Flock
by Ariel Mahler
Ariel Mahler
Follow
Flock
by Ariel Mahler
Ariel Mahler
Follow
Flock is a trans film that pushes the boundaries of LGBTQ+ filmmaking. We believe that queer and trans storytelling should not be limited to one-dimensional representation and coming out stories. We deserve media across-genres, and we think the time is right for a trans dramatic cult thriller.
Flock is a trans film that pushes the boundaries of LGBTQ+ filmmaking. We believe that queer and trans storytelling should not be limited to one-dimensional representation and coming out stories. We deserve media across-genres, and we think the time is right for a trans dramatic cult thriller.
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Story
Mission Statement
The script was written collaboratively by three trans people. We have a trans lead and a majority trans crew, including director, producer, DP, and editor. Beyond this, the film is not ‘about’ trans issues. We are representing a facet of trans storytelling that goes beyond the stories we often see.About The Project
TRANS STORIES ON TRANS TERMS
The three co-creators of this film are trans, as is the majority of the crew and the lead. However, this is not a ‘coming out’ story, nor is it a story ‘about’ the trans experience. It’s a dramatic thriller, told through a queer and trans lens. We feel this is especially necessary now, as queer and trans media representation continues to grow. We feel (hope) that society has evolved beyond narrow calls for surface-level representation, and that the world is ready to see trans content across genre and tone. Where are the trans rom coms? The trans-specific sci-fi mysteries? The trans-centered thrillers about death cults? Oh yeah! That’s the one we’re making!
DID YOU SAY A BARN IN MAINE?
Yes! Flock is part of a residency with the Barn Arts Collective, a nonprofit that brings people together to create art on Mount Desert Island (MDI). MDI is a beautiful island in downeast Maine, about 5 hours from Boston. MDI is more than twice the size of Manhattan, but has less than 1% of its population. Barn Arts fosters the development of new artistic projects through free residencies. Teams of artists live, work, eat, and plan together, creating a temporary creative community and supporting one another in their individual and collective goals. Flock will be created in the spirit of collaboration and mutual support between passionate people in a beautiful place.
PUSHING CINEMATIC BOUNDARIES
It’s not enough to make LGBTQ+ films, we have to continuously push the boundaries of filmmaking so that we’re taken seriously in our field and contributing to the artistic development of filmmaking as a whole. That's what we're doing with Flock. We're building an ambitious shot list that utilizes innovative camera language with car rigs, underwater filming, drone cinematography, steadicam, and more.
WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT FLOCK?
Securing funding for high quality, trans-specific content is critical and timely. Your support will go towards these priorities, and will send a message that these stories are important to tell, and that they deserve a level of high production value and professionalism.
I was recently at the premiere screening of a feature film made by a close friend and collaborator. During the Q&A that followed, the writer/producer was asked, “What was the most difficult part of the filmmaking process?” My friend’s answer, which came to her immediately, was that the hardest part was the transition from an idea into a film. The unanswerable question of “Will I actually be able to make this movie?”
From where we stand now, getting the Green Light from contributions such as yours would be a clear, resounding “YES!” We have the script, the passion, the team, and the plan. Now all we need is the support and belief from individuals like you to take this film from an ambitious dream into a tangible reality.
Trust us. This is going to be a good one.FOR MORE INFO - See our mood board below!
Incentives
$10
Shout Out
We'll deliver a personal shout out on social media thanking you for your contribution!
$30
Digital Download
Your very own DIGITAL COPY - see the film for free before we release to the masses!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
$40
Join the Cult
At this level, our talented DP Easton will create some photoshop magic, and you'll receive a personalized image of yourself as a member of one of our favorite fictional cults.
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
$50
Maine Souvenir
Whether a natural pine-scented pillow or homemade New England taffy, MDI has a rich share of location-specific gifts. At this level we'll personally select one and send it to you!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
$75
Featured Extra
If you can get to MDI, Maine, you're invited to be a Featured Cult Member Extra!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
$100
VIP Screening
$250
We'll Film Your Event
A member of our team will shoot footage for an event of your choosing, up to two hours, and then send it to you!
*The event in question must take place in NYC or Philadelphia. Some conditions apply.*
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
an invitation to be a featured extra
your name in the credits as a "supporter"
an invitation to a VIP screening
$500
Filmmaking Lesson
Contribute $500 and you'll be able to schedule a private, one-on-one, hour-long filmmaking lesson with a member of the creative team on a topic of your choice: Topics can include:
Basic Cinematography
Basic Screenwriting
Basic Editing
Producing 101
How to Schedule a Film Shoot
*Note: The class will take place in NYC or Philly. Transportation not provided*
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
an invitation to be a featured extra
your name in the credits as a "supporter"
an invitation to a VIP screening
$1,000
Associate Producer
If you contribute at this level, or if you're able to pull in contributions equal to this level, we'll make you an Associate Producer, which means you'll be credited as such in our media and credits!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
an invitation to be a featured extra
an invitation to a VIP screening
$5,000
Executive Producer
If you contribute at this level, or if you're able to pull in contributions equal to this level, you will be granted Executive Producer status!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
an invitation to be a featured extra
an invitation to a VIP screening
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Shout Out
We'll deliver a personal shout out on social media thanking you for your contribution!
$30
Digital Download
Your very own DIGITAL COPY - see the film for free before we release to the masses!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
$40
Join the Cult
At this level, our talented DP Easton will create some photoshop magic, and you'll receive a personalized image of yourself as a member of one of our favorite fictional cults.
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
$50
Maine Souvenir
Whether a natural pine-scented pillow or homemade New England taffy, MDI has a rich share of location-specific gifts. At this level we'll personally select one and send it to you!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
$75
Featured Extra
If you can get to MDI, Maine, you're invited to be a Featured Cult Member Extra!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
$100
VIP Screening
$250
We'll Film Your Event
A member of our team will shoot footage for an event of your choosing, up to two hours, and then send it to you!
*The event in question must take place in NYC or Philadelphia. Some conditions apply.*
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
an invitation to be a featured extra
your name in the credits as a "supporter"
an invitation to a VIP screening
$500
Filmmaking Lesson
Contribute $500 and you'll be able to schedule a private, one-on-one, hour-long filmmaking lesson with a member of the creative team on a topic of your choice: Topics can include:
Basic Cinematography
Basic Screenwriting
Basic Editing
Producing 101
How to Schedule a Film Shoot
*Note: The class will take place in NYC or Philly. Transportation not provided*
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
an invitation to be a featured extra
your name in the credits as a "supporter"
an invitation to a VIP screening
$1,000
Associate Producer
If you contribute at this level, or if you're able to pull in contributions equal to this level, we'll make you an Associate Producer, which means you'll be credited as such in our media and credits!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
an invitation to be a featured extra
an invitation to a VIP screening
$5,000
Executive Producer
If you contribute at this level, or if you're able to pull in contributions equal to this level, you will be granted Executive Producer status!
You will also receive:
a social media shoutout
a digital download of the film
a Maine souvenir
a photoshopped image of you in a cult
an invitation to be a featured extra
an invitation to a VIP screening
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Ariel Mahler (co-writer, director) is a nonbinary filmmaker, producer, trans rights advocate. Last year, Ariel released Bad Ally, an irreverent comedy series they co-created with Daquisha Jones. Ariel also worked as an AD on Salacia and Mary of Ill Fame, written and directed by trans icon Tourmaline, as well as Flourish by Heather María Ács. Ariel Mahler also produced Death and Bowling, a feature film created by more than 40 trans people. Ariel is inspired by the many trans filmmakers and artists who make work consistently and push boundaries with their work, especially in such a volatile political culture.
Easton Carter Angle (co-writer, director of photography) is a bi-coastal director of photography and film photographer working on narratives, commercials, and documentaries. His most recent short film, “Here With You”, featuring an all trans cast and crew premiered at Frameline in San Francisco this past June. He’s also worked on season 2 episode 2 of the web series, “Brothers”, directed by EmmettLundberg and Sheyam Ghieth. His debut photography show, “Nostalgia”, featuring 30 film photographs from his travels across the United States has been shown in multiple spaces and is available online.
Calvin Woodruff (co-writer, editor) is a camera assistant and editor from the east coast who has worked on narratives, television, and commercials. He prides himself on having worked on many notable projects about trans and queer stories- including Death & Bowling, Brothers, Here With You, and Beautiful Something. He hopes to connect trans filmmakers all over the world and continue working to bring their incredible stories to audiences everywhere.
Iris Devins (producer)
Iris Devins is a writer, director, and producer. The Sundance Institute selected her to participate in the Screenwriters Intensive, and she was a 2017 Sundance Knight Fellow. The Leeway Foundation awarded her with a 2018 Transformation Award. She recently finished a festival run with her narrative short, After the Date. The film portrays a romance between a trans woman and a straight man. After the Date premiered at Frameline in 2017, and later screened at festivals such as Hollyshorts, Athens International Film + Video Festival, Mammoth Film Festival, and Portland Film Festival. She received funding from the Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant for her upcoming short, Trashy Booty. The film is a dark comedy about two dumpster diving trans women who find a hitchhiking robot in the outskirts of Philadelphia. She is currently developing her first narrative feature, Angie Star. The film is supported by a grant from the Sundance Institute with additional support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Rafael "Q" Quinde (producer)
Rafael “Q” Quinde is an emerging producer. He produced the narrative short After the Date, which premiered at Frameline and later screened at festivals, such as Hollyshorts, Portland Film Festival, and Athens International Film + Video Festival. The film won an audience award at qFLIX Philadelphia for best trans short film. He is currently in pre-production for Trashy Booty, a narrative short film about two dumpster diving trans women who come across a hitchhiking robot. He is also developing a post-apocalyptic web series.
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