Rat Czar: A Comedy Web Series
New York City, New York | Series
Comedy, LGBTQ
Rat Czar is a five-episode comedy web series about New York City's newly appointed (and very real) Director of Rodent Mitigation. Production on this series begins in early June 2024, helmed by four-time Emmy-nominee Ana Breton and written by award-winning television writer Maggie Scudder.
Rat Czar: A Comedy Web Series
New York City, New York | Series
Comedy, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $29,007 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
86 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Rat Czar is a five-episode comedy web series about New York City's newly appointed (and very real) Director of Rodent Mitigation. Production on this series begins in early June 2024, helmed by four-time Emmy-nominee Ana Breton and written by award-winning television writer Maggie Scudder.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Rat Czar is a five-episode scripted comedy web series loosely about New York City's newly appointed (and very real) Head of Rodent Mitigation. Production on this series begins in early June 2024.
We've already gathered an impeccable team of vetted and experienced industry professionals to help make our dream project happen! Please peruse our page to hear all about our goofy show and to meet our fabulous cast and crew.
Crew highlights include our four-time Emmy-nominated director, our award-winning writer, and our incredibly decorated director of photography. Our cast includes Rick Younger (Original Cast in Mean Girls on Broadway, The Other Two), Rachel Dratch (SNL's Debbie Downer), and a few more TOP SECRET (!) cameos.
If you're able and willing, any contribution you make will go right into this team (headed by women and queer folks). Thank you for making it possible for us to create this truly incredible comedy web series.
Reach out to us with any questions, we love to talk rat.
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (16).png)
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (17).png)
This series began during the very first press conference wherein the IRL Rat Czar declared, "There's a new sheriff in town." And so there was.
Maggie Scudder (writer/co-producer/lead actor) watched the press conference with devilish glee, realizing she was finally having her Tina Fey/Sarah Palin moment. She looks JUST like Rat Czar Kathleen Corradi.
Meanwhile, across the country, Ana Breton (director/producer) was watching the same press conference remembering her own rat experience (rat-sperience). She was instantly transported back to living in a New York apartment with rats. (See our campaign video for audio proof!! Eek!)
Everything the Rat Czar touches turns to comedy gold. And it quickly became apparent that Maggie and Ana could not ignore the call any longer. Rat Czar MUST be a show, and they must be at the helm. Luckily these two heroes already knew each other and worked together as advisors of GOLD Comedy's 10 digital production teams (made entirely out of women and nonbinary folks), so all it took was a moment of intense eye contact and a text thread of jokes–our creators were off to the races.
This project was so incredibly easy to develop and create because it is so incredibly right. But we can't do it without YOU.
The rumors are true. Our protagonist, Kathy Kares, is loosely based on the real-world NYC director of rodent mitigation, Kathleen Corradi. When we say that everything the Rat Czar touches turns to comedy gold, we mean it. From the REAL job posting (below) to Adam Erics's press conference declaring that rats are "New York's number one enemy;" from the head of sanitation reminding everyone that "rats don't run this city, we do" to the viral "Rat Academy," the Rat Czar's journey has been riddled with hilarity.
Somehow, when talking about "rats the size of Crocs" even (very real) strategies like birth control, better trash cans, and dry ice become funny. And it doesn't help that they call dry ice "Rat Ice."
Our show has a ripped-from-the-headlines quality that feels Veep-like without fully committing to the HBO show's cynicism about government. Kathleen Corradi is a hyper-local government official whom we deeply respect, but that doesn't mean the entire NYC governmental machine is free from our satirical grips!
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (New LinkedIn Banner) (14).png)
For all the MATH, scroll down to our budget breakdown. Right now, we are going to discuss why this show is a community effort that needs community support.
Rat Czar is a dream come true for Maggie, Ana, and Jake (AD/producer), and they are doing everything in their power to make it a production that launches careers, shares skill-building resources, and is generally just the most professional fun one can legally have.
We have built a team led by (and almost entirely made up of) women, queer/Trans people, and people of color (plus the many combinations of identity therein). This isn't a happy accident, it was built into the very fabric of our mission with this series. A show about trial and error should look, feel, and be helmed by people who can tell these stories from a place of experience.
With these crucial things in mind, it's less difficult to understand why these emerging artists require funding support. We are boots-on-the-ground comedians, producers, actors, writers, and artists who live to support our communities, thus we rely heavily on our communities for support.
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (4).png)
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (New LinkedIn Banner) (4).png)
We are making this web series for two distinct reasons.
- To be a stand-alone, hilarious showcase of our cast and crew's talents. We hope that this project will launch careers, and (even in a small way) get some of the NYC-entertainment industry back to work.
- To be a proof of concept for a full-length series. It's nearly impossible for non-show runners to get scripted pitch meetings right now. But, having a real proof of concept like this web series will transform the trajectory of our idea, our pitch, and hopefully our (collective and individual) futures.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Please support us however you can.
We can't do it without YOU.
You're so cool and funny and hot! I have no problem putting that in writing if it helps lock in your pledge.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $15,000
Our cast (majority Queer and POC!) is incredibly talented and dedicated to this project. With your help, we can pay them for their work!
Crew
Costs $10,000
Our (mostly queer and POC!) crew are some of the best around. With your support, we can get them back earning money doing what they love!
Location - Office
Costs $2,100
Our home away from home! Help us create the office of New York's Department of Unwanted Critters and Crawlies. We can't do it without you!
Scabby, the rat
Costs $320
Several key jokes in the series rely on the rat czar being near an inflating union rat.
Wardrobe
Costs $2,000
Please help us put clothes on our bodies! Plus-size suits don't come easy! Neither do rat mascot suits for undercover missions.
CRAFTY
Costs $1,500
What is Pizza Rat without the slice? Just a rat.
Hair and Makeup
Costs $500
Born-with-it hotness can only take our actors so far, let's be honest.
Trained Rat Actors
Costs $500
If you've read this far, you had to see this one coming. Please help our dreams come true!!
Rat Pride "STAFF" Shirts
Costs $800
Our grand finale takes place at Rat Pride and we'd love to deck our cast out in hot, gay, rat lewks.
Discretionary Government Funding
Costs $1
If you'd like to pledge any amount, here's your chance! This truly is a community endeavor. Thanks for supporting our goofy show!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Share this update!
About This Team
CREW
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (New LinkedIn Banner) (8).png)
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (New LinkedIn Banner) (10).png)
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (New LinkedIn Banner) (12).png)
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (New LinkedIn Banner) (11).png)
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (New LinkedIn Banner).png)
CAST
 RAT CZAR PITCH DECK (New LinkedIn Banner) (9).png)
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Rat Czar is a five-episode scripted comedy web series loosely about New York City's newly appointed (and very real) Head of Rodent Mitigation. Production on this series begins in early June 2024.
We've already gathered an impeccable team of vetted and experienced industry professionals to help make our dream project happen! Please peruse our page to hear all about our goofy show and to meet our fabulous cast and crew.
Crew highlights include our four-time Emmy-nominated director, our award-winning writer, and our incredibly decorated director of photography. Our cast includes Rick Younger (Original Cast in Mean Girls on Broadway, The Other Two), Rachel Dratch (SNL's Debbie Downer), and a few more TOP SECRET (!) cameos.
If you're able and willing, any contribution you make will go right into this team (headed by women and queer folks). Thank you for making it possible for us to create this truly incredible comedy web series.
Reach out to us with any questions, we love to talk rat.
This series began during the very first press conference wherein the IRL Rat Czar declared, "There's a new sheriff in town." And so there was.
Maggie Scudder (writer/co-producer/lead actor) watched the press conference with devilish glee, realizing she was finally having her Tina Fey/Sarah Palin moment. She looks JUST like Rat Czar Kathleen Corradi.
Meanwhile, across the country, Ana Breton (director/producer) was watching the same press conference remembering her own rat experience (rat-sperience). She was instantly transported back to living in a New York apartment with rats. (See our campaign video for audio proof!! Eek!)
Everything the Rat Czar touches turns to comedy gold. And it quickly became apparent that Maggie and Ana could not ignore the call any longer. Rat Czar MUST be a show, and they must be at the helm. Luckily these two heroes already knew each other and worked together as advisors of GOLD Comedy's 10 digital production teams (made entirely out of women and nonbinary folks), so all it took was a moment of intense eye contact and a text thread of jokes–our creators were off to the races.
This project was so incredibly easy to develop and create because it is so incredibly right. But we can't do it without YOU.
The rumors are true. Our protagonist, Kathy Kares, is loosely based on the real-world NYC director of rodent mitigation, Kathleen Corradi. When we say that everything the Rat Czar touches turns to comedy gold, we mean it. From the REAL job posting (below) to Adam Erics's press conference declaring that rats are "New York's number one enemy;" from the head of sanitation reminding everyone that "rats don't run this city, we do" to the viral "Rat Academy," the Rat Czar's journey has been riddled with hilarity.
Somehow, when talking about "rats the size of Crocs" even (very real) strategies like birth control, better trash cans, and dry ice become funny. And it doesn't help that they call dry ice "Rat Ice."
Our show has a ripped-from-the-headlines quality that feels Veep-like without fully committing to the HBO show's cynicism about government. Kathleen Corradi is a hyper-local government official whom we deeply respect, but that doesn't mean the entire NYC governmental machine is free from our satirical grips!
For all the MATH, scroll down to our budget breakdown. Right now, we are going to discuss why this show is a community effort that needs community support.
Rat Czar is a dream come true for Maggie, Ana, and Jake (AD/producer), and they are doing everything in their power to make it a production that launches careers, shares skill-building resources, and is generally just the most professional fun one can legally have.
We have built a team led by (and almost entirely made up of) women, queer/Trans people, and people of color (plus the many combinations of identity therein). This isn't a happy accident, it was built into the very fabric of our mission with this series. A show about trial and error should look, feel, and be helmed by people who can tell these stories from a place of experience.
With these crucial things in mind, it's less difficult to understand why these emerging artists require funding support. We are boots-on-the-ground comedians, producers, actors, writers, and artists who live to support our communities, thus we rely heavily on our communities for support.
We are making this web series for two distinct reasons.
- To be a stand-alone, hilarious showcase of our cast and crew's talents. We hope that this project will launch careers, and (even in a small way) get some of the NYC-entertainment industry back to work.
- To be a proof of concept for a full-length series. It's nearly impossible for non-show runners to get scripted pitch meetings right now. But, having a real proof of concept like this web series will transform the trajectory of our idea, our pitch, and hopefully our (collective and individual) futures.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Please support us however you can.
We can't do it without YOU.
You're so cool and funny and hot! I have no problem putting that in writing if it helps lock in your pledge.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $15,000
Our cast (majority Queer and POC!) is incredibly talented and dedicated to this project. With your help, we can pay them for their work!
Crew
Costs $10,000
Our (mostly queer and POC!) crew are some of the best around. With your support, we can get them back earning money doing what they love!
Location - Office
Costs $2,100
Our home away from home! Help us create the office of New York's Department of Unwanted Critters and Crawlies. We can't do it without you!
Scabby, the rat
Costs $320
Several key jokes in the series rely on the rat czar being near an inflating union rat.
Wardrobe
Costs $2,000
Please help us put clothes on our bodies! Plus-size suits don't come easy! Neither do rat mascot suits for undercover missions.
CRAFTY
Costs $1,500
What is Pizza Rat without the slice? Just a rat.
Hair and Makeup
Costs $500
Born-with-it hotness can only take our actors so far, let's be honest.
Trained Rat Actors
Costs $500
If you've read this far, you had to see this one coming. Please help our dreams come true!!
Rat Pride "STAFF" Shirts
Costs $800
Our grand finale takes place at Rat Pride and we'd love to deck our cast out in hot, gay, rat lewks.
Discretionary Government Funding
Costs $1
If you'd like to pledge any amount, here's your chance! This truly is a community endeavor. Thanks for supporting our goofy show!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Share this update!
About This Team
CREW
CAST