, starring in Beauty and the Beast and A Midsummer Night's Dream, then began her TV & Film career upon moving to LA, starring in commercials (Reebok, Head & Shoulders), web series (Batman Beyond: The Series), short films (Rise, Highbrow), indie features (Teacher of the Year), and television shows -- most recently on NBC's Chicago Fire.

Her short films, Maple's Tree and Bicultural, have been official selections in many film festivals nationally and internationally.

 

As an activist, Rachel strongly advocates for many social justice issues, such as LGBTQ+ equality and mental health. Having been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II, she made it her mission to break stigma, create a dialogue, and bring awareness to communities all over the world through art and activism.

 

Rachel believes strongly in the power of words. She wants nothing more but to elevate and inspire lives through the magic of storytelling.  

www.officialrachelleyco.com

IG: @rachel.leyco

 

 

SHEENA MIDORI BREVIG

Creator, Writer, Actress, Advocate

 

Sheena Midori Brevig is an innovative and authentic entrepreneur who brings a unique intersectional outlook to her art as a filmmaker and actor. While she was a dancer, pianist, and performer her entire life, her academic studies were focused on the health sciences.

 

Growing up with a disabled younger brother, Sheena has been an advocate for those with special needs her entire life. This cultivated her growing fascination with biology and neurology which eventually led her to Tufts University where she attained her Bachelors in Neuroscience with honors. During her studies she ventured to India, Argentina, and South Africa, observing how healthcare systems interact with culture and community and affect mental wellness. While immersed in these different communities, she experienced the immense power and importance of storytelling and human connection. Thus it has been her mission to this day to continually pursue the creation, promotion, and progression of more accurate stories to reflect the diverse people and cultures of our world.

 

After graduating, Sheena moved to Los Angeles to cultivate her creative right brain, starring in short films (Maya, Reveralium), national commercials (Famous Footwear, Cox Cable), and viral Buzzfeed videos (Lez be Friends, Colleagues). Now you can catch her in a recurring role in season two of NETFLIX’s top show 13 Reasons Why.

 

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and having struggled with her own physical and mental health, she hopes to harness the power of storytelling and through her art make waves in today’s evolving society to bring people together by breaking down barriers between individuals and communities, one brick at a time.

www.sheenamidori.com

IG: @sheenamidori