NOXIOUS

Los Angeles, California | Film Short

Sci-Fi, LGBTQ

Jordan Pfeifer

8 Campaigns | California, United States

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This campaign raised $7,080 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

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A dark science-fiction romance about a spoiled designer baby confronting her own flaws in order to win back her bitter ex-lover as the doomsday clock ticks. A story of connection and redemption in the face of armageddon and class disparities, and the sacrifices we're willing to make for love.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

Jordan Pfeifer, the director, is the creator of ONYX Films, an intersectional feminist production company that will be producing Noxious. LGBTQ+ and female representation is at the forefront of this film, with the intention of showing these marginalized groups that they have a voice.

The Story

1. THE STORY 

It is Los Angeles, 2047.

The clock is ticking.

In just a few weeks, the world will become uninhabitable; the air overwrought with toxins from over a century of over-pollution. The world has succumbed to widespread hedonism. People spend their last days on Earth doing drugs, partying, and hooking up before they take their last breath.

Those in power didn't listen to the environmentally-conscious - maybe because they knew that they would be immune to the result. The wealthiest 1% in the world are able to survive the end of days by escaping to a limited number of colonies built on the moon, while the lower class is left to die on Earth.

Our protagonist is Jade, a wealthy designer baby known for her frigid behavior and cruelty, except when it comes to Ava - her bitter ex-girlfriend who remains the love of her life. In order to get back together with Ava before the world ends, Jade promises her that she will stay and die with her rather than saving herself by leaving for the lunar colony. As the doomsday clock ticks and their relationship blossoms yet again, Jade is torn between making amends for the sins of her past and saving herself from the impending apocalypse.

We have already hired actors to play Ava and Jade - a real-life LGBTQ+ couple named Brittany and Lizzie!

 

2. WHY CONTRIBUTE?

Every great filmmaker started where we are now, and got to where they are with the help of people like you!

 Four years of schooling has led up to this point, and I'm ready to make a film that has been inside of me for a very long time. Whether you're a friend, family member, former teacher or professor, or a friend of a friend of a friend - know that your contribution is extremely important to us to make this dream happen. Loyola Marymount University is great because they allow us to own the rights to our films, but only because they don't fund their student's projects. And that's where we need your help. 

 

3. LGBTQ+ AND FEMALE REPRESENTATION 

In addition to these reasons, you should contribute because we are representing a marginalized group of people that don't often have their stories told.

In some cases, if they are told, they are often sexualized and fetishized. I am a woman who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, and I know what it's like to feel like you don't have a voice.

I spent the majority of my life not seeing stories told from the perspective of someone like me - someone who is not solely attracted to the opposite biological gender. It makes you question your entire identity. Seeing LGBTQ+ people on-screen is one of the first steps our society should take to normalize being gay.

 

 

4. CREDENTIALS

My last film, Necromantic, won awards and is still winning them, including the Gold Award for Best Horror Short at the Independent Shorts Awards.

In addition to this, I started a female-led production company, ONYX Films LLC, that will be producing this film. This team is composed of amazing, talented women, with the mission statement of normalizing female leaders in the film industry. In addition to the women that will be part of the film, my crew is composed of skilled filmmakers from a variety of backgrounds and multiple schools such as LMU, USC, and UCLA. In addition to all of this, I have worked hard during my college experience by interning at seven production companies, including Blumhouse Productions, Ghost House Pictures, and Black Bear Pictures. There, I gained experience with development (what goes into a great script), production, and distribution that I will be able to apply to this project, and all of my future projects with ONYX Films LLC. 

5. WHAT WE NEED

In order to produce this short, we'll need a total of $8,500.

Filmmaking is not cheap, and we've taken on the challenge of creating a futuristic world for our characters. In order to do this, we need money to pay for the pre-apocalyptic production design, wardrobe, wigs, makeup, and our club location to showcase the hedonistic lifestyles in which these characters are living out their last days. In addition to this, we need to feed our actors and crew, rent equipment, and pay our post-production team, who will be spending hours behind their computers performing VFX feats I can only imagine just to make this film a reality. 

 

 

6. WHAT YOU GET

In exchange for your extremely generous contribution to this project, we have a variety of incentives for you to choose from.

These range from a social media shoutout or a virtual ticket for the lunar shuttle to the lunar colony, to a hat or hoodie that have the film's title on them, to actual gas mask props that the characters will be wearing in the film. All incentives can be found in the "incentives" column to your right!

Use the WishList to PLEDGE cash and LOAN items - OR - Make a pledge by selecting an INCENTIVE directly.

 

7.COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

We understand that COVID-19 is not to be taken lightly.

LMU will not let us shoot this film unless we undertake several precautions. The biggest one is that EVERYONE on set has to remain at least 6 feet away from each other at all times. Our two main characters are going to be played by a real-life couple who has been quarantining together so that they are able to touch and interact. In addition to this, LMU is requiring us to have a COVID-19 MONITOR on set at all times. These will be trained professionals who will be paid to make sure that we are social distancing, washing our hands, sanitizing equipment, and wearing masks at all times. 

 

 

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Production Design/Set Construction/Hair and Makeup

Costs $2,600

This will go towards creating the futuristic, pre-apocalyptic, colorful and gritty world of Noxious.

Club Scene Location

Costs $1,400

We need $75/hour for the club location (10 hour shoot day) and extra for lights and smoke machines.

Craft Services

Costs $900

We need to provide a meal and snacks for 15-25 people for 4 days.

Equipment Rental

Costs $800

This will go towards renting a nice Arri camera and other equipment needed for the L&G department.

Post-Production

Costs $2,000

This will go towards us paying our editor, composer, colorist, and visual effects designer.

COVID-19 Monitor

Costs $800

LMU is requiring us to hire a COVID-19 Monitor for the shoot to make sure we are taking precautions.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

THE CAST

BRITTANY FRANKE, Ava

Brittany Franke is an actor and stage director who never expected to be the lead love interest of her actual girlfriend on the big screen. She was born and raised in Arizona, where she worked in a brain cancer research laboratory for most of high school. However, she later got hooked into the performing arts and ultimately chose to pursue acting and directing in Los Angeles at USC and as a career. Now, Brittany is the Artistic Director of Dorothy's Friends theatre company and works at 24th Street Theatre as a media intern and teaching assistant for their after school program. She is so excited to work with Lizzie and the NOXIOUS team on this amazing project!

 

LIZZIE KELLER, Jade

Lizzie Keller is a film producer and Cinema & Media Studies major at the USC School of Cinematic Arts who is taking a trip to the other side of the camera! Lizzie serves on the boards of Dorothy's Friends theatre company and Film & Television Writers of USC. In her spare time, you can find her playing Animal Crossing, ranting about sci-fi, and baking delicious cookies. She’s incredibly excited to work on this amazing project with a fabulous crew and her very own girlfriend.

 

SAMINA ENGEL, Priscilla 

An actor since 2019, Samina Engel trains at the famed Beverly Hills Playhouse in the Los Angeles area. When not on stage, you can find Samina on set, actively pursuing her passion in front of the camera. Apart from acting, Samina is an avid traveler, dedicated coffee-drinker and die-hard Dodgers fan. She is thrilled to be part of the "Noxious" cast, and is excited to continue working on remarkable stories that stir the imagination.

 

THE CREW

JORDAN PFEIFER, Writer/Director

Jordan Pfeifer is the founder and executive producer of ONYX, a female-led production company. She is currently a film production major at Loyola Marymount University, emphasizing in directing. However, she got her start doing production design on many film sets. She is a lover of women and believes that the power amongst a group of females is unmatched. She is a huge horror fan, spending her college career interning at companies such as Blumhouse, Ghost House Pictures, and Raimi Productions. Her dream has always been to assemble a group of strong, creative women together to make empowering, inspiring, and visceral art.

 

JAMES OXYER, Writer/Script Supervisor

James is a screenwriter from Chicago who has harbored an affinity for the macabre ever since his parents left him at a dog pound at the age of four. He maintains that Slumber Party Massacre II is a finer, more richly-textured piece of art than anything by Tarantino, Kubrick, Godard, or otherwise. He is right.

 

ANASTASIA ZAVODNICK, Executive Producer

Originally from the Bay Area, Anastasia made the move down to LA to pursue a degree in Film and Theatre at the University of Southern California. She’s had the privilege of working on many sets and interning with multiple production companies, one of which being Blumhouse Productions, where she met Jordan. They instantly clicked over their shared love of horror and female-driven narrative, and the rest is history! She is so incredibly excited to create a story that empowers women, for women, by women.

 

BILLY GOULD, Executive Producer

Billy Gould is a producer and a senior at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. He has experience in many aspects of production, but focuses on directing, writing, and producing. He even occasionally appears on screen! He has a passion for horror but loves all genres of film. He is thrilled to be a part of the Noxious team!

 

GABRIELLA KASHI, Co-Producer

Gabriella Kashi is a recent graduate of Temple University where she studied film and directing. During her time there, she focused on narrative and historical filmmaking and even got to direct a period piece in Southern Italy. In her last semester, she was able to meet Jordan and Anastasia during her internship at Blumhouse. Since graduation, she has been freelancing on shows including Euphoria. She hopes to continue writing and directing.

 

EMMA FORTHOFER, Cinematographer 

Emma Forthofer is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles, originating from Mount Desert Island, Maine. Now studying Film and Television Production and concentrating in cinematography at Loyola Marymount University, Emma is trained in shooting both narrative fiction and documentary films. With her passion for cameras, aesthetics, and empowering women in film, Emma carries an energy behind the camera that brings stories and visions to life.

 

LILY KERNS, Art Director

My name is Lily Kerns and I’m a Film Production and Screenwriting double major at LMU. I love all that goes into telling a strong story on screen, and I can’t wait to help Jordan make the set of Noxious look as incredible as it can be!

 

RISHABH TRIVEDI, 1st Assistant Camera

The most hipster thing about Rishabh is that he likes the Toby Maguire Spider-Man the most.

 

ISAAC BEDFORD, Sound Mixer/DIT

Aspiring director, DP, and sound mixer by day. Reluctant editor by night.

 

JAYDEN GILLESPIE, Wardrobe/Costumes

Jayden a Gillespie is a film and television Production Major from San Diego California with a passion for writing and directing.

 

GISELLE OMAR, Set Construction

Hi, I’m Giselle, a soon to be grad of LMU. I am excited to close out my college career constructing the set for this sci-fi drama and bringing Jordan’s sapphic brainchild to life!

 

LUC JACQUEMETTON, Composer

Luc is a filmmaker/musician/sound designer and student at LMU’s school of film and television. He has scored numerous short films as well as having worked on musical projects for numerous bands including his own.

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/spacewalk_beats/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/spacewalkbeats

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/spacewalkbeats

 

JEREMY OWENS, Editor

Jeremy Owens is an aspiring filmmaker from San Jose now based in Los Angeles. He currently studies Film and TV Production at Loyola Marymount University, primarily focusing on editing and post-production.  He is currently a post-production intern on an upcoming documentary and enjoys watching all kinds of films, especially character dramas and bad 80s movies.

 

MAX DRECKENPOHL, Colorist

This will be Max’s second collaboration with Jordan. He loved the vibrant color palette and use of pinks and purples in Necromantic and is excited to help bring to life the futuristic dystopia in Noxious.

 

WILL MCCORMICK, Visual Effects Editor

Will McCormick is originally from Washington DC and is currently studying Animation and Visual Effects at the University of Southern California. He primarily works as a VFX compositor and is most passionate about creating Sci-Fi films. Apart from effects, Will most enjoys surfing, meditating, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. 

 

JUAN BELARDI, Production Designer and Set Construction

I'm very passionate about production design and I absolutely love making stories come to life. Constructing all the pieces that come together on a set is so satisfying and I love thinking of ways to bring a script into the real world. I’m so excited about this project and the opportunity to work with so many talented people!

 

JENNA BREWER, Set Dresser and Set Construction 

Jenna is a Film & TV Production Major at Loyola Marymount University. Originally from Orange County, California, she now lives and studies in LA. At LMU, she works in the art department for student sets as a production designer and a set dresser. Her goal is to work as a professional production designer. In her career, she hopes to have a taste of every position in the art department: set dresser, art PA, props, art director, and more.

 

EMILY PHILLIPS, Gaffer

Emily is a senior film production major at LMU who is passionate about filmmaking and bringing stories to life with creative lighting.  

 

MADELINE MCHUGH, Intimacy Coordinator/Makeup Artist

Madeline is an upcoming senior at Loyola Marymount University planning on becoming an intimacy coordinator full time in the film industry, as well as makeup artistry, acting, and directing. In her free time, she loves going to the beach, Disneyland, and thrifting for fun. She is passionate about the film industry because it has the power to tell stories that don’t get enough attention as well as having fun with it. She is very excited to work with the amazing crew of Noxious.

 

Current Team

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