deadbeat tells the story of an absent father showing up unannounced at his son's apartment. As the story unfolds, we discover that some wounds can't be repaired. A story like this one will resonate with a lot of different audiences and hopefully help them feel less alone.
deadbeat tells the story of an absent father showing up unannounced at his son's apartment. As the story unfolds, we discover that some wounds can't be repaired. A story like this one will resonate with a lot of different audiences and hopefully help them feel less alone.
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Story
Mission Statement
Our cast and team include Black and Latin men and women who want to create stories that true to their own experiences. We are dedicated and self-driven to create something special in life that many groups of people can enjoy in some way or another.About The Project
This story is very personal to me because I wrote it from a place of truth and vulnerability. I grew with my father in and out of my life but he wasn't present for most of it. I never had a male figure to look up to so I had to learn how to be a man on my own. As a kid, I was always told I needed to be tough so I always suppressed my emotions. As I got older, I had all these emotions boiling inside of me and, by not knowing how to handle them, my mental health suffered tremendously.
A lot of young men, especially Black men, have to grow up without their fathers present. There are many of reasons why but common reasons include fathers being in and out of jail, in the streets, or losing them completely to drugs. This story hones in on how this cycle can affect both the parent's and child's mental health negatively.
The story is a lot bigger than me. This is a story that affects nearly 20 million Americans and many others worldwide. While I cannot offer solutions, I offer this story as an "I see you and I am with you."
This story has been on my heart for a while now but I was never ready to be vulnerable with the world about my life until now. This unhealthy cycle has been an issue for many generations and there seems to be very little to no change within impacted communities. My goal with this film is to reach the right communities so we can speak to and make a lasting impact on the kids who are currently experiencing this right now.
A link to deadbeat director's, Howard Campbell, latest short film can be found here.
Follow
Follow our campaign and stay up-to-date on the latest deadbeat news! It's 100% free.
What does the deadbeat team get out of it? Seed&Spark rewards us for building our audience. The more followers we get, the more we unlock products, services, and festival fee waivers courtesy of Seed&Spark!
Pledge and Contribute
Choose from one our our amazing Incentives or by clicking the "Make a Pledge" button at the top of the page! You can also support by donating toward our Wish List in the tab above.
No pledge is too small. Every dollar makes a difference in making our film possible!
Donations
Can't make a monetary pledge but have services or items you can donate or loan? Check out our wishlist!
Here are some items we'd greatly appreciate:
- Catering/Craft services (snacks, coffee, bottled water)
- PPE (disposable masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, wipes, etc.)
- Props and Wardrobe
- Camera & Lighting equipment (rental discounts & donations are welcome!)
COVID-19 Precautions
Luckily, the cast of this short film is only three people and we'll be filming in one location. We will have a person on set that is in charge of COVID Compliance to ensure that we take all necessary precautions, so we can create in a clean and safe environment.
Spread the Word
The only way to reach our crowdfunding goal is if we reach beyond our networks. 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 of text you can use. Feel free to copy and paste!
Help filmmaker @calvinwsawyer by supporting his short film @deadbeatshortfilm about an absent father showing up unannounced at his son's apartment. Join them on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/deadbeat
Wow, I just discovered @deadbeatshortfilm by @calvinsawyer and director, Howard Campbell! You should check it out on @seedandspark and support these Black filmmakers: seedandspark.com/fund/deadbeat
I'm so excited to see @deadbeatshortfilm by @calvinwsawyer and director, Howard Campbell! This film touches on the subject of absent fathers and the effect this issue can have on a child's mental health. Support them on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/deadbeat
Thank You!
Thank you so much for your support! We truly appreciate you taking the time to read about our project, your contribution and sharing this project with your network. We cannot wait to share the final cut with you all!
Incentives
$10
Shout out to YOU!
Thank you for supporting this project - we truly appreciate every dollar!
To show our gratitude, you will receive a social media shoutout for contributing to such an important story! Please provide your social media handles.
$15
deadbeat Playlist
Get excited to watch deadbeat with exclusive access to a private Spotify playlist curated by our creative team! The playlist is made up of songs that encapsulate the area the characters are from, mixed with songs that embody the tone and the messaging of the film.
Includes:+ social media shout out
$25
A Word
Hear from the creator and writer of deadbeat with an exclusive video message diving into the true story of how deadbeat came to be.
Includes:+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
$100
Zoom Q&A with Director and Cast
Wow! This is huge and we cannot thank you enough.
For your support, we would like to sit down and speak with you. Join the deadbeat cast and crew for a quick 30 minute Zoom call to ask as many questions as you can think of.
Includes:
+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
$250
Exclusive BTS Video and Signed Poster
A behind-the-scenes sneak peek of deadbeat!
You will receive exclusive BTS video including clips from rehearsals, cast and crew on-set, and even what goes on in the editing room! We will also share a signed copy of the official deadbeat poster.
Includes:
+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
+ Q&A with cast and crew
Claimed: 1 of 8
$500
Let's Give You Some Credit!
You'll receive a special THANK YOU in the credits of the film! Watch your name grace that TV/Computer screen.
Includes:
+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
+ Q&A with cast and crew
+ BTS video and signed poster
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit
You are a HUGE part of this film's creation!
You will receive an Associate Producer credit for deadbeat.
Includes:+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
+ Q&A with cast and crew
+ BTS video and signed poster
$2,000
Executive Producer Credit
YOU have made this film a reality! You will be credited as an Executive Producer in the film and receive updates on screenings in your area.
You will also be given your very own IMDB credit as "Executive Producer" on this film!
We are also inviting you to an amazing dinner after the premier screening of deadbeat (COVID permitting)*! For anyone outside of LA, we will hold an online, private screening of the short film.
*Travel and Lodging not included.
Includes:
+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
+ Q&A with cast and crew
+ BTS video and signed poster
+ copy of the deadbeat script
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Shout out to YOU!
Thank you for supporting this project - we truly appreciate every dollar!
To show our gratitude, you will receive a social media shoutout for contributing to such an important story! Please provide your social media handles.
$15
deadbeat Playlist
Get excited to watch deadbeat with exclusive access to a private Spotify playlist curated by our creative team! The playlist is made up of songs that encapsulate the area the characters are from, mixed with songs that embody the tone and the messaging of the film.
Includes:+ social media shout out
$25
A Word
Hear from the creator and writer of deadbeat with an exclusive video message diving into the true story of how deadbeat came to be.
Includes:+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
$100
Zoom Q&A with Director and Cast
Wow! This is huge and we cannot thank you enough.
For your support, we would like to sit down and speak with you. Join the deadbeat cast and crew for a quick 30 minute Zoom call to ask as many questions as you can think of.
Includes:
+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
$250
Exclusive BTS Video and Signed Poster
A behind-the-scenes sneak peek of deadbeat!
You will receive exclusive BTS video including clips from rehearsals, cast and crew on-set, and even what goes on in the editing room! We will also share a signed copy of the official deadbeat poster.
Includes:
+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
+ Q&A with cast and crew
Claimed: 1 of 8
$500
Let's Give You Some Credit!
You'll receive a special THANK YOU in the credits of the film! Watch your name grace that TV/Computer screen.
Includes:
+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
+ Q&A with cast and crew
+ BTS video and signed poster
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit
You are a HUGE part of this film's creation!
You will receive an Associate Producer credit for deadbeat.
Includes:+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
+ Q&A with cast and crew
+ BTS video and signed poster
$2,000
Executive Producer Credit
YOU have made this film a reality! You will be credited as an Executive Producer in the film and receive updates on screenings in your area.
You will also be given your very own IMDB credit as "Executive Producer" on this film!
We are also inviting you to an amazing dinner after the premier screening of deadbeat (COVID permitting)*! For anyone outside of LA, we will hold an online, private screening of the short film.
*Travel and Lodging not included.
Includes:
+ social media shout out
+ deadbeat playlist
+ a message from the writer
+ Q&A with cast and crew
+ BTS video and signed poster
+ copy of the deadbeat script
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Actor/Writer - Calvin W. Sawyer
Calvin Wallace Sawyer is an African American actor. He's from Oakland, California. He started acting after his first season playing college football because he always loved taking theater class in middle school and high school. He currently lives in LA, auditioning and creating his own content. His notable credits include "Blended" the series, And films "Getaway", and "Man Down".
Director/Co-Writer - Howard Campbell
Howard Campbell is an African American and El Salvadoran actor, director and writer. He strives to impact his audiences on a deeply emotional level with his work. Howard's latest short film "SICK BOYS DIE ALONE" was in the 2020/2021 film festival circuit, received rave reviews, and has taken home the awards for "Best Drama" and "Best Director" at the Los Angeles Indie Short Festival. SBDA can currently can be found on Amazon Prime and Youtube at this link.
Producer - Misha Zvagiliskiy
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