Norm and I
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
Norm and I is a quiet road film about grief, connection, and the strange ways we carry the people we've lost. At a time when everything feels rushed, this story asks us to slow down; to sit with loss instead of outrunning. It explores how healing comes from unexpected places and unlikely companions.
Norm and I
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
40 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$8,120
Goal: $10,000 for pre-production
Norm and I is a quiet road film about grief, connection, and the strange ways we carry the people we've lost. At a time when everything feels rushed, this story asks us to slow down; to sit with loss instead of outrunning. It explores how healing comes from unexpected places and unlikely companions.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"You don’t have to carry me everywhere you go, you know. I’m not as heavy as you think."
“If you saw what I saw on Rillispore and then came back to this dreary world, you would take a drink, too”
"Award winning, huh? Big turtle racer?"
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THE STORY
When his brother's suicide leaves him adrift, Sam, a disheveled young man, sets out to fulfill his brother's last wish; enter his pet turtle, Norm, in a mysterious high stakes turtle racing competition.
Across the states, Sam and Norm must overcome obstacles such as a turtle racing mob, a mirage-like individual known to the locals as Spaceman, the despair of losing his brother, and, when at a crossroads, decide between the turtle and the comfort of what he's always known.
While Sam and Norm become lost without direction, Sam meets an unlikely friend, Claire, a charismatic nomad, who helps guide him to not only the turtle race but to face his grief and self reflection.
In order to understand his brother and the world he so loved, Sam must find peace in discovering the bizarre world of turtle racing and the open road.
WRITER'S STATEMENT
There was a mission to run head first into Hollywood and make a difference. A dream for my uncle and I, we were more like brothers anyway, in age and in friendship. He was getting his foot in the door and I was about to journey into film school in LA. Then, suddenly he passed away and I was left to figure this industry out by myself without his knowledge, his guidance, and his whit. I hope he'd be proud of the things I have accomplished with my multiple years in this industry now. I have realized that I have written Norm and I in honor of him with the thought that I can help clear a path for others dealing with grief and, in turn, try to become closer to those that have gone before us.
Norm and I also revolves around a deepening connection between the two main characters, Sam and Claire. Through her, Sam is able to understand things about his brother he hadn't before and I think that in reality, sharing a life with someone and letting them in can be a positive method of purely living as well. I have my partner Hannah (the director) to thank for that. There's so many different ways to try and handle what has been given to you in this plane of existence. Sometimes we might not be able to heal fully from this wounds but to be able to carry on and accept that can help along our journey.
- Ian Brown
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THE GOAL
Ian and Hannah both have a love for stories that take a microscope to life and uncover the complexities of what others may seem as mundane or odd. Grief is tricky; no one is immune from experiencing it and it can make you do strange things in search of answers.
WHO THIS PROJECT HOPES TO IMPACT
Norm and I is written for those learning to grieve in a way that might be outside of their comfort zone, a path of humor and the bizarreness of being human. To understand those who have left us a little more and, in that way, become closer to them than we ever have before. We hope that with this story we can guide others who have felt these same universal feelings.
PRODUCTION TIMELINE AND ELEMENTS
PRE PRODUCTION: NOW - APRIL 2026
FILMING: APRIL 2026
POST PRODUCTION: MAY - JULY 2026
NORM AND I COMPLETED: AUGUST 2026
We are currently in the middle of pre-production!
PRE-PRODUCTION includes:
- Securing equipement rentals
- Scouting locations
- Hiring crew and talent (Check out the Team tab to meet everyone!)
- Storyboarding
- Securing funding! (i.e. Seed & Spark)
All these elements are crucial in developing a quality film to ensure your money went to a good cause.
Norm and I is a 10-12 minute short film. With this campaign, we aim to fund production and the festival circuit. Think Toronto Short Film Festival, Cannes Court Métrage, and Sundance Film Festival!
As a LONG-TERM GOAL, we want to make Norm and I into a feature length indie film. A short film helps accelerate the process of getting a feature film off the ground by showing production companies and studios what we can do! We hope to use the feature-length to share our message with a larger audience and make some people feel seen in this world.
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STRETCH GOALS
10K
Our current goal allows us to house, hire, and feed the crew, hire and take care of our Norm (the turtle) and shoot the film.
12K
An extra $2,000 will allow us to rent anamorphic lenses for a cinematic feel, and possibly a grip truck!
15K
This goal would give us the opportunity to apply to more festivals and hire an expert colorists and MULTIPLE turtles!
18K
This goal would allow us to hire extra crew to ensure a smooth production and pay for travel and lodging to film festivals.
We are also open to DONATIONS! If you love this story and want to help out (but can't always do it financially), we are open to donations including locations (bar/restaurant/motel) and housing in Joshua Tree, film equipment, props, and more! Please check out our Wishlist tab and feel reach out to us at [email protected] for any questions!
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THE INSPIRATION
Mark Twain meets modern annoyances - Norm and I showcases the aesthetic of beloved indie films such as Little Miss Sunshine, Captain Fantastic, and Peanut Butter Falcon. These films have shaped both Ian and Hannah as filmmakers.
THE ART
You may have noticed all of the art has a specific hand drawn, sketch style. All of the original art featured is done by our talented writer and producer, IAN BROWN. A real renaissance man he is!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Lodging & Travel & Food
Costs $3,500
Lodging for up to 12 cast & crew. Either in a hotel or rental in Joshua Tree where we will be filming for three days. Open to donations!
Equipment
Costs $2,000
Although we have some of our own equipment, we will need to rent the rest! This includes camera, lighting, and sound equipment.
Production Insurance
Costs $1,000
This is the average cost of production insurance for a project this size.
Locations
Costs $1,000
Our locations include a truck stop or motel, a diner, and a bar. Open to donations!
Cast & Crew
Costs $2,500
We are lucky to have a very talented cast & crew and we want to make sure we get to pay them!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
IAN BROWN - PRODUCER & WRITER
Ian has his Bachelor's in Screenwriting and has been in the industry for multiple years honing his craft not only as a writer but as a talent coordinator, graphic design artist, and video editor. In his spare time you can find him playing guitar and taking road trips.
HANNAH BETH - PRODUCER & DIRECTOR
Hannah has her Bachelor’s in Business and Cinema from San Francisco State University. She has independently produced and directed multiple short films and commercials since. Her silly stories about turtle racing has inspired the creation of Norm & I and she can't wait to bring it to the screen. She has spent the past three years doing stand-up comedy and improv in Los Angeles and loves to find the funny in life's unfortunate reality we all deal with. Make em laugh.
SAM LANDERS - "SAM"
Sam Landers is an actor, improvisor, and comedian from Franklin, TN best known for his work with Tiny Cinema and his many commercial appearances. His credits include being the lead in The Tiny Cinema movie, starring rolls in many of their sketches, 25 national commercials, and much more. His chops were helmed at the UCB theatre in LA where he was admitted into their prestigious academy.
CLAIRE JOLLIFFE - "CLAIRE"
Claire Jolliffe is an Actor, Stand Up and Screen Writer based out of LA, but originally from Michigan, She received a BA in acting from The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and has appeared in numerous regional productions including The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Tipping Point Theater, and Flint Rep. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Grace, and Megh for their endless support.
RILEY BARKER - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Riley Barker is a Los Angeles based cinematographer working in narrative film. His work includes sketch projects for That’s a Bad Idea and serving as a camera operator on Obsession, an upcoming feature developed with Focus Features and Blumhouse. Riley approaches cinematography as a storytelling tool, focusing on grounded visuals that support performance and emotion.
JAMES TORRESCANO - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
James Torrescano is a freelance producer in the video production world. Getting his start in sports television where he honed his skills for writing, editing, and producing live television segments along with producing edited features on athletes and stories that surround the sports world. After 6+ years working for NBC Sports in San Francisco as an Associate Producer and Producer, James made his way down to Los Angeles to pursue Television and Film. Over the last 3 years he has worked in a myriad of capacities in Film, Narrative TV, Reality TV, Game Shows, Commercials, and Live Music. His on set experience includes, Assistant Director, Production Designer, Costume Assistant, and Production Assistant. On his own time James will help produce and direct music videos, along with produce and production design short films. He also enjoys dabbling in concert and event photography whenever the chance arises.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"You don’t have to carry me everywhere you go, you know. I’m not as heavy as you think."
“If you saw what I saw on Rillispore and then came back to this dreary world, you would take a drink, too”
"Award winning, huh? Big turtle racer?"
THE STORY
When his brother's suicide leaves him adrift, Sam, a disheveled young man, sets out to fulfill his brother's last wish; enter his pet turtle, Norm, in a mysterious high stakes turtle racing competition.
Across the states, Sam and Norm must overcome obstacles such as a turtle racing mob, a mirage-like individual known to the locals as Spaceman, the despair of losing his brother, and, when at a crossroads, decide between the turtle and the comfort of what he's always known.
While Sam and Norm become lost without direction, Sam meets an unlikely friend, Claire, a charismatic nomad, who helps guide him to not only the turtle race but to face his grief and self reflection.
In order to understand his brother and the world he so loved, Sam must find peace in discovering the bizarre world of turtle racing and the open road.
WRITER'S STATEMENT
There was a mission to run head first into Hollywood and make a difference. A dream for my uncle and I, we were more like brothers anyway, in age and in friendship. He was getting his foot in the door and I was about to journey into film school in LA. Then, suddenly he passed away and I was left to figure this industry out by myself without his knowledge, his guidance, and his whit. I hope he'd be proud of the things I have accomplished with my multiple years in this industry now. I have realized that I have written Norm and I in honor of him with the thought that I can help clear a path for others dealing with grief and, in turn, try to become closer to those that have gone before us.
Norm and I also revolves around a deepening connection between the two main characters, Sam and Claire. Through her, Sam is able to understand things about his brother he hadn't before and I think that in reality, sharing a life with someone and letting them in can be a positive method of purely living as well. I have my partner Hannah (the director) to thank for that. There's so many different ways to try and handle what has been given to you in this plane of existence. Sometimes we might not be able to heal fully from this wounds but to be able to carry on and accept that can help along our journey.
- Ian Brown
THE GOAL
Ian and Hannah both have a love for stories that take a microscope to life and uncover the complexities of what others may seem as mundane or odd. Grief is tricky; no one is immune from experiencing it and it can make you do strange things in search of answers.
WHO THIS PROJECT HOPES TO IMPACT
Norm and I is written for those learning to grieve in a way that might be outside of their comfort zone, a path of humor and the bizarreness of being human. To understand those who have left us a little more and, in that way, become closer to them than we ever have before. We hope that with this story we can guide others who have felt these same universal feelings.
PRODUCTION TIMELINE AND ELEMENTS
PRE PRODUCTION: NOW - APRIL 2026
FILMING: APRIL 2026
POST PRODUCTION: MAY - JULY 2026
NORM AND I COMPLETED: AUGUST 2026
We are currently in the middle of pre-production!
PRE-PRODUCTION includes:
- Securing equipement rentals
- Scouting locations
- Hiring crew and talent (Check out the Team tab to meet everyone!)
- Storyboarding
- Securing funding! (i.e. Seed & Spark)
All these elements are crucial in developing a quality film to ensure your money went to a good cause.
Norm and I is a 10-12 minute short film. With this campaign, we aim to fund production and the festival circuit. Think Toronto Short Film Festival, Cannes Court Métrage, and Sundance Film Festival!
As a LONG-TERM GOAL, we want to make Norm and I into a feature length indie film. A short film helps accelerate the process of getting a feature film off the ground by showing production companies and studios what we can do! We hope to use the feature-length to share our message with a larger audience and make some people feel seen in this world.
STRETCH GOALS
10K
Our current goal allows us to house, hire, and feed the crew, hire and take care of our Norm (the turtle) and shoot the film.
12K
An extra $2,000 will allow us to rent anamorphic lenses for a cinematic feel, and possibly a grip truck!
15K
This goal would give us the opportunity to apply to more festivals and hire an expert colorists and MULTIPLE turtles!
18K
This goal would allow us to hire extra crew to ensure a smooth production and pay for travel and lodging to film festivals.
We are also open to DONATIONS! If you love this story and want to help out (but can't always do it financially), we are open to donations including locations (bar/restaurant/motel) and housing in Joshua Tree, film equipment, props, and more! Please check out our Wishlist tab and feel reach out to us at [email protected] for any questions!
THE INSPIRATION
Mark Twain meets modern annoyances - Norm and I showcases the aesthetic of beloved indie films such as Little Miss Sunshine, Captain Fantastic, and Peanut Butter Falcon. These films have shaped both Ian and Hannah as filmmakers.
THE ART
You may have noticed all of the art has a specific hand drawn, sketch style. All of the original art featured is done by our talented writer and producer, IAN BROWN. A real renaissance man he is!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Lodging & Travel & Food
Costs $3,500
Lodging for up to 12 cast & crew. Either in a hotel or rental in Joshua Tree where we will be filming for three days. Open to donations!
Equipment
Costs $2,000
Although we have some of our own equipment, we will need to rent the rest! This includes camera, lighting, and sound equipment.
Production Insurance
Costs $1,000
This is the average cost of production insurance for a project this size.
Locations
Costs $1,000
Our locations include a truck stop or motel, a diner, and a bar. Open to donations!
Cast & Crew
Costs $2,500
We are lucky to have a very talented cast & crew and we want to make sure we get to pay them!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
IAN BROWN - PRODUCER & WRITER
Ian has his Bachelor's in Screenwriting and has been in the industry for multiple years honing his craft not only as a writer but as a talent coordinator, graphic design artist, and video editor. In his spare time you can find him playing guitar and taking road trips.
HANNAH BETH - PRODUCER & DIRECTOR
Hannah has her Bachelor’s in Business and Cinema from San Francisco State University. She has independently produced and directed multiple short films and commercials since. Her silly stories about turtle racing has inspired the creation of Norm & I and she can't wait to bring it to the screen. She has spent the past three years doing stand-up comedy and improv in Los Angeles and loves to find the funny in life's unfortunate reality we all deal with. Make em laugh.
SAM LANDERS - "SAM"
Sam Landers is an actor, improvisor, and comedian from Franklin, TN best known for his work with Tiny Cinema and his many commercial appearances. His credits include being the lead in The Tiny Cinema movie, starring rolls in many of their sketches, 25 national commercials, and much more. His chops were helmed at the UCB theatre in LA where he was admitted into their prestigious academy.
CLAIRE JOLLIFFE - "CLAIRE"
Claire Jolliffe is an Actor, Stand Up and Screen Writer based out of LA, but originally from Michigan, She received a BA in acting from The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and has appeared in numerous regional productions including The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Tipping Point Theater, and Flint Rep. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Grace, and Megh for their endless support.
RILEY BARKER - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Riley Barker is a Los Angeles based cinematographer working in narrative film. His work includes sketch projects for That’s a Bad Idea and serving as a camera operator on Obsession, an upcoming feature developed with Focus Features and Blumhouse. Riley approaches cinematography as a storytelling tool, focusing on grounded visuals that support performance and emotion.
JAMES TORRESCANO - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
James Torrescano is a freelance producer in the video production world. Getting his start in sports television where he honed his skills for writing, editing, and producing live television segments along with producing edited features on athletes and stories that surround the sports world. After 6+ years working for NBC Sports in San Francisco as an Associate Producer and Producer, James made his way down to Los Angeles to pursue Television and Film. Over the last 3 years he has worked in a myriad of capacities in Film, Narrative TV, Reality TV, Game Shows, Commercials, and Live Music. His on set experience includes, Assistant Director, Production Designer, Costume Assistant, and Production Assistant. On his own time James will help produce and direct music videos, along with produce and production design short films. He also enjoys dabbling in concert and event photography whenever the chance arises.