An ensemble character-study following four young friends and their relationships during that crucial decision-making period prior to graduation. No protagonists/antagonists, no overarching theme of what’s right/wrong, just messy human behavior.
An ensemble character-study following four young friends and their relationships during that crucial decision-making period prior to graduation. No protagonists/antagonists, no overarching theme of what’s right/wrong, just messy human behavior.
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Story
Mission Statement
Our cast and crew come from a variety of backgrounds, representing an array of ethnicities. This is my hometown area so it was second nature for me to include these underrepresented voices and faces I grew up around as a Mexican-American.About The Project
It’s a ubiquitous fact that high school divides people into social cliques. In film and television, the “popular” characters are consistently judged, dismissed, caricaturized in a way I always found off. My film This Side of Summer shows people that I personally have not seen much reverence or specificity to in independent cinema— they’ve not yet been given the light of mundanity. I wanted to make a film that empathizes with their banalities and does not reductively depict confident teenagers as toxic teenagers. This Side of Summer is an epic, using a docu-style approach to capture the emotional impulses of its dynamic characters and the fabric of their world.
The film is a mosaic of observations I made based off of the people in my Mexican-American Central Coast community— it is also a film made by the community, bringing together a mix of actors and non-actors and a slew of untrained friends and family as the crew.
While the filming stage may now be complete, we are at the half-way point of our journey in completing the film. Our team is small and we all wear multiple hats. We get to control our art but the journey takes more patience and time. We thank Seed & Spark and their sponsors for this platform to aid us in the second half of our journey, with the support of you, our audience. We want to achieve the goals of attaining 500 Campaign Followers and being Greenlit during the #100DaysofDiversity movement, so the film can reach a wider audience. Word-of-mouth is still a vital tool to bringing any project attention.
Incentives
$5
Social Media Shout Out!
A *Hands clasped in prayer position* Thank You! but with words on our Facebook page.
$15
Senior Prom Pictures!
We'll photoshop your face into our Prom Picture and post it on our social media accounts.
plus the Social Media Shout Out
$25
Digital Movie Download
Watch the drama unfold and laugh along with the characters, all in the comfort of your own home (or your bedroom in your parents’ home) after the film's festival run.
plus all of the above
$50
Personalized Thank You Video
Receive "special thanks" in our film's end credits AND get a surprise, personalized thank you video directly from a crew or cast member!
plus all of the above
$75
Digital Press Kit & Choice of DVD/Blu-Ray
Stalk the film in a way that’s not creepy at all. Full access link to pictures, updates and videos scrapbooking the process of making the film.
Plus your choice of either a DVD or Full High Definition Blu-Ray!
plus all of the above
$100
Movie Poster
That blank space on your wall needs some sweet poster action! Limited edition, signed by the cast & crew!
A DVD OR a Blu-Ray copy, plus all of the above
$150
Soundtrack CD
Featuring local musicians, this soundtrack is going to be the bee's knees. You’ll play it from start to finish, on repeat.
plus all of the above
$200
Premiere Party Invite (+1)
Mingle and shmooze with a pretty fun and cool group of filmmakers at the Preux & Proper screening after-party in Downtown LA. We get funnier with drinks!
(travel expenses not included)
Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
Claimed: 2 of 20
$250
Autographed Screenplay
The screenplay is our baby and you’d get an autographed one! It’s pretty much giving you our first born… with autographs from the cast & crew.
Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
$500
Premiere Tickets for Two
You know you want to watch it on a massive screen, with the cast & crew. Choice of the San Luis Obispo Premiere or the Los Angeles Premiere.
(Travel expenses not included)Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
$750
Personal Editor
Yes, you get the writer/director of our film to be your personal editing slave for your next short format video production (e.g., music video, short film, or commercial).
Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
$1,500
Associate Producer Credit
In the words of Wayne & Garth, “We’re not worthy” but this movie is!
- Associate producer credit in the film and on IMDb
- VOD access to film before an audience gets to see it
- Invitation to our our exclusive Friends & Family Only viewing party prior to the Premiere
Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
$3,000
Executive Producer
- We welcome your feedback in the post-production process and welcome you as a true partner
- Share the title with our Executive Producers in the opening credits and on IMDb.
- Watch the first rough cut with Allen & Alpha before anybody gets to see it
- Let Alpha & Allen wine and dine you (in SLO or LA) prior to the Friends & Family Only viewing party
Plus all of the above and maybe our own blood (but not our soul)
Claimed: 1 of 5
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Social Media Shout Out!
A *Hands clasped in prayer position* Thank You! but with words on our Facebook page.
$15
Senior Prom Pictures!
We'll photoshop your face into our Prom Picture and post it on our social media accounts.
plus the Social Media Shout Out
$25
Digital Movie Download
Watch the drama unfold and laugh along with the characters, all in the comfort of your own home (or your bedroom in your parents’ home) after the film's festival run.
plus all of the above
$50
Personalized Thank You Video
Receive "special thanks" in our film's end credits AND get a surprise, personalized thank you video directly from a crew or cast member!
plus all of the above
$75
Digital Press Kit & Choice of DVD/Blu-Ray
Stalk the film in a way that’s not creepy at all. Full access link to pictures, updates and videos scrapbooking the process of making the film.
Plus your choice of either a DVD or Full High Definition Blu-Ray!
plus all of the above
$100
Movie Poster
That blank space on your wall needs some sweet poster action! Limited edition, signed by the cast & crew!
A DVD OR a Blu-Ray copy, plus all of the above
$150
Soundtrack CD
Featuring local musicians, this soundtrack is going to be the bee's knees. You’ll play it from start to finish, on repeat.
plus all of the above
$200
Premiere Party Invite (+1)
Mingle and shmooze with a pretty fun and cool group of filmmakers at the Preux & Proper screening after-party in Downtown LA. We get funnier with drinks!
(travel expenses not included)
Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
Claimed: 2 of 20
$250
Autographed Screenplay
The screenplay is our baby and you’d get an autographed one! It’s pretty much giving you our first born… with autographs from the cast & crew.
Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
$500
Premiere Tickets for Two
You know you want to watch it on a massive screen, with the cast & crew. Choice of the San Luis Obispo Premiere or the Los Angeles Premiere.
(Travel expenses not included)Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
$750
Personal Editor
Yes, you get the writer/director of our film to be your personal editing slave for your next short format video production (e.g., music video, short film, or commercial).
Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
$1,500
Associate Producer Credit
In the words of Wayne & Garth, “We’re not worthy” but this movie is!
- Associate producer credit in the film and on IMDb
- VOD access to film before an audience gets to see it
- Invitation to our our exclusive Friends & Family Only viewing party prior to the Premiere
Plus “Swag Bag” that includes all of the above
$3,000
Executive Producer
- We welcome your feedback in the post-production process and welcome you as a true partner
- Share the title with our Executive Producers in the opening credits and on IMDb.
- Watch the first rough cut with Allen & Alpha before anybody gets to see it
- Let Alpha & Allen wine and dine you (in SLO or LA) prior to the Friends & Family Only viewing party
Plus all of the above and maybe our own blood (but not our soul)
Claimed: 1 of 5
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Writer & Director Allen Negrete is a self-taught filmmaker from San Luis Obispo, CA. He started writing lengthy adventure scripts in elementary school and consistently invented new games to play with his friends. A sign of things to come. As an adult, he's made a few short films before taking on This Side of Summer as his debut feature film. When Allen's not running around making movies with friends, he enjoys working on other people's projects as an actor, learning new skills to keep himself well-rounded.
Executive Producer & Actor Alpha Faye is an actor/producer/writer from New York and currently resides in Los Angeles. After gradutating with a BA in Theatre, she booked lead & supporting roles in several stage productions on the East Coast, then took a hiatus from acting. With her passion for education, she focused on strengthening literacy across the nation, project planning and living in remote areas like the "bush" of Alaska and the Navajo nation. She continues to present literacy-based workshops across America. Alpha "made the move" to Los Angeles in June 2015 to refocus her acting career in film. She hit the ground running and booked a music video, 2 shorts, and 2 features. With experience in project planning and the mentorship of industry producers, she ventured into producing this film in 2016. She is ecstatic to collaborate with the This Side of Summer production team and watch the artistry unfold as the cast & crew bring Allen Negrete's vision to reality.
Boom Operator aka "Sound Overlord" Dilip Sidhu: "Hello my name is Dilip, I love watching re-runs of 90's movies such as Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, and The Rock. Some of my favorite TV shows include Rick and Morty, Archer, and Bojack Horseman. I also happen to be an amateur philoshoper - constantly pondering why I keep losing half of my Oreos to the bottom of a glass of milk."
Hair & Make-Up Artist Cassidy Crawford studied makeup design in the Fall of 2016 at Make Up Designory in Burbank, CA. Following her graduation she worked on multiple films and sets in the LA area. She now is located on the central coast in San Luis Obispo county, working mostly in special events and weddings where she can balance her family life and passion for makeup design.
Actor & Key Production Assistant Jairus Carey always wanted to be an actor, so in 2015 he finally made the move from Baton Rouge, Lousiana to Los Angeles to pursue that dream. Since then he has been involved in 5 feature films, 3 commercials and continues to add to his resume. He also has a talent for rapping. Under the moniker "Young Rouge" he is currently working on a new single as of today, and planning to release a mixtape within a couple of months.
Actor & Production Assistant Alex Thomas is an amateur actor/voice artist. He started his voice over work at the age of 13 and has continued it now 10 years later. He's worked on his craft through YouTube, college courses, and has been featured in a couple app games for Android and iOS. He's an avid superhero fan and hopes to star in such related media in the future.
ACTORS
Soleil Bouchereau "Sierra"
Soleil Ceseña Bouchereau was born and raised in Los Angeles and no, sadly she does not know how to surf (not from a lack of trying, she promises). Soleil has always wanted to be an actor growing up, but never had the confidence to follow her dreams. Thanks to the love and support of her parents, they pushed her to really chase after that. Actresses that Soleil admires include Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, and Jessica Alba. She looks up to women who have innovative paths and show strength, kindness and vulnerability. Acting and storytelling is something that comes from Soleil's heart. She hopes she can make you laugh and bring as much joy through film as they have done for her.
Zander Wylie "Ray"
Zander Wylie is an actor from New York. He moved to Los Angeles in 2012 with a couple suitcases and not much else. He has continued to push forward in his career despite trouble and set backs but "Hey, that's our business." He loves acting because to him, "it's just playing and having fun" - getting to live other lives he wouldn't have the chance to otherwise. He hopes to have continued success playing more roles and characters he loves. On a side note, he also loves football. Roll Tide.
Krista West "Amy"
Krista Marie West was born in Oceanside, California. At the age of 10, Krista gained representation with a talent agency, which landed her her first ever on-screen appearance. In 2013, Krista received an Associate of Fine Arts degree in Acting for Film & Television from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. Performing in multiple theaters, many short films, and gaining experience in the ADR booth as well as on the Universal backlot. Her time at NYFA proved to be invaluable, helping her shape her craft and personally reflect on her future career plans. Since graduating, Krista has been taking Meisner technique classes at James Franco's Studio 4 in North Hollywood. Utilizing her degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in conjunction with her acting degree, she has worked not only as an Actress but also in the Costume, Set/Prop and Production departments; collaborating with other like-minded artists is her favorite part about creating and sharing stories.William Shewfelt "Henry"
Before acting, William was studying economics at the University of California, San Diego. He began acting in plays at the La Jolla Playhouse which led to commercials, short films, and TV roles. His acting influences include Marlon Brando, Brad Pitt, and Orlando Bloom. His current acting plans are to star in dramatic and action film roles.
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