Delco: The Movie

Brookhaven, Pennsylvania | Film Feature

Comedy, Family

Chris Pierdomenico

1 Campaigns | Pennsylvania, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $59,263 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

374 supporters | followers

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It’s Delco 2004. 3 teens attempt to shed their goody-two-shoed nature for 1 night to become Delco mischief makers. A love/hate letter to Delco & evangelical Christianity through the perspective of a 2nd generation Mexican American Sun Valley grad, a total dork, who loves Kevin Smith & John Hughes.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

Delco: The Movie is for anyone who has ever had to rethink their entire belief systems - and after the crazy last few years, who hasn’t? Wayne, a high school senior raised as an evangelical Christian, is desperate to discover a life beyond that before he’s too late, and Jess is determined to help.

The Story

My life as a creative began in the late 1980s. As a second-generation Mexican American, I spent most of my time (and summers) hanging out at my grandparents’ tailor shop in Parkside PA. While my Nana designed amazing clothes for the people of Delco, I was inspired to simultaneously do my own creating through writing and drawing my own original characters and stories. It was clear from the beginning - I was born to be a storyteller.




But what kind of storyteller? I hit a turning point in 2003 when I saw the movie Clerks by Kevin Smith. The brilliant simplicity of the film, combined with the hilarious and introspective dialogue, convinced me for the first time that making a movie was something that me, a mere 17-year-old high school senior, could make!



And so I did! My 120 page screenplay turned into a 70 minute movie starring my friends, family and teachers, and I premiered it in our high school auditorium on June 4, 2004. 



Delco, or Delaware County, is a place many of us grew up with and subsequently have a love/hate relationship with. Though lately, Hollywood seems to finally be given us some (deserved?) recognition through projects like Mare of Easttown. And of course, Tina Fey got her start here (did you know that Mean Girls was based on Tina Fey's experience going to Upper Darby High School?)






I've now since, directed numerous short films (including a few in my Nana’s old shop), web series, become a YouTube content creator, high school teacher, adjunct professor, husband and cat dad. These last 20 years have been an amazing ride and it's safe to say that I wouldn't have been able to do all of these things without that high school film. And honestly, I haven't gotten that film out of my mind in 20 years.


So I'm remaking it as a tribute to Delaware County - the place we grew up, and love and hate simultaneously. And I hope to bring it to life in the form of Delco: The Movie. Just like the original, the story follows Wayne, Jess and Adam over the course of one day. Adam has been homeschooled his whole life, and it’s his first day of public school. Wayne is having second thoughts about his future, and wants to live one night as a “normal” kid. And Jess is determined to show him how to do that the only way she knows how - the Delco way.


The film  has a similar vibe to movies like Superbad or Booksmart, but with a huge focus on Delco in the early 2000s. I want to make a movie that’s a tribute to my hometown and all of us who lived through that era. With my 20 year high school reunion looming in the next year (2024), this is the perfect time for me to celebrate my home, my old classmates and teachers, my filmmaking career, and the early 2000s.


But I can’t make any of this happen without you.





Here’s where you come in. Through Seed and Spark we are looking to raise 30,000 dollars. This will help pay for cast, crew, renting equipment and locations, and much more.


If you’re not familiar with the way crowdfunding works -we NEED to hit our goal or your pledges get returned and we get ZERO.  The cool thing about using Seed & Spark is as long as we hit 80% of our goal, they will greenlight us and we get the funds!! 


Please also check out the wishlist tab on our page - where you can donate or loan something towards the goods and services we need - sort of like a wedding registry except we’re asking for help with craft services. locations and equipment rentals instead of a toaster oven and matching towels. 



And we have a number of perks to offer to show you our thanks, ranging from Delco swag, a chance to attend the red carpet premiere or even become a producer! And come on - who wouldn’t want to be named a producer on a film called Delco The Movie? 






Let's get one thing straight. This isn't the blue route - we plan to get it done this year.


Our plan is to fundraise from June to July through Seed&Spark. If we meet our goal, we will be able to start filming on July 31st 2023 and complete principal photography by the end of August. Editing will commence shortly thereafter and we plan to do a BIG red carpet event in 2024, just in time for the 20th anniversary of my original film and my 20 year high school reunion. We will also be releasing the film on streaming.


What happens if we exceed our goal? This handy dandy graphic will explain all:


So please get involved! Share the link www.delcothemovie.com with your friends and family! And let’s show Hollywood that there’s no place like Delco. 


Oh and if you can’t make a pledge right now - please hit the follow button above, it's a free way to support the project - and help us unlock all sorts of cool filmmaker perks from Seed & Spark!



Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Gear/Equipment Rentals

Costs $4,500

4K Camera Package Rental (FX9+Tripod+Monitor), Wireless Monitors, Aputure 600D, Astera Tubes

Camera & Lighting Crew

Costs $5,300

It always helps to be able to SEE the movie! We are hiring camera operators, a gaffer and more

Delco(ish) Locations/Production Design/Set Decorating

Costs $3,600

Help us find/rent/decorate our Delco(ish) locations! In need of jail cell, high school, original looking Wawa-ish store (BEFORE SuperWawas)

Cast

Costs $7,500

This movie will be FAR better with people in it. Help us recruit our Delconian players: Steve Harding, Jenna Kuerzi, Jeff Pfeiffer, & more

Feed cast/crew (catering)

Costs $2,400

Statistically speaking our cast/crew perform much better when fed. Help by buying us lunch for the day! Wawa gifts cards ALWAYS welcome.

Early 2000s clothing/accessories

Costs $1,000

Have you saved all of your early 2000s clothes? Have any GameStop or Delco pizza shop uniforms? We'd love to use it in the movie!

Sound/Audio

Costs $3,200

Experts agree movies are better when you can hear the actors! Help us hire the best in the business.

Art Department/early 2000s decor

Costs $2,000

Art dept creates the look and feel of our film's world through prod. design and costumes. We esp need early 2000s decorations.

Misc.

Costs $500

For any unexpected costs that arise

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

Chris Pierdomenico is a writer, director, and producer originally from Delaware County, PA, or Delco (specifically Parkside, Brookhaven and Aston). Aside from filmmaking for nearly 20 years, he is a high school teacher, adjunct professor, podcaster, and YouTube content creator. He currently resides in Maryland with his wife Vikky (who promised only to marry him if she didn't have to die in Delco), 1 hedgehog, 2 cats and 13 hermit crabs. Like most folks, he's never left Delco...at least in his mind.


Leah Cevoli has a reputation for crowdfunding success and social media magic. On Seed & Spark. Leah has managed 11 successful campaigns, with a combined raise of $316,632 and an average raise of $28,784 per campaign, high above the overall platform results. To date, Cevoli has managed or co-managed 60+ successful campaigns, raising over 6 million dollars in funding, and has consulted on dozens of other successful campaigns across all major plaforms. 

As a native of Delco and a Sun Valley High School Graduate, Leah will of course, be making a cameo, in Delco: The Movie. Unlike most folks, she did in fact leave Delco, and has spent over 20 years on the West Coast working in the film and entertainment industries.


Bryan McClure is a Writer, Producer, Actor, and when he's not doing that, he's helping us with his Graphic Design skills. Some of his notable credits include TWD, The Haunted Mansion, Doom Patrol, Magnum P.I., Mindhunter, In Other Words, Atlanta, and Space Command


Logan McCurry is an entrepreneur and video producer hailing from Montco. He first fell in love with film at the ripe age of 21 while watching 'The 400 Blows.' When he's not busy working with his clients, he enjoys growing vegetables, playing with his cats Macy and Fefe, and pretending to be a Michelin star sous chef with his partner Kyra. Logan brings to the film a passion for storytelling as well as a nuanced understanding of smaller budget filmmaking and the creativity that can be afforded in spite of it.


Lindsey Turunc is a 1st Assistant Director born and raised in Delco. She went to Sun Valley High School and still lives in Brookhaven today. Lindsey started out in production as a freelance production assistant where she worked on films, TV shows, and commercials for networks such as HGTV, MTV, NBC, and more. Most recently she worked on Sinking Spring (Apple TV) directed by Ridley Scott. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and cat. Lindsey aspires

to be a director and may or may not leave Delco one day to do it.




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