Discharge
Hoboken, New Jersey | Film Short
Drama, Other
A police detective feels he is managing his life successfully, while trying to avoid the pain of a past trauma. Others in his life see that he is destroying himself from within. At his breaking point, he comes across a teen in crises. His efforts to help the boy could provide hope for them both.
Discharge
Hoboken, New Jersey | Film Short
Drama, Other
1 Campaigns | New Jersey, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,390 for production phase 2. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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A police detective feels he is managing his life successfully, while trying to avoid the pain of a past trauma. Others in his life see that he is destroying himself from within. At his breaking point, he comes across a teen in crises. His efforts to help the boy could provide hope for them both.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
STORY
"Discharge" is a short film drama about a police detective who never properly dealt with a tragic event in his past.
Now, with his health suffering, and his marriage at a breaking point,
he is forced to finally confront the pain he hasn’t been able to release. One night, he comes across a teen in crises. His efforts to help the boy could provide hope for them both.
CREATOR/PRODUCER'S STATEMENT
We actually already started shooting this short film, and I was paying for it out of my own pocket, but being laid off during the pandemic made continuing to finance it alone very challenging.
We came up with the basic story in the midst of the lockdown, but as the Covid crisis wore on, and we were all faced with these collective mental health issues, the story took on a more immediate relevance for me.
So, I drew from my personal history with emotional traumas,
but more importantly, I drew from my history of surviving those traumas, and I developed and fleshed out the story further as a way to encourage others to persevere.
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So, after what we have all been going through during this difficult & stressful period of living in a global pandemic for over a year, it’s my hope that this film will not only reflect these struggles but offer some hope as well.
STATUS
We have one key scene of the film already shot and edited,
"Discharge" pre-production trailer
but we still have 7 more scenes to shoot in order to properly tell this story. Production costs to finish filming will add up to about $7,000 00 -- which will include state-of-the-art equipment, sets & studio rental, audio, editing, insurance etc., in addition to paying the actors & crew, since we will be shooting under a SAG-AFTRA contract with Covid protocols in place. Then, after the film has been completed, there will be at least another $2,500 needed for marketing and festival costs.
The script has gone through multiple revisions. I have consulted with therapists & psychologists who specialize in treating patients who have suffered through trauma, as well as professional readers within the film industry. I hired a film festival strategist to advise and help guide the project through its completion, while also selecting specific festivals to maximize its exposure and potential for success.
And, after 2 weeks reviewing around 400 submissions, I recently had all of my first choices of actors accept, so we are now fully cast with an exceptionally talented and diverse group of professional performers with major credits to their names, who will truly embody the characters they are portraying. I'm very excited to get to work with these wonderful artists!
The script is locked, the cast is locked, and the studios & accomplished crew are reserved for this month. We are so close to completing this project. I know times have been tough for a lot of people recently, so, if you have the means and are in a position to do so, I would greatly appreciate any financial assistance you can provide to help get us across "the finish line!"
.jpg)
Thank you,
Ken Schwarz Actor, Writer, Producer
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Production Costs
Costs $4,000
Studio rental, equipment, camera & audio crew, editing
Cast
Costs $580
For 7 professional actors
Food
Costs $150
To feed cast & crew during long shoot days
Marketing Graphics
Costs $500
Graphics, marketing & poster art
Set Photographer
Costs $500
To capture professional images during the shoot to be used for posters, marketing, press, etc.
Misc.
Costs $1,000
Production Insurance, trailer edit, DCP, contingency
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ryan Metcalf is a director, cinematographer, editor, and actor whose previous film, "Roadside," won the 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award at the Cult Critic Movie Awards. He is also known for known for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Damsels in Distress." He is the founder & COO of Crop Shoppe, a full-service Film/TV production house and studios since 2013.
Gabrielle Lee Theater Graduate, Eugene O’Neill Theater Ctr. Performance Scholar recipient, is at home in Orchestra/Big Band/Cabaret performance, theater, TV, film, popular music, American Songbook; commercial, print and hat modeling. New Year 2021, Gabrielle will be seen in upcoming Film Festivals in the new Dramatic Short “27 Candles.” Her most recent Guest Star roles include “Bull,” “God Friended Me” and “FBI.” Gabrielle has made previous co-star appearances on “Madam Secretary,” “The Affair,” “Difficult People,” “The Good Wife,” “Law & Order” and the Film - “Twelve.” Gabrielle has performed title roles in theater companies around the country including: Broadway at Music Circus, Meadowbrook Theater, Wang Theater, The Fabulous Fox, The Greek Theater, Riverside Theater, Crossroads Theater, Shubert Theater(s), PaperMill Playhouse, Gretna Theater and more; and the productions have been as varied as the locations: All Night Strut, (Broadway World Winner), Once On This Island, Ain’t Misbehavin, Little Shop of Horrors, Smokey Joe’s Café, Blackbirds of Broadway, Dreamgirls, Showboat, Man of La Mancha and more. On an even more thrilling note, Gabrielle most recently portrayed the legendary Doyenne of Paris Cafe’ Society - Ada Bricktop Smith in the World Premier of Bricktop: Legend of the Jazz Age. which debuted at the National Black Theater Festival’s 30th Anniversary. Gabrielle has worked as a backing vocalist and made special appearances with: Natalie Cole, Steely Dan, Marvin Hamlish and friends, Michael Bolton and Harry Belafonte. New Year 2020 she kicked off lead backing vocals for Harry Belafonte’s 93rd Birthday celebration concert at the legendary Apollo Theater -Night of Stars backing such R&B Artists as -Common, Sheila E., Usher, Aloe Blacc, Alice Smith, Shalea and more. She is a thriving solo Guest Artist globally, recurring in such countries as Switzerland, France, Holland, Germany, Asia and more. In the U.S. she has appeared as a guest vocalist with notable orchestras including the New York Pops, Cab Calloway and Ray Charles Orchestras. Extending life beyond the mainstage Gabrielle focuses on leading benefit performances and campaigns in service to communities around the world, with the Barry Levitt Foundation in Jazz Cabaret, Broadway Runners with Broadway Cares, Mentorship with CRU, entertaining troops and veterans, and happy to be an International Ambassador granting wishes with Make-A-Wish Foundation Int’l. Gabrielle co-established the educational scholarship fund “RiseHaiti” that provides books, learning materials, and college tuition to graduating Seniors at ICCV School in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Gabrielle provides virtual book reads with Scholastic Inc. and is an active supporter of NABU - a fantastic organization that provides access to literacy Globally.
Danish Farooqui is an actor and producer, known for "Power Book II: Ghost," "Dead Reckoning" and "Borderline." Upcoming: "The Little Vampire" (animated feature), "Earth Defense Forces (PS4)," and "King Lahiri" (2021). AEA member @Danishfarooqui DanishFarooqui.com Take 3 Talent Agency.
Jamie Askew is a New York based actor, writer and producer. Her webseries Jamie Is Having A Very Bad Day premiered at the Rough & Ready SmartFilm Festival. Her short film Pieces premiered at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival. She has been seen on stage at Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Pearl Theatre Company and Dixon Place among others. Jamie is a graduate of Mary Washington College, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Shakespeare Intensive), and was in the apprentice companies of Williamstown Theatre Festival and Actors Theatre of Louisville.
Nadia Ramdass is not just a multi-cultural woman with the advantage of playing the roles of several different ethnic groups, her professional career is just as diversified. In addition to acting and voiceover work, Nadia is an award-winning TV and Radio News Anchor & Reporter. During her 10-year tenure as a journalist, she’s worked in several major markets, including her hometown of NYC. Nadia “The Actor” can be seen on local and national commercials, independent films, plus popular TV/Cable/Streaming movies and shows. She attended Temple University in Philadelphia on a full-athletic tennis scholarship. While in the “City of Brotherly Love”, Nadia received her Master’s in Journalism, BA in Broadcasting Telecommunications & Mass Media as well as a MFA degree in Theater. She is also a proud graduate of NYC’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts made famous by the movie ‘Fame’. While there, Nadia was as a classical & jazz saxophonists. She also plays the clarinet and flute. Nadia Ramdass was born and raised in New York City’s Lower East Side.
Ken Schwarz has been working in and around the performing arts since the age of twelve, accumulating numerous credits in film, television, commercials, and appearing in over 80 plays at New York, Regional and Repertory theaters. On Television, Ken has been featured on "Law & Order: SVU (twice)," "Bull," "Blue Bloods," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "One Life to Live," "Guiding Light," "As the World Turns," and the Japanese television movie "Railroad Killer: The Angel Resendez Story." In Feature Films, Ken has appeared in "Hungry Years," "Atlantic City Serenade," "Hell’s Half-Acre," and in "Jersey Justice" starring Blanche Baker and Bo Svenson. He has also performed starring and principal roles in many short films. Ken is a produced author of plays, films, and musicals. His full-length play "Yuletide Hearts" received its world premiere for a sold-out, record-setting run of six weeks at a 500 seat theater and was subsequently named one of the best new plays of the NJ professional theatre season by Drama Desk member Peter Filichia, columnist for Playbill and The Star Ledger. He has also directed a variety of plays and musicals which include: "Over the River and Through the Woods" featuring Emmy Award winner Bruce Weitz ("Hill Street Blues"), his American adaptation of Ray Cooney’s farce "Run For Your Wife," and most recently, "I Do! I Do!" starring Andrea McArdle and Rex Smith. Ken was the founding artistic director of the nonprofit JERSEY CENTRAL THEATRE COMPANY.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
STORY
"Discharge" is a short film drama about a police detective who never properly dealt with a tragic event in his past.
Now, with his health suffering, and his marriage at a breaking point,
he is forced to finally confront the pain he hasn’t been able to release. One night, he comes across a teen in crises. His efforts to help the boy could provide hope for them both.
CREATOR/PRODUCER'S STATEMENT
We actually already started shooting this short film, and I was paying for it out of my own pocket, but being laid off during the pandemic made continuing to finance it alone very challenging.
We came up with the basic story in the midst of the lockdown, but as the Covid crisis wore on, and we were all faced with these collective mental health issues, the story took on a more immediate relevance for me.
So, I drew from my personal history with emotional traumas,
but more importantly, I drew from my history of surviving those traumas, and I developed and fleshed out the story further as a way to encourage others to persevere.
So, after what we have all been going through during this difficult & stressful period of living in a global pandemic for over a year, it’s my hope that this film will not only reflect these struggles but offer some hope as well.
STATUS
We have one key scene of the film already shot and edited,
"Discharge" pre-production trailer
but we still have 7 more scenes to shoot in order to properly tell this story. Production costs to finish filming will add up to about $7,000 00 -- which will include state-of-the-art equipment, sets & studio rental, audio, editing, insurance etc., in addition to paying the actors & crew, since we will be shooting under a SAG-AFTRA contract with Covid protocols in place. Then, after the film has been completed, there will be at least another $2,500 needed for marketing and festival costs.
The script has gone through multiple revisions. I have consulted with therapists & psychologists who specialize in treating patients who have suffered through trauma, as well as professional readers within the film industry. I hired a film festival strategist to advise and help guide the project through its completion, while also selecting specific festivals to maximize its exposure and potential for success.
And, after 2 weeks reviewing around 400 submissions, I recently had all of my first choices of actors accept, so we are now fully cast with an exceptionally talented and diverse group of professional performers with major credits to their names, who will truly embody the characters they are portraying. I'm very excited to get to work with these wonderful artists!
The script is locked, the cast is locked, and the studios & accomplished crew are reserved for this month. We are so close to completing this project. I know times have been tough for a lot of people recently, so, if you have the means and are in a position to do so, I would greatly appreciate any financial assistance you can provide to help get us across "the finish line!"
Thank you,
Ken Schwarz Actor, Writer, Producer
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Production Costs
Costs $4,000
Studio rental, equipment, camera & audio crew, editing
Cast
Costs $580
For 7 professional actors
Food
Costs $150
To feed cast & crew during long shoot days
Marketing Graphics
Costs $500
Graphics, marketing & poster art
Set Photographer
Costs $500
To capture professional images during the shoot to be used for posters, marketing, press, etc.
Misc.
Costs $1,000
Production Insurance, trailer edit, DCP, contingency
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ryan Metcalf is a director, cinematographer, editor, and actor whose previous film, "Roadside," won the 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award at the Cult Critic Movie Awards. He is also known for known for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Damsels in Distress." He is the founder & COO of Crop Shoppe, a full-service Film/TV production house and studios since 2013.
Gabrielle Lee Theater Graduate, Eugene O’Neill Theater Ctr. Performance Scholar recipient, is at home in Orchestra/Big Band/Cabaret performance, theater, TV, film, popular music, American Songbook; commercial, print and hat modeling. New Year 2021, Gabrielle will be seen in upcoming Film Festivals in the new Dramatic Short “27 Candles.” Her most recent Guest Star roles include “Bull,” “God Friended Me” and “FBI.” Gabrielle has made previous co-star appearances on “Madam Secretary,” “The Affair,” “Difficult People,” “The Good Wife,” “Law & Order” and the Film - “Twelve.” Gabrielle has performed title roles in theater companies around the country including: Broadway at Music Circus, Meadowbrook Theater, Wang Theater, The Fabulous Fox, The Greek Theater, Riverside Theater, Crossroads Theater, Shubert Theater(s), PaperMill Playhouse, Gretna Theater and more; and the productions have been as varied as the locations: All Night Strut, (Broadway World Winner), Once On This Island, Ain’t Misbehavin, Little Shop of Horrors, Smokey Joe’s Café, Blackbirds of Broadway, Dreamgirls, Showboat, Man of La Mancha and more. On an even more thrilling note, Gabrielle most recently portrayed the legendary Doyenne of Paris Cafe’ Society - Ada Bricktop Smith in the World Premier of Bricktop: Legend of the Jazz Age. which debuted at the National Black Theater Festival’s 30th Anniversary. Gabrielle has worked as a backing vocalist and made special appearances with: Natalie Cole, Steely Dan, Marvin Hamlish and friends, Michael Bolton and Harry Belafonte. New Year 2020 she kicked off lead backing vocals for Harry Belafonte’s 93rd Birthday celebration concert at the legendary Apollo Theater -Night of Stars backing such R&B Artists as -Common, Sheila E., Usher, Aloe Blacc, Alice Smith, Shalea and more. She is a thriving solo Guest Artist globally, recurring in such countries as Switzerland, France, Holland, Germany, Asia and more. In the U.S. she has appeared as a guest vocalist with notable orchestras including the New York Pops, Cab Calloway and Ray Charles Orchestras. Extending life beyond the mainstage Gabrielle focuses on leading benefit performances and campaigns in service to communities around the world, with the Barry Levitt Foundation in Jazz Cabaret, Broadway Runners with Broadway Cares, Mentorship with CRU, entertaining troops and veterans, and happy to be an International Ambassador granting wishes with Make-A-Wish Foundation Int’l. Gabrielle co-established the educational scholarship fund “RiseHaiti” that provides books, learning materials, and college tuition to graduating Seniors at ICCV School in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Gabrielle provides virtual book reads with Scholastic Inc. and is an active supporter of NABU - a fantastic organization that provides access to literacy Globally.
Danish Farooqui is an actor and producer, known for "Power Book II: Ghost," "Dead Reckoning" and "Borderline." Upcoming: "The Little Vampire" (animated feature), "Earth Defense Forces (PS4)," and "King Lahiri" (2021). AEA member @Danishfarooqui DanishFarooqui.com Take 3 Talent Agency.
Jamie Askew is a New York based actor, writer and producer. Her webseries Jamie Is Having A Very Bad Day premiered at the Rough & Ready SmartFilm Festival. Her short film Pieces premiered at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival. She has been seen on stage at Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Pearl Theatre Company and Dixon Place among others. Jamie is a graduate of Mary Washington College, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Shakespeare Intensive), and was in the apprentice companies of Williamstown Theatre Festival and Actors Theatre of Louisville.
Nadia Ramdass is not just a multi-cultural woman with the advantage of playing the roles of several different ethnic groups, her professional career is just as diversified. In addition to acting and voiceover work, Nadia is an award-winning TV and Radio News Anchor & Reporter. During her 10-year tenure as a journalist, she’s worked in several major markets, including her hometown of NYC. Nadia “The Actor” can be seen on local and national commercials, independent films, plus popular TV/Cable/Streaming movies and shows. She attended Temple University in Philadelphia on a full-athletic tennis scholarship. While in the “City of Brotherly Love”, Nadia received her Master’s in Journalism, BA in Broadcasting Telecommunications & Mass Media as well as a MFA degree in Theater. She is also a proud graduate of NYC’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts made famous by the movie ‘Fame’. While there, Nadia was as a classical & jazz saxophonists. She also plays the clarinet and flute. Nadia Ramdass was born and raised in New York City’s Lower East Side.
Ken Schwarz has been working in and around the performing arts since the age of twelve, accumulating numerous credits in film, television, commercials, and appearing in over 80 plays at New York, Regional and Repertory theaters. On Television, Ken has been featured on "Law & Order: SVU (twice)," "Bull," "Blue Bloods," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "One Life to Live," "Guiding Light," "As the World Turns," and the Japanese television movie "Railroad Killer: The Angel Resendez Story." In Feature Films, Ken has appeared in "Hungry Years," "Atlantic City Serenade," "Hell’s Half-Acre," and in "Jersey Justice" starring Blanche Baker and Bo Svenson. He has also performed starring and principal roles in many short films. Ken is a produced author of plays, films, and musicals. His full-length play "Yuletide Hearts" received its world premiere for a sold-out, record-setting run of six weeks at a 500 seat theater and was subsequently named one of the best new plays of the NJ professional theatre season by Drama Desk member Peter Filichia, columnist for Playbill and The Star Ledger. He has also directed a variety of plays and musicals which include: "Over the River and Through the Woods" featuring Emmy Award winner Bruce Weitz ("Hill Street Blues"), his American adaptation of Ray Cooney’s farce "Run For Your Wife," and most recently, "I Do! I Do!" starring Andrea McArdle and Rex Smith. Ken was the founding artistic director of the nonprofit JERSEY CENTRAL THEATRE COMPANY.