DICKY MACK: THE RIGHT OF WAY
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
An ex-felon starts a driving academy in an effort to course correct his karma and become a role model for the next generation, but earning the respect of his first student is tougher than he expected and will require him to open a door into his dark past.
DICKY MACK: THE RIGHT OF WAY
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,311 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
80 supporters | followers
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An ex-felon starts a driving academy in an effort to course correct his karma and become a role model for the next generation, but earning the respect of his first student is tougher than he expected and will require him to open a door into his dark past.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
16 year old Gus Miller is in desperate need of help preparing for his driving exam. But he gets more than he bargained for buckling up with Dicky Mack. Like a walking 80’s time capsule with his acid-washed Canadian tuxedo, Billy Ray Cyrus mullet, and sparkling white high tops, Dicky has been many things in his life but a driving instructor is certainly not one of them. He’s learning on the fly, just like Gus, and what he might lack in skill he makes up for in heart and wisdom gained from the dark path he’s walked to this point. Dicky’s motives for taking Gus under his wing slowly become clear because deep down he knows that while Gus may want his license more than anything, what he really needs is a role model.
Dicky Mack is a combination of real life people from my time growing up in the South paired with the teachings of 17th century samurai Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of 5 Rings. These characters have lived with me long before I started writing Dicky and they exist around the dinner table at home with my family. As we’ve gotten older, some of these people have passed on so I wanted to bring them to life in this character; their sense of humor, their intensity, their convictions. I also took martial arts as a kid and---let's just say, martial arts in the South is its own particular culture. I wanted to create a scenario where a driver’s ed teacher taught road safety like a samurai teaches a young warrior strategy and survival.
With Dicky we’re blending the old with the new. The eccentric flare of a flashy character trapped in 80s chic but injecting heart and magic realism in a genre where you wouldn’t expect to see it. We were inspired by some 80s classics like Highlander, Repo Man. And some more recent half hour comedies like Eastbound and Down and Cobra Kai. All of which share this theme of a teacher finding the perfect student and taking them under their wing.
2023 was a challenging year for the industry. The Writer’s Guild and the Screen Actors Guild went on strike against the AMPTP which put a pause on a lot of work, albeit for a good cause. We felt the strike was a great time to put our talents to use instead of waiting for the lights to turn back on. We have all the resources and the people to make something great and be fulfilled as artists. So, there was no time like the present.
Additionally, shorter form “content” optimized for our social media feed is the law of the land. Choosing to tell this story in the form of a short film was important to us as we wanted it to have a shot at being seen in festivals across the country with the hope of it being given a life in as a longer episodic format. Dicky has a long road ahead, but he's runnin' a 5.9 Liter Cummins on a full tank of gas, baby!
With your help, we can make it to the finish line. We’re raising money for production, post-production, and festivals. Anything you can give will help us get closer to our $8,000 goal. We’ve built some fun incentives at every contribution level. Join the Dicky Mack Family and we’ll take you with us on our journey--- every step of the way! You'll find updates here on Seed and Spark as well as Instagram.
Follow us @dickymacktherighofwayfilm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Costs $1,800
This item covers the the day rates of our production team (ie, Sound, DP, Gaffer, Director and Script Supervisor).
Props!
Costs $150
Thankfully, we only needed a few props, but we'd be at a loss without them!
You look fabulous, dahhhhling!
Costs $200
Dicky is 59% charm and 41% wig and makeup. This covers the work our outstanding makeup artist, Matt Olson, contributed to the project.
Location
Costs $500
We got fortunate with CML Studios in Burbank for the night portion of our shoot. This item would cover the rental fee.
Wardrobe
Costs $500
Specificity is key. We sourced some fine vintage 80s material for Dicky's costume as well as a tailored black robe for a 6'7" tall actor.
Insurance and Legal Fees
Costs $300
We knew what we were doing, but made sure every aspect of our production was fully insured and everyone was safe at all times.
Post Production
Costs $2,300
Next up to get over the finish line is editing, coloring, and sound. We've also hired a composer for some additional music!
Festivals
Costs $1,450
We want to make sure Dicky Mack: The Right of Way gets seen through as many festivals as possible and submission fees add up.
Cast and Crew Compensation
Costs $800
Dicky Mack was shot under a SAG Micro Budget Contract. Our actors agreed to work for a lower rate. This item would go toward their pay!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Tim De La Motte (Director)
Tim de la Motte is an actor, comedian, director and gourmand from Wyckoff, NJ. After "studying" improv at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater in New York and eating falafel once, he moved to Chicago to study at the Second City Conservatory. After that flamed out, he gave up on his dream of performing on the stage and moved to Los Angeles to be famous. And look at that: you're reading about him now. Mission accomplished. Tim is very humbled to work with this crew and to have been a part of this very funny project!
Morteza Rafiei (Director of Photography)
Founder of MSR Entertainment, Morteza Rafiei is a distinguished filmmaker and cinematographer whose career has been defined by a commitment to socially impactful storytelling. Born and raised in Iran, Morteza's journey in cinema began with his move to the United States, where he pursued his dream at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. With over 12 years of experience in the film industry, Morteza has contributed to significant works such as "The Irishman" and "Silence," showcasing his diverse skills and dedication to the craft.
Casey Morris (Executive Producer, Writer, Dicky Mack as Cast)
Casey is an actor, writer, and musician from Camden, SC. He got his MFA in Acting from DePaul University in Chicago and studied improv at Second City. Casey moved to Los Angeles in 2021 to pursue TV and Film after spending several years on Chicago stages. In 2022, Casey and Tyler formed their improv duo McGillicuddy which has served as a creative engine for projects like Dicky Mack. Casey is also a musician and songwriter and you can find his music on all platforms under the project name Marauderville.
Tyler Esselman (Co-Producer, 1st AD, Reaper Man as Cast)
Tyler Esselman is a writer, performer, producer, and software engineer from St. Louis, MO. A graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, Tyler has made theatre and film across the country from Philadelphia to Los Angeles with a particularly long stretch based in Chicago. He co-hosts the music podcast This One Goes to 11 with Michael Osinski and gets into all manner of foolishness with Casey Morris and friends with the improv comedy group McGillicuddy. Tyler also has a keen interest in long distance cycling and running, environmental justice, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
Noah Laufer (Gus Miller as Cast)
Noah is thrilled and honored to be portraying, Gus, in Dicky Mack. Noah hails from Milwaukee, WI and received a BFA from the prestigious Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago. Since then, he has been seen in television (Insecure, Illinois Lottery, McDonald’s), theatre (Mythbusters, Indecent, Two Gentlemen of Verona), and film (Double Major, Not as a Divine One, and Sasha Lane). Mr. Laufer also has worked in casting and creative development of theatre. He is currently receiving his MSW from Fordham University. Follow him on Instagram @laufmin
Sommer Austin (Sharon Miller as Cast)
Sommer is an actor, stand up comedian, and acting teacher originally from the Midwest. You can regularly see her work around LA. Follow her on Instagram at @sommer.awesome.
Grace Palmer (Script Supervisor, Editor)
Grace Palmer is a comedy writer, producer, actor and editor from Baltimore, Maryland. Grace has written and produced films that have gone on to screen at many festivals including Silverlake Shorts, LA Cine Fest, LA Queer and Comedy Festivals, and many more. She edits everything from cooking videos to music videos and many of her narrative short films have won awards including Best Comedy at the LA International Film Festival's Indie Shorts Fest. She also plays trombone in her comedy ska band "The Founding Skathers" and in the Los Angeles City College Latin Band.
Alejandro Villasenor (Sound Mixer)
Alejandro Villasenor is a Production Sound Mixer with more than 5 years of experience. Over the past few years, Alejandro has worked in all sorts of projects including shorts, full feature films, documentaries, web series, and reality TV.
Hadi Akhondi (Gaffer)
Hadi Akhondi is an accomplished Iranian filmmaker and photographer whose artistic journey began in Iran, capturing the essence of life through his lens. His transition to the film industry was marked by his significant contributions as a producer, supporting his wife in bringing her cinematic visions to life. Upon moving to the United States, Hadi continued to make his mark in the entertainment world. He has spent the past two years as a lighting technician and gaffer with MSR Entertainment, where he has demonstrated his technical expertise and creative insight, further enhancing the visual storytelling of numerous projects. Hodi's diverse experiences in both Iran and the U.S. highlight his adaptability and passion for film and photography.
Alexis DawTyne (Production Assistant)
Alexis DawTyne(she/her) is an emerging multidisciplinary artist based in LA. She originally hails from a small midwestern farm and received her BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has worked on Chicago PD, various Indie shorts and a few features, all shot in Chicago. Most of her artistic career has been onstage, acting in theatrical productions. Alexis emphasizes work that incorporates heightened movement such as stunts, fights, dancing, and elevated movement. She is proud to have lent a helping hand on this hilarious and heartwarming tale.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
16 year old Gus Miller is in desperate need of help preparing for his driving exam. But he gets more than he bargained for buckling up with Dicky Mack. Like a walking 80’s time capsule with his acid-washed Canadian tuxedo, Billy Ray Cyrus mullet, and sparkling white high tops, Dicky has been many things in his life but a driving instructor is certainly not one of them. He’s learning on the fly, just like Gus, and what he might lack in skill he makes up for in heart and wisdom gained from the dark path he’s walked to this point. Dicky’s motives for taking Gus under his wing slowly become clear because deep down he knows that while Gus may want his license more than anything, what he really needs is a role model.
Dicky Mack is a combination of real life people from my time growing up in the South paired with the teachings of 17th century samurai Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of 5 Rings. These characters have lived with me long before I started writing Dicky and they exist around the dinner table at home with my family. As we’ve gotten older, some of these people have passed on so I wanted to bring them to life in this character; their sense of humor, their intensity, their convictions. I also took martial arts as a kid and---let's just say, martial arts in the South is its own particular culture. I wanted to create a scenario where a driver’s ed teacher taught road safety like a samurai teaches a young warrior strategy and survival.
With Dicky we’re blending the old with the new. The eccentric flare of a flashy character trapped in 80s chic but injecting heart and magic realism in a genre where you wouldn’t expect to see it. We were inspired by some 80s classics like Highlander, Repo Man. And some more recent half hour comedies like Eastbound and Down and Cobra Kai. All of which share this theme of a teacher finding the perfect student and taking them under their wing.
2023 was a challenging year for the industry. The Writer’s Guild and the Screen Actors Guild went on strike against the AMPTP which put a pause on a lot of work, albeit for a good cause. We felt the strike was a great time to put our talents to use instead of waiting for the lights to turn back on. We have all the resources and the people to make something great and be fulfilled as artists. So, there was no time like the present.
Additionally, shorter form “content” optimized for our social media feed is the law of the land. Choosing to tell this story in the form of a short film was important to us as we wanted it to have a shot at being seen in festivals across the country with the hope of it being given a life in as a longer episodic format. Dicky has a long road ahead, but he's runnin' a 5.9 Liter Cummins on a full tank of gas, baby!
With your help, we can make it to the finish line. We’re raising money for production, post-production, and festivals. Anything you can give will help us get closer to our $8,000 goal. We’ve built some fun incentives at every contribution level. Join the Dicky Mack Family and we’ll take you with us on our journey--- every step of the way! You'll find updates here on Seed and Spark as well as Instagram.
Follow us @dickymacktherighofwayfilm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Costs $1,800
This item covers the the day rates of our production team (ie, Sound, DP, Gaffer, Director and Script Supervisor).
Props!
Costs $150
Thankfully, we only needed a few props, but we'd be at a loss without them!
You look fabulous, dahhhhling!
Costs $200
Dicky is 59% charm and 41% wig and makeup. This covers the work our outstanding makeup artist, Matt Olson, contributed to the project.
Location
Costs $500
We got fortunate with CML Studios in Burbank for the night portion of our shoot. This item would cover the rental fee.
Wardrobe
Costs $500
Specificity is key. We sourced some fine vintage 80s material for Dicky's costume as well as a tailored black robe for a 6'7" tall actor.
Insurance and Legal Fees
Costs $300
We knew what we were doing, but made sure every aspect of our production was fully insured and everyone was safe at all times.
Post Production
Costs $2,300
Next up to get over the finish line is editing, coloring, and sound. We've also hired a composer for some additional music!
Festivals
Costs $1,450
We want to make sure Dicky Mack: The Right of Way gets seen through as many festivals as possible and submission fees add up.
Cast and Crew Compensation
Costs $800
Dicky Mack was shot under a SAG Micro Budget Contract. Our actors agreed to work for a lower rate. This item would go toward their pay!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Tim De La Motte (Director)
Tim de la Motte is an actor, comedian, director and gourmand from Wyckoff, NJ. After "studying" improv at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater in New York and eating falafel once, he moved to Chicago to study at the Second City Conservatory. After that flamed out, he gave up on his dream of performing on the stage and moved to Los Angeles to be famous. And look at that: you're reading about him now. Mission accomplished. Tim is very humbled to work with this crew and to have been a part of this very funny project!
Morteza Rafiei (Director of Photography)
Founder of MSR Entertainment, Morteza Rafiei is a distinguished filmmaker and cinematographer whose career has been defined by a commitment to socially impactful storytelling. Born and raised in Iran, Morteza's journey in cinema began with his move to the United States, where he pursued his dream at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. With over 12 years of experience in the film industry, Morteza has contributed to significant works such as "The Irishman" and "Silence," showcasing his diverse skills and dedication to the craft.
Casey Morris (Executive Producer, Writer, Dicky Mack as Cast)
Casey is an actor, writer, and musician from Camden, SC. He got his MFA in Acting from DePaul University in Chicago and studied improv at Second City. Casey moved to Los Angeles in 2021 to pursue TV and Film after spending several years on Chicago stages. In 2022, Casey and Tyler formed their improv duo McGillicuddy which has served as a creative engine for projects like Dicky Mack. Casey is also a musician and songwriter and you can find his music on all platforms under the project name Marauderville.
Tyler Esselman (Co-Producer, 1st AD, Reaper Man as Cast)
Tyler Esselman is a writer, performer, producer, and software engineer from St. Louis, MO. A graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, Tyler has made theatre and film across the country from Philadelphia to Los Angeles with a particularly long stretch based in Chicago. He co-hosts the music podcast This One Goes to 11 with Michael Osinski and gets into all manner of foolishness with Casey Morris and friends with the improv comedy group McGillicuddy. Tyler also has a keen interest in long distance cycling and running, environmental justice, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
Noah Laufer (Gus Miller as Cast)
Noah is thrilled and honored to be portraying, Gus, in Dicky Mack. Noah hails from Milwaukee, WI and received a BFA from the prestigious Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago. Since then, he has been seen in television (Insecure, Illinois Lottery, McDonald’s), theatre (Mythbusters, Indecent, Two Gentlemen of Verona), and film (Double Major, Not as a Divine One, and Sasha Lane). Mr. Laufer also has worked in casting and creative development of theatre. He is currently receiving his MSW from Fordham University. Follow him on Instagram @laufmin
Sommer Austin (Sharon Miller as Cast)
Sommer is an actor, stand up comedian, and acting teacher originally from the Midwest. You can regularly see her work around LA. Follow her on Instagram at @sommer.awesome.
Grace Palmer (Script Supervisor, Editor)
Grace Palmer is a comedy writer, producer, actor and editor from Baltimore, Maryland. Grace has written and produced films that have gone on to screen at many festivals including Silverlake Shorts, LA Cine Fest, LA Queer and Comedy Festivals, and many more. She edits everything from cooking videos to music videos and many of her narrative short films have won awards including Best Comedy at the LA International Film Festival's Indie Shorts Fest. She also plays trombone in her comedy ska band "The Founding Skathers" and in the Los Angeles City College Latin Band.
Alejandro Villasenor (Sound Mixer)
Alejandro Villasenor is a Production Sound Mixer with more than 5 years of experience. Over the past few years, Alejandro has worked in all sorts of projects including shorts, full feature films, documentaries, web series, and reality TV.
Hadi Akhondi (Gaffer)
Hadi Akhondi is an accomplished Iranian filmmaker and photographer whose artistic journey began in Iran, capturing the essence of life through his lens. His transition to the film industry was marked by his significant contributions as a producer, supporting his wife in bringing her cinematic visions to life. Upon moving to the United States, Hadi continued to make his mark in the entertainment world. He has spent the past two years as a lighting technician and gaffer with MSR Entertainment, where he has demonstrated his technical expertise and creative insight, further enhancing the visual storytelling of numerous projects. Hodi's diverse experiences in both Iran and the U.S. highlight his adaptability and passion for film and photography.
Alexis DawTyne (Production Assistant)
Alexis DawTyne(she/her) is an emerging multidisciplinary artist based in LA. She originally hails from a small midwestern farm and received her BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has worked on Chicago PD, various Indie shorts and a few features, all shot in Chicago. Most of her artistic career has been onstage, acting in theatrical productions. Alexis emphasizes work that incorporates heightened movement such as stunts, fights, dancing, and elevated movement. She is proud to have lent a helping hand on this hilarious and heartwarming tale.