Bobby is a little guy who just isn't like the big wrestlers on TV. But in his secret world (aka, bedroom), he can be the most fabulous dancer, free from the pressure to be somebody he just isn't going to be. This film is for all the little kids out there who just want to dance to their own beat.
Bobby is a little guy who just isn't like the big wrestlers on TV. But in his secret world (aka, bedroom), he can be the most fabulous dancer, free from the pressure to be somebody he just isn't going to be. This film is for all the little kids out there who just want to dance to their own beat.
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Story
Mission Statement
We are committed to elevating the visibility of people from under-represented groups. Our writer, director, and producers include women and members of the LGBTQ community, our star and 4 out of 5 of our cast members are African American, and we open our doors to collaborate with EVERYBODY.About The Project
We've all been a prepubescent teen. Things are happening to your body, and more and more you see ways in which you don't fit in. The television is constantly telling you what you should like, what you should eat, what and who you should play with... and who you should be. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Kids have a lot of it, making it an incredibly awkward time of your life.
Imagine, though, a space where all that pressure is gone. And a kid can express himself however he wants. He doesn't have to be big, he doesn't have to be strong, he doesn't have to defeat. He is enough. That's the world we're creating for our little hero, Bobby.
Set in the 1980s, Bobby has follwed his big brother and his friends into the world of mega wrestling. Big, bulging muscles, body slams, grunting, being able to take on anything... no pressure, right?
But in his room, Bobby is able to take a good look at himself. See what he's made of, move the way he wants to move, love what he wants to love. He finds a promotional card for Ladies Night in town. Bobby doesn't know what that means -- all he sees is a male form expressing itself differently. He imitates the positions, moves his body, begins to dance, and to his surprise, opens up a world where Bobby can be Bobby. And once he's discovered that world -- that Bobby -- he can rest easy, knowing he can always go back.
Our film is about accepting people for who they really are, about giving them the empowerment to accept themselves. It explores themes of body image, sexual/gender identity, gender stereotyping, and bullying, but with a subtlety that lets the audience see the innocence of it all. Our goal is to soften the hard lines between what is right and wrong, to give this child a chance to become himself safely, and to cheer him on so that he can become the best version of himself he can be. It's a feel-good movie that looks at difficult issues. Bobby reminds us all of ourselves and how we perhaps wanted to be treated as children. And in a world where it's all too easy to sit behind a computer screen and yell and critique and pass judgement, this film gives us all a chance to open our hearts and just let our inner child be happy.
Meet Our Star -- Marcus Owens as Bobby!
Marcus is a 12-year-old Chicago actor and dancer. With his eyes on Broadway, Marcus is an accomplished dancer specializing in hip hop, ballet, modern dance, African, freestyle, cheerleading, and majorette, and is a Jesse White Tumbler. He studies dance at the Chicago Multicultural Dance Center. He also sings, acts, and loves playing with his three younger siblings. Marcus brings a real vulnerability to the role of Bobby, showing us the complexities of being young and finding his way. When he dances, he makes Bobby’s new, exciting world come alive.
Incentives
$15
A special thank you
A special thank you from the bottom of our dancing hearts. We'll send you a digital Go Go Boy thank you card.
$30
Friend for Life
A friendship bracelet to tie us all together! (fun trivia: Bobby wears the same bracelet in the film!)
$60
Friends with a Yummy benefit
Wear Bobby's bracelet and munch through a box of his little sister's Girl Scout cookies!
Claimed: 5 of 24
$125
You're on the list
You're in! You'll receive an exclusive invite to our screening party -- and for those of you who don't know yet.... we throw raging parties :)
$500
Associate Producer
Your support can pay for an entire element of the film! This would help pay for all of the talent, or cover food for the entire shoot. You'll be one of the first to see the film, will receive producer credit in the film and IMDB, and will have an exclusive invitation to the film's screening and release party, as well as film festivals in your area. Plus a special thank you gift from the producers (it's a secret!).
$1,000
Executive Producer
You are beyond a supporter -- you're a partner. You believe that there is room in our hearts for little boys and girls like Bobby who just feel different. You will receive Executive Producer credit on IMDB, be invited to be on set with us, and be our guest to film festivals, screenings, and our release party. You will receive a signed copy of the script, poster, and other materials, and will be among the first to view the film. THANK YOU.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
A special thank you
A special thank you from the bottom of our dancing hearts. We'll send you a digital Go Go Boy thank you card.
$30
Friend for Life
A friendship bracelet to tie us all together! (fun trivia: Bobby wears the same bracelet in the film!)
$60
Friends with a Yummy benefit
Wear Bobby's bracelet and munch through a box of his little sister's Girl Scout cookies!
Claimed: 5 of 24
$125
You're on the list
You're in! You'll receive an exclusive invite to our screening party -- and for those of you who don't know yet.... we throw raging parties :)
$500
Associate Producer
Your support can pay for an entire element of the film! This would help pay for all of the talent, or cover food for the entire shoot. You'll be one of the first to see the film, will receive producer credit in the film and IMDB, and will have an exclusive invitation to the film's screening and release party, as well as film festivals in your area. Plus a special thank you gift from the producers (it's a secret!).
$1,000
Executive Producer
You are beyond a supporter -- you're a partner. You believe that there is room in our hearts for little boys and girls like Bobby who just feel different. You will receive Executive Producer credit on IMDB, be invited to be on set with us, and be our guest to film festivals, screenings, and our release party. You will receive a signed copy of the script, poster, and other materials, and will be among the first to view the film. THANK YOU.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
We make films with and for our supporters.
From lobsters and nonnas to pink pussy hats and tickets to Fire Island, our films have traveled the world and picked up some pretty cool awards on the way. And our team reflects a diverse group of film gurus -- check us out!
Leia's Army:
Best Director - Global Impact Film Festival
Best Director - Chain NYC Film Festival
Audience Choice Award - Chicago REEL Film FestivalProgrammer's Choice Award - Chicago REEL Film Festival
Lost and Found:
Best Director - Women in Film International Film Festival
Best Writer - Magnolia Film FestivalLobster fra Diavolo:
Best Editing: Broad Humor Film Festival
Best Fighting: Hell Yes Film Festival
Best Comedy: Eureka Springs Indie Film Festival
Oriana Oppice
Born in Sicily and raised in Chicago, Oriana is an award-winning independent film and commercial director, writer, producer, and actor. Currently, she is in the film festival circuit for Leia’s Army — for which she has won two Best Director awards — and in post-production on Spit It Out. Recent award-winning films include “Lobster fra Diavolo,” “Camp Belvidere” and “Lost and Found.” Her work focuses on big things happening to little people, both in comedy and drama. She is committed to elevating the visibility of women in front of and behind the camera, and is the Director of Programming & Communications for Women in Film Chicago. Oriana holds a B.A. from McGill University in International Relations and an M.A. from the University of Chicago in International Law.
Jane Barbara
"As a kid, most of my day was spent making up stories, drawing, and dancing around the house. I grew up in Flushing, NY, where I would get the kids on my block to be my cast of characters. Thanks to interested public school teachers, in middle school I got involved with a wonderful summer program called Teenage Performing Arts Workshop. Over four summers, I was able to combine my love of art, dance, and make-believe. A full scholarship from the Rockefellers enabled me to get my BFA degree from Parsons School of Design. I went on to have a career as a scenic designer, art director, illustrator, book cover designer, and graphic designer serving the New York City Metro area.
My life has now come full circle. I am back making up stories. Only now I am writing and producing films. My first film, 'Suspicious Densities' was about friendship, loss, and cancer. My second, a comedy, I produced with renaissance woman Oriana Oppice, 'Lobster fra Diavolo,' has been screened at over 30 film festivals including the Short Film Corner at Cannes. Currently, we have a short drama, 'Leia’s Army,' making the festivals rounds and has won two Best Director Awards, Audience Choice and Programmer’s Choice Awards.
'GoGo Boy' is a very personal story for me. It reminds me of when I was a little girl, put on my nicest dress (I only had one) and danced around the house to Bolero. So I am thrilled to be partnering with John, and once again with Oriana, to bring this charming story life."
John Bateman
John W. Bateman is an award-winning writer and filmmaker who chases stories, words, and unicorns. Influences include Duane Michals, comedian Bob Smith, and his fairy godparents. John’s written work has appeared in OneNewEngland, The Huffington Post, Glitterwolf Magazine, Nately’s, and the SFWP Quarterly. He has won several awards for screenwriting, and received a 2018 Emerging Filmmaker Grant from the Mississippi Film Alliance for production of a script that won runner-up in the 2018 OxFilmFest Screenplay Competition. His first novel, Who Killed Buster Sparkle? is scheduled for release in June 2019. He has vague memories of pretending to be a Chippendales Dancer when he was 9. When that career didn't work out, he went to law school and became a writer.
Laurie Scheer
Laurie Scheer is a former Vice President of programming for WE: Women’s Entertainment. She has worked as an assistant, d-girl, and producer for ABC, Viacom, Showtime, and AMC-Cablevision. Laurie has been an instructor at numerous universities, including Northwestern, UCLA, American University, and Yale. She is the author of a book about working in Hollywood titled Creative Careers in Hollywood, and her DVD How to Pitch and Sell Your Screenplay has been a perennial favorite at screenwriting events. Shas spoken at annual conventions for NAB, NATPE, The Great American Pitch Fest, Screenwriters’ World, Reel Screen, WIFV, FTX West, and the Willamette Writers Conference. She has served as a judge for numerous screenplay competitions, film festivals, and the International Emmys. She is currently a Faculty Associate/Writing Mentor with UW-Madison’s Continuing Studies Writing Department where she serves as the director of the Writer’s Institute. She is also the Founding Editor of the literary magazine The Midwest Review.
Josie Gage
"I am so excited to be a part of this project! I am a recent graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a degree in Psychology. Upon graduating, I decided to follow my dream of working in the film industry. I studied screenwriting and acting at Second City Chicago. I am dedicated to telling the stories of those who don’t have a voice and to making the film industry a more inclusive and diverse place."
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