Man For The Job
Gaithersburg, Maryland | Film Short
Drama, Family
Sometimes the only way to get through an uncomfortable family dinner is to daydream. We're making Man For The Job in the hope that everyone can find something cathartic and relatable about the difficult family relationships our characters have and how they react to them.
Man For The Job
Gaithersburg, Maryland | Film Short
Drama, Family
1 Campaigns | Maryland, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $12,977 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
73 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Sometimes the only way to get through an uncomfortable family dinner is to daydream. We're making Man For The Job in the hope that everyone can find something cathartic and relatable about the difficult family relationships our characters have and how they react to them.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Over a family dinner, Andrew must find the courage to stand up to his abusive father. But will his daydreams keep him separated from reality?
"I wrote the first draft of the short story “The Man for the Job” close to ten years ago at this point. It was based on a distinct childhood memory of when my family and I were flying to California for vacation when someone screamed in the airport, “Stop that man! He stole my bag!” I saw someone running through the crowd and a few people chasing after him. My ten-year-old mind imagined myself running after him, tackling him to the ground, returning the bag to its rightful owner. And then the moment passed, and I hadn’t moved.
That idea—the desire to act but feeling like you can’t—was what I wanted to explore, and I was thrilled when Chris connected with that same idea as well when he approached me about a film adaptation. We collaborated on the script for a few years, sending drafts back and forth as it transformed into something different from the original short story but which still kept that central vision at its core. Turning something that was so internal into a visual medium was a challenge, but an exciting one. It stretched different creative muscles to try to express the same thing in a different medium. Like a good cover song, the film shares a common DNA with the short story but has become its own thing. I’m thrilled for the world to see this version. I think its themes will connect with a lot of people who feel stuck in one way or another, wanting to make a change but feeling as though they can’t." - Austin Ross, Writer
"Working with Austin on this script over the last two years has really been an eye-opening experience into crafting a narrative in a new medium. His short story really resonated with me in tone and message, but I knew we were going to have to change some things to make it doable. Almost like a Jenga tower, once we decided to change one thing, then the rest of that scene or story element needed to be evaluated. It's a lot of work and a lot of time spent living this world, crafting these characters and thinking the way they do. I'm so excited to bring them life on the screen." - Chris Wallis - Director, Writer, Producer
Andrew
Andrew is Sarah's brother and Richard's son. He is laid back and timid, most things just happen to him. He retreats into daydreams to make sense of the world. His sister usually sticks up for him. All this is a result of a lifetime of abuse from Richard. Andrew's not really happy his dad has called this dinner at his apartment but is going along with it anyway.
We're excited to have Jesse Milliner bringing his talents to the role of Andrew!
Jesse Milliner has been a freelance actor for nine years in the DMV most recently known for his speaking role in the HBO critically acclaimed show, WE OWN THIS CITY, and working alongside Natalie Portman in the upcoming Apple TV show LADY IN THE LAKE. Jesse has studied theatre at McDaniel College, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. His most recent film, THERE IS A MONSTER, is currently airing on twenty different platforms including Apple TV and Prime Video. His theatre experience includes THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Olney Theatre, FROM PRISON TO STAGE at The Kennedy Center, LAKEBOAT at the DC Fringe Festival, and TARTUFFE with the Annapolis Shakespeare Company.
Richard
Richard is father to Andrew and Sarah. A Vietnam veteran, he never adjusted well after the war. He was an asshole before the war began but used the war as an excuse to justify his behavior. He thought he was ready to have children but the reality was far different. Now grown up and estranged, he feels guilty for how he's treated them but will never express it. He's called this dinner with his kids to try and ask for help, but his brash and coarse demeanor might get in the way.
Thrilled to welcome Elliott Bales to our cast, bringing their talent and depth to our story as Richard!
Elliott Bales works as a film and theater actor based out of Washington DC and is a member of SAG-AFTRA, AEA, and Veterans in Media and Entertainment. Film credits include the feature films Remote, Harmony, The Saint and the Sultan, and the award-winning short film Wireless. Television credits General Thomas Gage in Legends and Lies: Patriots, Nightmare Next Door, Evil Kin, and House of Horrors: Kidnapped. Elliott is also a narrator of several successful audio books including the Crawlerz series, Promises Kept, Saxum, and How to Learn and Memorize Russian Vocabulary available on Audible. His theater credits include We Declare You a Terrorist at Round House Thater; Kleptocracy, Junk, and The Great Society at Arena Stage; Kings at Studio Theater; The Weir, Henry V, and Henry IV, Part 1 at Riverside Theater; and Annie at The Little Theater on the Square. Other theater credits include: Folger Theater, Theater Alliance, 1st Stage, The Welders, and Spooky Action Theater. Education: BA, Drama, Abilene Christian University; MS, Strategy, National War College. He served as a US Army Officer, retiring after 26 years of service.
Sarah
Sarah is Andrew's sister and Richard's daughter. She is very defensive of Andrew due to that lifelong abuse from Richard. She is very outgoing, brash and not afraid to speak her mind. Like Andrew, she does not have a good relationship with Richard. She is, however, very close with Andrew, their bond growing through years of a tumultuous household.
We are overjoyed to announce the extremely talented Christine Nelson has been cast as Sarah!
Christine Nelson is an actress from the Baltimore/ Washington DC area. She is best known for playing Bess Macauley in Meg Ryan's directorial debut, Ithaca. She has also been seen on The Ellen Degeneres Show, as well as the new indie horror/comedy, A Comedy of Horrors, Vol. 1. She is incredibly honored to be a part of Man for the Job.
Set over a dinner scene, our look is dark, moody, and leans into the yellows of interior nighttime scenes. We take inspiration in tone and mood from dinner scenes in films like Whiplash, with family members trading jabs between bites to eat. Chris is working with our DP Jake Simpson and Gaffer Sam Grodnitzky to craft a look that puts the audience at the table with Andrew, Richard, and Sarah.
Top Left: Whiplash; Top Right: The Pledge; Bottom Left: Dahmer; Bottom Right: Hereditary
For people who have had rough childhoods or not had the most loving parents, that experience can be alienating. It can be difficult to relate to friends and colleagues who have pleasant relationships with the people who raised them. That alienation highlights and emphasizes the wounds caused by the lack of love from childhood. By portraying Andrew's own processing of his unhappy upbringing through daydreams intermingled with the very real dinner he must endure with his father, we hope that viewing the film gives people who had these adverse experiences a venue through which to process them. Dissociating from reality is a very real way that people deal with traumatic experiences, and we think that portraying that on screen will give people who use that coping strategy, whether consciously or unconsciously, something that resembles their experience.
We've assembled an amazing cast and crew of talented people from the DC/Maryland/Virginia region. These aren't your normal film market cities, but we're setting out to create a piece of cinema that is on par with anything from NY, LA, or Atlanta. With this team, we can accomplish that. Read more about them in the Team tab.
Pre-production on Man For The Job started in October 2022 when Rich and Chris began meeting regularly to discuss making the film. Since then, they've brought on Melissa and Donald as Producer and First AD. Currently we have our script, location, cast, and crew locked. We have already done a tech scout at the location and Chris and DP Jake Simpson are working together on storyboarding and a shot list.
We are thrilled to have received an FY24 Artists and Scholars Project Grant from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County to support this work. Their support makes so many amazing projects possible and deepens the richness of the arts in this region. Note: Christopher Wallis is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
Your support of the crowdfunding campaign will make sure that we can pay our cast and crew and cover all the costs associated with paying them. It will make make sure our cast and crew have good meals from local Montgomery County restaurants.
We plan to wrap post-production on Man For The Job in Q4 2024. When a final cut is ready for viewing, it will initially be hosted on a password-protected platform for early access viewing. We will be simultaneously submitting to film festivals.
If we raise $12,500 we'll be cover higher festival submission fees and submit to more festivals.
If we raise $15,000 we'll be able to rent higher quality equipment that will help bring the story to life.
Please pledge to this Seed & Spark Campaign! Then follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Finally, share this campaign and tag us on social media. You can use the below message as a template or copy and paste:
Man For The Job is a film about courage, fear, and what happens when daydreams threaten to overtake reality. I pledged to the project on Seed and Spark and so should you. Support independent cinema and help this film get to the finish line: http://seedandspark.com/fund/manforthejob
To stay tuned for updates on the film, follow us on the following social handles:
Instagram: @manforthejobmovie
Facebook: Man For The Job
Twitter: @mftjmovie
TikTok: @mftjmovie
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $3,175
A movie isn't much with actors. This includes SAG day rate for 3 production days, payroll fees to pay them, & mileage.
Crew
Costs $6,327
We've assembled an amazing crew from the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. This helps pay for a DP, Gaffer, 1st AD, Sound Person, and Makeup.
Catering
Costs $1,200
A well fed cast and crew is a happy cast and crew. And happy cast and crews make good movies.
Post-Production
Costs $1,000
This pays to have the audio mastered for polished finished sound mix.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We've assembled a fantastic team from the DC/Maryland/Virginia area both in front of and behind the camera.
Chris Wallis - Director, Co-Writer, Producer
Chris Wallis has been a video production professional for the last decade or more. He started playing with cameras in high school, filming mischief with his friends, before devoting his studies to learning the craft of storytelling. He's been on set with many different productions in different roles and has found each experience insightful and filled with lessons. This will be his first narrative project as a director. In the fall of 2021, he was itching for a project to direct that resonated with him. At a babyshower for his yet-to-be-born daughter in the fall of 2021, he approached his brother-in-law, the author Austin Ross, and said "Is there anything you've written you wanna turn into a short story?". Austin sent over some things he'd written and Chris loved the short story of the same name as the film. They've spent the last two years crafting this story for the screen. He's excited to have the chance to tell this story.
Austin Ross - Co-Writer
Austin Ross is the author of the novel Gloria Patri, described by National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Dan Chaon as "ominous, gripping...a beautifully observed and cleverly structured thriller." His short fiction and essays have been featured in Publishers Weekly, Literary Hub, and elsewhere. He is a senior editor with HarperCollins, where he acquires and develops a wide variety of nonfiction titles. He lives near Washington, D.C., with his family. You can follow him on Twitter @austintross. Man For The Job is based on his short story of the same name.
Richard Brown - Producer
Richard Brown has been a writer, producer and director in the DMV Film industry for 15 years. A native of Silver Spring, MD, he grew up watching classic films such as "North by Northwest," "Lawrence of Arabia," "Star Wars" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." These films would have a profound impact on his journey to becoming a filmmaker. His most recent screenplay, "Arsenal of Doom," won writing awards at film festivals in the United States and Europe.
Melissa Daoulas - Producer
Melissa Daoulas is a seasoned writer and producer with almost a decade of experience in streaming platforms and television networks. Melissa started her career with National Geographic in post-production, and has produced under Discovery's TLC Network, representing some of the network's biggest social media brands. She is the owner and founder of Melissa’s Creative Media, LLC. Melissa's firm creates and develops social media and brand marketing strategies for small businesses. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Producing Film, Television, and Video from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland. She has taught film and television marketing for graduate school programs and nonprofit courses, and has served as an educator for magnet arts programs in Maryland. Melissa is most excited to be working as a producer for Man For the Job due to the robust community of filmmakers in the Maryland area.
Jake Simpson - Director of Photography
Jake Simpson is an award winning cinematographer with dozens of commercials, shorts, features, and TV shows under his belt. Jake also loves photography, hiking, color science. In his spare time Jake flies airplanes.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Over a family dinner, Andrew must find the courage to stand up to his abusive father. But will his daydreams keep him separated from reality?
"I wrote the first draft of the short story “The Man for the Job” close to ten years ago at this point. It was based on a distinct childhood memory of when my family and I were flying to California for vacation when someone screamed in the airport, “Stop that man! He stole my bag!” I saw someone running through the crowd and a few people chasing after him. My ten-year-old mind imagined myself running after him, tackling him to the ground, returning the bag to its rightful owner. And then the moment passed, and I hadn’t moved.
That idea—the desire to act but feeling like you can’t—was what I wanted to explore, and I was thrilled when Chris connected with that same idea as well when he approached me about a film adaptation. We collaborated on the script for a few years, sending drafts back and forth as it transformed into something different from the original short story but which still kept that central vision at its core. Turning something that was so internal into a visual medium was a challenge, but an exciting one. It stretched different creative muscles to try to express the same thing in a different medium. Like a good cover song, the film shares a common DNA with the short story but has become its own thing. I’m thrilled for the world to see this version. I think its themes will connect with a lot of people who feel stuck in one way or another, wanting to make a change but feeling as though they can’t." - Austin Ross, Writer
"Working with Austin on this script over the last two years has really been an eye-opening experience into crafting a narrative in a new medium. His short story really resonated with me in tone and message, but I knew we were going to have to change some things to make it doable. Almost like a Jenga tower, once we decided to change one thing, then the rest of that scene or story element needed to be evaluated. It's a lot of work and a lot of time spent living this world, crafting these characters and thinking the way they do. I'm so excited to bring them life on the screen." - Chris Wallis - Director, Writer, Producer
Andrew
Andrew is Sarah's brother and Richard's son. He is laid back and timid, most things just happen to him. He retreats into daydreams to make sense of the world. His sister usually sticks up for him. All this is a result of a lifetime of abuse from Richard. Andrew's not really happy his dad has called this dinner at his apartment but is going along with it anyway.
We're excited to have Jesse Milliner bringing his talents to the role of Andrew!
Jesse Milliner has been a freelance actor for nine years in the DMV most recently known for his speaking role in the HBO critically acclaimed show, WE OWN THIS CITY, and working alongside Natalie Portman in the upcoming Apple TV show LADY IN THE LAKE. Jesse has studied theatre at McDaniel College, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. His most recent film, THERE IS A MONSTER, is currently airing on twenty different platforms including Apple TV and Prime Video. His theatre experience includes THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Olney Theatre, FROM PRISON TO STAGE at The Kennedy Center, LAKEBOAT at the DC Fringe Festival, and TARTUFFE with the Annapolis Shakespeare Company.
Richard
Richard is father to Andrew and Sarah. A Vietnam veteran, he never adjusted well after the war. He was an asshole before the war began but used the war as an excuse to justify his behavior. He thought he was ready to have children but the reality was far different. Now grown up and estranged, he feels guilty for how he's treated them but will never express it. He's called this dinner with his kids to try and ask for help, but his brash and coarse demeanor might get in the way.
Thrilled to welcome Elliott Bales to our cast, bringing their talent and depth to our story as Richard!
Elliott Bales works as a film and theater actor based out of Washington DC and is a member of SAG-AFTRA, AEA, and Veterans in Media and Entertainment. Film credits include the feature films Remote, Harmony, The Saint and the Sultan, and the award-winning short film Wireless. Television credits General Thomas Gage in Legends and Lies: Patriots, Nightmare Next Door, Evil Kin, and House of Horrors: Kidnapped. Elliott is also a narrator of several successful audio books including the Crawlerz series, Promises Kept, Saxum, and How to Learn and Memorize Russian Vocabulary available on Audible. His theater credits include We Declare You a Terrorist at Round House Thater; Kleptocracy, Junk, and The Great Society at Arena Stage; Kings at Studio Theater; The Weir, Henry V, and Henry IV, Part 1 at Riverside Theater; and Annie at The Little Theater on the Square. Other theater credits include: Folger Theater, Theater Alliance, 1st Stage, The Welders, and Spooky Action Theater. Education: BA, Drama, Abilene Christian University; MS, Strategy, National War College. He served as a US Army Officer, retiring after 26 years of service.
Sarah
Sarah is Andrew's sister and Richard's daughter. She is very defensive of Andrew due to that lifelong abuse from Richard. She is very outgoing, brash and not afraid to speak her mind. Like Andrew, she does not have a good relationship with Richard. She is, however, very close with Andrew, their bond growing through years of a tumultuous household.
We are overjoyed to announce the extremely talented Christine Nelson has been cast as Sarah!
Christine Nelson is an actress from the Baltimore/ Washington DC area. She is best known for playing Bess Macauley in Meg Ryan's directorial debut, Ithaca. She has also been seen on The Ellen Degeneres Show, as well as the new indie horror/comedy, A Comedy of Horrors, Vol. 1. She is incredibly honored to be a part of Man for the Job.
Set over a dinner scene, our look is dark, moody, and leans into the yellows of interior nighttime scenes. We take inspiration in tone and mood from dinner scenes in films like Whiplash, with family members trading jabs between bites to eat. Chris is working with our DP Jake Simpson and Gaffer Sam Grodnitzky to craft a look that puts the audience at the table with Andrew, Richard, and Sarah.
Top Left: Whiplash; Top Right: The Pledge; Bottom Left: Dahmer; Bottom Right: Hereditary
For people who have had rough childhoods or not had the most loving parents, that experience can be alienating. It can be difficult to relate to friends and colleagues who have pleasant relationships with the people who raised them. That alienation highlights and emphasizes the wounds caused by the lack of love from childhood. By portraying Andrew's own processing of his unhappy upbringing through daydreams intermingled with the very real dinner he must endure with his father, we hope that viewing the film gives people who had these adverse experiences a venue through which to process them. Dissociating from reality is a very real way that people deal with traumatic experiences, and we think that portraying that on screen will give people who use that coping strategy, whether consciously or unconsciously, something that resembles their experience.
We've assembled an amazing cast and crew of talented people from the DC/Maryland/Virginia region. These aren't your normal film market cities, but we're setting out to create a piece of cinema that is on par with anything from NY, LA, or Atlanta. With this team, we can accomplish that. Read more about them in the Team tab.
Pre-production on Man For The Job started in October 2022 when Rich and Chris began meeting regularly to discuss making the film. Since then, they've brought on Melissa and Donald as Producer and First AD. Currently we have our script, location, cast, and crew locked. We have already done a tech scout at the location and Chris and DP Jake Simpson are working together on storyboarding and a shot list.
We are thrilled to have received an FY24 Artists and Scholars Project Grant from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County to support this work. Their support makes so many amazing projects possible and deepens the richness of the arts in this region. Note: Christopher Wallis is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
Your support of the crowdfunding campaign will make sure that we can pay our cast and crew and cover all the costs associated with paying them. It will make make sure our cast and crew have good meals from local Montgomery County restaurants.
We plan to wrap post-production on Man For The Job in Q4 2024. When a final cut is ready for viewing, it will initially be hosted on a password-protected platform for early access viewing. We will be simultaneously submitting to film festivals.
If we raise $12,500 we'll be cover higher festival submission fees and submit to more festivals.
If we raise $15,000 we'll be able to rent higher quality equipment that will help bring the story to life.
Please pledge to this Seed & Spark Campaign! Then follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Finally, share this campaign and tag us on social media. You can use the below message as a template or copy and paste:
Man For The Job is a film about courage, fear, and what happens when daydreams threaten to overtake reality. I pledged to the project on Seed and Spark and so should you. Support independent cinema and help this film get to the finish line: http://seedandspark.com/fund/manforthejob
To stay tuned for updates on the film, follow us on the following social handles:
Instagram: @manforthejobmovie
Facebook: Man For The Job
Twitter: @mftjmovie
TikTok: @mftjmovie
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $3,175
A movie isn't much with actors. This includes SAG day rate for 3 production days, payroll fees to pay them, & mileage.
Crew
Costs $6,327
We've assembled an amazing crew from the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. This helps pay for a DP, Gaffer, 1st AD, Sound Person, and Makeup.
Catering
Costs $1,200
A well fed cast and crew is a happy cast and crew. And happy cast and crews make good movies.
Post-Production
Costs $1,000
This pays to have the audio mastered for polished finished sound mix.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We've assembled a fantastic team from the DC/Maryland/Virginia area both in front of and behind the camera.
Chris Wallis - Director, Co-Writer, Producer
Chris Wallis has been a video production professional for the last decade or more. He started playing with cameras in high school, filming mischief with his friends, before devoting his studies to learning the craft of storytelling. He's been on set with many different productions in different roles and has found each experience insightful and filled with lessons. This will be his first narrative project as a director. In the fall of 2021, he was itching for a project to direct that resonated with him. At a babyshower for his yet-to-be-born daughter in the fall of 2021, he approached his brother-in-law, the author Austin Ross, and said "Is there anything you've written you wanna turn into a short story?". Austin sent over some things he'd written and Chris loved the short story of the same name as the film. They've spent the last two years crafting this story for the screen. He's excited to have the chance to tell this story.
Austin Ross - Co-Writer
Austin Ross is the author of the novel Gloria Patri, described by National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Dan Chaon as "ominous, gripping...a beautifully observed and cleverly structured thriller." His short fiction and essays have been featured in Publishers Weekly, Literary Hub, and elsewhere. He is a senior editor with HarperCollins, where he acquires and develops a wide variety of nonfiction titles. He lives near Washington, D.C., with his family. You can follow him on Twitter @austintross. Man For The Job is based on his short story of the same name.
Richard Brown - Producer
Richard Brown has been a writer, producer and director in the DMV Film industry for 15 years. A native of Silver Spring, MD, he grew up watching classic films such as "North by Northwest," "Lawrence of Arabia," "Star Wars" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." These films would have a profound impact on his journey to becoming a filmmaker. His most recent screenplay, "Arsenal of Doom," won writing awards at film festivals in the United States and Europe.
Melissa Daoulas - Producer
Melissa Daoulas is a seasoned writer and producer with almost a decade of experience in streaming platforms and television networks. Melissa started her career with National Geographic in post-production, and has produced under Discovery's TLC Network, representing some of the network's biggest social media brands. She is the owner and founder of Melissa’s Creative Media, LLC. Melissa's firm creates and develops social media and brand marketing strategies for small businesses. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Producing Film, Television, and Video from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland. She has taught film and television marketing for graduate school programs and nonprofit courses, and has served as an educator for magnet arts programs in Maryland. Melissa is most excited to be working as a producer for Man For the Job due to the robust community of filmmakers in the Maryland area.
Jake Simpson - Director of Photography
Jake Simpson is an award winning cinematographer with dozens of commercials, shorts, features, and TV shows under his belt. Jake also loves photography, hiking, color science. In his spare time Jake flies airplanes.