Going Places
Walnut Creek, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
A coming-of-age story following Frankie, a girl eager to leave her hometown in the rearview mirror until an overheard confession forces her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about her own future.
Going Places
Walnut Creek, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $13,440 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
91 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
A coming-of-age story following Frankie, a girl eager to leave her hometown in the rearview mirror until an overheard confession forces her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about her own future.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Fresh off the heels of college graduation, twenty-something Frankie is all packed and ready to leave her hometown behind for the bright lights of Chicago, where she dreams of living and working as a successful writer. Bolstering her ambitions is fellow writer and longtime mentor Alex, whose own stint in the Windy City served as the inspiration for Frankie’s move.
During a send-off lunch on the day she’s meant to leave, Frankie overhears Alex lampooning this next step in her “career,” wagering with a friend over the phone that she’ll come crawling back to her parents with her tail between her legs before the year is up. This first spark of doubt, from the most unlikely of sources, sends Frankie on a spiral that threatens to derail everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.
It’ll take an intervention from someone closer to home to set Frankie straight as the clock ticks down to her big going away party, where friends and family have convened to see her off into her, now more-terrifying-than-ever, next phase of life.
Over the past couple of years, I've been toying around with wanting to tell a story inspired by the mixed emotions I've experienced since leaving the Bay Area for LA post-college. I feel so grateful to have grown up in an amazing community surrounded by so many lovely people, but at the same time I’ve always felt a pull to be elsewhere. Yet after leaving, I still couldn’t shake certain aspects of where I came from. I’ve been paralyzed at points by the fear of letting down those I’ve looked up to most, feeling like I need some sort of tangible success to impress them. After getting through the throes of these emotions last year, I finally put pen to paper and thus, Going Places was born.
The emotional heart of the story comes from a scene between Frankie and her dad. My favorite father-daughter scenes in movies all come from teenage coming-of-age films. I wanted to write a scene that was truer to my experience and show that parental support doesn’t stop at adulthood.
It is important to me that we shoot in the San Francisco Bay Area as it will allow us to capture landmarks that were formative to my upbringing. Despite the complicated feelings it explores, at its core this short film is a love letter to the places (and people) that shaped me, and I am excited for the opportunity to showcase them to the world.
When writing Going Places, my mind often drifted to the great contemporary coming-of-age films. Eighth Grade, Lady Bird and more recently, Sorry, Baby have proven to be fruitful sources of both thematic and visual inspiration as we’ve set out to plan our shoot.
Pictures from: Sorry, Baby (2025), A Friend of the Family (2022), Lady Bird (2017), My Dead Friend Zoe (2024), Aftersun (2022), Eighth Grade (2018),
Youth In Revolt (2009), Death Proof (2007)
Going Places is set to film over three days in the San Francisco Bay Area in July 2026. And as you can tell...Film is EXPENSIVE! It is astounding how quickly the expenses add up. With your generous pledges, I know we will be able to create this short film in the best way possible. With this Seed&Spark campaign, we need to reach at least 80% of our goal ($12,000) in 30 days or else we will not receive any of your pledges. WE CAN DO IT!
For a little insight on the budget:
> A large amount of the budget ($4,000 or 26.7% of the allocated budget) is for insurance and location fees. One of our shoot days will be at a park, which requires a permit through the East Bay Park Authority. Another day we will be shooting in a café and for all of the production, we need insurance.
> I am grateful for all the amazing people who will be working on this short. I really want to be able to compensate people fairly for their work, so a good amount of the budget will go toward our cast and crew payment ($5,800 or 38.6% of the allocated budget). For the rest of the budget breakdown, please see below AND go to our wishlist tab! If you have hard drives you'd be willing to lend, food you'd be willing to make, or even some posters to decorate Frankie's room, it would be deeply appreciated! Please feel free to contact me any time via social media (@goingplaces.short or @sara.taylor13) or directly via my phone number or email.
STRETCH GOALS!
As you can see from this diagram, we have a few stretch goals listed. This is if we are able to go above and beyond our initial goal.
> If we are able to make it to $15,800, we would use that extra money for post-production expenses (editing, composing, etc.)
> If we are able to make it to $16,600, that would go toward travel expenses for our amazing producer, Justin and gas money(!!)
> If we are able to make it to $18,100, we would be able to submit to lots of incredible film festivals!
> If we are able to make it to $19,000, we would have a bit of cushion $$ for anything that goes wrong (something always does).
Truly, I am grateful for any amount of support and it would mean the entire world to me if we are able to make it to at least $12,000.
Timeline:
> FEB. - JUN. 2026: Pre-production, casting, crowdfunding
> JUN. - JUL. 2026: All incentives (minus the screening) will be fulfilled.
> JUL. 2026: PRODUCTION!
> JUL. - OCT. 2026: Post-production, begin the film festival submission process
> 2027: Film Festivals(!), then final publishing on the internet for all to see!
Please take a look at all our incentives (they're Highway 80 themed...driving to Chicago...get it?) and choose one that feels right for you! Any amount of money you are willing to pledge pushes us closer to our goal!
Looking to help in other ways?
> SHARE our campaign! Do you know anyone from the Bay Area? Have friends that love to support original art? A billionaire acquaintance who is looking for a place to throw some money? Send them our way!
> FOLLOW our Seed&Spark page! Every follow helps our campaign immensely!
> CHECK OUT our wishlist! If you’re local to the Bay and want to make or bring us food for the weekend or provide us with other supplies, we would be extremely grateful!
I am so proud of this story and excited to finally see it come to fruition. Your support in any form is deeply appreciated and I hope to make you all proud ... :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Hard Drives
Costs $500
The footage will take up a lot of space, so we need to store it safely!
Catering / Craft Services
Costs $1,500
We will have a crew, cast, and extras to feed for a three-day shoot!
Insurance / Location Fees
Costs $4,000
We need a permit to film in an East Bay Park, we will be filming in a café, AND we need insurance.
Cast Payment!
Costs $1,400
I'm so grateful for those who want to be involved in this project and I would love to pay them adequately for their time.
Crew Payment
Costs $4,400
I'm so grateful for those who want to be involved in this project and I would love to pay them adequately for their time.
Gear Rental / Costume + Art Department
Costs $3,200
We need amazing equipment to work with AND we gotta decorate Frankie's room! If you have anything that would help with that...let us know!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are in the midst of assembling an amazing team! Keep checking back here for updates as our team grows!
Sara Taylor (she/her)
Writer / Producer / Frankie
Sara Taylor is a Los-Angeles based actor, writer, and stage manager originally from the San Francisco Bay Area.
She was most recently seen on stage in AnyWay Production Company's Greenhouse Festival and The Nightmare Lizards' production of All Cats Go To Hell (HFF '25). Sara is a graduate of Emerson College and continues to study at John Rosenfeld Studios.
Peyton Pilgrim (he/him)
Director
Peyton Pilgrim is a writer and director from Memphis, Tennessee who has worked on numerous film productions since making the move to Los Angeles in 2021. He’s drawn to stories about family and the dysfunctions that bind them.
Justin T. Malone (he/him)
Line Producer / 1st AD
Justin T. Malone is a Producer and Assistant Director who specializes in helping independent filmmakers maximize their resources, realize their visions, and reach their potential. His previous work includes the feature film Elijah Peel, set to release nationwide in August 2026, as well as a variety of award-winning short films and low-budget features.
Michael Ray Wisely (he/him)
Frankie's Dad
Michael Ray Wisely is an award winning actor, well known to Bay Area audiences with a career that spans over 3 decades. Recent roles in his professional theatre career include: Prospero in The Tempest and Warwick in Saint Joan for PacRep in Carmel, Trucker/Dad/Teddy in FROGGY and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at CenterRep, and Boss in Boss McGreedy at CentralWorks (BATCC Nominee) Michael Ray has worked Off-Broadway, internationally, and regionally at 59e59 Theaters, NYC, Teatro Santa Ana, SMA, Aurora Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, Marin Theatre, Magic Theatre, TheatreWorks, Marin Shakes, SF Shakes, African American Shakes, and others. He is a proud member of the performing unions: Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA, and has performed in Film, TV, Radio, and games, including: 13 Reasons Why, Trauma, Nash Bridges, and hosting a show for 2 seasons on the DIY Network. What’s Next?: he will be featured in two short films and is writing one of his own. His performances are always dedicated to his late wife, director/actress Wendy Wisely and child, Liv. michaelraywisely.com
Alex Moore
Alex
Alex Moore is a Bay Area performer, educator, and storyteller whose work spans theatre, voice-over, music, and live events. He's thrilled to be making his onscreen debut in this film. With a background in vocal performance and musical theatre, he brings a love of character-driven storytelling, humor, and emotional honesty to his work. Alex also teaches piano, voice, and theatre, works as a freelance event planner, and co-runs a wedding consulting business with his wife and high school sweetheart. His favorite roles are husband and dad to their three amazing kids.
Diella Wottrich
Frankie's Mom
Diella is a Bay Area theatre artist, most recently appearing in Cats at Berkeley Playhouse! She last performed there this past November-December in Annie, and previously in Head Over Heels, Becoming Robin Hood and Mamma Mia! She has worked with numerous other theater companies in the Bay Area, including Center REPertory Company, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, Diablo Theatre Company, Tri-Valley Theatre Company, Mountain Plays, and College of Marin productions. She lives in the
Bay Area with her family, and when she’s not on stage, she teaches tap at The Ballet School Performing Arts in Walnut Creek and also works with kids with special needs at Burton Valley Elementary School in Lafayette!
Serene Hammami
Avery
Serene Hammami was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a musician, composer, singer-songwriter, teacher, and theatre artist. She was most recently seen in The Addams Family musical as Wednesday Addams.
Meaghan Wottrich
Iris
Meaghan Wottrich is a dancer, performer, and teacher with a lifelong passion for the performing arts. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2024 with a B.S. in Dance and now works as a full-time dance teacher at The Ballet School Performing Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, where she grew up learning how to perform. She is currently in Berkeley Playhouse's production of Cats, which runs from May 22-June 21. She can't wait to help bring this story to life!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Fresh off the heels of college graduation, twenty-something Frankie is all packed and ready to leave her hometown behind for the bright lights of Chicago, where she dreams of living and working as a successful writer. Bolstering her ambitions is fellow writer and longtime mentor Alex, whose own stint in the Windy City served as the inspiration for Frankie’s move.
During a send-off lunch on the day she’s meant to leave, Frankie overhears Alex lampooning this next step in her “career,” wagering with a friend over the phone that she’ll come crawling back to her parents with her tail between her legs before the year is up. This first spark of doubt, from the most unlikely of sources, sends Frankie on a spiral that threatens to derail everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.
It’ll take an intervention from someone closer to home to set Frankie straight as the clock ticks down to her big going away party, where friends and family have convened to see her off into her, now more-terrifying-than-ever, next phase of life.
Over the past couple of years, I've been toying around with wanting to tell a story inspired by the mixed emotions I've experienced since leaving the Bay Area for LA post-college. I feel so grateful to have grown up in an amazing community surrounded by so many lovely people, but at the same time I’ve always felt a pull to be elsewhere. Yet after leaving, I still couldn’t shake certain aspects of where I came from. I’ve been paralyzed at points by the fear of letting down those I’ve looked up to most, feeling like I need some sort of tangible success to impress them. After getting through the throes of these emotions last year, I finally put pen to paper and thus, Going Places was born.
The emotional heart of the story comes from a scene between Frankie and her dad. My favorite father-daughter scenes in movies all come from teenage coming-of-age films. I wanted to write a scene that was truer to my experience and show that parental support doesn’t stop at adulthood.
It is important to me that we shoot in the San Francisco Bay Area as it will allow us to capture landmarks that were formative to my upbringing. Despite the complicated feelings it explores, at its core this short film is a love letter to the places (and people) that shaped me, and I am excited for the opportunity to showcase them to the world.
When writing Going Places, my mind often drifted to the great contemporary coming-of-age films. Eighth Grade, Lady Bird and more recently, Sorry, Baby have proven to be fruitful sources of both thematic and visual inspiration as we’ve set out to plan our shoot.
Pictures from: Sorry, Baby (2025), A Friend of the Family (2022), Lady Bird (2017), My Dead Friend Zoe (2024), Aftersun (2022), Eighth Grade (2018),
Youth In Revolt (2009), Death Proof (2007)
Going Places is set to film over three days in the San Francisco Bay Area in July 2026. And as you can tell...Film is EXPENSIVE! It is astounding how quickly the expenses add up. With your generous pledges, I know we will be able to create this short film in the best way possible. With this Seed&Spark campaign, we need to reach at least 80% of our goal ($12,000) in 30 days or else we will not receive any of your pledges. WE CAN DO IT!
For a little insight on the budget:
> A large amount of the budget ($4,000 or 26.7% of the allocated budget) is for insurance and location fees. One of our shoot days will be at a park, which requires a permit through the East Bay Park Authority. Another day we will be shooting in a café and for all of the production, we need insurance.
> I am grateful for all the amazing people who will be working on this short. I really want to be able to compensate people fairly for their work, so a good amount of the budget will go toward our cast and crew payment ($5,800 or 38.6% of the allocated budget). For the rest of the budget breakdown, please see below AND go to our wishlist tab! If you have hard drives you'd be willing to lend, food you'd be willing to make, or even some posters to decorate Frankie's room, it would be deeply appreciated! Please feel free to contact me any time via social media (@goingplaces.short or @sara.taylor13) or directly via my phone number or email.
STRETCH GOALS!
As you can see from this diagram, we have a few stretch goals listed. This is if we are able to go above and beyond our initial goal.
> If we are able to make it to $15,800, we would use that extra money for post-production expenses (editing, composing, etc.)
> If we are able to make it to $16,600, that would go toward travel expenses for our amazing producer, Justin and gas money(!!)
> If we are able to make it to $18,100, we would be able to submit to lots of incredible film festivals!
> If we are able to make it to $19,000, we would have a bit of cushion $$ for anything that goes wrong (something always does).
Truly, I am grateful for any amount of support and it would mean the entire world to me if we are able to make it to at least $12,000.
Timeline:
> FEB. - JUN. 2026: Pre-production, casting, crowdfunding
> JUN. - JUL. 2026: All incentives (minus the screening) will be fulfilled.
> JUL. 2026: PRODUCTION!
> JUL. - OCT. 2026: Post-production, begin the film festival submission process
> 2027: Film Festivals(!), then final publishing on the internet for all to see!
Please take a look at all our incentives (they're Highway 80 themed...driving to Chicago...get it?) and choose one that feels right for you! Any amount of money you are willing to pledge pushes us closer to our goal!
Looking to help in other ways?
> SHARE our campaign! Do you know anyone from the Bay Area? Have friends that love to support original art? A billionaire acquaintance who is looking for a place to throw some money? Send them our way!
> FOLLOW our Seed&Spark page! Every follow helps our campaign immensely!
> CHECK OUT our wishlist! If you’re local to the Bay and want to make or bring us food for the weekend or provide us with other supplies, we would be extremely grateful!
I am so proud of this story and excited to finally see it come to fruition. Your support in any form is deeply appreciated and I hope to make you all proud ... :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Hard Drives
Costs $500
The footage will take up a lot of space, so we need to store it safely!
Catering / Craft Services
Costs $1,500
We will have a crew, cast, and extras to feed for a three-day shoot!
Insurance / Location Fees
Costs $4,000
We need a permit to film in an East Bay Park, we will be filming in a café, AND we need insurance.
Cast Payment!
Costs $1,400
I'm so grateful for those who want to be involved in this project and I would love to pay them adequately for their time.
Crew Payment
Costs $4,400
I'm so grateful for those who want to be involved in this project and I would love to pay them adequately for their time.
Gear Rental / Costume + Art Department
Costs $3,200
We need amazing equipment to work with AND we gotta decorate Frankie's room! If you have anything that would help with that...let us know!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are in the midst of assembling an amazing team! Keep checking back here for updates as our team grows!
Sara Taylor (she/her)
Writer / Producer / Frankie
Sara Taylor is a Los-Angeles based actor, writer, and stage manager originally from the San Francisco Bay Area.
She was most recently seen on stage in AnyWay Production Company's Greenhouse Festival and The Nightmare Lizards' production of All Cats Go To Hell (HFF '25). Sara is a graduate of Emerson College and continues to study at John Rosenfeld Studios.
Peyton Pilgrim (he/him)
Director
Peyton Pilgrim is a writer and director from Memphis, Tennessee who has worked on numerous film productions since making the move to Los Angeles in 2021. He’s drawn to stories about family and the dysfunctions that bind them.
Justin T. Malone (he/him)
Line Producer / 1st AD
Justin T. Malone is a Producer and Assistant Director who specializes in helping independent filmmakers maximize their resources, realize their visions, and reach their potential. His previous work includes the feature film Elijah Peel, set to release nationwide in August 2026, as well as a variety of award-winning short films and low-budget features.
Michael Ray Wisely (he/him)
Frankie's Dad
Michael Ray Wisely is an award winning actor, well known to Bay Area audiences with a career that spans over 3 decades. Recent roles in his professional theatre career include: Prospero in The Tempest and Warwick in Saint Joan for PacRep in Carmel, Trucker/Dad/Teddy in FROGGY and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at CenterRep, and Boss in Boss McGreedy at CentralWorks (BATCC Nominee) Michael Ray has worked Off-Broadway, internationally, and regionally at 59e59 Theaters, NYC, Teatro Santa Ana, SMA, Aurora Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, Marin Theatre, Magic Theatre, TheatreWorks, Marin Shakes, SF Shakes, African American Shakes, and others. He is a proud member of the performing unions: Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA, and has performed in Film, TV, Radio, and games, including: 13 Reasons Why, Trauma, Nash Bridges, and hosting a show for 2 seasons on the DIY Network. What’s Next?: he will be featured in two short films and is writing one of his own. His performances are always dedicated to his late wife, director/actress Wendy Wisely and child, Liv. michaelraywisely.com
Alex Moore
Alex
Alex Moore is a Bay Area performer, educator, and storyteller whose work spans theatre, voice-over, music, and live events. He's thrilled to be making his onscreen debut in this film. With a background in vocal performance and musical theatre, he brings a love of character-driven storytelling, humor, and emotional honesty to his work. Alex also teaches piano, voice, and theatre, works as a freelance event planner, and co-runs a wedding consulting business with his wife and high school sweetheart. His favorite roles are husband and dad to their three amazing kids.
Diella Wottrich
Frankie's Mom
Diella is a Bay Area theatre artist, most recently appearing in Cats at Berkeley Playhouse! She last performed there this past November-December in Annie, and previously in Head Over Heels, Becoming Robin Hood and Mamma Mia! She has worked with numerous other theater companies in the Bay Area, including Center REPertory Company, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, Diablo Theatre Company, Tri-Valley Theatre Company, Mountain Plays, and College of Marin productions. She lives in the
Bay Area with her family, and when she’s not on stage, she teaches tap at The Ballet School Performing Arts in Walnut Creek and also works with kids with special needs at Burton Valley Elementary School in Lafayette!
Serene Hammami
Avery
Serene Hammami was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a musician, composer, singer-songwriter, teacher, and theatre artist. She was most recently seen in The Addams Family musical as Wednesday Addams.
Meaghan Wottrich
Iris
Meaghan Wottrich is a dancer, performer, and teacher with a lifelong passion for the performing arts. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2024 with a B.S. in Dance and now works as a full-time dance teacher at The Ballet School Performing Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, where she grew up learning how to perform. She is currently in Berkeley Playhouse's production of Cats, which runs from May 22-June 21. She can't wait to help bring this story to life!