"Pizza Boy" is intended to showcase and utilize the skills and knowledge that my peers and I have gained during their time in Arizona State University. This project will tell a personal, yet universal story that will remind audiences of the importance of family and mental health.

After running away from home, a young pizza delivery driver must deal with finding his place in the world while battling his own personal demons. Erwin spends his days struggling with his own problems being a drug-runner, supplying "pizza" customers with cocaine. His days consist of delivering pizza and other substances, ignoring his family's messages, and living with his own mental health struggles.

When he comes across Eddie, a callous client who's severed ties with their own family, Erwin sees how the path he's taking could end up right where Eddie is. Pizza Boy seeks to tell a new and unique story that addresses the importance of being open to the support of friends and family, and overcoming the last step of introspection.

Pizza Boy is the capstone project of a handful of Film and Media Prodcution students at Arizona State University. Pedro Sanabria, the director of this short film, conceived of and wrote the script last fall. Pizza Boy is a very personal project to Pedro and the culmination of all that he has learned during his time in college.

Pizza Boy will also be an opportunity for Pedro's classmates to put their skills and knowlegede to work in this final collaborative project. Connor Newton (Producer), Shalina Bianca Baysan (Producer), Josh Ohea (Director of Photography), and Qiqi Deng (editor) are but a few of of the students who will be helping to bring Pizza Boy to life. 

Pedro Sanabria is a current student at Arizona State University majoring in Film and Media Production. As a writer and director, he hopes to bring new and exciting stories to life now and in the future.

Connor Newton is a Phoenix, AZ local. He loves working with others to bring films to life. He hopes to eventually find a career in documentary filmmaking.

Shalina Bianca Baysan is a senior at Arizona State University's Sidney Poitier New American Film School, studying Film and Media Production with a Business minor. She has been involved with producing numerous projects within the Asian/Asian Pacific American Student Coalition (AAPASC) and Film Alliance, aiming to highlight diversity and inclusion within the communities through film and media.

Josh Ohea is a writer-director from the San Francisco Bay Area with extensive experience as a videographer and photographer. He is excited to collaborate with others and tell important stories that people can connect with.

Qiqi Deng is an editor from China. She is interested in making experimental films and trying to use a different way to present the story.

Pedro, and the crew will be taking extra precautions in the filming of this project given the current state of the world. The COVID 19 pandemic has made it neccessary to re-imagine what working on a film set looks like. Every member of the cast and crew will be required to wear a mask, only neccessary persons will be on set, and excessive hand sanitizer will be provided. Furthermore, every person on set will need to test negative for the virus before coming to set.

Despite the physical distancing that is required, filmmaking is still a collborative experiencee and COVID regulations will not prevent us from working together and creating a great product. It is more important than ever to be producing content about mental health in this time when so many peeople are confined to theri homes. This film is important, but health, whether physical or mental, will always come first.

Pizza Boy is a project felt appropros for the moment, when the importance of mental health and, in addition, healthy relationships are at the forefront of everyone's mind. 

The crew is in the midst of pre-production, working together to prepare for a late-Spring shoot. Once the short film has finished principal production and post-production, our initial goal is to premiere at ASU's senior showcase for Film, and potentially submit to other film festivals.

Creating this film will not be possible without your help! Any contribution you can make towards the production of Pizza Boy will be greatly appreciated! The money that is raised will go towards costs such as feeding cast and crew, location permits, music liscensing, camera equipment, props and costumes and more! If you are not in a position to donate, don't fret, you can still help out by sharing our project on social media!

Follow the project on Instagram @pizzaboyfilm