Howdy, Neighbor
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
After an act of public urination puts him on the sex offender registry, Craig Howdyshell moves to the suburbs where he hopes to start over. You only get one shot at a first impression, and unfortunately the law requires Craig to announce his arrival to his judgmental new neighbors.
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,700 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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After an act of public urination puts him on the sex offender registry, Craig Howdyshell moves to the suburbs where he hopes to start over. You only get one shot at a first impression, and unfortunately the law requires Craig to announce his arrival to his judgmental new neighbors.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Craig Howdyshell is still paying for the alcohol induced incident of public urination that put him on the national sex offender registry. Seeking a fresh start, Craig moves to a new neighborhood where nobody knows his past. Unfortunately, said past comes back to haunt Craig when he is ordered to go door to door around his new neighborhood and introduce himself as a registered sex offender. Hoping to make the best out of a bad situation, Craig musters the limited amount of charm and confidence he possesses as he embarks on the humiliating ritual. Unfortunately, nothing can prepare Craig for the nightmarish afternoon that lies ahead of him. Will the residents of Hickory Street accept the predator in their midst, or will Craig once again be cast out from proper society?
Howdy, Neighbor is an anxiety inducing comedy of the highest order, while still exuding the beating heart that exists inside of its incredibly sweaty protagonist. It was extremely important to me that Craig’s crime be both victimless and a result of heavy drinking, giving the audience an excuse to put themselves in his shoes without guilt, while also granting them permission to laugh at Craig’s attempts to assimilate himself in normal society.
As of right now we are deep into preproduction on the film, with the goal of filming in early February 2026 and having it ready for film festivals by next summer. Our goal number will cover the basic costs of filming, but if we're fortunate enough to surpass that goal, the extra funds will go towards post production costs and festival submission fees. Once the film is complete, the first people to see it will be the backers of this very campaign, so act now while supplies last!
References
Ways to Help
- Donate! Anything helps! And we really, really mean it. ANYTHING helps.
- Follow us! Follow our campaign for updates on our progress and come along for the ride as we go door to door with Craig. Follow Director Bryson Price on Instagram for more in-depth updates: @brysonprice98
- Share! Truly the best way to help is to send this campaign to everyone you know. You like film? Maybe they do too! Share your love of film by sending this amazing sex offender comedy to your parents.
Previous Work
Still not 100%? Check out Director Bryson Price's previous short Takin' it to the Streets, which was awarded best Texas Student Short by the Oak Cliff Film Festival in 2025:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Grip Package
Costs $1,800
Audiences should be able to see the film. Let's make it beautiful people!
Camera and Sound Package
Costs $1,500
Cameras ain't cheap folks!
Catering
Costs $750
People gotta eat!
Cast and Crew Wages
Costs $1,200
People gotta get paid!
Traveling arrangements/Housing
Costs $750
I will need to cover travel expenses and housing for the members of my cast and crew.
Location
Costs $1,300
Houses ain't cheap! Especially in this economy!
Production Design
Costs $700
It's essential to the comedy of the film that the primary location feel lived in and authentic.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
ACTOR: MICHEAL KUNICKI
Michael Kunicki is a Chicago actor and filmmaker who gravitates toward projects that are a little weird, a little heartfelt, and a little unhinged.
You can catch him starring in the upcoming feature $POSITIONS, (premiering at SXSW 2025) and in the Joe Swanberg–produced anthology YELLOW EYES. He’s also currently editing his own feature, HISS, HUM, HUSH, on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Michael plays the lead in HOWDY, NEIGHBOR!, a darkly comedic story that teeters between charm and unease, exactly the kind of space where he feels most at home. He’s honored to help bring this project to life.
ACTOR: PAUL GORDON
Paul wrote, directed, and starred in THE HAPPY POET, which premiered internationally at the Venice Film Festival and in the U.S. at South by Southwest. It screened at festivals around the world, winning jury and audience awards, and streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Paul has since acted in festival favorites such as MR. ROOSEVELT (Dir. Noel Wells; Netflix), DR. BRINKS AND DR. BRINKS (Dir. Josh Crockett; Amazon Prime), SAVASANA (Dir. Brandon Daley, Vimeo Staff Pick), THUNDER P. (Dir. Steve Collins; Funny or Die), I NEED A HUG (Dir. Steve Collins; Vimeo Staff Pick).
ACTOR: JENNIFER PREDIGER
Prediger's first film role was as an out-of-town guest and temptress in UNCLE KENT, a film directed by Joe Swanberg that premiered at Sundance in 2011 and was purchased by IFC.
She has also gone to Sundance with three other films - as the composting love interest in THE FOXY MERKINS in 2014 (dir. Madeleine Olnek), the nosy roommate in A TEACHER in 2013 (dir. Hannah Fidell) and as the tentative Vice Principal in FIRST GIRL I LOVED in 2016 (dir. Kerem Sanga).
DIRECTOR: BRYSON PRICE
A local Texas Filmmaker, Bryson Price received a political science degree from Texas A&M University before enrolling in the Texas State University film program in 2021, where he studied under indie filmmakers Annie Silverstein and Bryan Poyser.
It was at Texas State that Bryson made his directorial debut with the short film TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS starring Bill Wise (Boyhood, Waves) which was awarded Best Texas Student Short by the Oak Cliff Film Festival jury in 2025.
PRODUCER: MADS SODDERS
Born and raised in Texas, Mads Sodders is local producer & SFX makeup artist. They hold a BFA in Film from Texas State University.
This is the second project that Mads has produced for Director Bryson Price, their first collaboration being TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS in 2024.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: RYAN SCHWENN
Ryan Schwenn is an Austin-based filmmaker and cinematographer. A graduate of the University of Texas (B.S. RTF 2023), his diverse and award-winning filmography includes local short films & television, commercials, corporate work, and indie features.
HOWDY, NEIGHBOR! marks his first collaboration with Price & Sodders as cinematographer, although he performed some assistant editing work on the pair’s last film, TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS. Schwenn is is excited to help bring this story to life visually and can’t wait to begin shooting!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Craig Howdyshell is still paying for the alcohol induced incident of public urination that put him on the national sex offender registry. Seeking a fresh start, Craig moves to a new neighborhood where nobody knows his past. Unfortunately, said past comes back to haunt Craig when he is ordered to go door to door around his new neighborhood and introduce himself as a registered sex offender. Hoping to make the best out of a bad situation, Craig musters the limited amount of charm and confidence he possesses as he embarks on the humiliating ritual. Unfortunately, nothing can prepare Craig for the nightmarish afternoon that lies ahead of him. Will the residents of Hickory Street accept the predator in their midst, or will Craig once again be cast out from proper society?
Howdy, Neighbor is an anxiety inducing comedy of the highest order, while still exuding the beating heart that exists inside of its incredibly sweaty protagonist. It was extremely important to me that Craig’s crime be both victimless and a result of heavy drinking, giving the audience an excuse to put themselves in his shoes without guilt, while also granting them permission to laugh at Craig’s attempts to assimilate himself in normal society.
As of right now we are deep into preproduction on the film, with the goal of filming in early February 2026 and having it ready for film festivals by next summer. Our goal number will cover the basic costs of filming, but if we're fortunate enough to surpass that goal, the extra funds will go towards post production costs and festival submission fees. Once the film is complete, the first people to see it will be the backers of this very campaign, so act now while supplies last!
References
Ways to Help
- Donate! Anything helps! And we really, really mean it. ANYTHING helps.
- Follow us! Follow our campaign for updates on our progress and come along for the ride as we go door to door with Craig. Follow Director Bryson Price on Instagram for more in-depth updates: @brysonprice98
- Share! Truly the best way to help is to send this campaign to everyone you know. You like film? Maybe they do too! Share your love of film by sending this amazing sex offender comedy to your parents.
Previous Work
Still not 100%? Check out Director Bryson Price's previous short Takin' it to the Streets, which was awarded best Texas Student Short by the Oak Cliff Film Festival in 2025:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Grip Package
Costs $1,800
Audiences should be able to see the film. Let's make it beautiful people!
Camera and Sound Package
Costs $1,500
Cameras ain't cheap folks!
Catering
Costs $750
People gotta eat!
Cast and Crew Wages
Costs $1,200
People gotta get paid!
Traveling arrangements/Housing
Costs $750
I will need to cover travel expenses and housing for the members of my cast and crew.
Location
Costs $1,300
Houses ain't cheap! Especially in this economy!
Production Design
Costs $700
It's essential to the comedy of the film that the primary location feel lived in and authentic.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
ACTOR: MICHEAL KUNICKI
Michael Kunicki is a Chicago actor and filmmaker who gravitates toward projects that are a little weird, a little heartfelt, and a little unhinged.
You can catch him starring in the upcoming feature $POSITIONS, (premiering at SXSW 2025) and in the Joe Swanberg–produced anthology YELLOW EYES. He’s also currently editing his own feature, HISS, HUM, HUSH, on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Michael plays the lead in HOWDY, NEIGHBOR!, a darkly comedic story that teeters between charm and unease, exactly the kind of space where he feels most at home. He’s honored to help bring this project to life.
ACTOR: PAUL GORDON
Paul wrote, directed, and starred in THE HAPPY POET, which premiered internationally at the Venice Film Festival and in the U.S. at South by Southwest. It screened at festivals around the world, winning jury and audience awards, and streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Paul has since acted in festival favorites such as MR. ROOSEVELT (Dir. Noel Wells; Netflix), DR. BRINKS AND DR. BRINKS (Dir. Josh Crockett; Amazon Prime), SAVASANA (Dir. Brandon Daley, Vimeo Staff Pick), THUNDER P. (Dir. Steve Collins; Funny or Die), I NEED A HUG (Dir. Steve Collins; Vimeo Staff Pick).
ACTOR: JENNIFER PREDIGER
Prediger's first film role was as an out-of-town guest and temptress in UNCLE KENT, a film directed by Joe Swanberg that premiered at Sundance in 2011 and was purchased by IFC.
She has also gone to Sundance with three other films - as the composting love interest in THE FOXY MERKINS in 2014 (dir. Madeleine Olnek), the nosy roommate in A TEACHER in 2013 (dir. Hannah Fidell) and as the tentative Vice Principal in FIRST GIRL I LOVED in 2016 (dir. Kerem Sanga).
DIRECTOR: BRYSON PRICE
A local Texas Filmmaker, Bryson Price received a political science degree from Texas A&M University before enrolling in the Texas State University film program in 2021, where he studied under indie filmmakers Annie Silverstein and Bryan Poyser.
It was at Texas State that Bryson made his directorial debut with the short film TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS starring Bill Wise (Boyhood, Waves) which was awarded Best Texas Student Short by the Oak Cliff Film Festival jury in 2025.
PRODUCER: MADS SODDERS
Born and raised in Texas, Mads Sodders is local producer & SFX makeup artist. They hold a BFA in Film from Texas State University.
This is the second project that Mads has produced for Director Bryson Price, their first collaboration being TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS in 2024.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: RYAN SCHWENN
Ryan Schwenn is an Austin-based filmmaker and cinematographer. A graduate of the University of Texas (B.S. RTF 2023), his diverse and award-winning filmography includes local short films & television, commercials, corporate work, and indie features.
HOWDY, NEIGHBOR! marks his first collaboration with Price & Sodders as cinematographer, although he performed some assistant editing work on the pair’s last film, TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS. Schwenn is is excited to help bring this story to life visually and can’t wait to begin shooting!