Arnel is a gay Filipino-American man who must reunite with his homophobic family when his mother is diagnosed with a serious illness. But their morals are turned upside down when Arnel realizes that his mother has HIV.
Arnel is a gay Filipino-American man who must reunite with his homophobic family when his mother is diagnosed with a serious illness. But their morals are turned upside down when Arnel realizes that his mother has HIV.
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Story
Mission Statement
Our film portrays a Filipino-American family dealing with HIV. Our leads are Filipinx, and our team is majority people of color. Women have leadership roles, and a significant percentage identify as LGBTQ. Importantly, several members bring their experience living with HIV to this film.About The Project
Nanay ("Mother") wants you to join our family!
(Photo from our previous film, "Prinsesa")
We are all volunteers who believe in sharing more stories with LGBTQ Filipino-American themes.
THE "NANAY'S LULLABY" THEME: There are some who use the word “queer” to attack or demean others, while never questioning their own morality. Could your morals blind you from seeing the love that is all around you? If so, how queer is that?
This story spotlights the growing number of HIV cases in older people and illustrates the stigma they can face. How does that stigma change when it’s your own mother?
OUR FILMS: "Prinsesa" & "VDA: Tape 96" have each won dozens of awards and screened at festivals around the world - from Paris to Myanmar and beyond! They have also been included in classrooms and LGBTQ workshops - and have even inspired a children's book about gender identity! Many of the countries we've visited rarely show stories about LGBTQ people, HIV or Filipino-American families. You can help change that!
SOLD OUT ON STAGE!
"Nanay's Lullaby" has already had a great stage run! (Packed house for two weeks at Bindlestiff Studio in San Francisco)
THE FILM VERSION NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!
FILMMAKING IS EXPENSIVE: Even for short films, it is common to spend more than $10,000 to get a film made. But thanks to Scary Cow Productions and RDM Studios, our team members are DONATING their time and gear! This will reduce our expenses by thousands of dollars. We belive in this project, but we still need your help to get the funds for such things as:
WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?
We've tried to find a few gifts to reward our backers for your support. For example, you can:
- ~ Receive PRODUCER CREDIT in the film industry database
- ~BE AN ACTOR IN THE FILM! (limited to first 4)
- ~NAME A CHARACTER in the film! (1 only)
- ~Receive a TICKET to our WORLD PREMIERE screening!
- ~MEET THE CAST & CREW!
- ~View the LIVE STREAM VIDEO FROM THE SET!
- ~SEE THE FILM BEFORE ANYONE ELSE!
- ~See YOUR NAME ON SCREEN
- ~Get a SUPER-CUTE PINOY PIN!
NANAY SAYS:
You are already part of the family, just for reading this far! We hope that you will help us share this story around the world by contributing whatever you can. But even if you can't send money, please be sure to FOLLOW OUR CAMPAIGN here, and we'll send you updates and our fmaily photos. And please say hi to us on our Facebook page.
Oh, and Nanay also says that you are not eating enough. Please have some more pancit.
(Photo: Actors Rose Almario and Jed Pasario
served as muses for early versions of our story.)
Maraming salamat!
(Thank you very much!)
Incentives
$10
Welcome to Nanay's Family!
All backers will receive updates and “Family Photos” as we make this film. (Photo from our Bindlestiff Stage run)
Big cyber hugs included!
$20
Postcard From Home (Online Thanks)
Get all the feelz of the Philippines without the travel hassle. We will thank you by name on our Facebook page, over an image from the Philippines.
$25
Sneak Peek - LIVE!
You will receive advance notice of our planned LIVE STREAM FROM THE SET as we actually create the film!
And you will receive a private temporary link to WATCH THE FIRST RELEASE of our film online, BEFORE ANYONE ELSE - just before our World Premiere! (Estimated to be in October 2019)
+ "Digital Postcard" online thanks
$35
Take Some Credit!
See your name in the film! We will thank you in the film end credits
Also includes the "Sneak Peek" and "Digital Postcard" rewards
$50
Pinoy Pin Pride!
We've scoured the Internet to find some cute little lapel pins, and we would love to send one to you too! We will cover the cost of ONE pin, such as the above samples. (Exact choice is not guaranteed. Subject to availability. Mailed to USA address only.) Show your Pinoy pride!
Also includes the "Sneak Peek" and "Digital Postcard" rewards
$75
Premiere: Meet Cast & Crew
You'll receive ONE admission ticket to our planned San Francisco premiere in October 2019, and we'll introduce you to any cast or crew who are in attendance. Transportation/accommodations NOT included. (Additional tickets can be purchased separately)
Also includes the "Sneak Peek" and a special thank you on our Facebook page and in the film's ending credits.
$150
Name the Nurse
We’ll feature a name of your choice on the ID badge of the Nurse in our film, and the character name will be listed in the film and IMDB credits. (Subject to review, so keep it clean, okay?)
Also includes the "Sneak Peek," a special posting on our Facebook page and a thank you in our film ending credits
Sold Out!
$250
Extra! Extra! Be in the film!
BE IN THE FILM - as a non-speaking extra in the hospital scene! You will meet other Cast & Crew, your name will be in the film's ending credits and submitted for acting credit on IMDB and . Acting experience is not required, but we will be depending on you to be in San Francisco and available on our shoot date. (Tentatively scheduled for Saturday April 20, 2019. Food will be available, but no transportation or accommodation provided. Non-union, non-paid)
Also includes the "Sneak Peek" and a special posting on our Facebook page
(Limit 4 only)
Claimed: 1 of 4
$1,000
Producer Credit!
This is the big one: As our Super VIP, you will receive:
- Film credit as an honorary EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, and submitted to the exclusive database of movie professionals, IMDb.
- A ticket to the San Francisco PREMIERE SCREENING to MEET CAST & CREW (see details above)
- A SPECIAL ONLINE THANK YOU
- The SNEAK PEEK reward too
Claimed: 2 of 4
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Welcome to Nanay's Family!
All backers will receive updates and “Family Photos” as we make this film. (Photo from our Bindlestiff Stage run)
Big cyber hugs included!
$20
Postcard From Home (Online Thanks)
Get all the feelz of the Philippines without the travel hassle. We will thank you by name on our Facebook page, over an image from the Philippines.
$25
Sneak Peek - LIVE!
You will receive advance notice of our planned LIVE STREAM FROM THE SET as we actually create the film!
And you will receive a private temporary link to WATCH THE FIRST RELEASE of our film online, BEFORE ANYONE ELSE - just before our World Premiere! (Estimated to be in October 2019)
+ "Digital Postcard" online thanks
$35
Take Some Credit!
See your name in the film! We will thank you in the film end credits
Also includes the "Sneak Peek" and "Digital Postcard" rewards
$50
Pinoy Pin Pride!
We've scoured the Internet to find some cute little lapel pins, and we would love to send one to you too! We will cover the cost of ONE pin, such as the above samples. (Exact choice is not guaranteed. Subject to availability. Mailed to USA address only.) Show your Pinoy pride!
Also includes the "Sneak Peek" and "Digital Postcard" rewards
$75
Premiere: Meet Cast & Crew
You'll receive ONE admission ticket to our planned San Francisco premiere in October 2019, and we'll introduce you to any cast or crew who are in attendance. Transportation/accommodations NOT included. (Additional tickets can be purchased separately)
Also includes the "Sneak Peek" and a special thank you on our Facebook page and in the film's ending credits.
$150
Name the Nurse
We’ll feature a name of your choice on the ID badge of the Nurse in our film, and the character name will be listed in the film and IMDB credits. (Subject to review, so keep it clean, okay?)
Also includes the "Sneak Peek," a special posting on our Facebook page and a thank you in our film ending credits
Sold Out!
$250
Extra! Extra! Be in the film!
BE IN THE FILM - as a non-speaking extra in the hospital scene! You will meet other Cast & Crew, your name will be in the film's ending credits and submitted for acting credit on IMDB and . Acting experience is not required, but we will be depending on you to be in San Francisco and available on our shoot date. (Tentatively scheduled for Saturday April 20, 2019. Food will be available, but no transportation or accommodation provided. Non-union, non-paid)
Also includes the "Sneak Peek" and a special posting on our Facebook page
(Limit 4 only)
Claimed: 1 of 4
$1,000
Producer Credit!
This is the big one: As our Super VIP, you will receive:
- Film credit as an honorary EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, and submitted to the exclusive database of movie professionals, IMDb.
- A ticket to the San Francisco PREMIERE SCREENING to MEET CAST & CREW (see details above)
- A SPECIAL ONLINE THANK YOU
- The SNEAK PEEK reward too
Claimed: 2 of 4
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
OUR TEAM: Quirky. Creative. Talented. Diverse. All-Volunteers. Fun.
A FEW TEAM MEMBERS:
Alisha McCutcheon (Cinematographer) a West Virginia native, has adopted San Francisco as her home. She fell in love with the movies as a child sitting in the one-screen theater of her tiny home town. However, she didn’t realize that making them was a possibility until, as a lark, she took a film class at SF City College in 2005. Since then she has directed two shorts, has over 14 cinematography credits, and has worked as Assistant Director or in Camera Department for numerous other films. IMDb
Donna Mae Foronda (Associate Producer) was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was raised by silent, warring parents, and in that silence she was able to write her wildest, loudest thoughts on paper. She ventured into filmmaking in 2007 and learned the ropes through her time at Chapman University, unpaid Hollywood internships, and working on films with Scary Cow Productions. She has written and produced multiple short films receiving awards from Outstanding Writing to Audience Choice. IMDb
Mano Chui Stephens (Co-Writer, Executive Producer) grew up in Manila, Philippines and is pleased to bring new Filipino-themed stories to the stage and screen. Mano also enjoys world travel, singing, and his work as a Surgical Nurse. Mano’s film credits can be found on IMDb
Drew Stephens (Writer, Director, Producer) has created dozens of award-winning television, film and stage projects (Prinsesa, VDA Tape 96, Bound 4 Heaven) and was a pioneering member of IBC/True Visions television in Thailand. Drew was the original TV host & segment producer for Electric City in San Francisco, one of the first LGBTQ television programs in the USA. More recently, Drew has been instrumental in Scary Cow Productions, a unique filmmaking co-op providing networking and technical resources to aspiring indie filmmakers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Drew’s filmography is available at IMDb and at RDMstudios.com
Paul Hara (1st Assistant Camera) worked for Longs Drug Stores for 30 years, first shooting stills and video in their training department, and then as a Flash developer. Paul notes that "It’s great to be developing my video skills again!" IMDb
Lisa Tesler (Key Grip) started out as a stage hand and theater lighting tech in college. Upon switching to video, she learned follow focus by filming birds taking off and landing at a local nature preserve, and by shooting live sports. She joined a local film cooperative (Scary Cow) as an AC, but the lure of working with jibs, cranes, and dollies, and the joy of hauling sandbags and stands up multiple flights of stairs won her over to the dark side, where she now focuses on light and motion. She has worked as a dolly grip, key grip, gaffer, camera operator, and/or AC on more than 15 short films; and as a camera operator for over 200 sporting and civic events. IMDB
Stan Ng (Production Sound Recordist) has contributed to independent film production, in the roles of location sound, post-production sound, and gaffer. He has shot and edited several profiles of local personalities and groups, and has produced dozens of TV shows at public access television stations. He has contributed to many genre types: narratives, documentaries, industrials, musicals, and community profiles. Stan has recently left a full career in semiconductor electronics engineering, and is focusing on media production. IMDb
Ekekela “Puka” Novero (Post-Production Sound, PA) Hey! I’m Puka. I was born and raised in SF, but now live in Oakland. I recently graduated with a Broadcast & Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) degree from SFSU. I actually started as a Biology major, but producing music was always a passion of mine so I went into BECA’s Audio Engineering program. A couple semesters in, I took an Audio for Video class where I discovered a new interest in sound design and the rest is history. Nanay’s Lullaby will be my first project outside of school and I can’t wait to get started!
Christopher Talbott (Production Sound - Boom Operator) is an award winning video editor and multimedia artist based in San Francisco, CA. He grew up in Southern California where he began making video and animation at an early age. Later in life Chris attended the Academy of Art in San Francisco, Berklee College of Music, and at BAVC. These days you can usually find Chris exploring San Francisco with one of his cameras, in his music studio crafting new instruments and sounds, or supporting local artists at concerts and events with his friends and family. IMDb
Tony Jonick (Post-Production) was born in Hawaii, and grew up in Fiji and Australia, before moving to California in the 70s. He has worked on nearly 40 films as a member of the Scary Cow film collective. A writer, director, producer, actor, and jack-of-other-trades, he is working with friends to complete their feature film, Seven by Seven: San Francisco Stories. He is delighted to be helping Drew (Writer/Director) as thanks for Drew's support over the years. Gud lak sa 'yo to the team! IMDb
Margaret Kowalick-Hara. (Set Photographer/Grip) worked for 23 years as a senior web administrator, graphic designer, web developer, and business analyst. Expanding my horizons in Scary Cow with behind the scenes photography, AC, and Grip.
Saprina Panday (Crowdfunding, Production Assistant) is a multimedia storyteller with a degree in law and politics from the UK, the US and France. After eight years of working at the intersection of law, human rights, development and journalism (TV, radio, print) for a variety of organizations, Saprina quit the corporate world to pursue her dream to tell her own stories. She is the writer, co-director, producer and actor of an intersectional feminist web-series called the escapists, a story about three girlfriends chasing their dreams and disappointing their families in the process.
Jeff Grimes (Casting Director) is a lifelong Bay Area resident currently living in San Francisco. He joined Scary Cow in 2016 and has since worked on about 20 projects, filling almost every role from PA to Producer. Most often, he serves as Casting Director, and that's how he's involved with Nanay's Lullaby. In 2019, he hopes to write and direct a short film of his own. IMDb
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