Hey...you up?
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Romantic Comedy, Romance
We’re ambitious, hungry, and committed professionals who, like our hero Jason, are putting ourselves out there. He needs help with his love life - we need help making a short film! A film that people will not only very much relate to, but enjoy! Because, come on, who doesn’t love a good rom com?
Hey...you up?
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Romantic Comedy, Romance
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $6,710 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
78 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
We’re ambitious, hungry, and committed professionals who, like our hero Jason, are putting ourselves out there. He needs help with his love life - we need help making a short film! A film that people will not only very much relate to, but enjoy! Because, come on, who doesn’t love a good rom com?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
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Jason and Mads are two best friends with benefits who have enjoyed the last several years of casual hookups and intimacy, all without once mentioning the word "relationship". After years of free wheeling and early 20s debauchery, Jason has left behind the world of bartending where they first met and is diving head first into the terrifying unknown...of the corporate workplace. Now that he is seeming to settle into the life of true adulthood, (he even has his own apartment! with no roommates! in LA!) there is just one thing that he feels is holding him back from becoming his true, actualized self...and this is the "situationship" he finds himself in with his best friend. Because the more and more the two of them continue to keep it casual, Jason comes to the horrifying relaxing that his hookup buddy, may just be the love of his life.
Hey...you up? serves as a love letter to those who are in their late 20s/early 30s...that really don't want to be in their late 20s/early 30s, to those who have ever had their hearts broken by a casual relationship, to those terrified of stepping out of their comfort zones and who refuse to grow up, and of course those who grew up crying to their favorite rom coms on VHS.
Why this story?
In a world where the classic, relatable and old school rom-com has been missing for decades, Hey...you up? looks to bring back those warm, fuzzy, and sometimes painful feelings that we all felt watching out favorite classic characters struggle to find love and themselves. By telling a deeply grounded, lived and relatable story, we hope to bring to the screen some of the issues and problems that plague modern dating, everything from: fear of commitment, addiction to screens, not wanting to settle into adulthood, fear of stepping out of your comfort zone, and saying the words that are often too difficult to say. To put it lightly, there is a little something for everyone in this film and through the dialogue, actions and personality of our characters, anyone will be able to see a little bit of themselves in each character on screen.
Why this team?
Hey...you up? is being spearheaded by a group of scrappy, experienced and hungry creatives who will not be able to sleep until this project is brought to life. We are working with an incredibly diverse team from all backgrounds, experiences, and relationship trauma. Guiding us into this adventure is a crackpot female led writing and producing team working to take all of the classic tropes, perspectives and formulas from classic rom-coms and give them a modern, fresh make over that still feels like all of the ones you grew up watching with the family on a crisp fall evening. Together we have assembled a fully LA based team of independent filmmakers, creatives and lunatics who all share a goal of coming together, making art and telling stories to share with the world.
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Why now?
Let'e be honest, is there ever a bad time for a rom-com? Of course there isn't, but our team feels that now more than ever, we could all use a good laugh and a good cry. In a time of so much uncertainty, where ghosting happens on a daily basis and where we are all afraid to settle down and commit because we have no idea what the future holds, our film is here to provide a voice for those who feel like they have lost theirs, and give space to challenges that are faced by countless people on a daily basis. We hope that by the end of the film, audiences who watched feel heard, seen and can find themselves in the characters, be that you're a Mads or you're a Jason. Anyone can watch our film and see a part of themselves, and in a world like ours today, who doesn't want to feel represented on the big screen?
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JASON
Jason has a perfect, new job and perfect, new apartment. Now in his late 20s he is finally doing what he wants to do with his life and taking initiative. Everything feels right, except his relationship with his best friend, Mads. He's starting to think he wants something more and he's not sure if Mads does. Maybe it's time to be an adult and take the next step of a real relationship, but that’s a weird and scary word. After all, the other relationships haven’t worked out. How can this one?
MADS
Mads is struggling with where she’s meant to be…but at least she’s making good money while doing it. She’s a hot, late twenty something working in a Hollywood Bar. Life is fun and everything is exciting! The energy is contagious and so what if she’s not doing the art she wants to do right now. There’s always tomorrow! No commitment. No problem. She’s busy in her adventures. So what if it’s not serious? The world is her oyster and she’s going to make the most of it with her shenanigans.
EMILY
Emily really knows how to throw the best parties. The vibes are always immaculate and everyone talks about it for weeks after. She really is the perfect hostess. Too bad her bestie/roommate, Mads, is about to cause a scene with her hook up buddy. And right before the meal, how rude….BUT they are great together. Why can’t they figure it out? Maybe the ever so honest and loyal Emily should intervene.
LOGAN
Logan is always the most charismatic person in the room and he knows it. Being a barback is the coolest thing, next to his music. God, he’s so good that it’s blowing his own mind. People hate their early 20’s, but not him. The girls are cute and the bar scene is chaos, what more can a 23 year old ask for? Commence the mayhem, but let him hit his vape first.
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Hey...you up's artistic vision to fuse together the old and new. The film draws heavily on the feel, structure and emotions of classic rom-coms from the 80s and 90s, and combines it with the modern, stylistic approach of mumblecore indie films and television. Imagine the sweeping, swooning emotions of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, mixed with the shaggy, grounded, slice of life late 20s musing of Kicking and Screaming, The Before Trilogy, Cha Cha Real Smooth and Frances Ha. This way, Hey...you up? aims to tell a classic, familiar and comforting rom-com while still making it feel fresh, new and maybe just a bit TOO relatable.
Hey...you up? is advancing through it's pre-production phase, with a full cast of incredible actors and an exceptional team on board. Our project has a comprehensive, projected budget, shoot dates set for the end of April 2026, locations secured and a crowdfunding strategy in place. As we finalize pre-production and head into the shooting phase, securing funding is crucial. With your help we aim to acquire the necessary camera and lighting equipment, and ensure that our budget can adequately compensate our talented crew and cast and secure this film into festivals around the country so that we can get as many people as possible to see the results of your very generous support. Your contribution will be instrumental in lifting this project off the ground and turning our creative vision into a reality.
If we are fortunate enough to go past our goal of $5,000 we will use the additional money to provide further compensation for our cast and crew, be able to submit to more high tier festivals, invest in marketing and distribution and acquire period specific lenses to achieve a greater look for the film.
Thank you for taking the time to check out our crowdfund! Besides donating to our film, you can follow us on Seed & Spark and our Instagram and TikTok @hey.you.up.short.film. You can also help in supporting us by sharing our campaign through social media or with friends and family. With your help, we can take Hey...you up? from concept to completion!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew Meals
Costs $600
Help us feed our crew of 20 over our 4 day shoot. Food is creative fuel!
Film Festival Submission Fees
Costs $300
We want the world to see our hard work. Help us afford the fees to give this project a life in the film festival circuit!
Equipment Rentals
Costs $3,500
The real magic of movies is how much work goes into making it look like you did no work at all. Also this shit's expensive.
Production Costs
Costs $400
Contribute to our emergency fund! When things inevitably go wrong - we miscalculated, something breaks, etc... help us fund the surprises!
Set Dec + Wardrobe
Costs $200
Help us curate just the right vibe through set dressing and costumes!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
DIRECTOR
MARCO ZUCCHINI is a filmmaker, screenwriter and producer born and raised in Arizona before moving to Los Angeles to pursue it full time. From making his own shorts in college to pass his classes and making shorts, music videos and anything else he can in-between day jobs, he is always doing everything he can to stretch his creative imagination and put his stamp on the world.
WRITER & ACTOR - CAST (MADS)
SHAELAN O'CONNOR is an actress and writer born and raised in Los Angeles. When she’s not scribbling down story ideas, obsessing over film, and making weird voices for a living….you can find her enjoying time with her two cats, adventuring with her camera, and making old fashions behind the bar (like many artists in the city of angels.) Some notable credits include Ladybird, various video game work, independent films like Verona, and some fun commercials that really saved her financially in the strike. Cheers to making art and creating stories authentically.
PRODUCER
ASHLEYMAE ELMORE is a Los Angeles–based film producer, event producer, and talent relations professional working in the film and television industry. Through her work collaborating with filmmakers, studios, and artists on major industry events and productions, she has developed a strong ability to bridge the creative vision of a project with the logistical coordination required to bring it to life. Her experience working behind the scenes in Hollywood has inspired her transition into producing, where she is passionate about supporting bold creative voices and helping guide projects from idea to execution. This film marks her producing debut.
CINEMATOGRAPHER
ALEX WISNIEWSKI grew up a farm boy in rural New Hampshire with his aunt and uncle, seemingly destined to extract moisture from the ground for the rest of his life. One day, tragedy struck when he returned home finding his family killed and his home destroyed. Not wanting this event to define his life, he ventured to the wretched hive of scum and villainy called Los Angeles, California where he pursued his dream job of becoming a cinematographer (this was established earlier in his farm days but it didn’t seem pertinent at the time and we didn’t want this to distract from the whole dead aunt and uncle thing)! When he is not behind the camera, Alex can be seen lifting rocks with his mind and targeting womp rats in his T-16.
Alex is a serious cinematographer. He takes his work seriously; a professional through and through. No work, no play, he hones his craft every 24 hour terrestrial cycle (that originally said “day” but that would have rhymed, undermining the seriousness). Alex never jokes, he only ever works. He was once tricked into going to a Carrot-Top show, he didn’t crack a smile even once the entire time. That’s how serious he is. Alex works hard to serve his clients the best minimum viable product and does so with a stern look on his face the entire time. Alex is not excited to be working on this film; he is ready.
ACTOR - CAST (JASON)
AIDAN COLLETT is a Los Angeles–based actor and filmmaker originally from New Jersey. He studied Film Production and Theatre Arts at Loyola Marymount University and has appeared in numerous stage productions, including Much Ado About Nothing, Frankenstein, and These Shining Lives. Recent screen work includes portraying Alexander the Great and Edward Winslow in historical productions.
Aidan is also a company member with Downtown Rep and works as a voice actor and narrator. In addition to acting, he produces independent film projects and continues developing work both in front of and behind the camera. He is passionate about collaborative storytelling and building character-driven work across both film and theatre.
He is excited to join the cast of Hey… You Up? and share the screen with his longtime friend, Shaelan.
ACTOR - CAST (EMILY)
CAMERON ESCALANTE is an actress and associate producer from Los Angeles, California. Since she was eight years old Cameron has had a love for acting and story-telling.
In May of 2020 Cameron received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre with a minor in Cinema from the University of Southern California. In August of 2019 Cameron was nominated to receive the 6th annual Thomas Angel Foundation Scholarship at Upright Citizens Brigade after completing their first level of sketch writing classes. She’s also worked freelance as a production assistant and on staff as an associate producer in commercial production from the time of her graduation to present.
In her spare time, Cameron enjoys doing yoga, reading, going to dance classes, taking photos of her friends and posting them to her Instagram @cam.escalante
ACTOR - CAST (LOGAN)
NATHAN FRANZKE was born in Los Angeles, California and has dedicated his life to acting in filmmaking. He began acting at the ripe age of 12. He is a recognized national Thespian and received his bachelor of fine arts and acting for the stage in screen from Azuza pacific university in 2020. During his collegiate career, he starred in the West Coast premiere of Aaron Sorkin’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”as Dill. since then, he has starred in multiple short films, a horror feature, national commercials, and his own Short Film. He hopes to one day on his own production company and create movies that he would enjoy watching himself.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Jason and Mads are two best friends with benefits who have enjoyed the last several years of casual hookups and intimacy, all without once mentioning the word "relationship". After years of free wheeling and early 20s debauchery, Jason has left behind the world of bartending where they first met and is diving head first into the terrifying unknown...of the corporate workplace. Now that he is seeming to settle into the life of true adulthood, (he even has his own apartment! with no roommates! in LA!) there is just one thing that he feels is holding him back from becoming his true, actualized self...and this is the "situationship" he finds himself in with his best friend. Because the more and more the two of them continue to keep it casual, Jason comes to the horrifying relaxing that his hookup buddy, may just be the love of his life.
Hey...you up? serves as a love letter to those who are in their late 20s/early 30s...that really don't want to be in their late 20s/early 30s, to those who have ever had their hearts broken by a casual relationship, to those terrified of stepping out of their comfort zones and who refuse to grow up, and of course those who grew up crying to their favorite rom coms on VHS.
Why this story?
In a world where the classic, relatable and old school rom-com has been missing for decades, Hey...you up? looks to bring back those warm, fuzzy, and sometimes painful feelings that we all felt watching out favorite classic characters struggle to find love and themselves. By telling a deeply grounded, lived and relatable story, we hope to bring to the screen some of the issues and problems that plague modern dating, everything from: fear of commitment, addiction to screens, not wanting to settle into adulthood, fear of stepping out of your comfort zone, and saying the words that are often too difficult to say. To put it lightly, there is a little something for everyone in this film and through the dialogue, actions and personality of our characters, anyone will be able to see a little bit of themselves in each character on screen.
Why this team?
Hey...you up? is being spearheaded by a group of scrappy, experienced and hungry creatives who will not be able to sleep until this project is brought to life. We are working with an incredibly diverse team from all backgrounds, experiences, and relationship trauma. Guiding us into this adventure is a crackpot female led writing and producing team working to take all of the classic tropes, perspectives and formulas from classic rom-coms and give them a modern, fresh make over that still feels like all of the ones you grew up watching with the family on a crisp fall evening. Together we have assembled a fully LA based team of independent filmmakers, creatives and lunatics who all share a goal of coming together, making art and telling stories to share with the world.
Why now?
Let'e be honest, is there ever a bad time for a rom-com? Of course there isn't, but our team feels that now more than ever, we could all use a good laugh and a good cry. In a time of so much uncertainty, where ghosting happens on a daily basis and where we are all afraid to settle down and commit because we have no idea what the future holds, our film is here to provide a voice for those who feel like they have lost theirs, and give space to challenges that are faced by countless people on a daily basis. We hope that by the end of the film, audiences who watched feel heard, seen and can find themselves in the characters, be that you're a Mads or you're a Jason. Anyone can watch our film and see a part of themselves, and in a world like ours today, who doesn't want to feel represented on the big screen?
JASON
Jason has a perfect, new job and perfect, new apartment. Now in his late 20s he is finally doing what he wants to do with his life and taking initiative. Everything feels right, except his relationship with his best friend, Mads. He's starting to think he wants something more and he's not sure if Mads does. Maybe it's time to be an adult and take the next step of a real relationship, but that’s a weird and scary word. After all, the other relationships haven’t worked out. How can this one?
MADS
Mads is struggling with where she’s meant to be…but at least she’s making good money while doing it. She’s a hot, late twenty something working in a Hollywood Bar. Life is fun and everything is exciting! The energy is contagious and so what if she’s not doing the art she wants to do right now. There’s always tomorrow! No commitment. No problem. She’s busy in her adventures. So what if it’s not serious? The world is her oyster and she’s going to make the most of it with her shenanigans.
EMILY
Emily really knows how to throw the best parties. The vibes are always immaculate and everyone talks about it for weeks after. She really is the perfect hostess. Too bad her bestie/roommate, Mads, is about to cause a scene with her hook up buddy. And right before the meal, how rude….BUT they are great together. Why can’t they figure it out? Maybe the ever so honest and loyal Emily should intervene.
LOGAN
Logan is always the most charismatic person in the room and he knows it. Being a barback is the coolest thing, next to his music. God, he’s so good that it’s blowing his own mind. People hate their early 20’s, but not him. The girls are cute and the bar scene is chaos, what more can a 23 year old ask for? Commence the mayhem, but let him hit his vape first.
Hey...you up's artistic vision to fuse together the old and new. The film draws heavily on the feel, structure and emotions of classic rom-coms from the 80s and 90s, and combines it with the modern, stylistic approach of mumblecore indie films and television. Imagine the sweeping, swooning emotions of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, mixed with the shaggy, grounded, slice of life late 20s musing of Kicking and Screaming, The Before Trilogy, Cha Cha Real Smooth and Frances Ha. This way, Hey...you up? aims to tell a classic, familiar and comforting rom-com while still making it feel fresh, new and maybe just a bit TOO relatable.
Hey...you up? is advancing through it's pre-production phase, with a full cast of incredible actors and an exceptional team on board. Our project has a comprehensive, projected budget, shoot dates set for the end of April 2026, locations secured and a crowdfunding strategy in place. As we finalize pre-production and head into the shooting phase, securing funding is crucial. With your help we aim to acquire the necessary camera and lighting equipment, and ensure that our budget can adequately compensate our talented crew and cast and secure this film into festivals around the country so that we can get as many people as possible to see the results of your very generous support. Your contribution will be instrumental in lifting this project off the ground and turning our creative vision into a reality.
If we are fortunate enough to go past our goal of $5,000 we will use the additional money to provide further compensation for our cast and crew, be able to submit to more high tier festivals, invest in marketing and distribution and acquire period specific lenses to achieve a greater look for the film.
Thank you for taking the time to check out our crowdfund! Besides donating to our film, you can follow us on Seed & Spark and our Instagram and TikTok @hey.you.up.short.film. You can also help in supporting us by sharing our campaign through social media or with friends and family. With your help, we can take Hey...you up? from concept to completion!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew Meals
Costs $600
Help us feed our crew of 20 over our 4 day shoot. Food is creative fuel!
Film Festival Submission Fees
Costs $300
We want the world to see our hard work. Help us afford the fees to give this project a life in the film festival circuit!
Equipment Rentals
Costs $3,500
The real magic of movies is how much work goes into making it look like you did no work at all. Also this shit's expensive.
Production Costs
Costs $400
Contribute to our emergency fund! When things inevitably go wrong - we miscalculated, something breaks, etc... help us fund the surprises!
Set Dec + Wardrobe
Costs $200
Help us curate just the right vibe through set dressing and costumes!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
DIRECTOR
MARCO ZUCCHINI is a filmmaker, screenwriter and producer born and raised in Arizona before moving to Los Angeles to pursue it full time. From making his own shorts in college to pass his classes and making shorts, music videos and anything else he can in-between day jobs, he is always doing everything he can to stretch his creative imagination and put his stamp on the world.
WRITER & ACTOR - CAST (MADS)
SHAELAN O'CONNOR is an actress and writer born and raised in Los Angeles. When she’s not scribbling down story ideas, obsessing over film, and making weird voices for a living….you can find her enjoying time with her two cats, adventuring with her camera, and making old fashions behind the bar (like many artists in the city of angels.) Some notable credits include Ladybird, various video game work, independent films like Verona, and some fun commercials that really saved her financially in the strike. Cheers to making art and creating stories authentically.
PRODUCER
ASHLEYMAE ELMORE is a Los Angeles–based film producer, event producer, and talent relations professional working in the film and television industry. Through her work collaborating with filmmakers, studios, and artists on major industry events and productions, she has developed a strong ability to bridge the creative vision of a project with the logistical coordination required to bring it to life. Her experience working behind the scenes in Hollywood has inspired her transition into producing, where she is passionate about supporting bold creative voices and helping guide projects from idea to execution. This film marks her producing debut.
CINEMATOGRAPHER
ALEX WISNIEWSKI grew up a farm boy in rural New Hampshire with his aunt and uncle, seemingly destined to extract moisture from the ground for the rest of his life. One day, tragedy struck when he returned home finding his family killed and his home destroyed. Not wanting this event to define his life, he ventured to the wretched hive of scum and villainy called Los Angeles, California where he pursued his dream job of becoming a cinematographer (this was established earlier in his farm days but it didn’t seem pertinent at the time and we didn’t want this to distract from the whole dead aunt and uncle thing)! When he is not behind the camera, Alex can be seen lifting rocks with his mind and targeting womp rats in his T-16.
Alex is a serious cinematographer. He takes his work seriously; a professional through and through. No work, no play, he hones his craft every 24 hour terrestrial cycle (that originally said “day” but that would have rhymed, undermining the seriousness). Alex never jokes, he only ever works. He was once tricked into going to a Carrot-Top show, he didn’t crack a smile even once the entire time. That’s how serious he is. Alex works hard to serve his clients the best minimum viable product and does so with a stern look on his face the entire time. Alex is not excited to be working on this film; he is ready.
ACTOR - CAST (JASON)
AIDAN COLLETT is a Los Angeles–based actor and filmmaker originally from New Jersey. He studied Film Production and Theatre Arts at Loyola Marymount University and has appeared in numerous stage productions, including Much Ado About Nothing, Frankenstein, and These Shining Lives. Recent screen work includes portraying Alexander the Great and Edward Winslow in historical productions.
Aidan is also a company member with Downtown Rep and works as a voice actor and narrator. In addition to acting, he produces independent film projects and continues developing work both in front of and behind the camera. He is passionate about collaborative storytelling and building character-driven work across both film and theatre.
He is excited to join the cast of Hey… You Up? and share the screen with his longtime friend, Shaelan.
ACTOR - CAST (EMILY)
CAMERON ESCALANTE is an actress and associate producer from Los Angeles, California. Since she was eight years old Cameron has had a love for acting and story-telling.
In May of 2020 Cameron received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre with a minor in Cinema from the University of Southern California. In August of 2019 Cameron was nominated to receive the 6th annual Thomas Angel Foundation Scholarship at Upright Citizens Brigade after completing their first level of sketch writing classes. She’s also worked freelance as a production assistant and on staff as an associate producer in commercial production from the time of her graduation to present.
In her spare time, Cameron enjoys doing yoga, reading, going to dance classes, taking photos of her friends and posting them to her Instagram @cam.escalante
ACTOR - CAST (LOGAN)
NATHAN FRANZKE was born in Los Angeles, California and has dedicated his life to acting in filmmaking. He began acting at the ripe age of 12. He is a recognized national Thespian and received his bachelor of fine arts and acting for the stage in screen from Azuza pacific university in 2020. During his collegiate career, he starred in the West Coast premiere of Aaron Sorkin’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”as Dill. since then, he has starred in multiple short films, a horror feature, national commercials, and his own Short Film. He hopes to one day on his own production company and create movies that he would enjoy watching himself.