Nya Does Nothing
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Comedy, LGBTQ
An overworked, Black Chicagoan tries to take a day off, but outside forces challenge her resolve to tend to her mental wellness. This will be the first of many films produced by Half Birthday Films, a new production company from Erisa Apantaku and Jenny Casas.
Nya Does Nothing
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Comedy, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns | Illinois, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $12,179 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
65 supporters | followers
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An overworked, Black Chicagoan tries to take a day off, but outside forces challenge her resolve to tend to her mental wellness. This will be the first of many films produced by Half Birthday Films, a new production company from Erisa Apantaku and Jenny Casas.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Nya wants to take a day off. A true do nothing day. No chores. No work. No leaving the apartment.
The film opens in Nya’s apartment where she has planned a day of solo indulgence: sleeping in, cooking a huge breakfast, reading and laying around. She has written reminders to herself on Post-Its placed strategically around the house that read: “It can wait until tomorrow” and “Today is a day for YOU, no one else.”
But her determination to stay inside is tested all day — first in little ways, like an outrageous sale on makeup at her local store. Then an invitation to a party that her crush is attending. These temptations mount in ways that are impossible to brush off, including an other-worldly announcement that the city is in danger.
The Opening
The film opens bright and vibrant. Shot compositions are wide and spacious.
Everything is soaked in sunlight as Nya begins her day of rest.
The Turn
As the day goes on, the setting sun signals a vibe shift.
The disorientation of the film starts here as Nya is confronted with more and more absurd challenges to her personal boundaries.
Shots are getting tighter; Nya has less space to move around.
The Ending
By the film's climax, the sun is gone and nothing is quite what it seems.
The warmth and vibrancy of the morning has turned cold.
Shots are dark and askew.
The concept for Nya Does Nothing sprang from Erisa's own life.
Erisa plans “do-nothing” days. On those days, she says no to work, chores, and leaving the house. But, ironically, the pressure from the outside world is loudest on the days she chooses to stay inside and rest. How do you balance being connected to the joy of community and nature with the chaotic reality of our society? Nya (and Erisa) are still trying to figure that out. This story explores that question, pushing Nya to confront herself and her boundaries (or lack thereof).
If you’re a fan of shows such as Insecure or Atlanta, this is the project for you!
Nya Does Nothing will be the inaugural film project from Half Birthday Films, our production banner.
We have both produced award-winning audio work, including a Pulitzer Prize and a Peabody Award, and we have been celebrated in our industry for our ability to produce compelling narratives from non-fictional material. We are bringing this creative acumen to our process of fiction filmmaking.
Erisa's wanted to make films since she was in 5th grade; she started off in audio journalism because to make good films you have to get good audio. Jenny's recent transition into film is spurred by her disillusionment with the journalism industry's approach to telling "true" stories; she prefers fiction as a mode of getting at real truth.
Nya Does Nothing is our place to learn and refine who we are as filmmakers and set us on a path to develop more film work centering the lived experiences of queer Chicagoans of color.
Success to us means strengthening our creative partnership by creating a film that offers a fresh take on self-care and mental health.
We've already assembled our crew and cast. We will shoot the film in July 2024 and plan to premiere it in festivals and private screenings at the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025.
By funding our project, you are helping launch the film careers of two future impactful directors!
Most of our budget goes to paying the amazing creatives on our team: women and non-binary people of color!
Your support for our project helps us pay people fairly. So, thank you!
Additionally, about 20% of our budget is being covered by in-kind donations, including our location rental and our compensation as co-directors.
We're putting our all into this and we hope you can help us along the way!
We’ll be filming the project with local actors and crew here in Chicago. We’re currently hiring both emerging and experienced talent to bring the story to life. Check out our team so far!
Jenny Casas (she/her) & Erisa Apantaku (she/her)
co-writers, directors, and producers
Award-winning audio journalists who have worked behind the scenes on various film projects.
Nya Does Nothing is their first time helming a film.
Angellic Ross (she/her)
producer
Award-winning producer with several years of experience producing short narrative films and marketing.
Serena Violet Hodges (they/them)
cinematographer
Documentary cinematographer & filmmaker with work on ESPN, PBS, and Netflix.
Maya Vinice Prentiss (she/her)
Nya
Award-winning SAFD certified actor-combatant, fight choreographer and dialect coach with credits on Chicago’s stages and screens nationwide, including the African Mean Girls Play at the Goodman Theatre and The Chi on Showtime.
Follow us on social media to get updates about the film!
Instagram: @halfbdayfilms
Twitter/X: @halfbdayfilms
TikTok: @halfbdayfilms
-----------------
Visual style images in order of appearance: Insecure (HBO), Rosemary's Baby (Paramount), Swarm (Amazon)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Actors
Costs $1,125
We're hiring all local Chicago actors and will be paying them fairly!
Hair & Make Up
Costs $500
This covers the cost of our hair & make up artist and their supplies.
Production Design
Costs $1,250
Includes compensation for our production designer, set PA, and props.
Camera and Lighting Department
Costs $6,550
Includes compensation for our DP, First AC, gaffer, a camera PA, and their equipment.
Post-Production
Costs $1,100
This includes editing software, libraries, and post-production processing of color and sound.
Production Sound
Costs $1,200
This covers compensation for our field sound mixer who is bringing their own equipment and a boom operator.
Cast and Crew Meals
Costs $975
We gotta feed our folks!
Wardrobe
Costs $50
We need a sleek dress for one scene!
Producer
Costs $600
We gotta pay our awesome producer Angie!
Script Supervisor
Costs $450
Gotta make sure that continuity is right! Help us cover the compensation for our script supervisor.
Production Insurance
Costs $1,200
We gotta keep people safe. Production insurance insures (see what I did there) we can help if anyone has any accidents.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jenny Casas (she/her) & Erisa Apantaku (she/her)
co-writers, directors, and producers
Award-winning audio journalists who have worked behind the scenes on various film projects.
Nya Does Nothing is their first time helming a film.
Angellic Ross (she/her)
producer
Award-winning producer with several years of experience producing short narrative films and marketing.
Serena Violet Hodges (they/them)
cinematographer
Documentary cinematographer & filmmaker with work on ESPN, PBS, and Netflix.
Maya Vinice Prentiss (she/her)
Nya
Award-winning SAFD certified actor-combatant, fight choreographer and dialect coach with credits on Chicago’s stages and screens nationwide, including the African Mean Girls Play at the Goodman Theatre and The Chi on Showtime.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Nya wants to take a day off. A true do nothing day. No chores. No work. No leaving the apartment.
The film opens in Nya’s apartment where she has planned a day of solo indulgence: sleeping in, cooking a huge breakfast, reading and laying around. She has written reminders to herself on Post-Its placed strategically around the house that read: “It can wait until tomorrow” and “Today is a day for YOU, no one else.”
But her determination to stay inside is tested all day — first in little ways, like an outrageous sale on makeup at her local store. Then an invitation to a party that her crush is attending. These temptations mount in ways that are impossible to brush off, including an other-worldly announcement that the city is in danger.
The Opening
The film opens bright and vibrant. Shot compositions are wide and spacious.
Everything is soaked in sunlight as Nya begins her day of rest.
The Turn
As the day goes on, the setting sun signals a vibe shift.
The disorientation of the film starts here as Nya is confronted with more and more absurd challenges to her personal boundaries.
Shots are getting tighter; Nya has less space to move around.
The Ending
By the film's climax, the sun is gone and nothing is quite what it seems.
The warmth and vibrancy of the morning has turned cold.
Shots are dark and askew.
The concept for Nya Does Nothing sprang from Erisa's own life.
Erisa plans “do-nothing” days. On those days, she says no to work, chores, and leaving the house. But, ironically, the pressure from the outside world is loudest on the days she chooses to stay inside and rest. How do you balance being connected to the joy of community and nature with the chaotic reality of our society? Nya (and Erisa) are still trying to figure that out. This story explores that question, pushing Nya to confront herself and her boundaries (or lack thereof).
If you’re a fan of shows such as Insecure or Atlanta, this is the project for you!
Nya Does Nothing will be the inaugural film project from Half Birthday Films, our production banner.
We have both produced award-winning audio work, including a Pulitzer Prize and a Peabody Award, and we have been celebrated in our industry for our ability to produce compelling narratives from non-fictional material. We are bringing this creative acumen to our process of fiction filmmaking.
Erisa's wanted to make films since she was in 5th grade; she started off in audio journalism because to make good films you have to get good audio. Jenny's recent transition into film is spurred by her disillusionment with the journalism industry's approach to telling "true" stories; she prefers fiction as a mode of getting at real truth.
Nya Does Nothing is our place to learn and refine who we are as filmmakers and set us on a path to develop more film work centering the lived experiences of queer Chicagoans of color.
Success to us means strengthening our creative partnership by creating a film that offers a fresh take on self-care and mental health.
We've already assembled our crew and cast. We will shoot the film in July 2024 and plan to premiere it in festivals and private screenings at the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025.
By funding our project, you are helping launch the film careers of two future impactful directors!
Most of our budget goes to paying the amazing creatives on our team: women and non-binary people of color!
Your support for our project helps us pay people fairly. So, thank you!
Additionally, about 20% of our budget is being covered by in-kind donations, including our location rental and our compensation as co-directors.
We're putting our all into this and we hope you can help us along the way!
We’ll be filming the project with local actors and crew here in Chicago. We’re currently hiring both emerging and experienced talent to bring the story to life. Check out our team so far!
Jenny Casas (she/her) & Erisa Apantaku (she/her)
co-writers, directors, and producers
Award-winning audio journalists who have worked behind the scenes on various film projects.
Nya Does Nothing is their first time helming a film.
Angellic Ross (she/her)
producer
Award-winning producer with several years of experience producing short narrative films and marketing.
Serena Violet Hodges (they/them)
cinematographer
Documentary cinematographer & filmmaker with work on ESPN, PBS, and Netflix.
Maya Vinice Prentiss (she/her)
Nya
Award-winning SAFD certified actor-combatant, fight choreographer and dialect coach with credits on Chicago’s stages and screens nationwide, including the African Mean Girls Play at the Goodman Theatre and The Chi on Showtime.
Follow us on social media to get updates about the film!
Instagram: @halfbdayfilms
Twitter/X: @halfbdayfilms
TikTok: @halfbdayfilms
-----------------
Visual style images in order of appearance: Insecure (HBO), Rosemary's Baby (Paramount), Swarm (Amazon)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Actors
Costs $1,125
We're hiring all local Chicago actors and will be paying them fairly!
Hair & Make Up
Costs $500
This covers the cost of our hair & make up artist and their supplies.
Production Design
Costs $1,250
Includes compensation for our production designer, set PA, and props.
Camera and Lighting Department
Costs $6,550
Includes compensation for our DP, First AC, gaffer, a camera PA, and their equipment.
Post-Production
Costs $1,100
This includes editing software, libraries, and post-production processing of color and sound.
Production Sound
Costs $1,200
This covers compensation for our field sound mixer who is bringing their own equipment and a boom operator.
Cast and Crew Meals
Costs $975
We gotta feed our folks!
Wardrobe
Costs $50
We need a sleek dress for one scene!
Producer
Costs $600
We gotta pay our awesome producer Angie!
Script Supervisor
Costs $450
Gotta make sure that continuity is right! Help us cover the compensation for our script supervisor.
Production Insurance
Costs $1,200
We gotta keep people safe. Production insurance insures (see what I did there) we can help if anyone has any accidents.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jenny Casas (she/her) & Erisa Apantaku (she/her)
co-writers, directors, and producers
Award-winning audio journalists who have worked behind the scenes on various film projects.
Nya Does Nothing is their first time helming a film.
Angellic Ross (she/her)
producer
Award-winning producer with several years of experience producing short narrative films and marketing.
Serena Violet Hodges (they/them)
cinematographer
Documentary cinematographer & filmmaker with work on ESPN, PBS, and Netflix.
Maya Vinice Prentiss (she/her)
Nya
Award-winning SAFD certified actor-combatant, fight choreographer and dialect coach with credits on Chicago’s stages and screens nationwide, including the African Mean Girls Play at the Goodman Theatre and The Chi on Showtime.