Make Me Italian
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy
Inspired by a "true-ish" story, we follow David on his mission to get his Italian citizenship recognized by the Consulate. Can he prove his knowledge and passion for all things Italian while undergoing a comedic interrogation? He just may, with the help of some fantastical inspiration along the way.
Make Me Italian
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $55,075 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
86 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Inspired by a "true-ish" story, we follow David on his mission to get his Italian citizenship recognized by the Consulate. Can he prove his knowledge and passion for all things Italian while undergoing a comedic interrogation? He just may, with the help of some fantastical inspiration along the way.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SYNOPSIS
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FILM?
Inspired by Bryan Mazzarello’s exaggerated stories about his life, this comedic short film follows David Mangano on his mission to get his Italian citizenship recognized by the Consulate.
Pietro, an Italian consulate employee who always dots his I’s and crosses his T’s, begins the citizenship process with a hilarious interrogation of David.
After passing the grilling, things take an odd turn as David is forced to prove his knowledge and passion for all things Italian. Is he up for the challenge? In bocca al lupo.
Estimated length is 15-20 minutes.
A TRUE(ISH) STORY
Bryan Mazzarello, a 3rd generation Italian-American, will be the lead actor, director and co-writer, along with his wife Stephanie, of Make Me Italian. Bryan received his dual citizenship recognition in 2016.
FAMILY HISTORY
Bryan’s great-grandfather, Francesco Mazzarello, immigrated to Milwaukee from Naso*, Messina, Sicily in 1909 where he met his wife, Teresa Sberna, who was born in Sant’Agata di Militello, Messina, Sicily.
Bryan’s grandfather, Salvatore Anthony Mazzarello, was born and raised in the red-lined Third Ward district, the Italian neighborhood of Milwaukee. Tony served much of his career as a US serviceman and became quite the entertainer at officer clubs.
In 1958 due to persecution of Italian-Americans, he changed his last name from Mazzarello to Marell in order to blend in better, just like Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Tony Bennett.
*Same village as Lady Gaga’s family. Her real name is Stefani Germanotta.
CONNECTING TO ITALY
Growing up in California, away from his Italian-American family in Milwaukee, Bryan didn’t often get a chance connect much to his Italian roots. He spent most family holidays with his mother’s British and Germanic family and was very close to his grandparents in Sacramento.
Then after graduating college, Bryan took a backpacking trip through Europe, mostly in Italy, and connected with his roots and his famiglia Italiana. It was life changing.
Bryan changed his surname* back to Mazzarello four days before he got married to his wife, Stephanie, 20 years ago.
*His name change story was featured on The Italian American Podcast in 2016.
INSPIRED PARTNERSHIP
In 2009 Bryan and Stephanie started Mazzarello Media & Arts, a visual communications studio focused on graphic design and visual storytelling. Their work includes branding, websites and videos. They love creating imaginative work together.
WHY THIS STORY?
ITALIAN NARRATIVES
Bryan and Stephanie are always looking for movies and TV shows that portray the beauty of the Italian community. Who needs more stories of dumb mobsters? Instead, they believe there is a need for thoughtful, kind and uplifting Italian stories...with a good dash of humor.
CREATING TOGETHER
After working on the feature film, One Night in LA, Bryan as a consulting producer and Stephanie as a set dresser, they realized they would love to shoot their own stories together.
WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW
Inspired by Mike Birbiglia’s one man shows and Sebastian Maniscalco’s comedy specials, Bryan and Stephanie began writing about their lives: the awkward pre-teen years, the journey of a marriage and all things Italian.
STARTING SMALL
Deciding one of Bryan’s exaggerated tales would be perfect for a short, they sat together and wrote about his Italian citizenship process with a generous helping of fantasy. It is fun, sweet and goofy...just like the two of them.
STYLE/TONE
WHAT WILL THE FILM FEEL LIKE?
The comedic and visual style is inspired by American and Italian film making from the likes of Wes Andersen, Francis Ford Coppola, Roberto Benigni, Federico Fellini and a nod to Sergio Corbucci.
Our dream is that the film will be playful, silly and bring a little joy (and hopefully lots of laughter) into the world.
CHARACTERS
WHO WILL BE IN THE FILM?
Our film is filled with colorful characters and we are so pleased with the actors we have cast.
- David, the naive dreamer, played by Bryan Mazzarello
- Francesca, the aloof superstar, played by Nadia Lanfranconi
- Pietro, the precise bureaucrat, played by Luca della Valle
- Concetta, the heartbroken soul, played by Paola Carleo
- Vincenzo, the mysterious adventurer, played by Ross Turner
- Agata, the lovable meddler, played by Lucia Giardina
- Danielle, the obsessive Italophile, played by Jenna Nicole Sullivan
You can learn more about our cast on The Team tab.
LOCATIONS
GARIBALDINA SOCIETY
Bryan and Stephanie joined the oldest Italian society in Los Angeles, Società Garibaldina di Mutua Beneficenza. The Mazzarello's were able to secure the location for two shoot days in the lobby, ballroom, hallway, bar and bathroom. It is a wonderfully timeless and magical gem to film in.
SAINT MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The key consulate office scene was secured to be shot in the library of Saint Mark’s, where Bryan and Stephanie are members. It also is only 2 blocks from their condo and the giant built-in shelves and fireplace make for a perfect formal (and slightly intimidating) office.
SUPPORTIVE PARTNERS
WeShort
WeShort is a streaming platform, dedicated to the world of short films, available worldwide and on all iOS and Android web and mobile devices.
Founded in late 2020 by the Italian 32-year-old Alessandro Loprieno from Puglia and recently backed by Minerva Pictures Group led by Santo Versace, the platform was created with the aim of enhancing the thousands of short films and series from all over the world, and giving a third entertainment option to the general public in addition to traditional movies and TV series: from the works of yet-to-be-discovered talented directors to Oscar, BAFTA, Sundance, and Cannes Film Festival awards.
A WeShort section is already featured in TCL's SmartTV channel offerings, on MYmovies One and on the Chili platform. A Guinness World Records Shorts series is available in world premiere on WeShort since December 2022. Among the company's notable partnerships is one with the Sundance Institute, which led WeShort to present an official panel during the Sundance Film Festival 2023.
TONY GAUDIO FOUNDATION
The Tony Gaudio Foundation for the Cinematic Arts promotes the cultural cinematic arts for the next generation of dedicated filmmakers. As we work towards our dream as filmmakers and celebrators of Italian cinema, their support and recognition means the world to us.
NEXT STEPS
SCHEDULE
The shooting will be on April 22-23 and May 6-7, 2023. Editing, color grading, musical scoring, and sound design will happen in late Spring through Summer and hopefully, in early Fall 2023, we can begin submitting to local and international film festivals.
FUNDRAISING
The major next step is to raise funds for the film to pay cast and crew and cover expenses during production. Any additional funds above the goal will go towards post production for the film.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Craft Service
Costs $1,500
Cast and crew run on snacks and caffeine between meals to stay energetic and focused.
Cast
Costs $3,500
Our incredible cast is getting a stipend based on SAG standards. They are all stars to us.
Costumes
Costs $1,000
Costumes tell us stories about our characters. We will borrow what we can and rent special items.
Hair & Makeup
Costs $500
Cameras show each blemish and hair strand, but our hair and makeup magicians know every trick.
Grip & Electric
Costs $3,500
We need lights, C-Stands, reflectors, flags and other gear to make the shot look flawless.
Sound
Costs $2,000
We need awesome microphones so you don't have to watch the entire film with subtitles. Roll sound!
Insurance & Covid Safety
Costs $4,000
This is a professional shoot, which needs to be healthy and insured for everyone's safety.
Vehicles
Costs $1,000
We have to lug all this gear around somehow!
Crew
Costs $10,000
Everyone is working hard on their weekends to pull this off and we would love to compensate them.
Location Permits / Site Reps
Costs $1,500
This covers the permits and site representative's fees on our film set locations.
Processing Fees
Costs $1,500
3% of the total raised will go to processing fees, we'd like to account for that & tip Seed & Spark!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Locations
Costs $10,000
We need to capture the incredible style of 60's Italy!
Catering
Costs $3,000
We have to feed people tasty meals...especially Italians! The team lives for hot meals on long days.
Art Direction
Costs $2,000
We need stylish decoration for our sets and inspiring props for our actors...we love a good deal!
Camera & Lens Package
Costs $10,000
We need an amazing camera and lenses to get cool cinematic look...bright and beautiful!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Passionate Team
We have an incredibly passionate team at Make Me Italian! We have worked really hard to cultivate a brilliant team of cast and crew filled with expertise but also kindness.
We believe that filmmaking should be fun and the folks on your team should be the best you can get and a blast to work with. Afterall we are making a comedy so we plan to laugh together as we make this film!
Bryan and Stephanie Mazzarello are used to running a graphic design studio since 2009 as husband and wife and so when they build teams, the team members become family.
You can click the photos above, or view our crew page on our website makemeitalian.com/crew
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SYNOPSIS
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FILM?
Inspired by Bryan Mazzarello’s exaggerated stories about his life, this comedic short film follows David Mangano on his mission to get his Italian citizenship recognized by the Consulate.
Pietro, an Italian consulate employee who always dots his I’s and crosses his T’s, begins the citizenship process with a hilarious interrogation of David.
After passing the grilling, things take an odd turn as David is forced to prove his knowledge and passion for all things Italian. Is he up for the challenge? In bocca al lupo.
Estimated length is 15-20 minutes.
A TRUE(ISH) STORY
Bryan Mazzarello, a 3rd generation Italian-American, will be the lead actor, director and co-writer, along with his wife Stephanie, of Make Me Italian. Bryan received his dual citizenship recognition in 2016.
FAMILY HISTORY
Bryan’s great-grandfather, Francesco Mazzarello, immigrated to Milwaukee from Naso*, Messina, Sicily in 1909 where he met his wife, Teresa Sberna, who was born in Sant’Agata di Militello, Messina, Sicily.
Bryan’s grandfather, Salvatore Anthony Mazzarello, was born and raised in the red-lined Third Ward district, the Italian neighborhood of Milwaukee. Tony served much of his career as a US serviceman and became quite the entertainer at officer clubs.
In 1958 due to persecution of Italian-Americans, he changed his last name from Mazzarello to Marell in order to blend in better, just like Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Tony Bennett.
*Same village as Lady Gaga’s family. Her real name is Stefani Germanotta.
CONNECTING TO ITALY
Growing up in California, away from his Italian-American family in Milwaukee, Bryan didn’t often get a chance connect much to his Italian roots. He spent most family holidays with his mother’s British and Germanic family and was very close to his grandparents in Sacramento.
Then after graduating college, Bryan took a backpacking trip through Europe, mostly in Italy, and connected with his roots and his famiglia Italiana. It was life changing.
Bryan changed his surname* back to Mazzarello four days before he got married to his wife, Stephanie, 20 years ago.
*His name change story was featured on The Italian American Podcast in 2016.
INSPIRED PARTNERSHIP
In 2009 Bryan and Stephanie started Mazzarello Media & Arts, a visual communications studio focused on graphic design and visual storytelling. Their work includes branding, websites and videos. They love creating imaginative work together.
WHY THIS STORY?
ITALIAN NARRATIVES
Bryan and Stephanie are always looking for movies and TV shows that portray the beauty of the Italian community. Who needs more stories of dumb mobsters? Instead, they believe there is a need for thoughtful, kind and uplifting Italian stories...with a good dash of humor.
CREATING TOGETHER
After working on the feature film, One Night in LA, Bryan as a consulting producer and Stephanie as a set dresser, they realized they would love to shoot their own stories together.
WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW
Inspired by Mike Birbiglia’s one man shows and Sebastian Maniscalco’s comedy specials, Bryan and Stephanie began writing about their lives: the awkward pre-teen years, the journey of a marriage and all things Italian.
STARTING SMALL
Deciding one of Bryan’s exaggerated tales would be perfect for a short, they sat together and wrote about his Italian citizenship process with a generous helping of fantasy. It is fun, sweet and goofy...just like the two of them.
STYLE/TONE
WHAT WILL THE FILM FEEL LIKE?
The comedic and visual style is inspired by American and Italian film making from the likes of Wes Andersen, Francis Ford Coppola, Roberto Benigni, Federico Fellini and a nod to Sergio Corbucci.
Our dream is that the film will be playful, silly and bring a little joy (and hopefully lots of laughter) into the world.
CHARACTERS
WHO WILL BE IN THE FILM?
Our film is filled with colorful characters and we are so pleased with the actors we have cast.
- David, the naive dreamer, played by Bryan Mazzarello
- Francesca, the aloof superstar, played by Nadia Lanfranconi
- Pietro, the precise bureaucrat, played by Luca della Valle
- Concetta, the heartbroken soul, played by Paola Carleo
- Vincenzo, the mysterious adventurer, played by Ross Turner
- Agata, the lovable meddler, played by Lucia Giardina
- Danielle, the obsessive Italophile, played by Jenna Nicole Sullivan
You can learn more about our cast on The Team tab.
LOCATIONS
GARIBALDINA SOCIETY
Bryan and Stephanie joined the oldest Italian society in Los Angeles, Società Garibaldina di Mutua Beneficenza. The Mazzarello's were able to secure the location for two shoot days in the lobby, ballroom, hallway, bar and bathroom. It is a wonderfully timeless and magical gem to film in.
SAINT MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The key consulate office scene was secured to be shot in the library of Saint Mark’s, where Bryan and Stephanie are members. It also is only 2 blocks from their condo and the giant built-in shelves and fireplace make for a perfect formal (and slightly intimidating) office.
SUPPORTIVE PARTNERS
WeShort
WeShort is a streaming platform, dedicated to the world of short films, available worldwide and on all iOS and Android web and mobile devices.
Founded in late 2020 by the Italian 32-year-old Alessandro Loprieno from Puglia and recently backed by Minerva Pictures Group led by Santo Versace, the platform was created with the aim of enhancing the thousands of short films and series from all over the world, and giving a third entertainment option to the general public in addition to traditional movies and TV series: from the works of yet-to-be-discovered talented directors to Oscar, BAFTA, Sundance, and Cannes Film Festival awards.
A WeShort section is already featured in TCL's SmartTV channel offerings, on MYmovies One and on the Chili platform. A Guinness World Records Shorts series is available in world premiere on WeShort since December 2022. Among the company's notable partnerships is one with the Sundance Institute, which led WeShort to present an official panel during the Sundance Film Festival 2023.
TONY GAUDIO FOUNDATION
The Tony Gaudio Foundation for the Cinematic Arts promotes the cultural cinematic arts for the next generation of dedicated filmmakers. As we work towards our dream as filmmakers and celebrators of Italian cinema, their support and recognition means the world to us.
NEXT STEPS
SCHEDULE
The shooting will be on April 22-23 and May 6-7, 2023. Editing, color grading, musical scoring, and sound design will happen in late Spring through Summer and hopefully, in early Fall 2023, we can begin submitting to local and international film festivals.
FUNDRAISING
The major next step is to raise funds for the film to pay cast and crew and cover expenses during production. Any additional funds above the goal will go towards post production for the film.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Craft Service
Costs $1,500
Cast and crew run on snacks and caffeine between meals to stay energetic and focused.
Cast
Costs $3,500
Our incredible cast is getting a stipend based on SAG standards. They are all stars to us.
Costumes
Costs $1,000
Costumes tell us stories about our characters. We will borrow what we can and rent special items.
Hair & Makeup
Costs $500
Cameras show each blemish and hair strand, but our hair and makeup magicians know every trick.
Grip & Electric
Costs $3,500
We need lights, C-Stands, reflectors, flags and other gear to make the shot look flawless.
Sound
Costs $2,000
We need awesome microphones so you don't have to watch the entire film with subtitles. Roll sound!
Insurance & Covid Safety
Costs $4,000
This is a professional shoot, which needs to be healthy and insured for everyone's safety.
Vehicles
Costs $1,000
We have to lug all this gear around somehow!
Crew
Costs $10,000
Everyone is working hard on their weekends to pull this off and we would love to compensate them.
Location Permits / Site Reps
Costs $1,500
This covers the permits and site representative's fees on our film set locations.
Processing Fees
Costs $1,500
3% of the total raised will go to processing fees, we'd like to account for that & tip Seed & Spark!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Locations
Costs $10,000
We need to capture the incredible style of 60's Italy!
Catering
Costs $3,000
We have to feed people tasty meals...especially Italians! The team lives for hot meals on long days.
Art Direction
Costs $2,000
We need stylish decoration for our sets and inspiring props for our actors...we love a good deal!
Camera & Lens Package
Costs $10,000
We need an amazing camera and lenses to get cool cinematic look...bright and beautiful!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Passionate Team
We have an incredibly passionate team at Make Me Italian! We have worked really hard to cultivate a brilliant team of cast and crew filled with expertise but also kindness.
We believe that filmmaking should be fun and the folks on your team should be the best you can get and a blast to work with. Afterall we are making a comedy so we plan to laugh together as we make this film!
Bryan and Stephanie Mazzarello are used to running a graphic design studio since 2009 as husband and wife and so when they build teams, the team members become family.
You can click the photos above, or view our crew page on our website makemeitalian.com/crew