If We Be Friends
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Comedy, LGBTQ
High school may have ended, but the drama plays on as six friends and a plus one, now in their 30s, reunite when their high school theatre teacher passes. They find themselves slipping into their old roles, right where they left off, and realize how much their current crises are tied to each other.
30 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$5,500
Goal: $20,000 for post-production
High school may have ended, but the drama plays on as six friends and a plus one, now in their 30s, reunite when their high school theatre teacher passes. They find themselves slipping into their old roles, right where they left off, and realize how much their current crises are tied to each other.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Five months ago we ran a campaign to raise funds for the production of our feature film IF WE BE FRIENDS. Thanks to our incredibly generous supporters, our film was greenlit, and a few weeks later, we were on set in Idyllwild, filming. We now have approximately thirty hours of raw footage (meaning it's straight from the camera, no coloring, no sound—literally nothing has been touched on this footage), and all that's left to do is proceed to the final phase—POST PRODUCTION! So we're back, for the last step.
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IF WE BE FRIENDS is a dramedy about six friends from high school, now in their 30s, who reunite for the first time in years for a weekend to commemorate the recent passing of their high school drama teacher. They arrive, each at a crossroads moment in their lives, and still carrying conflicts and secrets from their high school days. Once together, they quickly succumb to past romances, rivalries, and insecurities.
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At the heart of it, IF WE BE FRIENDS is about finding strength in connection and community in the face of grief and conflict. When the very first seed of an idea for this film came to me back in 2021, I felt that our society was wanting in meaningful human connection. Two years later, when I officially began writing IF WE BE FRIENDS, I still felt that absence of connection and community; speaking to other people about this, I found that it was something quite palpable in society. Today, I see it beginning to shift, primarily out of necessity. Coincidentally, this film is being completed at a time when we desperately need to be reminded of the strength we draw through our connections and community—through our friends.
Throughout this process, I had this goal of bringing our team together and building a community off-camera, as well as the one I had written to be played out on-camera. Every collaborative art form reflects the process and the people involved, and I wanted IF WE BE FRIENDS to come from the energy that the story was growing to.
Made up of friends, referrals, and total wildcards (the best kind, as it turned out) it was like the universe and Nick Fury were behind the scenes assembling the perfect group of people to work on this project—skilled, collaborative, adaptive, generous, and passionate. I don't know if this could have been pulled off with any other team. I could go on, but instead I will direct you to our TEAM page so you can learn more about them. Bringing the themes of the film to life when the camera was off was just as important to me as bringing them to life when I called action.
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So, what is post production, and why do we need it?
1) Editing
The first step in post-production is editing the footage. Editors work magic. They take all of the pieces and put them together to tell the story. It's both an art form and incredibly technical.
2) Colorist
The movies you see in theatres and on streaming platforms are meticulously colored. The raw footage starts out with dulled colors and very little contrast, so it needs quite a bit of work to reach the desired visual product. The way you choose to color your film is a huge part of how the story is ultimately communicated to the audience.
3) Sound
Sound will make a break a film. Has anyone seen "Singing In The Rain"? Case in point—top-notch sound mixing is crucial.
4) Music
We have an amazing composer on board, who happens to be the one and only Hali Alspach. With degrees in music composition and lyrics from the University of the Pacific and NYU's Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, Hali will be creating a unique soundtrack for IF WE BE FRIENDS.
5) Pick-Ups & Reshoots
Pick-up scenes are scenes you didn't get in the initial shoot, so we...pick them up later. It's a mini production day.
6) Film Festival Fees
After IF WE BE FRIENDS is completed, we are jumping straight into the film festival circuit! Each festival has a fee to submit, so part of this crowdfunding campaign will be to support our submissions. And there will probably be a lot of submissions so that we can have the best opportunities possible to get our film out there!
 (3).png)
We are going to shoot for the moon here. There is so much magic, chemistry, fun, authenticity, and heart break that these actors have brought to their characters. I spent 70 hours going through the footage and taking notes (yes, I timed it because I was curious), and I can see all of that in the raw, uncolored footage. The post production process carries as much weight as what happens on set, so we are going for this last phase in partnership with some incredible professionals who we are only able to connect with thanks to dear friends in this industry who hold the door open for the incoming filmmakers, and even point them in the right direction. So we're shooting for the moon—starting with this campaign—to work with this incredible post-production team, and finally, proceed to our dream festivals.
 (4).png)
Pledge!
Pledge to make a donation to our campaign! Whether it's $2,000 or $15, we mean it when we say every dollar counts.
Sharing and Following are critical parts of our crowdfunding campaign—in fact, they're the fundamentals of crowdfunding! It's also the perfect way to contribute if you aren't able to make a financial contribution!
Share!
Share our campaign! The more people who see this, the greater our chances are of reaching our goal! So, talk to friends and family, re-post our Insta content, share our updates on your stories, or all of the above! Think of it this way: If 1,000 people donate $20 we’ll reach our goal! Not so scary, but we need lots of shares to get that many eyes on our campaign.
Follow!
Follow us on Seed&Spark as well as Instagram!
What do I say?
This part can be a little awkward at first, so here are some ideas for what you can say when sharing the campaign:
- My friend Rosie is crowdfunding for post-production for her feature film @ifwebefriendsfilm! Check it out at seedandspark.com/fund/if-we-be-friends-post #IfWeBeFriendsFilm @seedandspark
- So excited to support @ifwebefriendsfilm! #IfWeBeFriendsFilm @seedandspark! seedandspark.com/fund/if-we-be-friends-post
- If you like indie film and want to support female filmmakers, then check out @ifwebefriendsfilm on @seedandspark! seedandspark.com/fund/if-we-be-friends-post #IfWeBeFriendsFilm
Thank you for supporting me and coming along for this journey!
Thank you to those who got us through production and to everyone who gets us across the finish line!
.png)
"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance," and we will have plenty to remember from this shoot!
There were four fun savers on set. The assignment was to fill them up. We had no fun at all.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editor | Colorist | Sound Technician
Costs $14,000
This team will be part of the post production house, Legion Post, and will ensure that our film looks, and sounds perfect on the big screen!
Pick-Up Day
Costs $3,000
A day to pick up a scene or two that did not fit into our original production schedule. Think of it as a mini production budget.
Music
Costs $1,000
If We Be Friends will have all original songs for the film, with an EP to accompany it.
Festival Fees
Costs $2,000
Next up is the film festival circuit. This means submitting to a LOT of festivals and a LOT of fees. This will help cover those fees.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the team that made IF WE BE FRIENDS possible, and who flawlessly brought this vision to life! It's as if Nick Fury himself was behind the scenes assembling the perfect team for this project.
Scott Alda Coffey (he/him) is a Los Angeles based actor and Carnegie Mellon University alumnus. He’s best known for portraying SPC Michael Scusa in THE OUTPOST, directed by Rod Lurie and produced by Millennium Media. He’s reuniting with Millennium films for an upcoming World War 2 movie called LUCKY STRIKE due out later this year. Scott can also be seen in an episode of FX’s BETTER THINGS, as well as the award winning shorts ANACONDA and EXHIBIT A.
Madison West (she/they) is a queer, AuDHD actor based in Austin, TX and Los Angeles, CA. She graduated Cum Laude from USC, with a Bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts, and a double minor in the French Language, and Film Studies. Madison’s recent work includes Academy Award winning film MANK, and SXSW selection SHATTERBELT. When she’s not acting, she’s crafting, snuggling with her dog, or convincing people to watch various franchises of The Real Housewives. (You gotta give it a try, y’all, it’s SO good).
Dino Petrera (he/they/she) is best known for his role of Jonah Sharpe in the Netflix series NEVER HAVE I EVER and has showcased his specialty for queer roles on such hit shows as BROAD CITY and SHAMELESS. He began acting as a child which helped him to overcome speech disorders related to a congenital hearing loss. His experiences being other-ed as a member of the LGBTQIA+ and deaf communities contribute to his advocacy for social equality, on screen and off. BFA Theatre Performance, Niagara University.
Bri Oglu (she/her) is a LA-based actor and singer-songwriter. Her first feature, CAPTAIN HAGEN’S BED & BREAKFAST, received Best Comedy Feature (NYC Film Festival); she also won Best Acting Duo alongside writer/director Rosalie Alspach in the award-winning short film, THE HOSTESS. As a singer she was signed to Epidemic Sound and released her debut EP in 2023, accruing over half a million streams on Spotify. She was recognized by Celeb Mix, Music Connection Magazine, Mundane Magazine, and LA Music Review and has performed at the esteemed Troubadour and The Viper Room. BFA Acting, Illinois Wesleyan University
Deming Magner(they/she) is a graduate of Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. They are an LA based actor and filmmaker. Their work has been featured at the LA Punk Film Festival, Catalina Film Festival, San Antonio Film Festival, and LAIFFA. They recently starred as Betty 5 in COLLECTIVE RAGE: A PLAY IN 5 BETTIES with Bethesda Repertory & LA’s LGBT Center and is writing and starring in their upcoming queer short comedy, SLIPPERY WHEN WET.
Rosalie Alspach (she/her) See director bio above!
Steven Allerick (he/him) Born in Canada to Jamaican parents of diverse racial backgrounds has given Steven diverse a very unique perspective on life, love, and all things art is derived from. Steven first erupted as Simba in Disney’s Broadway musical THE LION KING and has since been seen in: the Paramount blockbuster G.I. JOE ORIGINS: SNAKE EYES; NBC hit THE IRRATIONAL; the monster cult hit FEAR THE WALKING DEAD; modern Sci-Fi classic THE EXPANSE; and network darling CHICAGO FIRE among many others. Steven is so proud to be a part of this wonderful and touching film.
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EMMA MAZUREK
Unit Production Manager | Assistant Director
As a Lebanese-Polish artist, Emma is passionate about telling authentic and provocative stories while centering femme folks on screen and behind the camera. Her work often revolves around the complexities of feminine emotions, ranging from rage to joy and everything in between. When she is not making or watching movies, Emma is singing karaoke, writing poetry, or goofing around with her friends and family. Emma received her Bachelor's degree in English Writing from DePauw University and her MFA in Directing from Columbia College Chicago, where she honed the craft of creating films she wishes she could have seen as a teenager.
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SHANNON TRIGGER
Hair & Makeup
Shannon Trigger is a Los Angeles–based Make-up artist with over 12 years of experience in television, film, and commercial work. She is a member of IATSE Local 706 and loves creating subtle, story-driven designs that enhance a character without overpowering the performance. Beyond set life, Shannon shares educational beauty content and film/tv makeup tips on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram @MakeupByShannonMarie.
DAN PEDERSON
Production Sound Mixer
Dan Pedersen is a freelance sound-mixer and music producer from San Diego, CA. Professionally debuting since 2020, Dan Pedersen had a rigorous background in acoustics and sound mixing already from his time spent playing and setting up music events for local projects like "Gaslight" and his own monikered as "Danep" on any streaming service.
Check out the rest of our team on IMDB!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Five months ago we ran a campaign to raise funds for the production of our feature film IF WE BE FRIENDS. Thanks to our incredibly generous supporters, our film was greenlit, and a few weeks later, we were on set in Idyllwild, filming. We now have approximately thirty hours of raw footage (meaning it's straight from the camera, no coloring, no sound—literally nothing has been touched on this footage), and all that's left to do is proceed to the final phase—POST PRODUCTION! So we're back, for the last step.
IF WE BE FRIENDS is a dramedy about six friends from high school, now in their 30s, who reunite for the first time in years for a weekend to commemorate the recent passing of their high school drama teacher. They arrive, each at a crossroads moment in their lives, and still carrying conflicts and secrets from their high school days. Once together, they quickly succumb to past romances, rivalries, and insecurities.
At the heart of it, IF WE BE FRIENDS is about finding strength in connection and community in the face of grief and conflict. When the very first seed of an idea for this film came to me back in 2021, I felt that our society was wanting in meaningful human connection. Two years later, when I officially began writing IF WE BE FRIENDS, I still felt that absence of connection and community; speaking to other people about this, I found that it was something quite palpable in society. Today, I see it beginning to shift, primarily out of necessity. Coincidentally, this film is being completed at a time when we desperately need to be reminded of the strength we draw through our connections and community—through our friends.
Throughout this process, I had this goal of bringing our team together and building a community off-camera, as well as the one I had written to be played out on-camera. Every collaborative art form reflects the process and the people involved, and I wanted IF WE BE FRIENDS to come from the energy that the story was growing to.
Made up of friends, referrals, and total wildcards (the best kind, as it turned out) it was like the universe and Nick Fury were behind the scenes assembling the perfect group of people to work on this project—skilled, collaborative, adaptive, generous, and passionate. I don't know if this could have been pulled off with any other team. I could go on, but instead I will direct you to our TEAM page so you can learn more about them. Bringing the themes of the film to life when the camera was off was just as important to me as bringing them to life when I called action.
So, what is post production, and why do we need it?
1) Editing
The first step in post-production is editing the footage. Editors work magic. They take all of the pieces and put them together to tell the story. It's both an art form and incredibly technical.
2) Colorist
The movies you see in theatres and on streaming platforms are meticulously colored. The raw footage starts out with dulled colors and very little contrast, so it needs quite a bit of work to reach the desired visual product. The way you choose to color your film is a huge part of how the story is ultimately communicated to the audience.
3) Sound
Sound will make a break a film. Has anyone seen "Singing In The Rain"? Case in point—top-notch sound mixing is crucial.
4) Music
We have an amazing composer on board, who happens to be the one and only Hali Alspach. With degrees in music composition and lyrics from the University of the Pacific and NYU's Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, Hali will be creating a unique soundtrack for IF WE BE FRIENDS.
5) Pick-Ups & Reshoots
Pick-up scenes are scenes you didn't get in the initial shoot, so we...pick them up later. It's a mini production day.
6) Film Festival Fees
After IF WE BE FRIENDS is completed, we are jumping straight into the film festival circuit! Each festival has a fee to submit, so part of this crowdfunding campaign will be to support our submissions. And there will probably be a lot of submissions so that we can have the best opportunities possible to get our film out there!
We are going to shoot for the moon here. There is so much magic, chemistry, fun, authenticity, and heart break that these actors have brought to their characters. I spent 70 hours going through the footage and taking notes (yes, I timed it because I was curious), and I can see all of that in the raw, uncolored footage. The post production process carries as much weight as what happens on set, so we are going for this last phase in partnership with some incredible professionals who we are only able to connect with thanks to dear friends in this industry who hold the door open for the incoming filmmakers, and even point them in the right direction. So we're shooting for the moon—starting with this campaign—to work with this incredible post-production team, and finally, proceed to our dream festivals.
Pledge!
Pledge to make a donation to our campaign! Whether it's $2,000 or $15, we mean it when we say every dollar counts.
Sharing and Following are critical parts of our crowdfunding campaign—in fact, they're the fundamentals of crowdfunding! It's also the perfect way to contribute if you aren't able to make a financial contribution!
Share!
Share our campaign! The more people who see this, the greater our chances are of reaching our goal! So, talk to friends and family, re-post our Insta content, share our updates on your stories, or all of the above! Think of it this way: If 1,000 people donate $20 we’ll reach our goal! Not so scary, but we need lots of shares to get that many eyes on our campaign.
Follow!
Follow us on Seed&Spark as well as Instagram!
What do I say?
This part can be a little awkward at first, so here are some ideas for what you can say when sharing the campaign:
- My friend Rosie is crowdfunding for post-production for her feature film @ifwebefriendsfilm! Check it out at seedandspark.com/fund/if-we-be-friends-post #IfWeBeFriendsFilm @seedandspark
- So excited to support @ifwebefriendsfilm! #IfWeBeFriendsFilm @seedandspark! seedandspark.com/fund/if-we-be-friends-post
- If you like indie film and want to support female filmmakers, then check out @ifwebefriendsfilm on @seedandspark! seedandspark.com/fund/if-we-be-friends-post #IfWeBeFriendsFilm
Thank you for supporting me and coming along for this journey!
Thank you to those who got us through production and to everyone who gets us across the finish line!
"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance," and we will have plenty to remember from this shoot!
There were four fun savers on set. The assignment was to fill them up. We had no fun at all.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editor | Colorist | Sound Technician
Costs $14,000
This team will be part of the post production house, Legion Post, and will ensure that our film looks, and sounds perfect on the big screen!
Pick-Up Day
Costs $3,000
A day to pick up a scene or two that did not fit into our original production schedule. Think of it as a mini production budget.
Music
Costs $1,000
If We Be Friends will have all original songs for the film, with an EP to accompany it.
Festival Fees
Costs $2,000
Next up is the film festival circuit. This means submitting to a LOT of festivals and a LOT of fees. This will help cover those fees.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the team that made IF WE BE FRIENDS possible, and who flawlessly brought this vision to life! It's as if Nick Fury himself was behind the scenes assembling the perfect team for this project.
Scott Alda Coffey (he/him) is a Los Angeles based actor and Carnegie Mellon University alumnus. He’s best known for portraying SPC Michael Scusa in THE OUTPOST, directed by Rod Lurie and produced by Millennium Media. He’s reuniting with Millennium films for an upcoming World War 2 movie called LUCKY STRIKE due out later this year. Scott can also be seen in an episode of FX’s BETTER THINGS, as well as the award winning shorts ANACONDA and EXHIBIT A.
Madison West (she/they) is a queer, AuDHD actor based in Austin, TX and Los Angeles, CA. She graduated Cum Laude from USC, with a Bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts, and a double minor in the French Language, and Film Studies. Madison’s recent work includes Academy Award winning film MANK, and SXSW selection SHATTERBELT. When she’s not acting, she’s crafting, snuggling with her dog, or convincing people to watch various franchises of The Real Housewives. (You gotta give it a try, y’all, it’s SO good).
Dino Petrera (he/they/she) is best known for his role of Jonah Sharpe in the Netflix series NEVER HAVE I EVER and has showcased his specialty for queer roles on such hit shows as BROAD CITY and SHAMELESS. He began acting as a child which helped him to overcome speech disorders related to a congenital hearing loss. His experiences being other-ed as a member of the LGBTQIA+ and deaf communities contribute to his advocacy for social equality, on screen and off. BFA Theatre Performance, Niagara University.
Bri Oglu (she/her) is a LA-based actor and singer-songwriter. Her first feature, CAPTAIN HAGEN’S BED & BREAKFAST, received Best Comedy Feature (NYC Film Festival); she also won Best Acting Duo alongside writer/director Rosalie Alspach in the award-winning short film, THE HOSTESS. As a singer she was signed to Epidemic Sound and released her debut EP in 2023, accruing over half a million streams on Spotify. She was recognized by Celeb Mix, Music Connection Magazine, Mundane Magazine, and LA Music Review and has performed at the esteemed Troubadour and The Viper Room. BFA Acting, Illinois Wesleyan University
Deming Magner(they/she) is a graduate of Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. They are an LA based actor and filmmaker. Their work has been featured at the LA Punk Film Festival, Catalina Film Festival, San Antonio Film Festival, and LAIFFA. They recently starred as Betty 5 in COLLECTIVE RAGE: A PLAY IN 5 BETTIES with Bethesda Repertory & LA’s LGBT Center and is writing and starring in their upcoming queer short comedy, SLIPPERY WHEN WET.
Rosalie Alspach (she/her) See director bio above!
Steven Allerick (he/him) Born in Canada to Jamaican parents of diverse racial backgrounds has given Steven diverse a very unique perspective on life, love, and all things art is derived from. Steven first erupted as Simba in Disney’s Broadway musical THE LION KING and has since been seen in: the Paramount blockbuster G.I. JOE ORIGINS: SNAKE EYES; NBC hit THE IRRATIONAL; the monster cult hit FEAR THE WALKING DEAD; modern Sci-Fi classic THE EXPANSE; and network darling CHICAGO FIRE among many others. Steven is so proud to be a part of this wonderful and touching film.
EMMA MAZUREK
Unit Production Manager | Assistant Director
As a Lebanese-Polish artist, Emma is passionate about telling authentic and provocative stories while centering femme folks on screen and behind the camera. Her work often revolves around the complexities of feminine emotions, ranging from rage to joy and everything in between. When she is not making or watching movies, Emma is singing karaoke, writing poetry, or goofing around with her friends and family. Emma received her Bachelor's degree in English Writing from DePauw University and her MFA in Directing from Columbia College Chicago, where she honed the craft of creating films she wishes she could have seen as a teenager.
SHANNON TRIGGER
Hair & Makeup
Shannon Trigger is a Los Angeles–based Make-up artist with over 12 years of experience in television, film, and commercial work. She is a member of IATSE Local 706 and loves creating subtle, story-driven designs that enhance a character without overpowering the performance. Beyond set life, Shannon shares educational beauty content and film/tv makeup tips on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram @MakeupByShannonMarie.
DAN PEDERSON
Production Sound Mixer
Dan Pedersen is a freelance sound-mixer and music producer from San Diego, CA. Professionally debuting since 2020, Dan Pedersen had a rigorous background in acoustics and sound mixing already from his time spent playing and setting up music events for local projects like "Gaslight" and his own monikered as "Danep" on any streaming service.
Check out the rest of our team on IMDB!