Ladies of Versailles
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Music
This TV pilot is based on the true story of writer Julie Ivers’ experience running a DIY music venue with her roommates out of their college apartment. This show will create a platform for local independent music, tell a story of strong female friendship, and convey the beauty of creative community.
Ladies of Versailles
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Music
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $20,956 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
83 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
This TV pilot is based on the true story of writer Julie Ivers’ experience running a DIY music venue with her roommates out of their college apartment. This show will create a platform for local independent music, tell a story of strong female friendship, and convey the beauty of creative community.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the pilot, we meet our four roommates — Val, Marie, Serena, and Luce — as they settle in their new home: a dilapidated Brooklyn mansion they share with Serena’s aunt, the eccentric Kathleen.
After Val gets a devastating job rejection from the college radio station, the girls plan a night out at The Foyer, their favorite underground music venue. But when they arrive, they’re horrified to discover it’s been taken over by boring frat bros and Marie’s awful ex, Max. After enduring droning male ego, surviving a disastrous bathroom mishap, and getting kicked out of the venue, the roommates decide to host their own shows at Kathleen's mansion and reign as the best venue in Brooklyn. Versailles is born.
The ladies of Versailles plan their first house show behind Kathleen’s back, but a miscalculated edible dose and visions of a raccoon send Kathleen storming into the party, effectively shutting it down. With just the band and a few stragglers left, the ladies take their almost-victory in stride, and dance until dawn with the only people who matter — each other.
Valerie - Val has a passion for music with a finger on the pulse of the city's underground music scene. She loves a good house show and knows all of the bands in the area. She can shotgun a beer in 10 seconds (no joke).
Luce - Luce has changed her major a dozen times, taken up nude modeling, and will definitely use your shampoo without asking. She’s a killer musician (but don’t tell anyone). She's too busy being aloof to actually practice.
Serena - Serena follows in her aunt Kathleen’s footsteps and is a total flower child. She loves a party, but knows how to clean up her own messes. She can’t wait to have a homey backyard wedding with her girlfriend Grace.
Marie - While Marie's fun-loving and creative, she puts on a guarded front. She’s fiery, fiercely loyal, and loves curating a vibe. She's determined to make Versailles the best venue in the city so she can get revenge against her ex and brag about it in her autobiography.
Kathleen - Kathleen is Serena's aunt and the live-in landlord of Versailles. As a hippy and troublemaker in her own right, she runs the fine line of stirring up mischief and keeping the girls out of harm's way.
Dean - As the lead singer for his band Edict, Dean has talent, charm, and good looks on his side. He takes notice in Luce who harbors a crush on him, but is too shy to make a move.
Spike - While Spike is well-meaning, his enthusiasm for the underground music scene comes off as pretentious and performative.
In the mid-2010s, I frequented the Chicago DIY scene, showing up at strangers’ apartments and abandoned churches to listen to bands I’d never heard of. I loved it. The energy was electric; the crowd was wild yet welcoming. There was something magic about the live music. When we signed the lease on our first apartment, my college roommates and I decided to start our own underground music venue. We called it Versailles.
Photos from the original Versailles.
Over the course of a few years, we hosted shows and block parties with bands including Whitney, Twin Peaks, Modern Vices, and Hot Like Mars, had the cops called several times, got broken into, dragged old Christmas trees from the alley into the living room as decoration, had a seance in the vacant upstairs apartment, fell in love, fell out of love, got wasted, made art, and had fun. I wrote 'Ladies of Versailles' as an homage to this time in my life: the music, friendships, and messiness of young adulthood.
The aim of this project is to create a platform for local independent music, tell a story of joy and friendship, and convey the beauty of creative community and the power in a collective coming together for a common cause.
- Julie Ivers, Writer/Creative Producer
Never been to a house show? Don't worry, Ladies of Versailles will make you feel like you have.
This show's aesthetic will reflect our girls and their world: grungy, dynamic, intimate, and a little chaotic. While set in modern day Brooklyn, Versailles will blend the indie sleaze of the 00s, the poppy vibrance of the 70s, and the opulence of rococo art.
And above all, there's going to be some incredible music. We're partnering with independent and under-exposed bands and artists to provide a platform for the incredible DIY music scene in New York. Get ready to be soaked in reverb.
HELP US RAISE $25K+ AND BEYOND in 60 days!
Our initial crowdfunding goal is part of our $80K overall goal to start our production in the summer of 2026.
Our mission is to highlight underrepresented voices and showcase their art, not only through the story portrayed by our characters on screen, but through the craftsmanship and effort of our crew behind the scenes as well. As independent filmmakers, we understand firsthand how important it is to fairly compensate our crew for their hard work and dedication. Your donations will go directly towards paying the talented individuals who help bring our vision to life. These funds will also be put toward locations, props and set design, camera and lighting equipment, meals, and more.
Every little bit of support goes a long way – every dollar, every follow, every share. Here are some ways you can help:
- PLEDGE a donation to our project to help us produce and complete Ladies of Versailles. Any amount helps!
- SHARE our campaign page with 3 friends who you think might be interested in learning more.
- FOLLOW by clicking the blue “FOLLOW” button at the top of our crowdfunding page – it’s totally free! Or follow us on IG at @ladiesofversailles (film's ig) or @sernocturna (production company) to stay up on date with our film!
- PARTY WITH US at our next house show fundraiser. This past September, we hosted our own DIY show as a means to raise funds for our production. Our lineup included several bands from the NYC area including Dallas Wax, Wetsuit, Hipsy Gap, and GRASSFED. Proceeds from ticket sales went directly to our production. Our next show will take place in February, and we'd love to see you there!
- SPONSOR US if you or someone you know is affiliated with an organization who wants to support our cause, please connect through email ([email protected])
- DONATE IN-KIND SUPPORT- Maybe you have access to a Brooklyn filming location, know local musicians that might want to collaborate, or could lend production materials like props, costumes, or gear. Check out our Wish List to see what we’re looking for—or reach out to [email protected] with an idea!
This project is not just a story – it’s a love letter to DIY culture, creative resilience, and the communities that uplift us. With your support, we can bring this vibrant world to life while honoring the labor of the artists behind the camera.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food
Costs $2,000
We gotta eat! Please help us provide food and water for our crew. It's huge for morale.
Cast & Crew
Costs $5,000
We are thrilled to work with a talented cast and crew. Each person on our team will be compensated for their time on this film.
Location
Costs $3,000
Home sweet home. Funds would help us find the perfect location for Versailles that would fit our creative and logistical needs.
Art
Costs $2,500
The show will be highly stylized, paying particular attention to art direction and music selection. Help us build the world of Versailles!
Camera
Costs $2,500
Help us with rental costs and insurance and support our talented camera department!
Sound
Costs $2,000
There will be an emphasis on punk, reverberant, and ethereal sounds with female voices. We want it to be grungy... but not too grungy.
Grip & Electric
Costs $2,000
Funds for our grip and electric departments! They light up our world.
Miscellaneous
Costs $1,000
Miscellaneous production costs, including: extra essential equipment and items, transportation/travel, contingency fund.
Post Production & Music
Costs $5,000
Help us finish our film! This includes editing, color, sound design and music to score the emotional moments.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Julie Ivers (Writer|Creative Producer, she/her) - Julie Ivers is a designer and writer with over eight years of experience in the entertainment industry. She currently works as a graphic designer for Saturday Night Live's film unit, contributing to Emmy Award-winning production design. With a wicked sense of humor, her work often features themes of absurdity and community with a focus on rich world-building. She wrote "Ladies of Versailles" based on her own experience hosting house shows in Chicago. The script has received accolades from several screenwriting contests including the Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, Launch Pad Pilot Competition, Inroads Fellowship, ISA Fast Track Fellowship, Chicago Script Awards, and Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards.
Katrina Lee (Producer, she/her) - Katrina Lee is a Brooklyn-based writer/producer. She currently works on the Film Unit Production Staff for Saturday Night Live. She was selected for The Gotham EDU’s Film & Media Career Development Program in 2023 and went on to produce her most recent short film, Dirty Towel, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival and screened at Cleveland International Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and more. She is fueled by her love of filmmaking, connecting audiences, and sharing the unique stories of traditionally underrepresented communities.
Camila Grimaldi (Director|Producer, she/her) -Camila Grimaldi is an Argentinean-American filmmaker based in Brooklyn. Her most recent short film Breadwinner — a horror short about a blood-thirsty sourdough starter — screened at Academy-Award qualifying festivals across the US before premiering on Short of the Week. She has also directed music videos for artists James the Seventh and Janani K. Jha. She produces under her banner Ser Nocturna, a production company she co-founded, and has produced award-winning shorts which have screened at Sundance, SXSW, Raindance, and Woodstock Film Festival, among others. She is a Film Independent producing fellow.
Savannah Miller (Producer, she/her) - Savannah Miller is a Brooklyn based writer/director/producer. She graduated from Emerson College with a BA in film and performance in 2023, and has since worked on several productions, like Eleanor the Great, American Love Story, Pokerface, and she is currently staffed at Saturday Night Live. In her time at Emerson she frequented the Boston DIY scene, and can’t wait to hop back into that world with Ladies of Versailles. She’s drawn to stories that center women and underrepresented communities. Her most recent short film Strawberry Week, is currently in post-production and will premiere in 2026.
Zane Z. Peña (Director of Photography, he/him) - Zane Z. Peña is a NYC based cinematographer. His passion for visual storytelling was developed at an early age through his deep love of film and television. This affinity has then been honed over his many years of experience, shooting 30+ short films and countless commercial and music video projects for notable clients such as New York streetwear brand OnlyNY and record labels such as Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, and ROC Nation. Through his work, Zane is dedicated to bringing together different art forms through collaboration.
Ilina Bhatia (Production Designer, she/her) - Ilina is a filmmaker and visual artist living in New York City. She studied film and television production at NYU Tisch, concentrating in production design and editing. She is currently in post-production for her thesis film Chashmish, a 20-minute coming of age story set in a magical realist Queens. While studying, she worked for Universal Music Group as an 1824 Content Creator. She is heavily influenced by Absurdism, Surrealism, and her South Asian culture. Her work has been exhibited at the Dock of the Bay Music Doc Film Festival, Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, Film Diary NYC, Sonder Exhibition, and the Leslie-Lohman Museum.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the pilot, we meet our four roommates — Val, Marie, Serena, and Luce — as they settle in their new home: a dilapidated Brooklyn mansion they share with Serena’s aunt, the eccentric Kathleen.
After Val gets a devastating job rejection from the college radio station, the girls plan a night out at The Foyer, their favorite underground music venue. But when they arrive, they’re horrified to discover it’s been taken over by boring frat bros and Marie’s awful ex, Max. After enduring droning male ego, surviving a disastrous bathroom mishap, and getting kicked out of the venue, the roommates decide to host their own shows at Kathleen's mansion and reign as the best venue in Brooklyn. Versailles is born.
The ladies of Versailles plan their first house show behind Kathleen’s back, but a miscalculated edible dose and visions of a raccoon send Kathleen storming into the party, effectively shutting it down. With just the band and a few stragglers left, the ladies take their almost-victory in stride, and dance until dawn with the only people who matter — each other.
Valerie - Val has a passion for music with a finger on the pulse of the city's underground music scene. She loves a good house show and knows all of the bands in the area. She can shotgun a beer in 10 seconds (no joke).
Luce - Luce has changed her major a dozen times, taken up nude modeling, and will definitely use your shampoo without asking. She’s a killer musician (but don’t tell anyone). She's too busy being aloof to actually practice.
Serena - Serena follows in her aunt Kathleen’s footsteps and is a total flower child. She loves a party, but knows how to clean up her own messes. She can’t wait to have a homey backyard wedding with her girlfriend Grace.
Marie - While Marie's fun-loving and creative, she puts on a guarded front. She’s fiery, fiercely loyal, and loves curating a vibe. She's determined to make Versailles the best venue in the city so she can get revenge against her ex and brag about it in her autobiography.
Kathleen - Kathleen is Serena's aunt and the live-in landlord of Versailles. As a hippy and troublemaker in her own right, she runs the fine line of stirring up mischief and keeping the girls out of harm's way.
Dean - As the lead singer for his band Edict, Dean has talent, charm, and good looks on his side. He takes notice in Luce who harbors a crush on him, but is too shy to make a move.
Spike - While Spike is well-meaning, his enthusiasm for the underground music scene comes off as pretentious and performative.
In the mid-2010s, I frequented the Chicago DIY scene, showing up at strangers’ apartments and abandoned churches to listen to bands I’d never heard of. I loved it. The energy was electric; the crowd was wild yet welcoming. There was something magic about the live music. When we signed the lease on our first apartment, my college roommates and I decided to start our own underground music venue. We called it Versailles.
Photos from the original Versailles.
Over the course of a few years, we hosted shows and block parties with bands including Whitney, Twin Peaks, Modern Vices, and Hot Like Mars, had the cops called several times, got broken into, dragged old Christmas trees from the alley into the living room as decoration, had a seance in the vacant upstairs apartment, fell in love, fell out of love, got wasted, made art, and had fun. I wrote 'Ladies of Versailles' as an homage to this time in my life: the music, friendships, and messiness of young adulthood.
The aim of this project is to create a platform for local independent music, tell a story of joy and friendship, and convey the beauty of creative community and the power in a collective coming together for a common cause.
- Julie Ivers, Writer/Creative Producer
Never been to a house show? Don't worry, Ladies of Versailles will make you feel like you have.
This show's aesthetic will reflect our girls and their world: grungy, dynamic, intimate, and a little chaotic. While set in modern day Brooklyn, Versailles will blend the indie sleaze of the 00s, the poppy vibrance of the 70s, and the opulence of rococo art.
And above all, there's going to be some incredible music. We're partnering with independent and under-exposed bands and artists to provide a platform for the incredible DIY music scene in New York. Get ready to be soaked in reverb.
HELP US RAISE $25K+ AND BEYOND in 60 days!
Our initial crowdfunding goal is part of our $80K overall goal to start our production in the summer of 2026.
Our mission is to highlight underrepresented voices and showcase their art, not only through the story portrayed by our characters on screen, but through the craftsmanship and effort of our crew behind the scenes as well. As independent filmmakers, we understand firsthand how important it is to fairly compensate our crew for their hard work and dedication. Your donations will go directly towards paying the talented individuals who help bring our vision to life. These funds will also be put toward locations, props and set design, camera and lighting equipment, meals, and more.
Every little bit of support goes a long way – every dollar, every follow, every share. Here are some ways you can help:
- PLEDGE a donation to our project to help us produce and complete Ladies of Versailles. Any amount helps!
- SHARE our campaign page with 3 friends who you think might be interested in learning more.
- FOLLOW by clicking the blue “FOLLOW” button at the top of our crowdfunding page – it’s totally free! Or follow us on IG at @ladiesofversailles (film's ig) or @sernocturna (production company) to stay up on date with our film!
- PARTY WITH US at our next house show fundraiser. This past September, we hosted our own DIY show as a means to raise funds for our production. Our lineup included several bands from the NYC area including Dallas Wax, Wetsuit, Hipsy Gap, and GRASSFED. Proceeds from ticket sales went directly to our production. Our next show will take place in February, and we'd love to see you there!
- SPONSOR US if you or someone you know is affiliated with an organization who wants to support our cause, please connect through email ([email protected])
- DONATE IN-KIND SUPPORT- Maybe you have access to a Brooklyn filming location, know local musicians that might want to collaborate, or could lend production materials like props, costumes, or gear. Check out our Wish List to see what we’re looking for—or reach out to [email protected] with an idea!
This project is not just a story – it’s a love letter to DIY culture, creative resilience, and the communities that uplift us. With your support, we can bring this vibrant world to life while honoring the labor of the artists behind the camera.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food
Costs $2,000
We gotta eat! Please help us provide food and water for our crew. It's huge for morale.
Cast & Crew
Costs $5,000
We are thrilled to work with a talented cast and crew. Each person on our team will be compensated for their time on this film.
Location
Costs $3,000
Home sweet home. Funds would help us find the perfect location for Versailles that would fit our creative and logistical needs.
Art
Costs $2,500
The show will be highly stylized, paying particular attention to art direction and music selection. Help us build the world of Versailles!
Camera
Costs $2,500
Help us with rental costs and insurance and support our talented camera department!
Sound
Costs $2,000
There will be an emphasis on punk, reverberant, and ethereal sounds with female voices. We want it to be grungy... but not too grungy.
Grip & Electric
Costs $2,000
Funds for our grip and electric departments! They light up our world.
Miscellaneous
Costs $1,000
Miscellaneous production costs, including: extra essential equipment and items, transportation/travel, contingency fund.
Post Production & Music
Costs $5,000
Help us finish our film! This includes editing, color, sound design and music to score the emotional moments.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Julie Ivers (Writer|Creative Producer, she/her) - Julie Ivers is a designer and writer with over eight years of experience in the entertainment industry. She currently works as a graphic designer for Saturday Night Live's film unit, contributing to Emmy Award-winning production design. With a wicked sense of humor, her work often features themes of absurdity and community with a focus on rich world-building. She wrote "Ladies of Versailles" based on her own experience hosting house shows in Chicago. The script has received accolades from several screenwriting contests including the Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, Launch Pad Pilot Competition, Inroads Fellowship, ISA Fast Track Fellowship, Chicago Script Awards, and Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards.
Katrina Lee (Producer, she/her) - Katrina Lee is a Brooklyn-based writer/producer. She currently works on the Film Unit Production Staff for Saturday Night Live. She was selected for The Gotham EDU’s Film & Media Career Development Program in 2023 and went on to produce her most recent short film, Dirty Towel, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival and screened at Cleveland International Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and more. She is fueled by her love of filmmaking, connecting audiences, and sharing the unique stories of traditionally underrepresented communities.
Camila Grimaldi (Director|Producer, she/her) -Camila Grimaldi is an Argentinean-American filmmaker based in Brooklyn. Her most recent short film Breadwinner — a horror short about a blood-thirsty sourdough starter — screened at Academy-Award qualifying festivals across the US before premiering on Short of the Week. She has also directed music videos for artists James the Seventh and Janani K. Jha. She produces under her banner Ser Nocturna, a production company she co-founded, and has produced award-winning shorts which have screened at Sundance, SXSW, Raindance, and Woodstock Film Festival, among others. She is a Film Independent producing fellow.
Savannah Miller (Producer, she/her) - Savannah Miller is a Brooklyn based writer/director/producer. She graduated from Emerson College with a BA in film and performance in 2023, and has since worked on several productions, like Eleanor the Great, American Love Story, Pokerface, and she is currently staffed at Saturday Night Live. In her time at Emerson she frequented the Boston DIY scene, and can’t wait to hop back into that world with Ladies of Versailles. She’s drawn to stories that center women and underrepresented communities. Her most recent short film Strawberry Week, is currently in post-production and will premiere in 2026.
Zane Z. Peña (Director of Photography, he/him) - Zane Z. Peña is a NYC based cinematographer. His passion for visual storytelling was developed at an early age through his deep love of film and television. This affinity has then been honed over his many years of experience, shooting 30+ short films and countless commercial and music video projects for notable clients such as New York streetwear brand OnlyNY and record labels such as Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, and ROC Nation. Through his work, Zane is dedicated to bringing together different art forms through collaboration.
Ilina Bhatia (Production Designer, she/her) - Ilina is a filmmaker and visual artist living in New York City. She studied film and television production at NYU Tisch, concentrating in production design and editing. She is currently in post-production for her thesis film Chashmish, a 20-minute coming of age story set in a magical realist Queens. While studying, she worked for Universal Music Group as an 1824 Content Creator. She is heavily influenced by Absurdism, Surrealism, and her South Asian culture. Her work has been exhibited at the Dock of the Bay Music Doc Film Festival, Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, Film Diary NYC, Sonder Exhibition, and the Leslie-Lohman Museum.