Introspection
Baltimore, Maryland | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
Introspection aims to be the catalyst for creating spaces for black men to express themselves in a way that helps them to be more open about their insecurities and not to be unavailable to folks who want to understand their struggles.
Introspection
Baltimore, Maryland | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
1 Campaigns | Maryland, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,285 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
43 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Introspection aims to be the catalyst for creating spaces for black men to express themselves in a way that helps them to be more open about their insecurities and not to be unavailable to folks who want to understand their struggles.
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story

Introspection is a dramedy short film that takes place in Baltimore, MD, following the character of Kory Brown, who is a young entrepreneur who achieved success at a young age by opening a Technology Solutions business with his best friend from college. After disagreeing on expanding the business, Kory has a falling out with his best friend, causing the company to decline and close.
A year later, Kory must now re-enter the workforce, applying for different jobs in hopes of sustainability. One rejection after another causes Kory to lose confidence in himself, and he wonders if he is good enough for himself, his girlfriend, and society. Kory is introduced to the ride-share business but quickly finds out that it is not what it seems. He decides to continue his search for stable employment.

Introspection will serve as a launching pad towards a larger conversation that we feel has not been talked about enough within the black community. Black men deserve to be in spaces where they can be comfortable enough to express themselves and be vulnerable. Effectively addressing mental health issues among black men is essential, and this project will put an emphasis on prioritizing and advocating for mental health for black men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, black or African American men were four times more likely to commit suicide than black or African American women. Like many other stories about black and brown people, we continue to break the mode. While our story shines a light on issues that black men face, we are creating an opportunity to shift that narrative and give this community a space to be seen and heard.
With the help of our incredible cast and crew, we are dedicated to providing a safe and healthy workspace during all phases of our production process here in Maryland. Many know Baltimore as an expressive city with a growing culture in arts and media. However, over the years, it has unfortunately received a negative light due to the narrative that the media controls. With the opportunity to film our story in Baltimore, we have a chance to continue to push the narrative in a positive direction while also addressing issues in the black community without exploitation. We will also be able to add to the opportunities available to filmmakers and storytellers in this city.

Introspection will aim to capture wide angles and close-ups. This will allow the audience to see the character’s emotions and the bigger picture. We will utilize mirror or reflective shots and explore more experimental angles to set this project apart from what we often see. To immerse the audience into this film's world, we aim to capture a true, clear image, finding a steady medium between warm and cool color tones.


Comparable Films and Inspiration


The goal for this Seed & Spark Campaign is $10,000, which is about half of our short film's total budget. Below, you can see a breakdown of our total budget:
.png)
We are currently in the pre-production phase for Introspection. This includes planning our shooting days, searching for crew, and hosting auditions. With any amount you pledge, you will help bring us closer to our goal of $10,000 to make this film a reality. With your pledge, you’ll receive exclusive perks that are only available to Seed & Spark backers. Pick the amount that fits your budget and the perk that speaks to you most. Our team thanks you for your willingness to give your hard-earned money to this film.
The money we earn from this campaign will help us pay for production costs such as rentals, compensation for cast and crew, and finding the perfect locations to tell our story. Our team is well motivated to shoot for a total of 6-days at the end of September this year (2024). Once editing and post-production are complete, we intend to have a premiere event to celebrate all we have accomplished and continue spreading our message. If Introspection exceeds our goal, any additional funds will go towards better quality production costs, post-production, festivals, and promotion to increase our reach and impact.

Thank you for taking the time to check out our crowdfund! We believe that Introspection will be an essential part of advocating for black men and their mental health, and we welcome any and all support to get this project off the ground!
How can you support a powerful group of filmmakers and further the conversation on mental health awareness amongst black men?
Please like & follow this page, and share this project with your network of friends, family, and colleagues. You can also share our campaign through social media and follow our Instagram (IG) page for more updates @introspectionlimitedseries. Thank you for your time!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $1,200
This will support the compensation towards the cast of the film.
Crew Compensation
Costs $7,800
This will support the compensation for the film production crew.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
This will help support our goal to bring the world of Introspection to life.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
About This Team
CALVIN SMITH (CREATOR, CO-PRODUCER, AND CO-WRITER)

Born and raised In Baltimore, MD. Calvin started his writing career, culminating in the release of his self-help book, “The Power of Values.” Since then, he has written several short stories, poems, and scripts. In 2020, Calvin released his debut feature film, “Fade Away,” adapted from one of his short stories. Calvin hopes to craft authentic stories that will captivate audiences and allow them to see themselves in his work.
MADISON MATTISON (DIRECTOR, CO-PRODUCER, AND CO-WRITER)

Baltimore-born and raised, she began writing at an early age. In high school, she became interested in working in the film industry. Since then, she has asserted herself in the community of filmmaking. She has worked on many sets to gain knowledge and experience. In 2022, Madison graduated from Goucher College with a BA in professional and creative writing. During her college years, she has published many poems and short stories in addition to having two independent shorts, Dear Music and The Undergraduate. This will be her directorial debut.
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story

Introspection is a dramedy short film that takes place in Baltimore, MD, following the character of Kory Brown, who is a young entrepreneur who achieved success at a young age by opening a Technology Solutions business with his best friend from college. After disagreeing on expanding the business, Kory has a falling out with his best friend, causing the company to decline and close.
A year later, Kory must now re-enter the workforce, applying for different jobs in hopes of sustainability. One rejection after another causes Kory to lose confidence in himself, and he wonders if he is good enough for himself, his girlfriend, and society. Kory is introduced to the ride-share business but quickly finds out that it is not what it seems. He decides to continue his search for stable employment.

Introspection will serve as a launching pad towards a larger conversation that we feel has not been talked about enough within the black community. Black men deserve to be in spaces where they can be comfortable enough to express themselves and be vulnerable. Effectively addressing mental health issues among black men is essential, and this project will put an emphasis on prioritizing and advocating for mental health for black men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, black or African American men were four times more likely to commit suicide than black or African American women. Like many other stories about black and brown people, we continue to break the mode. While our story shines a light on issues that black men face, we are creating an opportunity to shift that narrative and give this community a space to be seen and heard.
With the help of our incredible cast and crew, we are dedicated to providing a safe and healthy workspace during all phases of our production process here in Maryland. Many know Baltimore as an expressive city with a growing culture in arts and media. However, over the years, it has unfortunately received a negative light due to the narrative that the media controls. With the opportunity to film our story in Baltimore, we have a chance to continue to push the narrative in a positive direction while also addressing issues in the black community without exploitation. We will also be able to add to the opportunities available to filmmakers and storytellers in this city.

Introspection will aim to capture wide angles and close-ups. This will allow the audience to see the character’s emotions and the bigger picture. We will utilize mirror or reflective shots and explore more experimental angles to set this project apart from what we often see. To immerse the audience into this film's world, we aim to capture a true, clear image, finding a steady medium between warm and cool color tones.


Comparable Films and Inspiration


The goal for this Seed & Spark Campaign is $10,000, which is about half of our short film's total budget. Below, you can see a breakdown of our total budget:
.png)
We are currently in the pre-production phase for Introspection. This includes planning our shooting days, searching for crew, and hosting auditions. With any amount you pledge, you will help bring us closer to our goal of $10,000 to make this film a reality. With your pledge, you’ll receive exclusive perks that are only available to Seed & Spark backers. Pick the amount that fits your budget and the perk that speaks to you most. Our team thanks you for your willingness to give your hard-earned money to this film.
The money we earn from this campaign will help us pay for production costs such as rentals, compensation for cast and crew, and finding the perfect locations to tell our story. Our team is well motivated to shoot for a total of 6-days at the end of September this year (2024). Once editing and post-production are complete, we intend to have a premiere event to celebrate all we have accomplished and continue spreading our message. If Introspection exceeds our goal, any additional funds will go towards better quality production costs, post-production, festivals, and promotion to increase our reach and impact.

Thank you for taking the time to check out our crowdfund! We believe that Introspection will be an essential part of advocating for black men and their mental health, and we welcome any and all support to get this project off the ground!
How can you support a powerful group of filmmakers and further the conversation on mental health awareness amongst black men?
Please like & follow this page, and share this project with your network of friends, family, and colleagues. You can also share our campaign through social media and follow our Instagram (IG) page for more updates @introspectionlimitedseries. Thank you for your time!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $1,200
This will support the compensation towards the cast of the film.
Crew Compensation
Costs $7,800
This will support the compensation for the film production crew.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
This will help support our goal to bring the world of Introspection to life.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
About This Team
CALVIN SMITH (CREATOR, CO-PRODUCER, AND CO-WRITER)

Born and raised In Baltimore, MD. Calvin started his writing career, culminating in the release of his self-help book, “The Power of Values.” Since then, he has written several short stories, poems, and scripts. In 2020, Calvin released his debut feature film, “Fade Away,” adapted from one of his short stories. Calvin hopes to craft authentic stories that will captivate audiences and allow them to see themselves in his work.
MADISON MATTISON (DIRECTOR, CO-PRODUCER, AND CO-WRITER)

Baltimore-born and raised, she began writing at an early age. In high school, she became interested in working in the film industry. Since then, she has asserted herself in the community of filmmaking. She has worked on many sets to gain knowledge and experience. In 2022, Madison graduated from Goucher College with a BA in professional and creative writing. During her college years, she has published many poems and short stories in addition to having two independent shorts, Dear Music and The Undergraduate. This will be her directorial debut.