Period
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, LGBTQ
When a trans man gets his period in a nightclub, he must navigate the societal hurdles it takes to retrieve the products he needs from the women's restroom. People have periods. Let's talk about in a situational comedy.
Period
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, LGBTQ
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,857 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
63 supporters | followers
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When a trans man gets his period in a nightclub, he must navigate the societal hurdles it takes to retrieve the products he needs from the women's restroom. People have periods. Let's talk about in a situational comedy.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Joey, a young trans man, is forced to party at a cis girl bar.
A line of young women wait in line to enter an active nightclub, sporting sparkly dresses, stiletto heels, and bedazzled accessories. As the line moves, Joey awkwardly fidgets with his wallet, alone in the crowd. He nervously texts his girlfriend who will arrive shortly with a bachelorette crew he's supposed to be joining. The bouncer double checks his ID, and Joey holds his breath as he navigates his time in this very apparent, non-queer friendly space. He makes it into the hallway, checking his phone, and trying to keep a low profile.
After an unfortunate sneeze, Joey realizes with disdain that he started his period. His girlfriend informs him that she knows there's free tampons in the women's restroom. Joey makes the difficult decision to retrieve the products he needs as quickly as possible, thinking the coast is clear.
Miraculously, he dives into the women's restroom without issue. However, as he turns to leave, tampon in hand, he hears two partygoers approaching the door. He panics, retreats, and hides in an empty stall.
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Once Joey is in the stall, we can only see what he is capable of viewing from within the stall itself, watching the heels of these two women clicking around on the floor and flashing glimpses of them through the cracks in the door.
As he learns more and more about the girls' situation, their harmless chatter turns into a violent fight, and Joey must make his presence known or watch two drunk girls slaughter each other. Joey must take a stand to ensure the safety of those who surround him but also make the decision to come out of hiding and protect himself.
In a chaotic finish, he navigates the attacks of a jealous boyfriend, throws a punch of a lifetime (and immediately apologizes for it), retrieves the tampon he needs, reconnects with his girlfriend, and is able to walk away from the situation on his own terms. A moment of dysphoria turned into catharsis.
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Horror Meets Comedy
We will shoot this in the same way filmmakers approach a monster movie .... but it's just two drunk girls fighting over a mediocre boy.
Joey’s situation mimics that of classic horror films where our protagonist holds their breath, hiding in an enclosed area to avoid detection from the killer/dinosaur/monster - spying from the cracks of his hiding place. He understands the irony of being fearful of two should-be-harmless girlies, and his reactions to the drama determine both when we are fearful and when we can laugh at the given circumstances.
Everything is through his eyes, and he finds both humor and horror in his situation. There's a part of him that is enthralled with the hot tea he is overhearing, and a part that is appalled at himself for perching on a toilet in a stall to hide from them. As our audience conduit, Joey guides us on what to feel, and he experiences a vast array of emotions within this short period of time. As filmmakers, we get to play with these tonal balances, bouncing from horror tropes to comedic reveals.
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"Writing this short became my love letter for the indie, queer community wanting to see nuanced, trans representation involving menstruation displayed honestly on screen.
Periods are not solely a feminine human experience. Not only does our society refuse to talk about this natural occurrence transparently; but, when they make the attempt, it's often transformed into this minimized, pink, frilly affair that often beats around the bush ... pun intended.
Periods are gnarly, light, painful, fantastic, gruesome, beautiful, incredibly inconvenient, obtrusive, or whatever the person holding the period experiences. The people who endure them deserve to have a space to go through it comfortably.
Tampons should be readily available for anybody in any walk of life. 'Feminine hygiene' as a phrase is outdated, as is the gender division within our society.
And for those who believe that cis women exist within this constructed damsel-in-distress box, I seek to show my sex in their own worst state. The product of our own privilege when unchecked. Exclusive. Cruel. Accusatory. Violent. Flawed.
I seek to challenge the trans bathroom narrative TERFs endorse." - KAT OLSON, WRITER/DIRECTOR
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We seek to raise $8,650 in 30 days to get this started!
With a goal to be shooting this in December of 2024, we need financial support to secure location, pay our cast, crew, and secure the gear/camera packages we need in order for this to look the way we envision.
Our team is comprised of talented professionals willing to gather resources together to make this project happen. Your support is crucial to our success!
Please follow and share!
Support indie filmmakers in New York City! Support queer art! <3
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $5,500
The crew is in charge of every aspect of production, from production paperwork, to rolling camera to ensuring quality lighting and sound.
Meals & Snacks
Costs $800
Two days of meals, snacks, and coffee.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Director/Writer: Katherine Olson
Kat (she/they) began her work in theater, and moved to New York in the pursuit of expanding her network after working as an actress in the South East. She now works as a producer, and assistant director for freelance film companies and live events across the states - collaborating with artists on short films, galas, feature films, immersive theater experiences, and large scale conventions.
Inspired by queer and coming-of-age stories, she strives to create art representing those who never fit the mold. Some of her first screenplays have reached the finals of The Atlanta Film Festival and the Outstanding Screenplays Shorts Competition. She is currently developing a feature film centered on high school kids competing in speech and debate competitions, the space she first found her community and began developing this craft.
Producer: Elizabeth Potter
Elizabeth (she/her) is a producer of stories and experiences, bringing people together through shared moments. By gathering resources and creating spaces for teams to thrive, Elizabeth is a facilitator of the creative process. Whether it’s organizing a country-wide campaign to fight the opioid crisis with the Vans Warped Tour, leading a global team to produce thousands of hours of content for Google NEXT during the COVID pandemic, or unearthing IDFA-winning documentaries in their rough-cut stages, she has built a reputation for efficient and gracious leadership that brings out the best in the people she works with and the projects she touches.
Production Company: Potter Productions
Potter Productions is a creative production agency specializing in brand content, live production, and indie film making. In whatever medium, Potter Productions seeks to engage local and global communities with socially conscious, pioneering, and empathetic storytelling, drawing attention to and mediating the conversation about how we think, work, and tell stories. Potter Productions crafts unique, engaging content that fosters well-being, creativity, and connection by leveraging a team of skilled professionals and prioritizing empathy, collaboration, and continuous growth. Their mission statement, “Creativity for Life”, summarizes their core values— Inspired, Connected, Conscious
Cinematographer: Alexa Wolf
Alexa Wolf (she/they) is a cinematographer specializing in narrative features, shorts and commercials, and is especially dedicated to diverse, queer stories. She has lensed numerous award winning projects including In France Michelle Is a Man’s Name (Grand Jury Award Outfest ‘20 & Slamdance ‘21), recent features such as Clearmind (available on Amazon Prime), and commercial work for clients such as Zeiss, Centrum, Sports Illustrated, the CDC, JCPenney & History Channel. Alexa was a recipient of the ASC Vision Mentorship for emerging cinematographers and is a proud member of ICG Local 600. When she isn’t on set you can find her somewhere in the mountains - rock climbing, backpacking, and wondering why she thought it was a good idea to bring a bulky film camera along.
Editor/Post Supervisor: Michael Christensen
As a co-founder of Incline Studios, Michael has demonstrated remarkable versatility, seamlessly transitioning between roles as a producer, writer, editor, and director. Known for his keen understanding of the zeitgeist and relentless passion for storytelling, Michael infuses every project with a unique blend of insight and excitement. From captivating commercials to award-winning shorts and feature films, his commitment to excellence and innovation makes him a prominent industry figure.
Gender Consultant: Max Raymond
Max Raymond (he/him) is an NYC-based trans man and multidisciplinary theatre artist with 7+ years of experience in gender consulting, specializing in new work. He mentors with the Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth and the Trans Empowerment Project. Recent publishing credits include "WE/US: Monologues for Gender Minority Characters." Acting credits include "Frailty, Thy Name," in which he played a trans Hamlet. Key, Ring of Keys. maxraymond.org
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Joey, a young trans man, is forced to party at a cis girl bar.
A line of young women wait in line to enter an active nightclub, sporting sparkly dresses, stiletto heels, and bedazzled accessories. As the line moves, Joey awkwardly fidgets with his wallet, alone in the crowd. He nervously texts his girlfriend who will arrive shortly with a bachelorette crew he's supposed to be joining. The bouncer double checks his ID, and Joey holds his breath as he navigates his time in this very apparent, non-queer friendly space. He makes it into the hallway, checking his phone, and trying to keep a low profile.
After an unfortunate sneeze, Joey realizes with disdain that he started his period. His girlfriend informs him that she knows there's free tampons in the women's restroom. Joey makes the difficult decision to retrieve the products he needs as quickly as possible, thinking the coast is clear.
Miraculously, he dives into the women's restroom without issue. However, as he turns to leave, tampon in hand, he hears two partygoers approaching the door. He panics, retreats, and hides in an empty stall.
Once Joey is in the stall, we can only see what he is capable of viewing from within the stall itself, watching the heels of these two women clicking around on the floor and flashing glimpses of them through the cracks in the door.
As he learns more and more about the girls' situation, their harmless chatter turns into a violent fight, and Joey must make his presence known or watch two drunk girls slaughter each other. Joey must take a stand to ensure the safety of those who surround him but also make the decision to come out of hiding and protect himself.
In a chaotic finish, he navigates the attacks of a jealous boyfriend, throws a punch of a lifetime (and immediately apologizes for it), retrieves the tampon he needs, reconnects with his girlfriend, and is able to walk away from the situation on his own terms. A moment of dysphoria turned into catharsis.
Horror Meets Comedy
We will shoot this in the same way filmmakers approach a monster movie .... but it's just two drunk girls fighting over a mediocre boy.
Joey’s situation mimics that of classic horror films where our protagonist holds their breath, hiding in an enclosed area to avoid detection from the killer/dinosaur/monster - spying from the cracks of his hiding place. He understands the irony of being fearful of two should-be-harmless girlies, and his reactions to the drama determine both when we are fearful and when we can laugh at the given circumstances.
Everything is through his eyes, and he finds both humor and horror in his situation. There's a part of him that is enthralled with the hot tea he is overhearing, and a part that is appalled at himself for perching on a toilet in a stall to hide from them. As our audience conduit, Joey guides us on what to feel, and he experiences a vast array of emotions within this short period of time. As filmmakers, we get to play with these tonal balances, bouncing from horror tropes to comedic reveals.
"Writing this short became my love letter for the indie, queer community wanting to see nuanced, trans representation involving menstruation displayed honestly on screen.
Periods are not solely a feminine human experience. Not only does our society refuse to talk about this natural occurrence transparently; but, when they make the attempt, it's often transformed into this minimized, pink, frilly affair that often beats around the bush ... pun intended.
Periods are gnarly, light, painful, fantastic, gruesome, beautiful, incredibly inconvenient, obtrusive, or whatever the person holding the period experiences. The people who endure them deserve to have a space to go through it comfortably.
Tampons should be readily available for anybody in any walk of life. 'Feminine hygiene' as a phrase is outdated, as is the gender division within our society.
And for those who believe that cis women exist within this constructed damsel-in-distress box, I seek to show my sex in their own worst state. The product of our own privilege when unchecked. Exclusive. Cruel. Accusatory. Violent. Flawed.
I seek to challenge the trans bathroom narrative TERFs endorse." - KAT OLSON, WRITER/DIRECTOR
We seek to raise $8,650 in 30 days to get this started!
With a goal to be shooting this in December of 2024, we need financial support to secure location, pay our cast, crew, and secure the gear/camera packages we need in order for this to look the way we envision.
Our team is comprised of talented professionals willing to gather resources together to make this project happen. Your support is crucial to our success!
Please follow and share!
Support indie filmmakers in New York City! Support queer art! <3
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $5,500
The crew is in charge of every aspect of production, from production paperwork, to rolling camera to ensuring quality lighting and sound.
Meals & Snacks
Costs $800
Two days of meals, snacks, and coffee.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Director/Writer: Katherine Olson
Kat (she/they) began her work in theater, and moved to New York in the pursuit of expanding her network after working as an actress in the South East. She now works as a producer, and assistant director for freelance film companies and live events across the states - collaborating with artists on short films, galas, feature films, immersive theater experiences, and large scale conventions.
Inspired by queer and coming-of-age stories, she strives to create art representing those who never fit the mold. Some of her first screenplays have reached the finals of The Atlanta Film Festival and the Outstanding Screenplays Shorts Competition. She is currently developing a feature film centered on high school kids competing in speech and debate competitions, the space she first found her community and began developing this craft.
Producer: Elizabeth Potter
Elizabeth (she/her) is a producer of stories and experiences, bringing people together through shared moments. By gathering resources and creating spaces for teams to thrive, Elizabeth is a facilitator of the creative process. Whether it’s organizing a country-wide campaign to fight the opioid crisis with the Vans Warped Tour, leading a global team to produce thousands of hours of content for Google NEXT during the COVID pandemic, or unearthing IDFA-winning documentaries in their rough-cut stages, she has built a reputation for efficient and gracious leadership that brings out the best in the people she works with and the projects she touches.
Production Company: Potter Productions
Potter Productions is a creative production agency specializing in brand content, live production, and indie film making. In whatever medium, Potter Productions seeks to engage local and global communities with socially conscious, pioneering, and empathetic storytelling, drawing attention to and mediating the conversation about how we think, work, and tell stories. Potter Productions crafts unique, engaging content that fosters well-being, creativity, and connection by leveraging a team of skilled professionals and prioritizing empathy, collaboration, and continuous growth. Their mission statement, “Creativity for Life”, summarizes their core values— Inspired, Connected, Conscious
Cinematographer: Alexa Wolf
Alexa Wolf (she/they) is a cinematographer specializing in narrative features, shorts and commercials, and is especially dedicated to diverse, queer stories. She has lensed numerous award winning projects including In France Michelle Is a Man’s Name (Grand Jury Award Outfest ‘20 & Slamdance ‘21), recent features such as Clearmind (available on Amazon Prime), and commercial work for clients such as Zeiss, Centrum, Sports Illustrated, the CDC, JCPenney & History Channel. Alexa was a recipient of the ASC Vision Mentorship for emerging cinematographers and is a proud member of ICG Local 600. When she isn’t on set you can find her somewhere in the mountains - rock climbing, backpacking, and wondering why she thought it was a good idea to bring a bulky film camera along.
Editor/Post Supervisor: Michael Christensen
As a co-founder of Incline Studios, Michael has demonstrated remarkable versatility, seamlessly transitioning between roles as a producer, writer, editor, and director. Known for his keen understanding of the zeitgeist and relentless passion for storytelling, Michael infuses every project with a unique blend of insight and excitement. From captivating commercials to award-winning shorts and feature films, his commitment to excellence and innovation makes him a prominent industry figure.
Gender Consultant: Max Raymond
Max Raymond (he/him) is an NYC-based trans man and multidisciplinary theatre artist with 7+ years of experience in gender consulting, specializing in new work. He mentors with the Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth and the Trans Empowerment Project. Recent publishing credits include "WE/US: Monologues for Gender Minority Characters." Acting credits include "Frailty, Thy Name," in which he played a trans Hamlet. Key, Ring of Keys. maxraymond.org