Double Take

Los Angeles, California | Film Short

Mystery, Comedy

Brendan Connelly

1 Campaigns | California, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $27,500 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

133 supporters | followers

Enter the amount you would like to pledge

$

A Deaf detective arrives at the scene of a crime to find he’s already got competition for the case! DOUBLE TAKE is a comedy/mystery explored through a new lens, celebrating the unique physicality of ASL and Deaf culture in a way that asks us to take a second look at everything around us.

About The Project

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

Mission Statement

A double take is all about realizing there is more to something than you first thought — So while our Deaf detective is giving clues a second look, we hope this project will give our audience a chance to do a double take and lean into knowing Deaf culture and our community better too.

The Story


THE BACKSTORY - WHY US, WHY THIS, WHY NOW


In 2019, Liz got her first TV show in development — a mystery procedural about a detective who was an expert in body language that would later sell to NBC. While researching and reading books by body language experts, she realized, she was already living with one — Brendan! From Brendan’s experience as a Deaf individual in a hearing world, he was constantly studying facial expressions and body language. 


And as these two combined their skills — taking 3 hours to get through an episode of the Bachelor because they kept pausing it to analyze the contestants — Brendan also began developing a character — Part Columbo, part Shawn Spencer from Psych — a perfect mix of Brendan’s innate detective skills and his love of clowning. 


After a few years of talking about how “they really should make that into a show,” in 2023 Liz and Brendan finally sat down and started writing scenes for their detective, which turned into short film scripts, which evolved into the episodic pilot you’re reading about RIGHT NOW! 


Brendan has been playing this character around the house for the last 6 years, and it’s time Xander Hawk gets his moment on the big screen!



THE STORY


What happens when a Deaf detective arrives at the scene of a crime to find he’s already got competition on the case? 


DOUBLE TAKE is a character-driven story about trying to prove you deserve a spot at the table while you’re still trying to figure out what exactly you bring to the table. 


DOUBLE TAKE is also about taking the mystery genre and exploring it through a new lens, and celebrating the unique physicality of ASL and Deaf culture in a way that asks us to take a second look at everything around us.


DOUBLE TAKE is for audiences who love comedy and mystery, dig Edgar Wright and Rian Johnson, and are looking for a fresh and unique way to explore the all the fun of clue-hunting, sleuthing, and deep-seated sibling rivalry.  



WHY THIS FILM NOW?


With the success of CODA, Marvel’s ECHO, and A QUIET PLACE, Deaf stories continue to grow in popularity — but there is still a huge deficit in the number of opportunities for Deaf writers and actors. Even winning Oscars isn’t enough to secure award-winning talent more opportunities. So it became clear we needed to make our own. As an actor, creating this character came naturally to me and with Liz’s help we’ve created a story and a show that I WISH I could have watched growing up. It’s also a show that we unfortunately believe will only get a chance at being made if we make it ourselves — so we hope that you can share in that vision with us and help us bring this game-changing project to life!



THE TEAM



**Please visit the Team Page to read our full bios!**


THE LOOK


DOUBLE TAKE is equal parts comedy, mystery, and sibling rivalry, the heart of this production centers around the creative visuals and the POV of our Deaf leads, which will inform all of the directorial decisions, and our post-production, including the use of open captions on the final edit.


The final cut of the film will be OPEN CAPTIONED — and this comes into play while filming — We’ll be working with a talented DP to help us plan and frame shots KNOWING that captions will be appearing on screen and thinking about WHERE they will be. 


We’ll also be stylizing the set and tone in an Edgar Wright / Knives Out vibe, using framing, whip pans, and split screens to tell the story and to highlight and elevate our Deaf actors and their sign language. 



CROWDFUNDING


We are crowdfunding to ensure the initial up-front production costs are covered. While the script is contained to a single location - the setups and time needed to execute this the way it requires makes at least three days of shooting ideal and we'll be scheduling for 4 days to allow for more thoughtful prep. — This will give us the space and time for intentional framing for ASL and to plan for open captions - choreographing signing and interpretation in scenes, and providing for time and flow of conversations with interpreters on set.


Another reason to support this project - It’s become more and more important to take initiative to make the projects we want to see on screen. With your help, we won’t just be able to bring a new project to life — we’ll also be able to bring new representation to screen for an under-represented and incredibly talented community.


Pledging your financial support at any level is appreciated. You can contribute any amount that fits your budget and we will be truly grateful. 



Here is the majority of what your contribution will support:


ACCESSIBILITY: We’ll have interpreters on set to make sure communication is fluid for all of our actors and crew. Making a film set accessible isn’t cheap, but it is a non-negotiable for our set.


CREW: The majority of our budget is being spent paying our crew for their time and talent. Any funds over our goal will go towards paying them more and compensating those who donated their time. 


LOCATION: While we are still looking to find a donated location, we are budgeting for the perfect space to fit the story’s needs. 


CAMERA and LIGHTING and SOUND: There is a certain level of quality a short film needs to hit in order for festivals to take notice. Having comedic elements in our script also makes it extra important for our film to look professional so people take it seriously.


If we end up raising even more than our goal -- (wow!!) -- additional funds will go to:


POST PRODUCTION and CAPTIONS: Post-production will be vitally important to this process — so our play with sound — and lack of sound — as well as the way we elevate and get creative with our captions can really be the standout elements we want them to be!


FESTIVALS: Not only do we want you to see this film once it’s done, we want larger audiences to see it! Thankfully, with our professional contacts we will be able to obtain waivers for the festivals we’ve screened at in the past, but even early-entry fees for festivals are around $50.


AND THE REST: Past productions have taught us that this process is more expensive than you’d think, even with the best of planning. Exceeding our goal will allow us to cover those surprise items that pop up and to give more to those who have discounted their rates to support this project.



GOAL BREAKDOWN




HOW CAN YOU HELP EVEN MORE?


Spread the word! Our personal network is only so big and with your help we can reach a larger audience. We appreciate any email, social post, or grocery store conversation you have that shares the information about this campaign! 


Here is an example of what you can share on social media:


Do you like supporting indie film? Help @Smickerink @Brendan.T.C and team by supporting DOUBLE TAKE, a comedy mystery about a Deaf detective, sibling rivalry, and making a name for yourself. Learn more: https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/double-take.


Tagging us allows us to re-share what you’ve posted and double our messaging. 


Follow us on social media! We will keep you updated on the film's progress at our Instagram handle: @DoubleTakethefilm


We hope you follow our campaign to stay up-to-date with our project as we go into production. We’ll keep followers posted with behind the scenes photos, news on post-production, and any screening opportunities or festival information when it becomes available. 


Your support means so much to us and we can’t wait to bring DOUBLE TAKE to the screen!


THANK YOU!


Wishlist

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

EQUIPMENT

Costs $4,975

Lighting, cameras, lens -- we want this project to be competitive in quality and vision!

CREW

Costs $14,800

There are unique visuals & framing planned to prepare for open captions on the final cut, & we want the best crew as possible for the task!

PHYSICAL PRODUCTION

Costs $6,241

Hair & Makeup, Props, Set Design, Wardrobe, Insurance, and Meals for our cast and crew!

CAST

Costs $3,984

We want to offer a fair rate of pay at the indie scale in which we’re operating.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

BRENDAN CONNELLY

Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Actor (Xander Hawk)

Brendan Connelly is an actor, writer, clown, and LA transplant from Chicago, IL. He has appeared in the pilot School For Boys and Skool’d created by Leo Milano and the short film Hardly What You Want To Hear which won an award at IndieX and was a finalist in the Independent Shorts Awards. He has previously appeared in Romeo + Juliet: The Vineyard, Little Red Cyrano, and You Are Happy (Red Theater), The Madwoman of Chaillot (Promethean Ensemble Theater), and Thirteen (Everytown Charity Second City). If you can't find him, he is probably somewhere looking for snacks. He is repped by Katie McGrath at Arise and can be found on Instagram at @Brendan.T.C. 


LIZ THOMPSON

Writer, Director, Executive Producer

Liz Thompson is a screenwriter, playwright, and puzzle/game creator with a love for comedy, mystery, and the ongoing puzzle of human behavior that is woven throughout every project she touches. While cutting her creative teeth on Chicago’s renowned theater scene, Liz created an award-winning web series, produced multiple comedy shows, and served as vice president on the board of directors for Red Theater Chicago. Since moving to LA, she's leaned into her knack for developing stories, working with Oscar-nominated producers, award-winning EPs, and upcoming staffed writers to develop their features and pilots. Specializing in comedy, mystery, and anything with a good twist, Liz has sold a sitcom to CBS and a murder mystery to NBC and has additional comedy/mystery projects in development now. She's also won a Tracking Board mentorship, was featured in The Bitch List, and has had two of her plays win top selections in - and been produced as part of - Chicago’s Paragon Play Festival. 


AMANDA AND MICHAEL DREXTON

Executive Producers

Amanda & Michael Drexton are a husband and wife filmmaker team, writing, producing and directing together since 2013. They have created multiple short films, commercials and music videos including the film TAKE ME BACK, for National Geographic as a part of their TV series, GENIUS. They won the 2019 Seriesfest Storytellers Initiative award for their original television pilot FORGIVE US FATHER, and their horror script REX recently won best screenplay at the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival. Their debut feature film as writer/ directors, SOUR PARTY, was just awarded the Andrews/Bernard prize, presented at Cannes Film Festival by Steven Soderbergh and Roman Coppola. It was acquired by Anchor Bay Entertainment and is soon to be in wide release.


THEA LUX

Actor (Tara), Producer

Thea Lux is an LA-based actor, writer, and filmmaker, creatively raised in Chicago’s comedy and theater scene. She’s a founding member of the collaborative theater company The New Coordinates and helped create the cult hit 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, which ran Off-Broadway and is published by Samuel French. She co-wrote, starred in, and produced the short awkward comedy WHEEL, which screened at festivals nationwide in 2023, including Oscar-qualifying fests deadCenter and Cinequest, as well as the world-renowned comedy festival Just for Laughs. Her newest cringe comedy, DONOR, is on the circuit after premiering at HollyShorts last year, and she recently directed the stage play, Going Home, a coming-of-age mafia drama.

She appeared in Craig Benzine's (Wheezy Waiter) Above Average/go90 series AlgoRhythm and can be seen on a wagon yelling at her son in the Coen Brothers’ film The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.


RUSSELL HARVARD

Actor (James Hawk)

Russell Harvard hails from Texas, and is third generation Deaf. He began his film career in Paul Thomas Anderson's Oscar-winning "There Will Be Blood" as Daniel-Day Lewis' son, H.W. He played the title role in "The Hammer," a multi-film-festival Audience Award winner and recently portrayed Jennifer Lawrence's brother in Apple TV+'s "Causeway." He had a multi-season arc on FX's "Fargo" as the murderous Mr. Wrench, recurred on ABC Family's "Switched At Birth," and guest starred in "Odd Mom Out," "Fringe," and "CSI: NY." Russell is a trailblazing veteran of the stage where he last played dual roles in Broadway's "To Kill A Mockingbird" written by Aaron Sorkin. He also starred in Playwrights Horizons' "I Was Most Alive with You" earning Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominations. He played the Duke of Cornwall opposite Glenda Jackson in Sam Gold's landmark production of "King Lear." In 2012, he made his off-Broadway debut in "Tribes," earning a Theatre World award and receiving Drama League, Outer Critics and Lucille Lortel nominations. Russell has a long history with the renowned Deaf West Theatre and co-founded Deaf Austin Theatre (DAT) and most recently starred in their "Tiny Beautiful Things."


WINTER BASSETT

Actor (Penny)

Winter Bassett is an actress, filmmaker, and comedy content creator based in Los Angeles CA. She originally started her career in musical theater but has spent the majority of her recent years doing film/TV and creating her own independent film Lost Joy (available on Amazon and AppleTv). Some recent credits include roles in projects such as Euphoria (HBO Max), Unfrosted (NETFLIX), and Swiped (HULU/DISNEY) as well as some juicy new projects coming soon. While she’s not making satirical content on IG (@winter_bassett) and TikTok (@winterbassett1), she’s either going to yoga, reading a Sarah J. Maas book, or rewatching GOT.


JOSH LOGAN

Actor (Officer Guy)

Joshua Logan is an actor, writer, and improviser known for his dynamic stage presence and quick-witted humor. A performer with The Improvised Shakespeare Company, Joshua has graced the screen in Amazon Prime’s Sausage Party TV (all eps/multiple voices as well as the show’s loop group), ABC's "American Housewife," FX's "Dave," and YouTube TV's Rob Huebel's "Do You Wanna See a Dead Body?" He recently snagged the Best Original Comedy Screenplay award at the Austin Film Festival, showcasing his talent for crafting laughter on and off the stage.

Current Team

Supporters

Followers

Incentives