Dead Birds
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Teen
A boy navigates between being a man and doing the right thing for the girl next door. This is a film about toxic masculinity and it's impact on boys as they navigate becoming men. This is a lesser explored side of the poison of toxic masculinity.
Dead Birds
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Teen
2 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,501 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
38 supporters | followers
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A boy navigates between being a man and doing the right thing for the girl next door. This is a film about toxic masculinity and it's impact on boys as they navigate becoming men. This is a lesser explored side of the poison of toxic masculinity.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
OUR WHY?
Now perhaps more than ever, we have toxic masculinity on full display. Our young men don't have to look far to find role models with great egos, arrogance, and hubris. That said, it's always been a rite of passage to be one of the boys, to fit in and join the club. In this film we dive into the struggle of one boy to be the person he thinks he should be, against what the world expects of him. This boys club mentality has more obvious impacts on the women of the world, but we wanted to dig deeper into how this shapes young men and the anger and shame that is the inevitable outcome.
The script has won several awards and been a finalist in many contests including Slamdance and Cinequest and now we have a chance to bring it to the screen. Jim Jones joins us as a producer and cinematographer, and we pulled together an amazing cast of young talent!
In Dead Birds we follow Chris, a 15-year-old boy as he navigates his world. First, we see him with his dad and grandpa as they cheer on a baseball game, but Chris is not interested. His father moans, “What’s wrong with this kid”, until they realize he has his eye on the girl next door (Lisa). As Chris and Lisa race to the corner deli they run into the local boys. The boys pull Chris to the side and egg him on to ask Lisa something every inappropriate. Will he do it? Will she? What will they think?
LOOK AND FEEL
LOCATION:
WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
Our crew is a team of professionals that are lending their time to the project free of charge because they believe in the project. Plus, Jim Jones has secured us a Panavision camera and lens package granted on loan to the project free of charge. However, there are many other expenses like Cast, Locations, Food, Miscellaneous Gear, and Post Production Costs.
Most of the money we raise here will go to paying our talented cast and feeding the entire team. Additional funds will go to paying for the location (We got them very cheap, but not free), Art department like pros and wardrobe, and final post production costs.
Our promise to you is to deliver a quality film and ensure that you money goes on the screen. We plan to shoot in October and have a finished film by early spring just in time for the film festival circuit. We hope you will also come out to celebrate with us at the nearest festival to you when it screens.
STRETCH GOALS:
If we are so lucky to hit our goal, you can still give. Beyond the goal we could use additional funds to pay for original music and film festival fees.
SHARING IS CARING:
The only way we will reach our crowdfunding goal (and beyond) is by expanding our network and you can really help. Please share our campaign via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, however you feel comfortable. We'll make it easy for you, just copy and paste one of these:
Can't wait to see this short film by @joethayer_films. Partner up and help them get over the finish line at seedandspark.com/fund/dead-birds.
or...
I'm supporting this short film by Joe Thayer @joethayer_films. Check out their crowdfunding campaign at seedandspark.com/fund/dead-birds .
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food for Thought (And Art)
Costs $1,000
Calories
Pay Talent
Costs $2,000
Child Labor Laws and Such... But seriously actors have to make a living too.
Art Department
Costs $500
Props and wardrobe go a long way in giving the right look and feel. Everything in frame is there for a reason.
Post Production
Costs $1,000
Editing, Color Grading, Music Score, and Sound Design. We are getting a lot of free support, but not everything is free.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We pulled together an amazing cast of young talent!
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Panavision has granted us an amazing gear package
Joe Thayer - Writer & Director. Here is my IMDB if you want to see more of what I've done.
Joe Thayer is a New York based Screenwriter. Joe Thayer is a published author and former editor of a short fiction magazine. His first short film was "Next Door" (2021). He was hired (2021) to write the feature film Stan which is in development. Joe Directed The Other Side (2022) which is set for release (2023). Preproduction is underway for "Before you Go", a short written and directed by Joe, to be filmed in NY Oct 2022.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
OUR WHY?
Now perhaps more than ever, we have toxic masculinity on full display. Our young men don't have to look far to find role models with great egos, arrogance, and hubris. That said, it's always been a rite of passage to be one of the boys, to fit in and join the club. In this film we dive into the struggle of one boy to be the person he thinks he should be, against what the world expects of him. This boys club mentality has more obvious impacts on the women of the world, but we wanted to dig deeper into how this shapes young men and the anger and shame that is the inevitable outcome.
The script has won several awards and been a finalist in many contests including Slamdance and Cinequest and now we have a chance to bring it to the screen. Jim Jones joins us as a producer and cinematographer, and we pulled together an amazing cast of young talent!
In Dead Birds we follow Chris, a 15-year-old boy as he navigates his world. First, we see him with his dad and grandpa as they cheer on a baseball game, but Chris is not interested. His father moans, “What’s wrong with this kid”, until they realize he has his eye on the girl next door (Lisa). As Chris and Lisa race to the corner deli they run into the local boys. The boys pull Chris to the side and egg him on to ask Lisa something every inappropriate. Will he do it? Will she? What will they think?
LOOK AND FEEL
LOCATION:
WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
Our crew is a team of professionals that are lending their time to the project free of charge because they believe in the project. Plus, Jim Jones has secured us a Panavision camera and lens package granted on loan to the project free of charge. However, there are many other expenses like Cast, Locations, Food, Miscellaneous Gear, and Post Production Costs.
Most of the money we raise here will go to paying our talented cast and feeding the entire team. Additional funds will go to paying for the location (We got them very cheap, but not free), Art department like pros and wardrobe, and final post production costs.
Our promise to you is to deliver a quality film and ensure that you money goes on the screen. We plan to shoot in October and have a finished film by early spring just in time for the film festival circuit. We hope you will also come out to celebrate with us at the nearest festival to you when it screens.
STRETCH GOALS:
If we are so lucky to hit our goal, you can still give. Beyond the goal we could use additional funds to pay for original music and film festival fees.
SHARING IS CARING:
The only way we will reach our crowdfunding goal (and beyond) is by expanding our network and you can really help. Please share our campaign via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, however you feel comfortable. We'll make it easy for you, just copy and paste one of these:
Can't wait to see this short film by @joethayer_films. Partner up and help them get over the finish line at seedandspark.com/fund/dead-birds.
or...
I'm supporting this short film by Joe Thayer @joethayer_films. Check out their crowdfunding campaign at seedandspark.com/fund/dead-birds .
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food for Thought (And Art)
Costs $1,000
Calories
Pay Talent
Costs $2,000
Child Labor Laws and Such... But seriously actors have to make a living too.
Art Department
Costs $500
Props and wardrobe go a long way in giving the right look and feel. Everything in frame is there for a reason.
Post Production
Costs $1,000
Editing, Color Grading, Music Score, and Sound Design. We are getting a lot of free support, but not everything is free.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We pulled together an amazing cast of young talent!
Panavision has granted us an amazing gear package
Joe Thayer - Writer & Director. Here is my IMDB if you want to see more of what I've done.
Joe Thayer is a New York based Screenwriter. Joe Thayer is a published author and former editor of a short fiction magazine. His first short film was "Next Door" (2021). He was hired (2021) to write the feature film Stan which is in development. Joe Directed The Other Side (2022) which is set for release (2023). Preproduction is underway for "Before you Go", a short written and directed by Joe, to be filmed in NY Oct 2022.