When Isaac, a prodigious hotshot film director working on his debut feature, informs his cast and crew that they’re going to go for one last camera angle, everyone’s on edge. They’re just been through a full 14-hour shoot, and are only a week away from the end of the production. But, with only mere minutes to get this last take before their official hard out, the simmering tension, power dynamics, and stress begins to boil.

Shauna, the ever-sharp assistant director, has run out of patience for Issac. The lead breakout actress is intoxicated (in more ways than one) with the A-lister leading man. The cinematographer is forced to make do with faulty equipment, while her assistant cameraman is repeatedly blinded, rammed into, and clotheslined by the overworked and underpaid grip department. The actors disappear. The boom microphone operator accidentally gets more stoned than he’s ever been in his life. 

All these characters and more collide into a ticking time bomb over the 20 minute unbroken single shot of Hard Out. And there’s only one thing bombs do in the end… explode.

Hi! I’m Nick Behson, the writer and director of Hard Out. I’m a 21 year-old student filmmaker and artist from New York, and I am entering my final year at Emerson College’s School of Film. For my degree, I am challenged to create a thesis project that not only combines all the filmmaking knowledge and skills I’ve acquired thus far, but also to tell a story that means something to me. Hard Out is just that.

Hard Out is an admittedly zany love letter to the process of filmmaking and on-set environments, two things that have been, to understate, pivotal in my education and identity. I find that being on set brings out both the best and the worst in people; they reveal their ambitions, insecurities, and flaws. The story of Hard Out explores just this, as our characters’ frustrations and quirks are revealed plainly as the tension builds.

Beyond the story, a specialized and highly choreographed project such as this gives us the chance to combine all that we have learned about writing, directing, and cinematography, as well as work with the best artists we can find, culminating in one single take. Further, a stellar professional ensemble cast has given us the chance to distill each complicated character into a distinctive – and often loud – identity. 

Production and shooting of Hard Out was completed at the end of April this year. We found a lot of success not only from a filmmaking standpoint, but also from connecting as artists! We're honestly thrilled with the results so far. A behind-the-scenes documentary was also filmed by a fellow student, chronicling all of the ups and downs of the two ten-hour shoot days. However, there’s still a lot of work to be done, which is where we need you!

Firstly, nearly all the expenses of pre-production and production were paid out of pocket by broke college students; things like food, casting, equipment rentals, hotels, production design… the list goes on. They proved necessary and vital to the success of the project, but the consequences on our bank accounts are growing unavoidable. To add to the stress of funding a project like this, Emerson College no longer offers financial help for BFA theses, despite the already heavy tuition fees of attending the college. However, we have you! Any money you could donate or any sharing of the project you could do, big or small, will make a huge difference in covering these expenses.

Further, in order to finish off the project in post production (our current stage), we are looking to raise money to facilitate a lot of amazing touches. Your funding would make possible more robust visual effects and CGI. We are also looking into hiring live session musicians to create a live & improvised score for the project. Finally, the more money we’re able raise, the more film festivals we are able to submit to, which will vastly increase this project’s visibility and could provide further career opportunities for the young artists who brought Hard Out to life.

Once Hard Out is completed, there will be an extensive film festival run, and eventually a public upload of the project onto YouTube or other streaming services. However, depending on the tier at which you choose to donate, the film will also be made exclusively available to you early by means of a private link, or possibly even a private screening!

If we manage to reach or surpass our goal of $5,000, here are some things we can do with your extra funding:

Fully Funded - $5,000

We will be able to hire jazz session musicians to create a live improvised score for the film!

Robust Distribution - $5,500

Our film festival distribution process will greatly increase in its number of submissions and visibility!

Private Screening - $6,000

A private screening will be hosted either in Boston, MA or New York, NY for donors and friends/family of the cast and crew!

On behalf of the entire Hard Out team, thank you for reading! Whether you choose to donate $1,000, $5, or even just share this project, you have helped a group of young artists achieve something truly great. You won't be disappointed!