Jellybean
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Thriller, Drama
Politics. Religion. All things we’re not supposed to talk about. Everything our film JELLYBEAN is about. We all know people who have lost friends and family because of these topics. That’s why it was important for us to explore the complexities of family relationships strained by them.
Jellybean
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Thriller, Drama
2 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,200 for development. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
29 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Politics. Religion. All things we’re not supposed to talk about. Everything our film JELLYBEAN is about. We all know people who have lost friends and family because of these topics. That’s why it was important for us to explore the complexities of family relationships strained by them.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Losing a family member to politics is an all-too familiar feeling for most of us.
But, what happens when that politician is also a literal cult leader?
Our film follows Shonna, a political advisor, on the day her estranged sister, Blossom, reaches out to her after being missing for years. When Shonna finally sits down with her sister, she finds out Blossom had run off to join a criminal cult – whose leader is now the candidate running against the campaign Shonna works for. There’s nothing Shonna wouldn’t give to reunite with her sister, but she can’t throw her life away for someone who ran away from her?
The question and the guilt gnaw at Shonna until it all escalates when she realizes whatever she decides could cost them their lives.
We think it’s pretty obvious why you should join this team with your support, but just in case you need a little more convincing.
1. Start a conversation
Jellybean is an incredibly timely story. It takes a universal feeling that many people are trying to navigate, and it aims to ask the question - why do you believe what you believe? Are you willing to put aside your affiliations for the ones you love?
2. Share the spotlight
This film is about the dangers of simply conforming and falling in line. Our only defense against that is making space and listening to voices that are often overlooked. We're incredibly proud to have a female-led cast and a Thai-American writer/director.
With this film, we're working with creatives from all genders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It’s the only way to tell a story that not only reflects the people we love but also resonates with them.
Jellybean is a cult thriller, and it’s critical that the story plays into the feelings of entrapment that come along with any strained relationship. While the first thought might be to make it dark and brooding, a majority of our film is set in the north Georgia mountains. In the winter, this location has a sunny, albeit cold and steely feeling that is almost disturbing. We want this location to be a character in and of itself, taking inspiration from other films that play into this bright(er) thriller genre like Midsommar, Gone Girl, and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.
The Phuket Productions team (which includes the director, Jeff Phungglan) has over a decade of experience working in production. Our recent work has explored both the narrative and documentary worlds. Every project has a dramatic arc and is multi-layered with human stories at their heart. Many of them interrogate themes of family, relationships, and displacement.
Our most recent film, a sci-fi thriller called The Algo, is currently out on the festival circuit – and we couldn’t be happier with the reception it’s getting. We plan on taking our festival and release strategy learnings from The Algo and using them to take Jellybean even further and wider.
While financial support is undeniably useful, there are a variety of ways you can help us make this movie a reality.
1. Share this project.
Hit the share button to post about it on your social media pages. Or, better yet, text/email it to someone who you know would love to see this film. You can even simply click the blue heart to follow this project and check in on our progress. All of these things increase our visibility and will help us pick up momentum towards our goal.
2. Fund the project.
Making a film is no small feat. Making an important one is that much harder. We believe that Jellybean is a story that has all the right ingredients to make a big impact. And, with your support, we’ll be able to tell it in a stylized and cinematic way.
Our goal is to not just grab people’s attention, but we don’t ever want to let it go. We want people to be so enthralled in this story that they’re thinking about it for days after they watch it.
3. A little of both?
Yes, this is a bit obvious, but I’m a firm believer in the rule of 3’s. But, seriously this is the best method of support – being a backer and an evangelist!
When it comes to funding, our writer/director is self-financing a majority of this movie, like he’s done with many of his other projects. We believe in this film and that this story needs to be told, so we’re willing to do whatever it takes to bring it to life.
Many of the cast and crew also believe in this project and have agreed to work well below their normal rate. Most of them are even willing to volunteer their time. However, all of us have bills to pay and will be taking time away from our regular day jobs to work on this project. Being able to fairly compensate the team for their talents would be the cherry on top.
It takes a village to make a movie. Your help, no matter the size or in what form, will make an immeasurable difference. Our cast and crew deserve to shine in the best light when telling this story, and you can help make that happen!
If you have any questions about the project feel free to reach out. If you’re able to back the project make sure to slide into our DMs (IG: @phuketprods) and toot your own horn. We love to hear it. Toot toot! We can’t wait to make some movie magic with you!!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera + Sound Gear Rentals
Costs $1,500
It takes more than a camera to make a movie. You need lights, monitors, flags, cables, apple boxes – oh, so many apple boxes.
Crew Costs
Costs $1,500
It takes a village to make a film. Crews deserve more credit than they get. But, most importantly they should be able to pay their bills.
Cast Costs
Costs $1,250
There is no movie without a cast. We want to make sure our cast is taken care of and paid in more than just "exposure."
Crafty + Catering
Costs $500
To say that shoot days are long hours would be an understatement. We need to make sure our crew is fed, hydrated, and well taken care of.
Locations
Costs $500
Locations can make or break a scene. We'll need the best spaces to really sell this production.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jeff Phungglan - Writer/Director
Jeff has spent the better part of a decade working as a creative in advertising and making short films; winning awards in both endeavors. He fell in love with filmmaking in high school. But, he spent so much time making movies that it derailed his time at Bible college and pushed him to pursue a career in TV & Film — instead of full-time ministry, like he promised his family.
Kayla Phungglan - Executive Producer
Kayla has been a producer on several emmy-winning campaigns for brands like Nike, Apple, and Spotify. She’s been involved in every part of production, but it’s her keen eye and sharp ear that makes her one of the best producers in the industry.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Losing a family member to politics is an all-too familiar feeling for most of us.
But, what happens when that politician is also a literal cult leader?
Our film follows Shonna, a political advisor, on the day her estranged sister, Blossom, reaches out to her after being missing for years. When Shonna finally sits down with her sister, she finds out Blossom had run off to join a criminal cult – whose leader is now the candidate running against the campaign Shonna works for. There’s nothing Shonna wouldn’t give to reunite with her sister, but she can’t throw her life away for someone who ran away from her?
The question and the guilt gnaw at Shonna until it all escalates when she realizes whatever she decides could cost them their lives.
We think it’s pretty obvious why you should join this team with your support, but just in case you need a little more convincing.
1. Start a conversation
Jellybean is an incredibly timely story. It takes a universal feeling that many people are trying to navigate, and it aims to ask the question - why do you believe what you believe? Are you willing to put aside your affiliations for the ones you love?
2. Share the spotlight
This film is about the dangers of simply conforming and falling in line. Our only defense against that is making space and listening to voices that are often overlooked. We're incredibly proud to have a female-led cast and a Thai-American writer/director.
With this film, we're working with creatives from all genders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It’s the only way to tell a story that not only reflects the people we love but also resonates with them.
Jellybean is a cult thriller, and it’s critical that the story plays into the feelings of entrapment that come along with any strained relationship. While the first thought might be to make it dark and brooding, a majority of our film is set in the north Georgia mountains. In the winter, this location has a sunny, albeit cold and steely feeling that is almost disturbing. We want this location to be a character in and of itself, taking inspiration from other films that play into this bright(er) thriller genre like Midsommar, Gone Girl, and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.
The Phuket Productions team (which includes the director, Jeff Phungglan) has over a decade of experience working in production. Our recent work has explored both the narrative and documentary worlds. Every project has a dramatic arc and is multi-layered with human stories at their heart. Many of them interrogate themes of family, relationships, and displacement.
Our most recent film, a sci-fi thriller called The Algo, is currently out on the festival circuit – and we couldn’t be happier with the reception it’s getting. We plan on taking our festival and release strategy learnings from The Algo and using them to take Jellybean even further and wider.
While financial support is undeniably useful, there are a variety of ways you can help us make this movie a reality.
1. Share this project.
Hit the share button to post about it on your social media pages. Or, better yet, text/email it to someone who you know would love to see this film. You can even simply click the blue heart to follow this project and check in on our progress. All of these things increase our visibility and will help us pick up momentum towards our goal.
2. Fund the project.
Making a film is no small feat. Making an important one is that much harder. We believe that Jellybean is a story that has all the right ingredients to make a big impact. And, with your support, we’ll be able to tell it in a stylized and cinematic way.
Our goal is to not just grab people’s attention, but we don’t ever want to let it go. We want people to be so enthralled in this story that they’re thinking about it for days after they watch it.
3. A little of both?
Yes, this is a bit obvious, but I’m a firm believer in the rule of 3’s. But, seriously this is the best method of support – being a backer and an evangelist!
When it comes to funding, our writer/director is self-financing a majority of this movie, like he’s done with many of his other projects. We believe in this film and that this story needs to be told, so we’re willing to do whatever it takes to bring it to life.
Many of the cast and crew also believe in this project and have agreed to work well below their normal rate. Most of them are even willing to volunteer their time. However, all of us have bills to pay and will be taking time away from our regular day jobs to work on this project. Being able to fairly compensate the team for their talents would be the cherry on top.
It takes a village to make a movie. Your help, no matter the size or in what form, will make an immeasurable difference. Our cast and crew deserve to shine in the best light when telling this story, and you can help make that happen!
If you have any questions about the project feel free to reach out. If you’re able to back the project make sure to slide into our DMs (IG: @phuketprods) and toot your own horn. We love to hear it. Toot toot! We can’t wait to make some movie magic with you!!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera + Sound Gear Rentals
Costs $1,500
It takes more than a camera to make a movie. You need lights, monitors, flags, cables, apple boxes – oh, so many apple boxes.
Crew Costs
Costs $1,500
It takes a village to make a film. Crews deserve more credit than they get. But, most importantly they should be able to pay their bills.
Cast Costs
Costs $1,250
There is no movie without a cast. We want to make sure our cast is taken care of and paid in more than just "exposure."
Crafty + Catering
Costs $500
To say that shoot days are long hours would be an understatement. We need to make sure our crew is fed, hydrated, and well taken care of.
Locations
Costs $500
Locations can make or break a scene. We'll need the best spaces to really sell this production.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jeff Phungglan - Writer/Director
Jeff has spent the better part of a decade working as a creative in advertising and making short films; winning awards in both endeavors. He fell in love with filmmaking in high school. But, he spent so much time making movies that it derailed his time at Bible college and pushed him to pursue a career in TV & Film — instead of full-time ministry, like he promised his family.
Kayla Phungglan - Executive Producer
Kayla has been a producer on several emmy-winning campaigns for brands like Nike, Apple, and Spotify. She’s been involved in every part of production, but it’s her keen eye and sharp ear that makes her one of the best producers in the industry.