Farther Along: A Relative-ly Odd Couple

New York City, New York | Film Short

Comedy, LGBTQ

Blair Peyton

1 Campaigns | New York, United States

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This campaign raised $24,125 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

197 supporters | followers

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Farther Along is a proof-of-concept for a half-hour LGBTQ comedy series set in the South, where an upright perfectionist, reeling from his mother’s death and a breakup with his boyfriend, allows his devil-may-care father, a minister, to move in.

About The Project

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

Mission Statement

When mentioning I was writing a show inspired by my relationship with my dad, people automatically assumed it was a drama. Very telling, amiright? Father and gay son relationships aren’t always bad. My hope is that this show will provide LGBTQ individuals hope and healing, as well as a hearty laugh.

The Story


Farther Along is a proof-of-concept for a half-hour LGBTQ comedy series about a devil-may-care pastor and his tightly wound gay son navigating the fallout from the family matriarch's passing. As tempers rise and responsibilities clash, Harvey’s surprise move into his son Wesley's home sets the stage for a hilariously chaotic and unexpectedly transformative new chapter in their lives.


In these challenging times, where political tensions often overshadow positivity, it's more important than ever to share stories that bring light and hope, especially within the gay community. The younger generation is growing up in a world where uncertainty and division can feel overwhelming, and they deserve to see narratives that celebrate love, resilience, and happiness. These stories aren't just a form of entertainment—they're a beacon of hope, showing that even in the face of adversity, joy and connection can thrive. By sharing these uplifting tales, we help create a future where the younger generation feels seen, valued, and inspired to live authentically and courageously.



Admittedly, religion can be quite divisive, but it's also a goldmine for comedy. In this world, the church is more of a workplace than a vessel for scripture. Sorry, Jesus—you won’t be getting top billing. The show blends quirky and edgy humor, presenting universal stories through an eclectic cast of small-town weirdos.


It’s the dude version of Gilmore Girls. It’s Happy Endings in the South. It’s Curb Your Enthusiasm with a hug.



HARVEY MITCHUM (father) - Harvey, once voted “most popular” and married to his high school sweetheart Maria, later entered the ministry, much to her chagrin. Now a widower and single for the first time in 50 years, Harvey turns to Wesley, Maria’s de facto replacement, for help navigating single life. An eternal optimist with no boundaries, Harvey wears his heart on his sleeve, whether he's moved by Shania Twain’s Behind the Music or laughing at his own jokes.


WESLEY MITCHUM (son) - Unlike dear ol’ dad, Wesley didn’t hit puberty until long after high school. His formative years were spent honing his sense of humor and faking heterosexuality. A "self-proclaimed" liberal with no clue about his polling location, Wesley is a Southern belle dreaming of a "happily ever after." His perfect relationship would involve weekly tandem bike rides to Costco.



CHRISTINA (daughter) - Like Harvey, Christina was the epitome of high school excellence. Now a frugal homemaker, she’s been married for 20 years and has two kids. Despite being financially secure, Christina delights in any opportunity to regift. Although she describes herself as a staunch liberal, her views are largely conservative.


MAGGIE (Wesley’s BFF) - Maggie is acerbic, yet nurturing. If she has an opinion, you’re going to hear it! With a strong sense of confidence and a background from the “School of Hard Knocks,” she’s Wesley’s sole emergency contact. Her most important relationship is with her best friend, while her fiancé, Greg, is a distant second.


VIOLET (family “friend”) - Violet was homeschooled and got her degree from the University of Phoenix online. Despite being a dedicated church member, she's always in the way. Highly crafty, she lives with her aunt, and their Friday nights are filled with Jeopardy and virgin daiquiris.


JEREMY - Jeremy is a potential love interest for Wesley, even though they’re polar opposites. While Wesley is akin to fine dining, Jeremy is more like fast food. Jeremy is mostly focused on having fun and tends to avoid serious relationships.



This project is inspired by my relationship with my father, a small-town Southern pastor. A man who consoled me after my first real break-up by saying, “ya know, I’ve been doing some reading and this is pretty common in the gay world.” The father who, when I moved to New York, gave me a hoverboard for Christmas to save $2.75 on subway fare. The friend who would drop everything to be by my side in a crisis and stay way too long after the dust settled.


After my mother's death, I was able to offer my father the same level of care he provided. While dining at the upscale eatery, The Olive Garden, marinara splattered all over my father’s shirt. He looked at me with concern and I said, "I'll take care of it." At that moment, I realized I had inadvertently been promoted to homemaker.


The playing field had been leveled and that’s the heart of this show. It’s a father and son doing their best to parent each other while navigating life after loss.


-Blair Peyton, Writer/Producer/Talent


Farther Along aims to challenge stereotypes about being gay in the South. Data shows that the South has the highest percentage of LGBTQ people in the United States. So why the heck aren't there more shows depicting the LGBTQ experience in the South?



100% of the funds raised will go directly to production. Here's how your contribution will help bring the story to life:



Filmmaking can be costly, and we’re committed to telling this story in the best way possible. We aim to raise $24,000 through our dedicated audience on Seed & Spark to cover the essential costs of creating our proof-of-concept film. We’re currently in pre-production, with the script completed. During this phase, we’re finalizing all the details necessary to bring the story to life, including locations, costumes, casting, cinematography, and actor schedules. Our plan is to film in Woodstown, NJ over a two-day period later this year, handle post-production during the winter, and then submit to festivals by Spring 2025. We aim to premiere at festivals by Fall 2025, with the film becoming available for viewing on Vimeo shortly thereafter.



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Remember, every little contribution helps—no amount is too small! If you're not able to contribute financially, you can still support us by following our campaign and keeping up with the latest Farther Along news.


Seed & Spark helps us grow our audience, and the more followers we gain, the more opportunities we unlock for products, services, and festival fee waivers. You can also support us for FREE by sharing our campaign on social media and tagging us on Instagram: @FartherAlongShow. We’re grateful for your support!


We couldn’t tell this story without you, and together we can create something truly special!


Wishlist

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

GEAR

Costs $4,000

High-quality cameras and expert lighting enhance a film and provide a smooth viewing experience.

CRAFT SERVICES & LOCATIONS

Costs $1,250

A well-fed set is a happy set! Plus, we'll need access to key locations to help tell our story.

PRE-PRODUCTION

Costs $3,400

Pre-production lays the groundwork for the entire project, ensuring everything runs smoothly when shooting begins.

CAST

Costs $2,320

Of course we need actors!

CREW

Costs $6,550

We need a skilled crew to help bring the story to life.

TRAVEL & MISC PRODUCTION

Costs $1,878

Help us transport our equipment, cast, and crew between locations! Plus, this will cover any last minute costs that arise.

POST PRODUCTION

Costs $3,000

Help us piece together this film in the editing process!

PRODUCTION INSURANCE & PAYROLL

Costs $1,602

This helps ensure the safety of the cast and crew. And with payroll services, we can insure everyone will be paid in a timely fashion.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team


Blair Peyton (he/him) is a versatile comedian whose southern charm shines in his performances. His short film Mother & Son Skype Sesh won Best Scripted Short at the 2020 Agoraphobia Film Fest, and he stars in the series Two Dimes on Prime Video. As a producer for Audioboom, Blair specializes in brand management, A/V production, social media, website and content creation, and logo design. He co-hosts the podcast Bad Behavior with Sterling Mulbry, acting as "judge and jury" over social faux pas. New episodes release every Wednesday on all podcast platforms.



MJ Bernier (she/her) is a NYC-based Filmmaker specializing in independent narrative filmmaking and television. Her work has screened internationally garnering multiple nominations and awards. MJ has also produced work in the branded content and documentary space over the last 15 years. Her work has been featured on such outlets as Rolling Stone, Vice, Pitchfork, Filter, and Philanthropy Women. Her focus is in pushing the boundaries of traditional norms in film and TV and highlighting the voices of fellow women and queer artists. 



Mia Rose Kavensky (she/her) is an actor, writer, and producer in NYC, originally from the Iowa/Illinois border. She developed and starred in Rachel's Out-Of-This-World Bat Mitzvah, which was featured in the Toronto and Winnipeg Fringe Festivals. Recent credits include Room 9 (Lionsgate), august at 22 (Apple TV), and Astrophysics (Elizabeth Giamatti). Theater credits include The Girl With The Red Hair and the upcoming Reservoir Runner. Her short film And Along Came Lily premiered at the Big Apple Film Festival and is circulating other festivals.



Emily Draper (she/her) is a queer, Brooklyn-based filmmaker with a background in comedy (UCB, Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and commercial work (Naadam, Lume, Harry’s Razors, Ollie). She loves creating highly specific worlds, finding humor in painfully relatable moments, and exploring stories that ask more questions than they answer. These days, you can find her at festivals promoting her latest short film, Sorority Court.

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