Goodbye Mah! (a grief comedy)
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
We wrote a grief comedy dedicated to families who hate each other!
Goodbye Mah! (a grief comedy)
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
31 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$3,150
Goal: $13,145 for production
We wrote a grief comedy dedicated to families who hate each other!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"Goodbye Mah!" is like if the films "Tommy Boy", "Outrageous Fortune",
"The Odd Couple", and "The Hangover" had a short film comedy-orgy
that's written, produced, and starring Jesenia & Jenni!
(no, it's not about a comedy-orgy... but we'll keep that in mind for our next film!)
"Goodbye Mah!" is a grief comedy adventure about half-sisters, Carmen & Tina, who reunite for the reading of their Mah’s will, after 10 years of being incommunicado. While the girls “spread Mah’s ashes”, Carmen runs into her bookie, who wants to collect on her gambling debt, and suddenly the sisters are flukily thrown into a life of disorganized crime! One sister is tired of holding it all together, while the other is constantly falling apart.
Why is this story important?
We don't often want to talk about our parents' death - even when it's staring us in the face. Why? Because at the end of the day - no matter how old we are - we're all just a bunch of kids who look to our parents for love, assurance, and safety. It seems unimaginable to have to deal with the death of a person who has been in your life - for ALL of your life - through the good and the bad. Would having a sibling ease the pain of losing a parent? If you're not an only child, all you have left are your siblings, right? But what if you hate your sibling? This story starts there.
MEET THE CHARACTERS...
CARMEN JIMENEZ is a charm-loaded trainwreck with a talent for turning everything into trouble. She wears her vices like glitter. She’s the chaotic life of the party. Everyone knows her name, but nobody really knows her at all. Aside from her Mah and the next stranger in her bed - she lives a lonely and dangerous life. When her sister Tina arrives, she’s almost happy to see her, but the feeling isn't mutual. She's the older sister who got it all wrong, but has no idea that she needs help.
Actor: Jesenia
AUGUSTINA "TINA" BERNSTEIN is a Bronx-born Texas transplant, a Christian who’s a polite control freak. She is not the life of the party - she is afraid of the party. She calls herself a “half-sister” to Carmen to make herself feel better about being related to her at all. She's the younger sister and definitely the better sister. She’s educated, uptight, grudgey, devout, pragmatic, and deeply triggered by all things Carmen says, does, wears, and smells like.
Actor: Jenni Ruiza
LYDIA JIMENEZ, aka: MAH! is frail and always tired, but her spunk shines through and is her secret weapon to keep things calm between her daughters. She regrets allowing the distance between her girls to grow as badly as it has. She wasn’t the perfect mother and her daughters’ relationship reflects that, but she did her best. All she wants is for them to feel like sisters, and her last wish is to have her daughters spread her ashes together - hopefully that will finally bond them.
Actor: Sara Contreras
MR. SANTIAGO SANTIAGO ESQ is Mah’s attorney. He loves the law. He’s single, ready to mingle, and loves to go rainbow-watching... maybe that’s why he’s single. He’s awkward with women and always picks the wrong ones. Enter: Carmen.
Actor: Gabriel Pacheco
CONIO is a hard-working bookie. He intimidates his clientele with just a look; he's a natural at it. He’s our resident villain. Conio always collects on what he’s owed – and Carmen is next on his list!
Actor: Adrian Matilla
What are we doing with the funds we raise?
All funds raised in this campaign will go directly to pay our cast and crew, securing locations and purchasing insurance, locking equipment transports, equipment, wardrobe, props, catering, and hard drives!
Here's what the production time-line for "Goodbye Mah!" looks like:
- Now-End of August:
- All efforts will go towards completing our crowdfunding campaign goal and rehearsing!
- August 1-15:
- Securing locations
- Purchasing insurance
- Submitting applications for exterior shoot
- Working through pre-vis so we know exactly what shots we want
- August 16-31:
- In-person rehearsals with the cast
- Production meetings with crew
- Locking final crew members
- September 1-18:
- Last rehearsal with the cast
- Purchasing wardrobe and props
- Securing transport for equipment
- Locking catering and crafty
- Final walkthrough of locations with key crew
- September 19-25:
- Final production meeting
- Prepping callsheets
- September 26-27:
- FILMING GOODBYE MAH!!!!!!
- Crying tears of joy
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Transport Costs
Costs $1,150
We can't be taking public transportation with all of our film equipment so transportation costs include van rentals, fuel, and insurance.
Location - Law Office
Costs $1,000
Mr. Santiago's law office is a critical set piece of the film. We found the perfect office in The Bronx to shoot in!
Props & Materials
Costs $500
There's a big action scene in the film and in order to make it happen we've gotta rent equipment and kitty litter...lots of it! You'll see.
Wardrobe & Wigs
Costs $1,200
Our characters will be wearing wardrobe and wigs that will absolutely get ruined after a take of our first big gag scene so 2x of everything
Catering & Crafty
Costs $600
Creating good art only happens when your cast and crew have sustenance! Because this is a 2-day shoot, we'll need to keep our people fed!
Insurance
Costs $1,200
To shoot with quality equipment on location, we'll need to secure insurance to make sure we're covered! This is a go/no-go cost
Contingency
Costs $1,195
Accidents and last minute changes happen and we like to make sure we're covered!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
With 15 years of creating comedy together, not only do co-writers Jesenia & Jenni have an untapped voice in the entertainment industry, as comedy actors, with 42 yrs of experience between them combined, they have an untapped presence!
The entire "Goodbye Mah!" team are a diverse group of talented filmmakers, directors, writers, cinematographers, and producers - who want to impact the industry and produce work that speaks to and reflects all audiences of diverse backgrounds.
Here's more about the team...
DIRECTOR, CO-WRITER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: JESENIA is a Puerto Rican, NYC-based actress, writer, producer, director. Recently costaring in the award winning film “Bitch I’m Early”. Jesenia’s currently recurring in the STARZ saga "Power Book III: Raising Kanan". To showcase her love for comedy, she’s continuously writing, producing, and directing all forms of comedy - sketch comedy, two web series, and now films under Comedy High Entertainment. Jesenia is also in the beginning stages of writing her first one-woman show.
CO-WRITER, MARKETING MANAGER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: JENNI RUIZA is a Puerto Rican, NYC-based actress, writer, and producer. Appearing in HBO’s “Fantasmas,” TBS’s “Full Frontal”. Jenni has written and produced sketch comedies and musical parodies, and produced two web series with “Comedy High Entertainment”.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW BENJAMIN CANADA is an award-winning, New York City-based cinematographer known for a visual style that blends narrative depth with commercial precision. With a versatile career spanning independent feature films, short-form narratives, and global advertising campaigns, Matthew crafts immersive, character-driven visual experiences.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: JAY BAILEY is a 23-year-old Afro-Rican writer/director, cinematographer, film editor, and colorist born and raised in the South Bronx of NYC. He’s been making films since seven years old, with somewhere between 20 and 30 short films to his name. Jay’s alma mater includes the High School of Art & Design, and has a BFA in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy.
LINE PRODUCER: HSI CHENG is a freelance producer with 5+ years of experience managing films, documentaries, and music videos from development through festival distribution. Skilled in budgeting, scheduling, fundraising, securing SAG contracts and permits, and leading cross-functional crews. Proven track record with award-winning and festival-screened products across narrative, documentary, and branded content.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"Goodbye Mah!" is like if the films "Tommy Boy", "Outrageous Fortune",
"The Odd Couple", and "The Hangover" had a short film comedy-orgy
that's written, produced, and starring Jesenia & Jenni!
(no, it's not about a comedy-orgy... but we'll keep that in mind for our next film!)
"Goodbye Mah!" is a grief comedy adventure about half-sisters, Carmen & Tina, who reunite for the reading of their Mah’s will, after 10 years of being incommunicado. While the girls “spread Mah’s ashes”, Carmen runs into her bookie, who wants to collect on her gambling debt, and suddenly the sisters are flukily thrown into a life of disorganized crime! One sister is tired of holding it all together, while the other is constantly falling apart.
Why is this story important?
We don't often want to talk about our parents' death - even when it's staring us in the face. Why? Because at the end of the day - no matter how old we are - we're all just a bunch of kids who look to our parents for love, assurance, and safety. It seems unimaginable to have to deal with the death of a person who has been in your life - for ALL of your life - through the good and the bad. Would having a sibling ease the pain of losing a parent? If you're not an only child, all you have left are your siblings, right? But what if you hate your sibling? This story starts there.
MEET THE CHARACTERS...
CARMEN JIMENEZ is a charm-loaded trainwreck with a talent for turning everything into trouble. She wears her vices like glitter. She’s the chaotic life of the party. Everyone knows her name, but nobody really knows her at all. Aside from her Mah and the next stranger in her bed - she lives a lonely and dangerous life. When her sister Tina arrives, she’s almost happy to see her, but the feeling isn't mutual. She's the older sister who got it all wrong, but has no idea that she needs help.
Actor: Jesenia
AUGUSTINA "TINA" BERNSTEIN is a Bronx-born Texas transplant, a Christian who’s a polite control freak. She is not the life of the party - she is afraid of the party. She calls herself a “half-sister” to Carmen to make herself feel better about being related to her at all. She's the younger sister and definitely the better sister. She’s educated, uptight, grudgey, devout, pragmatic, and deeply triggered by all things Carmen says, does, wears, and smells like.
Actor: Jenni Ruiza
LYDIA JIMENEZ, aka: MAH! is frail and always tired, but her spunk shines through and is her secret weapon to keep things calm between her daughters. She regrets allowing the distance between her girls to grow as badly as it has. She wasn’t the perfect mother and her daughters’ relationship reflects that, but she did her best. All she wants is for them to feel like sisters, and her last wish is to have her daughters spread her ashes together - hopefully that will finally bond them.
Actor: Sara Contreras
MR. SANTIAGO SANTIAGO ESQ is Mah’s attorney. He loves the law. He’s single, ready to mingle, and loves to go rainbow-watching... maybe that’s why he’s single. He’s awkward with women and always picks the wrong ones. Enter: Carmen.
Actor: Gabriel Pacheco
CONIO is a hard-working bookie. He intimidates his clientele with just a look; he's a natural at it. He’s our resident villain. Conio always collects on what he’s owed – and Carmen is next on his list!
Actor: Adrian Matilla
What are we doing with the funds we raise?
All funds raised in this campaign will go directly to pay our cast and crew, securing locations and purchasing insurance, locking equipment transports, equipment, wardrobe, props, catering, and hard drives!
Here's what the production time-line for "Goodbye Mah!" looks like:
- Now-End of August:
- All efforts will go towards completing our crowdfunding campaign goal and rehearsing!
- August 1-15:
- Securing locations
- Purchasing insurance
- Submitting applications for exterior shoot
- Working through pre-vis so we know exactly what shots we want
- August 16-31:
- In-person rehearsals with the cast
- Production meetings with crew
- Locking final crew members
- September 1-18:
- Last rehearsal with the cast
- Purchasing wardrobe and props
- Securing transport for equipment
- Locking catering and crafty
- Final walkthrough of locations with key crew
- September 19-25:
- Final production meeting
- Prepping callsheets
- September 26-27:
- FILMING GOODBYE MAH!!!!!!
- Crying tears of joy
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Transport Costs
Costs $1,150
We can't be taking public transportation with all of our film equipment so transportation costs include van rentals, fuel, and insurance.
Location - Law Office
Costs $1,000
Mr. Santiago's law office is a critical set piece of the film. We found the perfect office in The Bronx to shoot in!
Props & Materials
Costs $500
There's a big action scene in the film and in order to make it happen we've gotta rent equipment and kitty litter...lots of it! You'll see.
Wardrobe & Wigs
Costs $1,200
Our characters will be wearing wardrobe and wigs that will absolutely get ruined after a take of our first big gag scene so 2x of everything
Catering & Crafty
Costs $600
Creating good art only happens when your cast and crew have sustenance! Because this is a 2-day shoot, we'll need to keep our people fed!
Insurance
Costs $1,200
To shoot with quality equipment on location, we'll need to secure insurance to make sure we're covered! This is a go/no-go cost
Contingency
Costs $1,195
Accidents and last minute changes happen and we like to make sure we're covered!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
With 15 years of creating comedy together, not only do co-writers Jesenia & Jenni have an untapped voice in the entertainment industry, as comedy actors, with 42 yrs of experience between them combined, they have an untapped presence!
The entire "Goodbye Mah!" team are a diverse group of talented filmmakers, directors, writers, cinematographers, and producers - who want to impact the industry and produce work that speaks to and reflects all audiences of diverse backgrounds.
Here's more about the team...
DIRECTOR, CO-WRITER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: JESENIA is a Puerto Rican, NYC-based actress, writer, producer, director. Recently costaring in the award winning film “Bitch I’m Early”. Jesenia’s currently recurring in the STARZ saga "Power Book III: Raising Kanan". To showcase her love for comedy, she’s continuously writing, producing, and directing all forms of comedy - sketch comedy, two web series, and now films under Comedy High Entertainment. Jesenia is also in the beginning stages of writing her first one-woman show.
CO-WRITER, MARKETING MANAGER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: JENNI RUIZA is a Puerto Rican, NYC-based actress, writer, and producer. Appearing in HBO’s “Fantasmas,” TBS’s “Full Frontal”. Jenni has written and produced sketch comedies and musical parodies, and produced two web series with “Comedy High Entertainment”.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW BENJAMIN CANADA is an award-winning, New York City-based cinematographer known for a visual style that blends narrative depth with commercial precision. With a versatile career spanning independent feature films, short-form narratives, and global advertising campaigns, Matthew crafts immersive, character-driven visual experiences.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: JAY BAILEY is a 23-year-old Afro-Rican writer/director, cinematographer, film editor, and colorist born and raised in the South Bronx of NYC. He’s been making films since seven years old, with somewhere between 20 and 30 short films to his name. Jay’s alma mater includes the High School of Art & Design, and has a BFA in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy.
LINE PRODUCER: HSI CHENG is a freelance producer with 5+ years of experience managing films, documentaries, and music videos from development through festival distribution. Skilled in budgeting, scheduling, fundraising, securing SAG contracts and permits, and leading cross-functional crews. Proven track record with award-winning and festival-screened products across narrative, documentary, and branded content.