Here's the set-up: Monica discovers that her politician husband has been cheating on her. Our film follows Monica’s glorious and chilling revenge as she reveals herself as the true power-partner. By night’s end, the only question left is whether she's lost more than she gained.
Here's the set-up: Monica discovers that her politician husband has been cheating on her. Our film follows Monica’s glorious and chilling revenge as she reveals herself as the true power-partner. By night’s end, the only question left is whether she's lost more than she gained.
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Story
Mission Statement
Our project features a female protagonist--a hallmark of Anemone Productions. We also had primarily female producers, a Mexican-American female director, a female editor & sound editor, an Armenian-American DP. All told our team was 45% female and 23% POC -- pretty good, but we strive to do better!About The Project
WOOHOO!! Look at these happy faces!
That's because we reached our goal of $7000!
Now what?! STRETCH GOAL!
Our new STRETCH goal is $9,000, and here’s what we plan to do with the additional funding:
$1,000 — REFINE OUR SOUND This additional funding will allow us to record ADR where needed, test the sound in a screening room before it goes to festivals, plus more to make sure our sound is top notch!
$1,000 — UPGRADE OUR MARKETING This additional funding will allow us to hire a press person once we start getting into festivals. A press person will help us get the word out, sell tickets, and get traction with press!Let's take inspiration from our DP Saro Varjabedian and our Gaffer Ryan McCluney -- STRRRREEETTTCHH!!
Now back to our regularly scheduled campaign page! Read on to learn more about our project, team and overall mission - and how YOU can get involved!
A note from Steven Fechter, screenwriter:
This is how it began. I was having lunch with my friend Nancy Nagrant. She was yearning for something meatier than the TV roles that she was doing. She asked me if I would write her a short film. I said I would try. Nancy is a deeply talented actor. If I was going to write her a short film, I wanted to write her the kind of role she had never done before. A week later, I finished writing Miracle Baby, a psychological thriller.
Here’s the setup and synopsis:
Think of the Greek mythical figures Medea and Jason – but in Georgetown. Only her name is Monica. Her husband is Jackson, a rising congressional star in the Republican party. They live in a luxury townhouse with their 9-month-old baby boy. Life is very good for the Boyds… until it’s not. The “not” begins when Monica learns that her husband has been cheating on her with his beautiful young aide, Dominique. Our film begins on the night of Monica’s glorious and chilling revenge. After an evening of confessions and revelations, Jackson realizes that Monica is the real power-partner. By night’s end, the only question left is whether she has lost more than she gained. How Monica delivers the final blow in this dangerous game will shock you.
Nancy & I wanted to create something special, something great.
We went about assembling the most talented people and best production and post-production teams we could find. We faced a lot of challenges along the way: finding a strong leading man to play opposite Nancy (Stephen Kunken of Billions & The Handmaid’s Tale); finding locations for this story (where do you find a fashionable Georgetown townhouse in NYC – in Harlem, of course!); finding a baby with unusually cooperative parents (a lovely couple and their cherubic baby in Brooklyn!); and finding the perfect director (brilliant Michelle Bossy). It took time, longer than we planned. But we found all the places and people that we needed. We weren’t going to settle for less.
In this era of #YearoftheWoman and #MeToo, Miracle Baby is especially timely.
We are seeing women not only take control of their lives but take back control of this country. In Miracle Baby, a woman, who has submitted herself to an alpha husband that has betrayed her, takes audacious action to fight back. She does this not with physical or lethal force but with her brain and nerves. From the opening image to the closing shot we are taken on a woman’s journey to attain personal and marital power.
Rightly, the making of Miracle Baby is the result of talented, accomplished women.
Film’s producers, film’s protagonist, director, film editor, and sound editor are all women. For this male writer and producer, it was an honor working with all of them.
So here we are with a great short film. What’s left?
A lot!
There’s finishing post-production, marketing, and getting the film out to major film festivals. To do this we will need support.
What you can do:
- Spread the word about our film! Word of mouth will always be our most powerful tool.
- Share the crowdfunding link on social media (Remember to tag us!)
- Follow us on social media - stay updated with our current projects! @anemoneproductionsnyc (Facebook & Instagram) | @AnemoneNYC (Twitter)
- Follow our campaign on Seed&Spark -- gathering followers unlocks filmmakers perks, including Film Festival waivers! Just click blue Follow button next to the video above!
- Contribute to the campaign: We've created Incentives at every price point. And every contributor will receive updates about the film -- you're part of the family now!
Nancy and I hope that Miracle Baby will be the beginning of future film projects. This is not just funding one short film. This is helping us move forward with more stories to tell. Could Miracle Baby be expanded into a feature film? We won’t know until we hit the festival circuit.
Thank you for taking the time to investigate our #miraclebabyfilm, we are so excited to share it with you!
Cheers,
Incentives
$5
VOTER
Every vote counts -- thanks for
participating in our democracy!
You receive:
Our Undying Gratitude!
$25
CITY COUNCILOR
Thanks for getting involved in
your government -- you're on your way up!
You receive:
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
$50
CONGRESSPERSON
Welcome to your seat
at the table -- use that platform
for good, now!
You receive:
A Special Thanks Credit in Film & on IMDb!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
$100
GOVERNOR
"People who mean to
be their own governors
must arm themselves
with the power which
knowledge gives."
- James Madison
You receive:
An Invite to Cast & Crew Private Screening in NYC!
A Special Thanks Credit in Film & on IMDb!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
(Does not include transportation to or lodging in NYC.)
Claimed: 16 of 50
$250
SENATOR
Oh snap - hot stuff!
You really have the momentum going now!
You receive:
A Signed Production Still!
An Invite to Cast & Crew Private Screening in NYC!
A Special Thanks Credit in Film & on IMDb!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
(Does not include transportation to or lodging in NYC.)
Claimed: 2 of 15
$500
VICE PRESIDENT
Impressive.
VEEP in the house!
You receive:
An Associate Producer Credit in the Film & on IMDb!
A Signed Production Still!
An Invite to Cast & Crew Private Screening in NYC!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
(Does not include transportation to or lodging in NYC.)
Claimed: 5 of 6
$1,000
PRESIDENT
Look at you!
You've reached the top.
Bet the air smells great.
You Receive:
A CO-EXECUTIVE Producer Credit in the Film & on IMDb!
PLUS
VIP Invitations to Film Festivals!
A Signed Production Still!
An Invite to Cast & Crew Private Screening in NYC!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
(Does not include any transportation or lodging expenses.)
Claimed: 1 of 3
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
VOTER
Every vote counts -- thanks for
participating in our democracy!
You receive:
Our Undying Gratitude!
$25
CITY COUNCILOR
Thanks for getting involved in
your government -- you're on your way up!
You receive:
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
$50
CONGRESSPERSON
Welcome to your seat
at the table -- use that platform
for good, now!
You receive:
A Special Thanks Credit in Film & on IMDb!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
$100
GOVERNOR
"People who mean to
be their own governors
must arm themselves
with the power which
knowledge gives."
- James Madison
You receive:
An Invite to Cast & Crew Private Screening in NYC!
A Special Thanks Credit in Film & on IMDb!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
(Does not include transportation to or lodging in NYC.)
Claimed: 16 of 50
$250
SENATOR
Oh snap - hot stuff!
You really have the momentum going now!
You receive:
A Signed Production Still!
An Invite to Cast & Crew Private Screening in NYC!
A Special Thanks Credit in Film & on IMDb!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
(Does not include transportation to or lodging in NYC.)
Claimed: 2 of 15
$500
VICE PRESIDENT
Impressive.
VEEP in the house!
You receive:
An Associate Producer Credit in the Film & on IMDb!
A Signed Production Still!
An Invite to Cast & Crew Private Screening in NYC!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
(Does not include transportation to or lodging in NYC.)
Claimed: 5 of 6
$1,000
PRESIDENT
Look at you!
You've reached the top.
Bet the air smells great.
You Receive:
A CO-EXECUTIVE Producer Credit in the Film & on IMDb!
PLUS
VIP Invitations to Film Festivals!
A Signed Production Still!
An Invite to Cast & Crew Private Screening in NYC!
A Social Media Shout-out!
and Our Undying Gratitude
(Does not include any transportation or lodging expenses.)
Claimed: 1 of 3
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Nancy Nagrant - Producer I Actor (Monica)
Nancy Nagrant is an actor-producer living in Brooklyn, NY. Recent on-stage work includes Patricia in Sight Unseen and Sarah in Time Stands Still, both with New Light Theatre Project. TV credits include: House of Cards, Law & Order: SVU, Bull, Quantico. Big-screen credits include Steven Soderbergh’s Side Effects, and Ken Scott’s Delivery Man with Vince Vaughn. She is also active in the indie film scene, most notably appearing in Chateau Sauvignon: terroir. Nancy began producing in 2014, founding Anemone Productions, which focuses on generating work for film, television, and theatre with an emphasis on the female protagonist. Nancy produced 3 short films last year with director Michelle Bossy.
Steven Fechter - Writer I Producer
Steven Fechter co-wrote the screenplay for the 2004 film The Woodsman (based on his play). For that film he was a Humanitas Prize finalist in screenwriting. His theatrical works have been produced in North America, Europe, and Australia. Recent productions include 360repco’s premiere of Lancelot at The Gym at Judson in 2014 in NYC. In 2015, The Execution of Saint Luke premiered at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. For the 2015-2016 season, Theatre Bielefeld staged the world premiere of Serpent’s Tooth in Bielefeld, Germany. This past summer, his play Bergen premiered in the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival at the 14th Street Y Theater. Miracle Baby is his first film as writer/producer. He is proud of the film and the great team he worked with. Fechter is a member of EST Playwrights Unit and The Dramatists Guild.
Michelle Bossy - Director
Michelle Bossy is a Mexican-American theater and film director. Films Michelle has directed include 18 (premiere, Austin Film Festival), She Grinds Her Own Coffee (St. Louis International Film Festival), and The New 35 (St. Louis International Film Festival, LA Comedy Festival, Atlanta Shorts Fest, Burbank International Festival, among others). Michelle has directed theatre in New York and internationally. She was the Associate Artistic Director of Primary Stages, where she worked for thirteen years. She holds the first undergraduate directing degree from Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts. Michelle teaches for the Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA), NYU, and Syracuse University's Tepper Semester. Member: Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and SDC. www.MichelleBossy.com
Stephen Kunken - Actor (Jackson)
Stephen Kunken is best known for his work on TV where he created the role of Ari Spyros on Showtime's Billions and Commander Putnam in the Handmaid's Tale on Hulu. His film work includes work with Martin Scorsese, Steven Speilberg, Woody Allen, Ang Lee, Barry Levinson, and others. Broadway credits include Frost/Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll, and Enron, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Featured Actor in a Play.
Brittanie Varrow - Assistant Producer I Actor (Dominique)
Brittanie first collaborated with Anemone Productions this past summer and has officially drunk the Kool-Aid. Most recent acting credits include Rocktopia (Broadway), Sistas! the Musical (Off-Broadway), short film Let’s Catch Up, and Six Degrees of Murder (ID). Brittanie writes her own music and is currently producing her debut album set to release in 2019. Proud member of AEA and Western Michigan University graduate. @BrittanieVarrow. www.brittanievarrow.com
Josephine Cashman - Assistant Producer
Josephine Cashman is an actress, writer and filmmaker. Favorite roles have been Regan in King Lear, Lady MacDuff in MacBeth, Celia in As You Like It, and Audrey in the Curate Shakespeare's As you Like It. She's also been in the world premieres of whywork.com, Richard Foreman's Harry in Love and World Gone Wrong as Ida Wolfe. She has just finished writing her second film.
Saro Varjabedian - DP
Award winning International Cinematographer Saro Varjabedian is a queen's native of Armenian descent and has shot eight feature films, one feature documentary, several web-series and countless shorts. He has filmed in Cuba, Armenia, France, Lebanon, Mexico and India. His impressive work history includes Jesus Loves Yusef (Palm Springs International Film Festival Award Winner), Elliot Loves (which aired on HBO, Cinemax, Hulu), Lucky and Gold Star both had theatrical distribution and successful festival runs. Saro has five films billed for 2019 distribution and is currently slated to shoot Indie dramas Ultra and The Scrapper. Saro is a recent Columbia MFA Graduate and has taught cinematography at New York Film Academy.
Sarah E Williams - Editor
Sarah E. Williams started her film and television career in St. Louis, Missouri before transplanting to Los Angeles. Best known for her editing expertise, Sarah has credits on the hit series Suits (USA Network), documentary series such as Fearless (Netflix), reality series such as The Briefcase (CBS), and a number of brilliant short films such as The Trespassed, Chance of Showers, and Ladies' Lounge.
Darren Morze - Composer
Darren Morze is a Brooklyn based composer and music producer. Is work includes Oscar winning Curfew, The Vanishing of Sidney Hall, Dark Was the Night, Lust for Love, Enter Nowhere, and Land of Smiles. He has toured internationally with Stellastarr*, The Killers, Jane's Addiction, Dr. Dog, Easy Star All-Stars, Placebo, and The Raveonettes. Most recently, Morze scored television series Age of the Living Dead (2018).
Alan Gordon - Colorist
New Orleans bred Colorist, Alan, specialized in Media Arts at NOCCA|Riverfront and later NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where he was granted the opportunity to work as DIT on Oscar winning short film, Curfew. Alan’s technical skills and attention to detail gave way to work on feature films, commercials, and music videos. Past festival appearances include Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, SXSX, and Tribeca. He boasts an impressive client list including Beyonce, Vogue, NBCUniversal, Budweiser, Knob Creek, Ford, and iHeartRadio.
Rosemary Minkler - Sound Editor
Audio engineer, pianist, and composer Rosemary lives in Brooklyn, NY. After graduating Western Connecticut State University, she has worked as A2 for several TV productions including Wonderama & Buzzfeed's AM to DM. She has also worked as an on-set sound recordist, VO engineer, and post-prod mixer.
Andrew Dantonio - 1st AD
Andrew Dantono is a New York based production professional with nearly 30 years experience in video, film and cable news production. Currently a Director at Reuters News Agency in Times Square, with extensive experience in nearly every role in production. Previous endeavors have varied from independent film to network soap operas, non-profit projects, along with straight-to-video horror and exploitation movies.
Jim Galizia - AC
Jim is a Long Island bred filmmaker, photographer, and videographer. His dream is to produce his own action, Sci-Fi, and drama films and build a business based on his hard work, merit, and skill. In January 2016, Jim co-founded NuView Productions LLC. Jim strives to develop his company into a thriving business in the entertainment industry.
Ryan McCluney - Gaffer
After years of study in film and creative writing, Ryan has transitioned into working on set with a primary focus in the electric, grip, and camera departments. In addition to his time working on set, he has also gained bountiful experience working for several lighting and grip rental facilities in multiple positions of responsibility. Festivals include Cucalorus Festival, Golden Door Film Festival.
Dylan Kiely - Grip
Dylan loves everything film, the color is green, french fries, and short bios.
Haley Snyder - G&E Swing
An NYC filmmaker & multimedia artist, Haley specializes in Camera and Electrical. Recent work includes The Daily Show, Sara Bareilles’s Fire, and commercial spots including Macy’s, Comcast, and Medscape. Her heart, however, is in the indie scene with projects like Walk With Me and These Birds Don’t Fly South for the Winter. Haley is currently training for a long term career as a Director of Photography.
EJ Markland - Location Sound Mixer
E.J. Markland is a sound editor, sound designer, and production sound mixer based in Queens, NYC. His recent credits include: G.I.G.S. (Sound Editor / Sound Designer), F'd: Another Effing Web Series (Sound Mixer), Look at Lucas (Boom operator), Ladies’ Lounge (Sound Mixer), and America's War on Drugs (Sound Editor).
Edwin Diagon - Location Sound Mixer
Edwin Diagon started in post-production and worked closely with filmmaker and music artists to enhance their work through sound. His interest in on-set sound led him to take up sound mixing. Mixing everything from feature films to broadcast television, Edwin adds his vast knowledge of post and production to make his on-set mixes very warm and clean.
Danielle Waugh - HMU
Danielle Waugh is a certified NYC Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist with 20+ years of experience. Her passion for makeup has led her to becoming Brand Manager for one of the world’s most renowned cosmetic companies, Brand Ambassador for Digital Beauty Apps, Beauty Instructor at one of New York's top beauty schools, NY Fashion Week, Broadway, Film & TV, red carpets and so much more!
Kelly Jean Clair - PA
Kelly Jean Clair is happy to be a part of Miracle Baby working behind the scenes for this talented group of filmmakers. Please support Independent Film! Proud member of SAG-AFTRA/AEA.
Morgan White - Intern
Morgan White is currently a Directing and Cinematography major in the Film and Media department at F.I.T., a State University of New York. Morgan has written, directed, and shot several short films, and has received multiple awards from film festivals spanning from his home in Astoria, Queens to Europe. Morgan works as a freelance editor and cinematographer. Check out his Instagram: @thegreatkatstache
A special thank you to our location hosts:
Carswell & Lori Berlin
Ben Thompson & Christine Lamsvelt
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