The Story

Let Me Do Right By You, the short film, is an excerpt drawn from the 105 page feature screenplay that is currently gaining momentum at festivals. It is a dark, and in some instances, bleak story with ironic humor peppered throughout to relieve the drama when needed. 

The short film opens with Julia, a young, single mom, in despair. She's a strong-willed woman who wants the best for her daughter, Phoebe, but the responsibility of providing for her child alone, is chipping away at her. What she needs is help, but she is too proud to ask for it. Just as Julia unravels at the seams, her estranged mother, Debbie, shows up. Debbie is the last person on Earth that Julia wants to see, but as Julia continues to breakdown, she quickly realizes that she is going to have to make a choice. Will she continue to bear the weight alone? Or will she choose to accept the help she needs and do right by Phoebe.

The Inspiration

I was deeply inspired to write this story a year after the birth of my child. It’s a story that’s close to my heart and I want it done well, not only because I set the creative bar high for myself, but I want to honor the real consequences of women suffering from postpartum depression.

Additional themes that are touched on in this film that are equally crucial: forgiveness and sacrifice.

As a new parent, the demand and learning curve did and continues to extend me beyond what I thought was possible. Balancing raising a child and shutting out the voices of depression, while pursuing my film career, were an everyday struggle. Yes, “this period in our life is temporary”, and yes, “the days are long but the years are short”, yada yada. But some days it's almost too hard to cope.

I wrote Let Me Do Right By You as a reminder to not just parents, but to anyone who is fighting to survive mentally and physically, that if you are in a dark place that you feel you cannot climb out of, find someone you can reach out to. It may take a lot of effort, believe me I know, but find a friend, call a hotline, attend a meeting, get out of the house, just DO something before you slip deeper into your present darkness. You were never meant to do this alone, and you definitely don't have to.

VISUAL STYLE

CHARACTERS

JULIA : Early 30’s, her bitterness brings out her odd sense of humor, she is much too young to have been dealt the amount of grief life has given her. On the cusp of self-destruction.

DEBBIE: Late 50’s to early 60’s, An ex-addict that tries to be a better grandparent than she was a mother, but the residue of her younger, worldly actions bear a mark on her.

PHOEBE: 1-2 years old, Julia's daughter, relatively happy little girl. Unaware of her mother's despair.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS: David, Store Clerk, Store Associate, Mary, Business Clerk, including a few featured extras.

DId you know that the feature screenplay of Let Me Do Right By You is already gaining momentum at festivals? Check out our laurels below!

What We Need (The Budget)

The film will shoot over two days. 

45% of the budget will go towards EQUIPMENT
33% of the budget will go towards SALARIES for actors and crew (cinematographer, sound designer, set designer, wardrobe designer, gaffer etc)
7% of the budget will go towards SET DESIGN
4% of the budget will go towards FOOD & TRANSPORT​
4% of the budget will go towards LOCATIONS
5% of the budget will go towards INSURANCE & FEES
1% of the budget will go towards HARD DRIVES to save the project files on for the editor.

FUNDS raised BEYOND the goal:

Festival Submissions can cost $50-$80 on average, per festival. As you can imagine, that can quickly get expensive. Most of these extra generous donations will thus be going towards such festive run expenses, travel, music licensing, marketing/social ads, and/or travel expenses. 

What YOU Get:

There are many perks of contributing to this campaign! From a personal shoutout, to an invitation to set, to naming one of the film's characters, it's up to you! 

All perks $50 and up, will receive a postcard and a link to the film, in addition to the perk level they have selected.

But it's not just that. Many of you have known me for a very long time. You've seen me hustle the film and acting scene for over a decade. By contributing to this project, you are not only helping getting it made, you are helping my achieve my dreams. I just want you to know how much that means to me.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you find that you are passionate about helping the project, but not financially able to contribute at this time, help get the word out by promoting this campaign on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Indiegogo has tools right below the campaign's title at the top right of the page,  that can help you share directly to your platforms!

Don't forget to click on THE TEAM tab below the video to read more about some of the talented people already attached to our project!