After discovering the tampering of a student election, Ronnie Reed must become MOTHMAN to save the campus from an evil fraternity. "Mothman" has found us in a time of complex political discourse that many of us have never experienced. We feel compelled foster hope in this time of darkness.
After discovering the tampering of a student election, Ronnie Reed must become MOTHMAN to save the campus from an evil fraternity. "Mothman" has found us in a time of complex political discourse that many of us have never experienced. We feel compelled foster hope in this time of darkness.
-
Story
Mission Statement
ADYNATON PRODUCTIONS was founded by young artists who want to make the seemingly impossible, possible. Our stories focus on themes of sexism, racism, mental health, and queer issues. We pride ourselves in bringing people together from all backgrounds to create compelling and impactful stories.About The Project
It’s 2020, and the student government election is in full swing at the PWI, James Buchanan University. After the death of Eric Fullson, a Tri Kappa Fraternity pledge, there is a spike in the polls for Bradley Holden, the president of Tri Kappa. Ronnie Reed discovers that Holden is using the death of Fullson to garner sympathy as he rigs the polls against his opponent, Veronica Moore. With the election quickly approaching Ronnie realizes that he must create the vigilante alter ego Mothman and, much like a moth, find the light in the darkness to defeat the political injustice on his campus.
(images of the UNC Greensboro campus, where some of "Mothman" will be shot)
You may know Mothman to be the folk creature that lurks in the Appalachian mountains, but here he is a hero who is inspired by the likes of Spiderman, Batman, and other animal-themed vigilantes standing up for what is right. Meet the characters of Mothman:
(concept art by cast member Taylor Silvas)
Ronnie Reed is a journalism major at James Buchanan University who has spent most of his college life fading into the background. However, after the death of his roommate he must step into the light to investigate the mysterious cause that may be linked to the Student Government elections. Always optimistic and able to find the light in any situation, Ronnie becomes the vigilante hero Mothman to save the day.
Veronica Moore is the progressive candidate running for Student Government President. She has a reputation on campus as a “SJW”, a “loud mouth”, and a “nag”, but prides herself in being one of the only people in the SGA who wants to make impactful change in the lives of students at JBU.
Bradley Holden is the conservative candidate running for Student Government President. He is a master of deception and has the true makings of a politician: he can smile in your face seconds after he’s passed a bill that will ruin your life. His charisma is what shines through despite his true, almost sociopathic tendencies.
Eric Fullson is the roommate and close friend of Ronnie Reed. He is forever optimistic and always tries to see the best in people, even when they don’t necessarily deserve it. He dies during the initiation process of Tri Kappa fraternity.
Adynaton Productions was founded on the notion of making the impossible possible. We believe in telling stories that most would disregard, stories that combine elements of ordinary, everyday life with the fantastic.
Formed in 2019, Adynaton Productions is an Independent Film Production company based in Greensboro, North Carolina. We are self-started, self-funded, and self-driven. We strive to create opportunities for local artists of all kinds to continue to develop their craft of storytelling within a space built for themselves, by themselves. We believe that by empowering our next generation of artists with the ability to create for themselves, we are building the foundation necessary to keep our artform alive for years to come.Adynaton Productions recognizes the importance of working with a diverse group of artists and telling diverse stories in our projects. As a company, we pledge to push for the following demographic involvement in all of our projects:
75% of individuals working on a project in any and all capacities will be BIPOC
60% of individuals working on a project in any and all capacities will be Female, Trans, and Gender Non-ConformingAdditionally we are commit to seek diversity, empower individualism, and foster accountability. You read more on our Diversity and Inclusion Commitment here.
A Note From the Director, Kemari Bryant:
I’m gonna be real here: I’m a comic book nerd. I've been stuck on all things comic book related since I was a wee lad. This shaped my world view in every way-- I constantly believe that there is potential for better. I want to create a badass Black superhero as a beacon of hope that generations can look up to as not only someone who keeps their community safe, but who also promotes the greatest superpower of all: political education. The story of “Mothman” came to me at a time of immense political distrust. Co-writer Michael Newman and I created larger than life characters in an extremely high stakes world. Oddly enough, this world doesn’t seem so far off anymore.
This story needs to be created right now because I want to give people a light in the darkness. For me, In the creation process I wanted “Mothman” to be a love letter to two of my favorite things: superheroes and Black college films. The story is told by jumping back and forth between a mockumentary style and seeing the story unfold before our very eyes. We follow the seemingly mundane tale of Ronnie Reed as he navigates his college life. When he discovers injustice on his campus he realizes that he has no other option but to dawn the moth wings.The movies below, old and new, are all essential to the threads of what make "Mothman" what it is. I plan to explore a world where Black people are allowed to be many things: nerdy, loud, progressive, smart, and most of all, a hero. It is a brash, unapolgetically in your face story that will hopefully leave you believing that there's hope for better in our world.
- TKB
(Spike Lee's School Daze, John Singleton's Higher Learning, and Justin Simien's Dear White People)
Our Team
Director - Kemari BryantAssistant Director - J. Andrew Speas
Writers - Kemari Bryant and Micheal J. Newman
Production Coordinator - Cameron Linly
Producer - Randall C. Simmons
For more information check out our "Team" page.
We believe that stories like Mothman can empower the next generation to stand up for what they believe in and fight the oppressors of our world. As we approach our own election in the United States, we face a more tumultuous and complex political landscape than most of us have experienced in our lifetime. Mothman aims to tell the story of overcoming. We hope to tell a story that encourages our viewers to seek within themselves a similar strength to find the light in their own darkness.
We plan on shooting Mothman during the month of October, and we are all aware of the circumstances that can make this a difficult period in which to film. As a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, our entire production team has become COVID-19 SAFE SET CERTIFIED. This means that various procedures will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone who steps foot onto our set. We will keep ourselves, our crew, and our cast updated on the best possible ways to stop the spread of the virus.
(images from production of our most recent short "Brina", the first film we produced on a COVID-19 Safe Set)
When you give to stories like Mothman, you directly invest in the push for diversity and inclusivity on and off the camera. To invest in Mothman is an investment in giving a voice to the voiceless, to empower the powerless, and to create a space for positive change. With your contribution we will be able to fully bring to life not only the campus of James Buchanan University but give flight to Mothman.
Want to help us out? Share all of the exciting adventures of MOTHMAN with your friends, family, and fans by using our personalized hashtag #WhoIsMothman! You can follow us on all of our social media pages to help out. Subscribe to us on our YouTube channel, Adynaton Productions, to check out our past creations and to see what we have planned for the future! Stay tuned to our page for updates on our fundraising process here with Seed and Spark!
Incentives
$1
CAPE-CHASER
Heroes wouldn't be the heroes they are without the support of their fans! By contributing just $1, you'll recieve a credit in the film as our way of saying THANK YOU!
$10
SIDEKICK
A Superhero is only as strong as their Sidekick! By contributing at least ten dollars, you can become one of Mothman's Sidekicks - we'll give you a personalized social media shoutout for your support!
You will also recieve a credit in the film.
$25
SUPERHERO
Haven't you always wanted to be a Superhero?
If you contribute twenty five dollars or more, we will turn you into a Superhero! We will make you a personalized image with your face on an inconic Hero! It might not be a masterpiece, but it will definitely be a relic from that one time when you supported some independent filmmakers.
You will also recieve a credit in the film by name and a social media shout out.
$50
VIGILANTE
Every great vigilante has a compelling origin story to back them up! By contributing $50 or more, we will write you a personalized origin story!
This will come straight from the creative minds behind MOTHMAN!
You will also recieve all prior incentives.
$100
THE CAPED CRUSADER
Larger contributions are extremely vital to this process. That's why, if you contribute $100 or more, we will give you EXCLUSIVE early access to the trailer for the film!
You'll pretty much see it as soon as we do.
This also includes all prior incentives.
$500
THE GOD OF THUNDER
With this contribution, you'll be funding a large section of the production costs for the film. For any contribution of $500 or more, you will be among the FIRST to see the final version of MOTHMAN! That's right, no waiting for the Festival Circuit to end!
After we finish the final stages of editing, we will send you a link so you can truly see what your money was able to help create!
This also includes all prior incentives.
$1,000
THE CAPTAIN
This will completely cover some of our production costs, like paying our design team! With a contribution of $1000 or more, we will credit you by name as an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of the film.
You'll be up there with the likes of Tarantino and Spielberg... *ooooooh*
This incentive includes all prior incentives as well.
Claimed: 4 of 10
$1,500
MAN OF STEEL
If you contribute $1500 or more, we'd love to meet you. This would give you the opportunity to have an indepth conversation with Kemari Bryant (director) and J. Andrew Speas (asst. director). You can talk about their vision for the film, your own film ideas, or even just chat about your day!
Don't be shy, they don't bite!
This also includes all prior incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$2,000
OUR LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
A $2000 pledge?!?!? Wow! How could we ever match such a generous contribution?
By letting you NAME A CHARACTER IN THE FILM!
The first person to claim this incentive will get the extremely unique opportunity of naming one of the characters in MOTHMAN! The character in question is the Moderator of the student presidential debate scenes between VERONICA MOORE and BRADLEY HOLDEN as they fight to win the hearts of the students of James Buchanan University.
You can name the character after you, your friend, or your dog! (but maybe not your dog...)
This also includes all prior incentives!
Sold Out!
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$1
CAPE-CHASER
Heroes wouldn't be the heroes they are without the support of their fans! By contributing just $1, you'll recieve a credit in the film as our way of saying THANK YOU!
$10
SIDEKICK
A Superhero is only as strong as their Sidekick! By contributing at least ten dollars, you can become one of Mothman's Sidekicks - we'll give you a personalized social media shoutout for your support!
You will also recieve a credit in the film.
$25
SUPERHERO
Haven't you always wanted to be a Superhero?
If you contribute twenty five dollars or more, we will turn you into a Superhero! We will make you a personalized image with your face on an inconic Hero! It might not be a masterpiece, but it will definitely be a relic from that one time when you supported some independent filmmakers.
You will also recieve a credit in the film by name and a social media shout out.
$50
VIGILANTE
Every great vigilante has a compelling origin story to back them up! By contributing $50 or more, we will write you a personalized origin story!
This will come straight from the creative minds behind MOTHMAN!
You will also recieve all prior incentives.
$100
THE CAPED CRUSADER
Larger contributions are extremely vital to this process. That's why, if you contribute $100 or more, we will give you EXCLUSIVE early access to the trailer for the film!
You'll pretty much see it as soon as we do.
This also includes all prior incentives.
$500
THE GOD OF THUNDER
With this contribution, you'll be funding a large section of the production costs for the film. For any contribution of $500 or more, you will be among the FIRST to see the final version of MOTHMAN! That's right, no waiting for the Festival Circuit to end!
After we finish the final stages of editing, we will send you a link so you can truly see what your money was able to help create!
This also includes all prior incentives.
$1,000
THE CAPTAIN
This will completely cover some of our production costs, like paying our design team! With a contribution of $1000 or more, we will credit you by name as an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of the film.
You'll be up there with the likes of Tarantino and Spielberg... *ooooooh*
This incentive includes all prior incentives as well.
Claimed: 4 of 10
$1,500
MAN OF STEEL
If you contribute $1500 or more, we'd love to meet you. This would give you the opportunity to have an indepth conversation with Kemari Bryant (director) and J. Andrew Speas (asst. director). You can talk about their vision for the film, your own film ideas, or even just chat about your day!
Don't be shy, they don't bite!
This also includes all prior incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$2,000
OUR LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
A $2000 pledge?!?!? Wow! How could we ever match such a generous contribution?
By letting you NAME A CHARACTER IN THE FILM!
The first person to claim this incentive will get the extremely unique opportunity of naming one of the characters in MOTHMAN! The character in question is the Moderator of the student presidential debate scenes between VERONICA MOORE and BRADLEY HOLDEN as they fight to win the hearts of the students of James Buchanan University.
You can name the character after you, your friend, or your dog! (but maybe not your dog...)
This also includes all prior incentives!
Sold Out!
- Updates
-
Current Team
About This Team
Kemari Bryant (he/him/his); Director and Co-Writer for "Mothman", Co-head of Development for Adynaton Productions, is currently a BFA Acting Junior at UNC-Greensboro. Kemari has been making film projects for the past 5 years, and his most recent projects include co-writer and director of “Sad Clown”, “Libations”, and "Brina".
Michael Newman (he/him/his); Co-Writer for "Mothman", Co-Head of Development for Adynaton Productions, is a BFA Acting Senior at UNC-Greensboro. He starred as the lead in Adynaton Production’s “Sad Clown”, and he most recently co-wrote “Libations”. Michael has previously worked on a university-funded research grant, “MAMA” in conjunction with Triad Stage.
Cameron Linly Robinson (she/her/hers); Producer for "Mothman", Head of Production for Adynaton Productions, is a BFA Acting Senior at UNC-Greensboro, with a minor in Musical Theatre. Through Adynaton Productions, she produced and co-wrote “Sad Clown”, co-wrote and co-directed "Brina" and also produced “Libations”.
Randall Simmons (he/him/his); Producer for "Mothman", Head of Distribution for Adynaton Productions, is a recent graduate of UNC-Greensboro where he studied Directing. Randall has worked on four university-funded research grants and has studied various artforms in over ten countries. He has directed over 15 different projects, and has assisted the Artistic Director of Triad Stage, Preston Lane.
J. Andrew Speas (he/him/his); Assistant Director, is currently a rising Senior at UNC-Greensboro pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and a Minor in Musical Theatre. He is a native of Winston-Salem, NC where he studied under the tutelage of Mabel Robinson at the NC Black Repertory Company in the Teen Theater Ensemble. J. Andrew joined the Adynaton team as the voice over artist for the Happy Clown Puppet in "Sad Clown" and later joined as a consultant for "Libations" and "Brina" where he acted as Producer.
-
Media
Videos
Images
-
Community
Supporters
Followers