RAMSEY

Lambertville, New Jersey | Film Short

Comedy, Shorts Program

Kady Ruth Ashcraft

1 Campaigns | New York, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $14,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

301 supporters | followers

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RAMSEY is a whimsical and surreal short comedy about an optimistic and bright young woman in a world that is often at odds with her own perceptions of it. Your support will allow our talented women helmed production team to collaborate on a truly unique and funny film.

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About The Project

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

Mission Statement

RAMSEY is a truly collaborative film between an all women dream team. Our producer, cinematographer, production designer, and writer/director are all women which is incredibly rare. RAMSEY's two main characters will both be played by women. We're fully committed to hiring a diverse and capable crew.

The Story

Hi!

 

I'm Kady Ruth Ashcraft and I'm the writer and director of RAMSEY, the short film you're learning all about and just chomping at the bit to contribute to. I swear I'll gladly let you help this film come to life but I want to tell you a little more about it first. 

 

I've been making short comedy films for about seven years and performing comedy for over a decade. My shorts have been featured on IFC, Funny or Die, Jezebel, Women in Comedy Festival, NoBudge, New York Televison Festival, and more. They are lighthearted, surreal, and center around the beautiful bizarre brains of women. Below is one I made in 2015 called Real Car and click here to see more of my work. 

 

RAMSEY is by far the most ambitious project I've taken on and I simply couldn't be more passionate about making it. There's no doubt in my mind that with your support, our crazy talented team will create something incredibly special and entertaining for all to enjoy. Seriously, check out just a few of the people who are already behind this project. 

 

THE FILM

RAMSEY is a whimsical and surreal short film following an optimistic young woman as her reality is constantly denied and her perceptions are tested. When she puts on a production with a cast of antique dolls, she's shocked to learn she's the only one not picked up in the TV spinoff. Memory, creative autonomy, and perseverance are all themes throughout the film and it's also really very funny and lighthearted. 

We're choosing to shoot RAMSEY on 16mm for a few reasons. First of all, it looks incredibly beautiful, which is a huge plus. But additionally, I loved the idea of using a physical material, one so tied to nostalgia and memory, to capture this story about a woman taking ownership over her own perceptions. 

OUR TEAM

Charlotte Hornsby is our director of photography. Two recent films she's shot, Hair Wolf and Lucia Before And After, both won The Short Film Jury Award for U.S. Fiction at Sundance (in 2017 & 2016, respectively.) She's worked mutiple times with musical artist Solange as well as shot Beyoncé for Vogue. If you're keeping track that is both Knowles sisters. Unbelievable. Watch the music video she directed and filmed for "Crown Royal" by Kissing Is A Crime.

 

Simone Duff will be doing production design for RAMSEY.  She's made costumes for John Oliver's Last Week Tonight, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and her work for Mana Contemporary's Virtually There was recently aquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Our producer is the Creative Emmy-nominated producer and director Elizabeth Skadden who has produced for Full Frontal With Samantha BeeThe Americans, and believe it or not, a Rob Thomas music video. She was the bassist in the all-female punk band Finally Punk.

Ramsey will be played by Nadia Pinder (Refinery29), an incredible Brooklyn based comedian whose effervescence will not only bring the titular character to life but allow us to inhabit this surreal world along with her. Fun fact, Nadia runs her own tie-dye company called StuyDyed that makes beautiful naturally dyed wares.

 

Perfectly insane and wonderful comedian Edy Modica will play Rachel, Ramsey's career focused, but otherwise sort of clueless best friend. This is an Instagram video she posted that I watch about 2,000 times a day and feel it deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.

 

WHY LAMBERTVILLE?

You might be wondering, why on earth are we filming in New Jersey? I'd wonder that too if I wasn't familiar with the place. Nestled on the north shore of the Delaware River, Lambertville is a picturesque small town that looks like it's right out of a storybook. It's the perfect backdrop for our whimsical film. Plus, and get this, my dear friend Julia Fahl is the mayor. I'm so excited to feature this special place and some of its wonderful business and landmarks. 

Your Support

We've already begun pre-production for the film: hiring crew members, gathering equipment, and location scouting. In fact, $8000 has already been secured to help bring this film to life. We need an additional $13,500 to make this happen. Any amount you can contribute will not only make RAMSEY a reality but help amplify the creative careers of all of our cast and crew members. 

Along with financial support, if you or someone you know might be able to donate resources like film equipment, food, or local lodging, that would also be of tremendous help. 

Help us spread the word of our campaign by sharing this page on your social media or sending it  to friends who would want to hear about a women helmed indie film. Your excitement for RAMSEY means the world to us. We can't wait for you to meet her!

 

With tremendous love and thanks, 

Kady Ruth + the RAMSEY team

(okay, now go ahead and donate!)

 

 

 

 

 

Wishlist

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

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

Equipment

Costs $5,000

To rent audio & lighting equipment, camera gear, and to cover the cost of film.

Art Design

Costs $2,000

To cover costs for production design, wardrobe, and hair and makeup.

Food

Costs $1,500

We need to feed our dedicated cast and crew!

Locations + Transportation

Costs $3,200

To secure locations for filming as well as provide transportation and lodging for our cast and crew.

Crew

Costs $1,800

To cover remaining crew costs (we have already secures $8000 for this!)

About This Team

Charlotte Hornsby

Charlotte is our director of photography. Two recent films she's shot, Hair Wolf and Lucia Before And After, both won The Short Film Jury Award for U.S. Fiction at Sundance (in 2017 & 2016, respectively.) She shot a behing the scenes documentary about singer Solange's songwriting process as well as "An Ode To", her performance at The Guggenheim. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, New York Magazine, Nylon, Fader, Pitchfork, MTV and Rolling Stone. She shot and directed the below video of Beyoncé for Vogue's 2015 September issue.

 

 

Elizabeth Skadden

Elizabeth is our producer for RAMSEY. She's produced for Full Frontal With Samantha BeeThe Americans, Vice Media, the short film Tuba Thieves, and has been nominated for a Creative Emmy for her work. 

 

Simone Duff

Simone is our production and art designer.  She's designed props for John Oliver's Last Week Tonight, done costuming for Live with Kelly and Ryan, and her work for Mana Contemporary's Virtually There was recently acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Below are costumes she designed and created for Danielle Brooks and Jessica Williams to attend Heidi Klum's infamous Halloween party.

 

 

 

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