Teenager Stevie has followed the rules her whole life, only to end up working a dead end job in a convenience store. Good thing her two best friends Lindy and Patton have come to her rescue with an impromptu smoke break, but armed would-be robber Jimmy is ready to harsh her buzz something fierce.
Teenager Stevie has followed the rules her whole life, only to end up working a dead end job in a convenience store. Good thing her two best friends Lindy and Patton have come to her rescue with an impromptu smoke break, but armed would-be robber Jimmy is ready to harsh her buzz something fierce.
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Story
Mission Statement
A film about friendship, weed, and believing in yourself, "High Crimes" is a film about learning that sometimes we need to break the rules to break free. The creative culmination of our collective degrees, it's a snappy crime comedy powered by a diverse and passionate team of student filmmakers.About The Project
Stevie's thought playing by the rules was the key to success - her dead end job at a convenience store would disagree. So would her two best friends, Lindy and Patton, who've decided to take matters into their own hands with an impromptu smoke break while her boss is gone. It might be the push she needs - too bad armed robber Jimmy is there with plans of his own.
It’s going to take all her concentration (not to mention a little luck and a broken air vent) to save the day.
A love letter to crime comedies like "Raising Arizona", "Pineapple Express", and "Booksmart", "High Crimes" is a story about being forced to confront your own inaction, and finding out you can fly after you've jumped off the cliff. When you're backed into a corner, sometimes the best thing to do is charge straight ahead.
"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
It might seem strange to pitch a stoner comedy with a Teddy Roosevelt quote, but stick with me here.
I've always been a dreamer, growing up I was always imaging my favorite stories coming to life. At first they were pulled from the pages of my favorite books, but soon they started to take on a life of their own. Whenever I was confronted with a problem, I'd look to a story to try and figure it out. Of course, it took me years to realize that it wasn't enough to dream my way out of a situation.
This brings it all back to Teddy Roosevelt (I told you he'd come back).
Three years ago, I felt stuck. I felt like I was never feeling making any headway because I was playing it safe, partially out of the naive belief that things really would work out if I just quietly put the work in, and partially because I was afraid. I had tried doing nothing, and then the wrong thing. It was time to do the right thing, and take a chance on myself.
While I didn't need to face down an armed robber, but I did move across the country and enroll in film school. Nearly three years later, I never would have dreamed that I'd be here, on the verge of making my final film to complete my MFA degree. That feeling of self-actualization, of dreaming of the person you want to be and then making it a reality, is what I'll bring to this film.
Stevie, the hero of the film, is in similar circumstances when we first meet her. She's done nothing pretty much her whole life, and she's thrilled to death about it. When her friends tempt her into locking up the store and getting high with them, she's at least taking a chance. It's only when she confronts the robber that she fully self-actualizes as a person.
While also, you know, being a fun, madcap comedy about locking stoners inside a store with a gunman.
We've diverse, talented group of filmmakers who are itching to cut loose and show what we can do. We've have over thirty+ combined years of experience in the entertainment world, everything from documentary films to late night comedy to ads for local limousine companies. Drawn from across the School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University, we're committed to telling compelling stories from unconvetional perspectives.
We've come from all over the country and all walks of life, united together by our passion and commitment for film. This film represents both the creative culmination and collective effort of our degree programs at the School of Film and Television, the final film we get to make as an expression of our journey as student filmmakers. We're leaving it all on the field with this one, folks. If there was a time to try a camera move or stunt, it's now.
And this is where you come in!
FOLLOW
Follow our campaign as "High Crimes" come together! Pressing that "Follow" button is a simple, free, and easy way to help out. The more followers we earn, the more exclusive rewards from Seed and Spark including festival entries, chances to win gear and lighting packages, and help on our marketing campaign. Nice!
The only way we can reach our goal is by spreading the word. By sharing this film with others, YOU can help bring it to life. Follow us on social media, forward the page to your friends, hand out flyers on the street, you name it!
Check us out on social media:
Twitter: @highcrimesfilm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highcrimesfilm
CONTRIBUTE
You can help make "High Crimes" a reality by making a contribution. On Seed and Spark we must collect 80% of our crowdfunding goal to keep our funds, so every little bit really does help! Your contributions will help cover:
- Location
- Equipment
- Paying our Actors and Crew
- COVID Safety Compliance
- Costumes
- Set Design
- Transporation
- Meals and Craft Services
- Post-Production
- And Many More!
No pledge is too small, every dollar really does make a difference. What's more, if we're lucky enough to exceed our goal all further contributions will go towards festival distribution and marketing. There's a ton of fun incentives and rewards that match any budget, check them out!
THANK YOU!
If you’ve made it to the end maybe you’re the type who loves crime comedies, movies about teens getting into mischief, or just movies in general. Maybe you're the type who loves to stumble over cool stuff before everyone else. Maybe you’re my mom.
The point is, we are SO grateful that you've taken the time to visit our page and learn more about the film. This idea has grown so much since we first conceived it, and we're so excited to share it with everyone soon.
Incentives
$25
Employee Of The Month
With an attitude like that, there's no stopping you from climbing the company ladder!
Submit a photo and you'll receive a custom digital Employee of the Month photo, along with a special shout out on social media during our weekly Smoke Breaks.
$50
Assistant to the Manager
You're not just a clerk anymore, now you get to control the radio.
At this level we'll send you an exclusive Spotify Playlist with songs hand picked by the crew. Jam along with the same music we'll be rocking out to during production!
Plus:
- Social Media shout-out
- Thank You Email
$100
Shift Manager
You've earned that promotion!
At this level, you'll get an exclusive shout out in the "Special Thanks" section of the end credits. We can't do it without you!
Plus:
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
$250
Store Manager
You run the store, time to strut your stuff!
Grab one of our crew's limited edition t-shirts, wear it with pride!
Plus:
- "Special Thanks" credit
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
Claimed: 5 of 15
$250
Favorite Customer
You're one of our favorite customers, and just for that you'll get a peek behind the scenes.
At this level, you'll get exclusive access to behind the scenes content taken during production. Take a peak behind the curtain before anyone else!
Plus:
- "Special Thanks" Credit
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
$500
Franchise Owner
You don't just own a store, you own a chain!
Time to kick back and relax with an exclusive screener link to the finished film. You'll get a glimpse before anyone else!
Plus:
- Exlusive access to behind the scenes photos
- "Special Thanks" Credit
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
$1,000
Corporate Director
You're almost at the top of the corporate hierarchy, so you get the perks. Join the team as an Associate Producer, including a credit on IMDB!
You'll also get the red carpet treatment at our digital premiere party. Time to live it up!
Plus:
- Private screener link
- Exlusive access to behind the scenes photos
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
$2,500
Regional Vice President
You're almost at the top of the corporate hierarchy, so you get the perks.
Stand out from the crowd as one of our Executive Producers, complete with IMDB credit, plus a VIP invite to a our premiere party here in Los Angeles.
Plus:
- Private screener link
- Exlusive access to behind the scenes photos
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
Claimed: 1 of 5
$5,000
CEO
At this pinnacle level, you've earned yourself a top-billed Executive Producer credit on our film and on IMDB, as well as a the opportunity to sit in on an edit session of the film during post-production. If you've got ideas, we want to hear them!
As befits your high roller status, you'll also get an exclusive set of High Crimes branded rolling papers. Roll one on us!
Plus:
- Invite to digital premiere party
- Private screener link
- Exlusive access to behind the scenes photos
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
Claimed: 0 of 3
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$25
Employee Of The Month
With an attitude like that, there's no stopping you from climbing the company ladder!
Submit a photo and you'll receive a custom digital Employee of the Month photo, along with a special shout out on social media during our weekly Smoke Breaks.
$50
Assistant to the Manager
You're not just a clerk anymore, now you get to control the radio.
At this level we'll send you an exclusive Spotify Playlist with songs hand picked by the crew. Jam along with the same music we'll be rocking out to during production!
Plus:
- Social Media shout-out
- Thank You Email
$100
Shift Manager
You've earned that promotion!
At this level, you'll get an exclusive shout out in the "Special Thanks" section of the end credits. We can't do it without you!
Plus:
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
$250
Store Manager
You run the store, time to strut your stuff!
Grab one of our crew's limited edition t-shirts, wear it with pride!
Plus:
- "Special Thanks" credit
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
Claimed: 5 of 15
$250
Favorite Customer
You're one of our favorite customers, and just for that you'll get a peek behind the scenes.
At this level, you'll get exclusive access to behind the scenes content taken during production. Take a peak behind the curtain before anyone else!
Plus:
- "Special Thanks" Credit
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
$500
Franchise Owner
You don't just own a store, you own a chain!
Time to kick back and relax with an exclusive screener link to the finished film. You'll get a glimpse before anyone else!
Plus:
- Exlusive access to behind the scenes photos
- "Special Thanks" Credit
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
$1,000
Corporate Director
You're almost at the top of the corporate hierarchy, so you get the perks. Join the team as an Associate Producer, including a credit on IMDB!
You'll also get the red carpet treatment at our digital premiere party. Time to live it up!
Plus:
- Private screener link
- Exlusive access to behind the scenes photos
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
$2,500
Regional Vice President
You're almost at the top of the corporate hierarchy, so you get the perks.
Stand out from the crowd as one of our Executive Producers, complete with IMDB credit, plus a VIP invite to a our premiere party here in Los Angeles.
Plus:
- Private screener link
- Exlusive access to behind the scenes photos
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
Claimed: 1 of 5
$5,000
CEO
At this pinnacle level, you've earned yourself a top-billed Executive Producer credit on our film and on IMDB, as well as a the opportunity to sit in on an edit session of the film during post-production. If you've got ideas, we want to hear them!
As befits your high roller status, you'll also get an exclusive set of High Crimes branded rolling papers. Roll one on us!
Plus:
- Invite to digital premiere party
- Private screener link
- Exlusive access to behind the scenes photos
- Social Media shout-out
- Spotify Playlist
- Thank You Email
Claimed: 0 of 3
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
We're so excited to bring together such a diverse and talented group of filmmakers in one project. Combined, we bring together over thirty years of experience in the entertainement industry, across fields as wide ranging as music videos, documentaries, comedy shorts, and unscripted entertainment.
Emmett Walsh
Emmett Walsh is writer, director, and producer based in Los Angeles. Born in NYC and raised in Pittsburgh, he received his MA in Philosophy from University of St. Andrews before transitioning into a career in entertainment. Before attending LMU, he worked in late night production, cable news marketing, and unscripted development at A+E Networks. He has written and directed the short films “Nerf Western" (winner of "Best Director" at the On The Rocks film fesrtival), “Night Shift”, and “This Must Be The Place”. He once crashed a funeral by mistake.
Sophie Gemelas
Sophia Gemelas is a cinematographer from Madras, Oregon. With a background in Cinema Studies and Journalism from the University of Oregon Robert D. Clark Honors College, Sophie is interested in narrative film that is rooted in reality. In 2017, she was selected for the Harlan J. Strauss program in which she was taught by Academy Award Winning Director Chloé Zhao and former NYFF director Kent Jones. She aims to tailor visual design to the emotional reality of each story, and she's always looking to use aesthetics to target the subconscious. She is currently attending her final year at Loyola Marymount University's School of Film and Television in pursuit of an MFA in Film and TV Production with an emphasis in Cinematography.
Matthew Morris
Matthew Morris is a producer, writer, and director from Philadelphia, PA. Committed to filmmaking since early childhood, his passion has fueled his journey as a filmmaker. Even at a young age, Matthew studied all aspects of filmmaking at the prestigious Academy of YouTube. Since then, he has spent the last decade working in entertainment, producing dozens of music videos, commercials, as well as three short films. He continues to challenge himself, now pursuing his MFA in Film and Television Production surrounded by his talented peers. A graduate of HBCU Delaware State, he is also a member of the Oscars Academy Gold Program.
Alexa Feeney
Alexa Feeney is a jack-of-all trades filmmaker and producer, born and raised in Chicago, IL. Alexa strives to find innotative methods of storytelling through her work, blending her backgrounds in film production and contemporary art history to bring to life her own unique visions on the big (and small) screen, ranging from scripted narrative shorts, documentaries, and even dabbling in animation. She's currently attending Loyola Marymount University in pursuit of an MFA in film production. -
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