A coming-of-age short film about Katie Meyers, a high school senior, who reconnects with an old camp crush to learn things school can't teach, because if you want to grow up, you have to say yes...right?
A coming-of-age short film about Katie Meyers, a high school senior, who reconnects with an old camp crush to learn things school can't teach, because if you want to grow up, you have to say yes...right?
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Story
Mission Statement
Young women are independent go-getters who belong wherever they choose to be, not just in the kitchen, but in the office, in the white house, and even in the bedroom. Kissing Kerouac is a slice of life short film that explores how young naiveté can graduate to self-discovery and empowerment.About The Project
The Question
Growing up means having new experiences - exciting ones, happy ones, and more than a few awkward ones.
So if you want to grow up, you have to say 'yes.'
Right?
The Story
Katie Meyers is a high school senior interviewing at a university - the same college her old camp crush attends. So Katie makes a snap decision to reconnect with him. They meet, flirt up a storm, and before she knows it, Katie agrees to go back to his dorm room. But once she gets there, Katie can't help but feel like the virgin she is: in over her head.
The Style
The best part of coming-of-age films is how much of ourselves we can see in the characters. We want to meet more female characters who have a strong sense of self and still have so much to learn; ones who have that I'm-Willing-To-Take-A-Risk groundedness with a splash of I've-Just-Had-My-First-Kiss-Now-What? innocence. These were the girls we were and knew growing up, containing multitudes that should be reflected on screen.
The Inspiration
We've pulled inspiration from the authenticity of The Spectacular Now, the awkwardness in The Edge of Seventeen, the heart in Eighth Grade, and the humor in Yes, God, Yes. (All of these are great movies with female protagonists, incredible casts and awesome writing - we highly recommend them.)
Writer's Statement
Hi, I'm Molly Chiffer! I wrote Kissing Kerouac to center an eighteen year old girl who finds the courage to be vulnerable on her own terms, who makes choices that only young adults who want to grow up faster make. We’ve all been there, and while some of those decisions make us cringe now - the girls we used to be and used to know played important parts in us becoming who we are. For that, we love and root for them.
Kissing Kerouac is about growing up: choosing growing pains for the sake of knowing more. It’s about the choices we make to open ourselves up to new experiences - or maybe just to spread our legs and get some.
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Where We Are Now
We have a finished script, a contracted cast and crew, and a production timeline. We plan to submit Kissing Kerouac to festivals at the local, regional, national and international levels and share it with all of you - the ones who made it possible by contributing to our Seed & Spark campaign. We need to secure this funding to move forward with booking locations, equipment, registering for permits and insurance, and making sure we can film safely in 2021.
THE FUNDING
We are all about stretching a dollar, but there are some things that go into the filmmaking process that are worth splurging on. Like what you ask? Like...
- Personal Protective Equipment - to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible on set
- Location Fees & Permits - because the way to make a dorm room, library and college campus look authentic onscreen is to film in a dorm room, library and on a college campus.
- Production Insurance - so we can have every person and piece of equipment covered.
- Crafty & Catering - because a fed cast and crew is a happy cast and crew!
- Props, Costumes, Set Decorations - to bring this story to life and make this world real.
- Equipment & the Folks Handling It - how the film looks and sounds-the meat and potatoes of the whole sha-bang-really matters.
- Film Festival Application Fees - yup, we've got plans and goals for this short film.
- Seed & Spark Fees - we love working with Seed & Spark, but even crowdfunding isn't free.
That Extra Challenge
You know the one we're talking about. It has effected the whole world: COVID-19. During the weeks and months of quaruntine the film industry and the Screen Actors Guild have developed a serious method of filming as safely as possible and we plan on doing the same. We will be abiding by all COVID-19 health and safety protocols, as well as having a COVID Compliance Officer on set at all times. We take this incredibly seriously and we are committed to producing our film in the safest, most cost-effective, and most prompt way possible.
There are so many ways to help, and pledging is just one of them.
You can also support us by spreading the word to friends and family, following us on social media (@kissingkerouac), and giving us a shout out. Whether you're a fan of kissing or a fan of Kerouac, we thank you and can't wait to join forces!
Incentives
$10
THANK YOU
A social media shoutout and our undying gratitude!
$25
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD PLUS
Digital Download PLUS - your name on the Kissing Kerouac digital movie poster & an optional, shareable E-Book on Intimacy Coordination and Consent, because those are two things we are big fans of!
INCLUDES
- Your name on Kissing Kerouac digital movie poster
- Intimacy Coordination & Consent E-BOOK
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
$50
BACKSTAGE PASS
You'll get a peak behind the curtain with a our DIGITAL PACK: the blooper reel, a PDF of the shooting script with director's notes and select storyboards!
INCLUDES
- Digital Pack: Blooper Reel, Shooting Script, Select Storyboards
- Your name on Kissing Kerouac digital movie poster
- Intimacy Coordination & Consent E-BOOK (optional)
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
$100
YOUR NAME IMMORTALIZED
Your name - in the credits - an official thank you from us to you in the closing credits!
INCLUDES
- Your Name in the Credits
- Digital Behind the Scenes Pack
- Your name on Kissing Kerouac digital movie poster
- E-Book on Intimacy Coordination and Consent (optional)
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
$250
A PROP TURNED MEMENTO
You will recieve a prop used in the film, and if it can be signed by the cast and crew - it will be. See the item on screen, and then in your living room!
INCLUDES
- Film Prop used in the making of Kissing Kerouac
- Your Name in the Credits
& All Previous Goodies!
$500
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT
You are now a film producer! Your name will appear in the credits and on IMDB as an Associate Producer of this short film - brag about it because you've got the cred!
INCLUDES
- Associate Producer Credit (on IMDB & in credits)
- Film Prop used in the making of Kissing Kerouac
& All Previous Goodies!
$1,000
CO-PRODUCER CREDIT PLUS
As a Co-Producer you will be credited on IMDB and in the film, and have the opurtunity to view the film BEFORE it's picture locked - that's right, before it's polished, and have a chance to talk with the director about it. Real Behind-the-Scenes Access.
INCLUDES
- Early Access Screening + Director Chat
- Co-Producer Credit (on IMDB & in credits)
- Film Prop used in the making of Kissing Kerouac
- Digital Behind the Scenes Pack
- E-Book on Intimacy Coordination and Consent
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
$2,500
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Not only will you have the team's undying gratitude, but you will be an Executive Producer of Kissing Kerouac. We will send you the prop On the Road book signed by the cast and crew, feature your name in the credits and on IMDB, and provide you with early access to the film with the oppurtunity to give feedback that may even make it into the final cut! You will also recieve a copy of the original first draft script to compare to the final shooting script.
INCLUDES
- Early Access Screening + Director Chat for Feedback
- Executive Producer Credit (on IMDB & in credits)
- First draft of Kissing Kerouac script
- Film Prop used in the making of Kissing Kerouac
- Digital Behind the Scenes Pack
- E-Book on Intimacy Coordination and Consent
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
THANK YOU
A social media shoutout and our undying gratitude!
$25
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD PLUS
Digital Download PLUS - your name on the Kissing Kerouac digital movie poster & an optional, shareable E-Book on Intimacy Coordination and Consent, because those are two things we are big fans of!
INCLUDES
- Your name on Kissing Kerouac digital movie poster
- Intimacy Coordination & Consent E-BOOK
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
$50
BACKSTAGE PASS
You'll get a peak behind the curtain with a our DIGITAL PACK: the blooper reel, a PDF of the shooting script with director's notes and select storyboards!
INCLUDES
- Digital Pack: Blooper Reel, Shooting Script, Select Storyboards
- Your name on Kissing Kerouac digital movie poster
- Intimacy Coordination & Consent E-BOOK (optional)
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
$100
YOUR NAME IMMORTALIZED
Your name - in the credits - an official thank you from us to you in the closing credits!
INCLUDES
- Your Name in the Credits
- Digital Behind the Scenes Pack
- Your name on Kissing Kerouac digital movie poster
- E-Book on Intimacy Coordination and Consent (optional)
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
$250
A PROP TURNED MEMENTO
You will recieve a prop used in the film, and if it can be signed by the cast and crew - it will be. See the item on screen, and then in your living room!
INCLUDES
- Film Prop used in the making of Kissing Kerouac
- Your Name in the Credits
& All Previous Goodies!
$500
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT
You are now a film producer! Your name will appear in the credits and on IMDB as an Associate Producer of this short film - brag about it because you've got the cred!
INCLUDES
- Associate Producer Credit (on IMDB & in credits)
- Film Prop used in the making of Kissing Kerouac
& All Previous Goodies!
$1,000
CO-PRODUCER CREDIT PLUS
As a Co-Producer you will be credited on IMDB and in the film, and have the opurtunity to view the film BEFORE it's picture locked - that's right, before it's polished, and have a chance to talk with the director about it. Real Behind-the-Scenes Access.
INCLUDES
- Early Access Screening + Director Chat
- Co-Producer Credit (on IMDB & in credits)
- Film Prop used in the making of Kissing Kerouac
- Digital Behind the Scenes Pack
- E-Book on Intimacy Coordination and Consent
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
$2,500
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Not only will you have the team's undying gratitude, but you will be an Executive Producer of Kissing Kerouac. We will send you the prop On the Road book signed by the cast and crew, feature your name in the credits and on IMDB, and provide you with early access to the film with the oppurtunity to give feedback that may even make it into the final cut! You will also recieve a copy of the original first draft script to compare to the final shooting script.
INCLUDES
- Early Access Screening + Director Chat for Feedback
- Executive Producer Credit (on IMDB & in credits)
- First draft of Kissing Kerouac script
- Film Prop used in the making of Kissing Kerouac
- Digital Behind the Scenes Pack
- E-Book on Intimacy Coordination and Consent
- Digital Download (password protected link)
- Social Media Shoutout
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Molly Chiffer (Writer/Director) - is a writer-director-filmmaker who has been on sets for over a decade. Molly recieved her BFA in Acting from the University of Southern California. Now based in NYC, she's worked at MTC's Broadway theater, and select off broadway theaters along with shooting multiple short films. She's passionate about telling stories of humanity that make people feel seen, not alone and most of all - hopeful. (mollychiffer.com)
Jamie Salinger (Assistant Director) - Jamie is thrilled to be Assistant Directing Kissing Kerouac! As a recent graduate of the University of Southern California, Jamie is most passionate about managing and producing film, television, theatre, and events. Most recently, Jamie has been working as a Stage Management Apprentice at The Juilliard School and managing online shows such as USC’s Lena Passes By, Regents University London’s So You Can Look Ahead, and The American Theatre Critics Association’s Annual 3-Day Conference.
Matt Cerisano (Director of Photography/Editor) - received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, where his films Last Night and Recurrence won Campus Moviefest two years in a row, along with being a Ridgewood Film Festival Finalist. While in college he worked on countless music videos, and shot photos for Vans Skateboarding. After graduating, Matt moved to NYC to work in the video department at Reproductions and with two business partners launched Zipline Media. (https://www.zipline.media/).
Acacia (Intimacy Coordinator) - is an intimacy coordinator, writer, and filmmaker based in NYC. They received their BA in International Studies from Vassar College in 2019 with an emphasis on Women and Queer studies and anti-colonial History and a minor in Film. Acacia has intimacy coordinated multiple films including Apophenia staring Darren Barnet and Coronadate and lectured on Intimacy In Film at various colleges. They are writing a Western dramedy series called Queer•est which uses magical realism to explore queer futurity in a historical context and patenting a line of anti-pull intimacy barriers to protect actors during scenes of intimacy (https://acacia.gay/).
Ashley Morton (Line Producer) - is a New York based performer, producer, and voiceover artist. Credits include Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical (National Tour), The 39 Steps (International City Theater), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Anchorage Concert Association). She produces Best, Bold, Brand New, a seasonal variety show. She earned a BFA in Acting from USC. (https://www.ashmorton.com/)
Clint Blakely (Composer) - has played & sung music around the world – from bars & clubs in Los Angeles to concert halls in Amsterdam to churches in Rio de Janeiro. He holds a BA in Jazz Voice from USC, where he studied with some of LA’s finest vocalists, arrangers, composers, and songwriters. As an actor, Clint has performed in various short films and onstage in Shakespeare festivals throughout California. Clint’s most prized possession is his tofu press.
Tiana Umbach (Graphic Designer) -is a graphic designer who graduated with a BA in Graphic Design and Studio Arts from Stonehill College who is currently working towards her MFA in Graphic Design. She is inspired by music, fashion and nature. Her artistic interests center around hand lettering and illustration and using her physical studio art skills in creative ways for design work. All Kissing Kerouac poster graphics are her incredible handiwork. (https://www.tianajosephinedesign.com/)
Will Martinez ("Jay") - is a NYC based actor and model. He is best known for his role as Blue Espinosa in the film Heroes of Dirt. He is interested in working on films that tackle diversity and advocate for Latino actors on screen. (https://www.williammartinez.net/photos-1)
Molly Chiffer ("Katie") - is also an actress who got her BFA from USC (fight on).You can catch her in John Patrick Shanley's film Doubt and she's loved being on set ever since. (https://www.mollychiffer.com/about)
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