High Functioning

New York City, New York | Series

Comedy, Drama

Nick Mauldin

1 Campaigns |

27 days :16 hrs :08 mins

Until Deadline

32 supporters | followers

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$8,335

Goal: $30,000 for production

High Functioning follows Austin as he masks his aimlessness with nights of heavy drinking. While his friends progress in their lives, Austin feels increasingly left behind and is forced to confront the painful truth: the problem isn’t the city, his career, or his friends. It's himself.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

High Functioning is a sobering comedy stemming from personal stories of addiction and the strain it puts on relationships. It's a story of resiliency, friendship and belonging, exploring how addiction hides in the people we least expect while we all try to appear as "high functioning" adults.

The Story


Austin is talented, funny, and well-liked. He's the kind of guy who likes to have a good time. He also drinks too much.


Not enough to scare anyone.

Not enough to lose everything.

Not enough to stop.


When he misses a critical audition after a night out, his best friends begin to question whether loyalty has turned into enabling. As Austin’s financial stability, relationships, and self-worth begin to fracture, the friend group must confront a difficult truth:


At what point does “having fun” become self-destruction?


"High Functioning" explores the gray area between normalcy and addiction, where denial thrives and consequences accumulate quietly.


This isn’t a rock-bottom story.

It’s about the moment before.















Austin (Nick Mauldin)


Austin (late 20s) is a boisterous and enthusiastic actor who hides his drinking problem with bravado and humor. Currently on a path of self-destructive behavior, he constantly juggles having a good time with being a responsible adult. His ultimate flaw: he never knows when enough is enough. Austin grew up with an alcoholic father and has seen the damage this addiction causes. However, due to a drunk driving accident that took his father’s life, Austin has not been able to cope and has never fully transitioned into adulthood while mismanaging his own alcohol consumption. Though he means well, Austin unconsciously tests his closest relationships. He takes others' generosity for granted and rarely takes accountability for his actions.


Xavier (CJ Stewart)


Xavier (late 20s) is Austin’s best friend. He values loyalty and has a disciplined focus on his teaching career. Being the closest relationship Austin has, Xavier has become a reluctant parental figure to Austin. After being promoted to a full-time teacher, Xavier no longer just envisions the life he wants; he now sees it right in front of him. He hopes to see Austin overcome his turbulent history with alcohol and his father, but when Austin jeopardizes his stability, Xavier refuses to be an enabler. He is a self-made man and holds himself to a high standard. However, he holds the people he surrounds himself with to the same standard, for better or worse. Xavier is a fraternal member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He sees himself as a leader of men. He knows that the most valuable lessons in life come with the toughest circumstances.


Sal (Eric Waters)


Sal (late 20s-early 30s) has a larger-than-life personality and stature to match. He is an openly gay man who matches Austin in energy and can outdrink anyone. He is currently studying to become a lawyer in mergers and acquisitions and is largely driven by making money and having a good time. Sal doesn’t take any shit. He’s unafraid to speak his mind, even if it means upsetting someone. Secretly, he feels like he lives a lonely life and experiences anxiety that his life is in a rut. After spending so much time in the friend group, Sal finds it difficult to be vulnerable with others. He will hold a grudge just for the sake of it. He doesn’t forgive or forget easily.


Jessica (Kelsey Lea Jones)


Jessica (late 20s-early 30s) is the glue that holds the friends group together. Caught between Austin’s erratic behavior, Xavier’s growing aloofness, and Sal’s bravado, she fights to maintain the group's dynamic. Jessica craves tradition and dependability and has invested so much time into the friends group. She possesses an acerbic wit to match the boys' machismo and isn’t afraid to call them out on their behavior. It’s revealed later that Jessica has her own internalized misogyny, especially when she’s surrounded by the guys in the group. However, she is kind-hearted, deeply loyal, and is willing to share her feminine perspective. Deep down, she longs to receive the same dedication she pours into others.




After a phone call I had with my dad, a quote bounced around my head:

"The sins of the father are often visited on the son."

In recent years, I've reflected on my own alcohol consumption, the expectations I've had for my career, my love life, and my friendships. Those elements combined create the character-driven, emotionally grounded story of "High Functioning".


"High Functioning" includes Austin's alcoholic tendencies, as well as the struggles the group of friends deal with everyday. It explores the modern landscape millennials and Gen Z are navigating as they fight to be "high functioning" adults.


The story of "High Functioning" revolves around recovery and redemption, but beneath that, it's a LOVE STORY. (Ew, gross!)


Our love story is between a group of friends, who may clash with at times, but deeply care about each other. They will do whatever it takes to remain present and see each other thrive. Their bond is deep which keeps them loyal, even if their banter is a little harsh.



Where we are now:

Our pilot script is locked, and we're moving into the next phases of pre-production (securing locations, hiring additional crew, filling out remaining cast, etc.) We are actively raising the funds to move our project into production with a tentative shoot aimed for August.


Our larger goal:

The pilot will be used as a proof-of-concept to pitch a ten episode series. With this amazing team of collaborators, we've carved out a full series overview with story arcs for our characters and are currently writing the rest of the season.


We will be pitching the series to larger streaming platforms known for "slice-of-life" tv shows with a comedic twist.


Your contribution:

Our goal of $30,000 will launch us into production and will cover the costs to pay our cast, crew, post-production services, and festival submissions. Our stretch goal of $35,000 will cover costuming and prop expenses, additional equipment, and better rates for our crew.

As a kid, I had horrible anger issues. I would easily lose my temper, tear up my parents' house, destroy belongings, and I would need to be physically held down until I regained my composure. These tantrums would last for hours at a time. However, during every single breakdown I had, I would always have the same thought: This is not how I thought this day would go.


This pilot explores what happens when a person makes one bad decision after another, how quickly our lives can be wrecked, and what kind of work needs to be done to rebuild relationships.


Alcoholism runs in my family. I’ve lost family members to the disease. I have family in prison for DUIs. My father has been in and out of AA and rehabilitation centers. At points in my own life, I’ve had to confront my own addictive drinking habits and how they’ve affected my loved ones.


This project aims to offer an empathetic look into the life of a struggling alcoholic and meet them halfway. The disease hides itself in many ways. Hopefully, this project can shed light on the battles every addict fights every day and the support they need to live a clean life.


If any of this resonates with you, we'd be grateful for your support!

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

CAST

Costs $950

Cause actors have to eat too!

CREW

Costs $12,550

The lifeline of our production. Without a crew, there's no High Functioning.

LOCATIONS

Costs $5,000

There are a few locations in High Functioning. Apartments, audition rooms, NYC streets, and most importantly, our neighborhood bar!

POST-PRODUCTION

Costs $3,000

A movie is written three times. This will cover that third time for the cost of our editor, colorist, and sound mixer.

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Costs $1,000

This gets us props, costumes, and any set dressings we need.

INSURANCE

Costs $2,000

The sexiest part of every production. PS. we aren't doing any cool explosions...

CONTINGENCY

Costs $2,750

Anything can happen on set. This gives us some breathing room!

RENTALS

Costs $1,750

This will help us rent any equipment for camera, lighting, transportation, and production.

PUBLICITY & FESTIVALS

Costs $1,000

This covers submission fees to festivals and our publicity materials so High Functioning can reach its audience.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

High Functioning is proudly comprised of:

Nick Mauldin

Creator

Nick Mauldin is a filmmaker based in New York. Recent credits include You’re Not There (2024), Angie (2026), FBI: Most Wanted (CBS), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), APE (2025), and Survival of the Thickest (Netflix). He graduated with a BA in Acting from East 15 Acting School in London and has continued to train at the Terry Knickerbocker Studio and the Bob Krakower Studio. His work has been screened at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the NYC Independent Film Festival, the Manchester Film Festival, and the Chelsea Film Festival. Nick is passionate about telling grounded stories about real and flawed human beings. In addition to filmmaking, he is musician and plays drums in a variety of musical acts in New York. He is a fan of Derek Cianfrance and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.


Millicent Cho

Director

Millicent Cho is a writer, director, and producer of independent films. Recent credits include Complicit: Observations from the 57th Floor (2025), Ape (2025), and The Silenced (2023). Her ideas often involve the fantasy lives of women: their dreams and desires, and their worst nightmares. She graduated as a writer-director from the MFA program in filmmaking at NYU and was awarded a grant from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for MA, her thesis short, which premiered at Palm Springs International Shortfest in 2018 and was an official selection of New York Shorts International Film Fest and the IMDb Independent Shorts Awards (Winner, Best Women's Short and Best Student Director [Platinum], Best Indie Short and Best Acting Ensemble [Gold], and Best Female Director and Best Actress [Silver]). Her work has screened at SXSW, Tribeca Film Festival, LA Shorts Fest, New Filmmakers, and others. She was born in the Bronx and raised in Queens, New York.


Drew Moerlein

Producer

Drew Moerlein, founder of Moerlein Entertainment, is a Swiss Army Knife of the Entertainment Industry. Drew is a dynamic, award-winning producer, actor and writer known for his compelling storytelling across film, television, Broadway, and interactive media. As a producer, Drew has been instrumental in bringing a range of impactful projects to life. A veteran of Sundance, SXSW, Fantasia and more, his feature producing credits include: Paramount’s NANDOR FODOR AND THE TALKING MONGOOSE (produced & starred opposite Simon Pegg), THE BEAST WITHIN, a thriller starring Kit Harrington (#1 Film on Hulu); And produced & starred alongside Tyrese Gibson & Shawnee Smith in Vertical’s horror film, BLOODLINE KILLER (#9 on Variety’s most-viewed original films across all streamers). Moerlein produced the award-winning short EMMA’S DILEMMAS, currently in feature development in association with Italy’s Panorama Films, the festival darling short 300 FEET TALL and is producing the upcoming feature, ALL IN. Drew’s approach to production is deeply collaborative, blending his sharp business acumen with a passion for storytelling. The beating heart and relatable humor of this story resonates deeply with Drew - He is coming up on fourteen years of alcohol sobriety, a decision he made while over-indulging in the tantalizing buzz of NYC. Fun fact: Drew is the newest ‘Captain America’ in the highly anticipated, MARVEL 1943: RISE OF HYDRA.


Kenneth Martell

Cinematographer

Ken is an east coast based Cinematographer with experience shooting feature films, television, music videos, editorials and commercial/branded projects. Recent clients include Coca-Cola, Leica, Equinox, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. Ken constantly strives to shoot with a unique look at the world, creating images that are visceral, imaginative, and emotionally charged.


Hannah F. Tarr

Production Designer

Hannah (she/they) is a Brooklyn-based production designer for film and set/props designer for stage. Hannah values bringing environmental sustainability to the production process. Features: The Allegory (post-production), Complicit: Observations from the 57th Floor (The Women’s Film Festival). Her work has been featured in the NYC 48 Hour Film Project, Cindependent Film Festival, and the New York Shorts International Film Fesitval.


Nia Vasileva

Consulting Producer

Nia Vasileva is a London-based actor and theatre-maker. She trained at East 15 Acting School in London, where she founded her theatre company, Y-Axis Theatre. The company has three shows under its belt, performed at UK’s renowned Camden Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and multiple Off-West End venues in the capital. Her work addresses the themes of belonging, memory and nostalgia.


Jeannie Ripley-Grier

Production Assistant

Jeannie Ripley-Grier is the current Assistant Marketing Manager at Ripley-Grier Studios with 8 years of experience. She graduated Hofstra University in 2021 with a BA in TV Production & Studies and a minor in music, and 3 years later with a MA in Public Relations. She remained active in the school’s pep band and concert band throughout her time at school. In her free time she enjoys going to concerts, baseball games, events, and traveling, and has been to over 15 countries.

Our cast includes:

CJ Stewart

Xavier

CJ Stewart is a classically trained actor and writer from Dallas, Texas. He holds an MFA in Acting from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Credits include: Wu-Tang (Hulu), Fences, and Othello.



Kelsey Lea Jones

Jessica

Kelsey Lea Jones has appeared in numerous films and TV shows including American Horror Story, Doctor Odyssey, FBI: Most Wanted, and “Canoe Dig It?”. She is the blonde “girl next door” who can beat you up.



Eric Waters

Sal

Eric (he/him) is a Texas native who has worked throughout the US. Regional Credits include The Alley Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Fireside Theatre, Prather Productions, and The Weathervane Theatre. Graduate from Coastal Carolina University with a BFA in Musical Theatre.


Nick Mauldin

Austin

Nick is a New York based actor who trained at East 15 Acting School in London. In addition to his film and TV credits, he has also appeared on Off-Broadway and Off West End stages.

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