HIT
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Action, Comedy
Instead of trying to portray hitmen as slick experts, we want to create a messier, more vulnerable representation of the profession. Following a low-rent assassin who has a crisis of conscience when she discovers her target is pregnant, HIT utilizes slapstick action to deliver a violently fun time.
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,500 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
19 supporters | followers
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Instead of trying to portray hitmen as slick experts, we want to create a messier, more vulnerable representation of the profession. Following a low-rent assassin who has a crisis of conscience when she discovers her target is pregnant, HIT utilizes slapstick action to deliver a violently fun time.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY
Ring the doorbell. Get inside. Place the pizza on the counter. Shoot the target.
She thought the job would be straightforward. That is, until she saw the target’s baby bump.
Eve: The Hitman
A contract killer with a heart. Facing the threat of execution after messing up two of her previous jobs, she struggles with her latest target: a seemingly normal pregnant woman.
Woody: The Fixer
Eve’s no-nonsense, perpetually irritated, and incredibly British “guardian reaper”. Ordered to help Eve carry out her assignment by his superiors, he is positioned outside of The Target’s house with a sniper rifle. An experienced professional who knows what it takes to succeed. Little does he know, Mother Nature has other plans in store for him.
The Target: A Hidden Identity
A pregnant woman with a checkered past running away from her old life. Although sweet in demeanor, she is much sharper and more disarming than her assailants expect.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
HIT began with my fascination for the space between the ordinary and the absurd. On the surface, it’s the story of an assassin dealing with a pregnant target - but underneath, it’s about how life rarely follows script. I’m drawn to moments where the serious collides with the bizarre, where a professional job breaks down into chaos. I find it both hilarious and unsettling, and it speaks to how unpredictable life truly is. When it came to shaping the story, I can’t credit anyone more than the Coen brothers, with films like Fargo and Burn After Reading serving as huge inspirations. I think my goal from the start was to make the audience laugh, while also recognizing the truth in those moments where preparation collapses under reality - to capture the awkwardness that sneaks in when the messiness of being human interferes with professionalism.
THE VISION
HIT is an absurd, farcical dark comedy in the vein of Burn After Reading, Barry, Kill Bill, and Fargo that utilizes slapstick action, bizarre occurrences, and weaponized incompetence to deliver a violently fun time.
We would tell you more, but we don't want to give away too much! The story is loaded with cringeworthy and awkward moments to help keep it more grounded. Instead of trying to portray hitmen as slick experts, we wanted to create a messier, more vulnerable representation of the profession.
THE BUDGET
In order to fulfill our vision for this project, we need YOUR help. Your donation will help us take care of our talented cast and crew while adhering to a high standard of quality. For our project to be greenlit on Seed&Spark, we need to reach 80% of our funding goal. Backing us provides you with access to exclusive tiered perks.
The $5,000 you are helping us raise will go towards:
- Film equipment rentals such as lights, cameras, G&E gear, sound equipment, and lenses.
- Fairly compensating our hardworking cast to make sure we get the best product we possibly can.
- Providing our cast and crew with nutritious catering and craft services.
- Real Locations.
- Helping our art department cultivate the story’s world through production design and costuming.
Please consider donating! Any help goes a long way. Plus, we'll be updating all Seed&Spark backers throughout the process of making this film.
We understand that everyone may not be in the financial position to donate, AND THAT’S COMPLETELY OKAY!!! One of the strongest ways to support our campaign would be through FOLLOWING OUR CAMPAIGN and our SOCIAL MEDIA to stay updated about the project, and by spreading the news about this film as best you can. Let’s make “HIT” come to life together.
FOLLOW our INSTAGRAMS' (@badpitchmedia) and (@filmington_) to RECEIVE UPDATES about our campaign and BEHIND-THE-SCENES INSIGHTS into the project. Alternatively, you can FORWARD our SEED&SPARK PAGE to your network to help bring more traction and awareness to HIT. Every contribution means the world and helps us out tremendously.
If you have any questions or concerns about this listing, please email [email protected].
From the production team of HIT, we are immensely grateful for your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations | Props | Set Design
Costs $1,100
Real Locations, and helping our art department cultivate the story’s world through production design and costuming.
Incidentals
Costs $500
Small things often come up - hard drives, SD cards, and broken items. Right now, it's all out of our pocket. A cushion would be great!
Cast Compensation
Costs $1,000
Fairly compensating our hardworking cast to make sure we get the best product we possibly can.
Film Equipment
Costs $2,000
Film equipment rentals such as lights, cameras, G&E gear, sound equipment, and lenses.
Feeding the Cast & Crew
Costs $900
Providing our cast and crew with nutritious catering and craft services.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET THE TEAM
Jaylen Sapenter (Writer, Director) is a screenwriter and director from Pflugerville, TX who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2024 with a degree in Radio-Television-Film. While at UT Austin, he wrote original TV pilots and feature-length scripts, with his work selected for programmed television courses within the department. Beyond the classroom, Jaylen gained hands-on experience working with the Austin Film Festival in both internship and staff roles, where he supported festival operations and collaborated with industry professionals. He continues to develop original stories as both a screenwriter and director, striving to bring his work to the screen and further his career in film and television.
Gavin Vanna (Producer) is a producer and screenwriter from Austin, TX who recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Radio-Television-Film. Having cultivated experience in both commercial and narrative filmmaking spaces, he has developed sensibilities for both the logistical demands of filmmaking as well as creative decision-making through a variety of roles. Gavin has written spec feature film scripts while assisting in the production of short films between Austin and Los Angeles, growing his proficiencies in both physical production and development.
We're a group of student filmmakers looking to take a step into a higher level of production above the student level of filmmaking.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY
Ring the doorbell. Get inside. Place the pizza on the counter. Shoot the target.
She thought the job would be straightforward. That is, until she saw the target’s baby bump.
Eve: The Hitman
A contract killer with a heart. Facing the threat of execution after messing up two of her previous jobs, she struggles with her latest target: a seemingly normal pregnant woman.
Woody: The Fixer
Eve’s no-nonsense, perpetually irritated, and incredibly British “guardian reaper”. Ordered to help Eve carry out her assignment by his superiors, he is positioned outside of The Target’s house with a sniper rifle. An experienced professional who knows what it takes to succeed. Little does he know, Mother Nature has other plans in store for him.
The Target: A Hidden Identity
A pregnant woman with a checkered past running away from her old life. Although sweet in demeanor, she is much sharper and more disarming than her assailants expect.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
HIT began with my fascination for the space between the ordinary and the absurd. On the surface, it’s the story of an assassin dealing with a pregnant target - but underneath, it’s about how life rarely follows script. I’m drawn to moments where the serious collides with the bizarre, where a professional job breaks down into chaos. I find it both hilarious and unsettling, and it speaks to how unpredictable life truly is. When it came to shaping the story, I can’t credit anyone more than the Coen brothers, with films like Fargo and Burn After Reading serving as huge inspirations. I think my goal from the start was to make the audience laugh, while also recognizing the truth in those moments where preparation collapses under reality - to capture the awkwardness that sneaks in when the messiness of being human interferes with professionalism.
THE VISION
HIT is an absurd, farcical dark comedy in the vein of Burn After Reading, Barry, Kill Bill, and Fargo that utilizes slapstick action, bizarre occurrences, and weaponized incompetence to deliver a violently fun time.
We would tell you more, but we don't want to give away too much! The story is loaded with cringeworthy and awkward moments to help keep it more grounded. Instead of trying to portray hitmen as slick experts, we wanted to create a messier, more vulnerable representation of the profession.
THE BUDGET
In order to fulfill our vision for this project, we need YOUR help. Your donation will help us take care of our talented cast and crew while adhering to a high standard of quality. For our project to be greenlit on Seed&Spark, we need to reach 80% of our funding goal. Backing us provides you with access to exclusive tiered perks.
The $5,000 you are helping us raise will go towards:
- Film equipment rentals such as lights, cameras, G&E gear, sound equipment, and lenses.
- Fairly compensating our hardworking cast to make sure we get the best product we possibly can.
- Providing our cast and crew with nutritious catering and craft services.
- Real Locations.
- Helping our art department cultivate the story’s world through production design and costuming.
Please consider donating! Any help goes a long way. Plus, we'll be updating all Seed&Spark backers throughout the process of making this film.
We understand that everyone may not be in the financial position to donate, AND THAT’S COMPLETELY OKAY!!! One of the strongest ways to support our campaign would be through FOLLOWING OUR CAMPAIGN and our SOCIAL MEDIA to stay updated about the project, and by spreading the news about this film as best you can. Let’s make “HIT” come to life together.
FOLLOW our INSTAGRAMS' (@badpitchmedia) and (@filmington_) to RECEIVE UPDATES about our campaign and BEHIND-THE-SCENES INSIGHTS into the project. Alternatively, you can FORWARD our SEED&SPARK PAGE to your network to help bring more traction and awareness to HIT. Every contribution means the world and helps us out tremendously.
If you have any questions or concerns about this listing, please email [email protected].
From the production team of HIT, we are immensely grateful for your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations | Props | Set Design
Costs $1,100
Real Locations, and helping our art department cultivate the story’s world through production design and costuming.
Incidentals
Costs $500
Small things often come up - hard drives, SD cards, and broken items. Right now, it's all out of our pocket. A cushion would be great!
Cast Compensation
Costs $1,000
Fairly compensating our hardworking cast to make sure we get the best product we possibly can.
Film Equipment
Costs $2,000
Film equipment rentals such as lights, cameras, G&E gear, sound equipment, and lenses.
Feeding the Cast & Crew
Costs $900
Providing our cast and crew with nutritious catering and craft services.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET THE TEAM
Jaylen Sapenter (Writer, Director) is a screenwriter and director from Pflugerville, TX who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2024 with a degree in Radio-Television-Film. While at UT Austin, he wrote original TV pilots and feature-length scripts, with his work selected for programmed television courses within the department. Beyond the classroom, Jaylen gained hands-on experience working with the Austin Film Festival in both internship and staff roles, where he supported festival operations and collaborated with industry professionals. He continues to develop original stories as both a screenwriter and director, striving to bring his work to the screen and further his career in film and television.
Gavin Vanna (Producer) is a producer and screenwriter from Austin, TX who recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Radio-Television-Film. Having cultivated experience in both commercial and narrative filmmaking spaces, he has developed sensibilities for both the logistical demands of filmmaking as well as creative decision-making through a variety of roles. Gavin has written spec feature film scripts while assisting in the production of short films between Austin and Los Angeles, growing his proficiencies in both physical production and development.
We're a group of student filmmakers looking to take a step into a higher level of production above the student level of filmmaking.