ROUTE 53: An Exurbia Story
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Film Short
Teen, Drama
ROUTE 53 tells the story of three high school students met with the realities of their world—from a lack of insurance in the wake of an accident, to an education system that has forced them to face their character and relationships. ROUTE 53 boosts community & hope in an increasingly chaotic world.
ROUTE 53: An Exurbia Story
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Film Short
Teen, Drama
2 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,548 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
56 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
ROUTE 53 tells the story of three high school students met with the realities of their world—from a lack of insurance in the wake of an accident, to an education system that has forced them to face their character and relationships. ROUTE 53 boosts community & hope in an increasingly chaotic world.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
.jpg)
Image ID: ROUTE 53 title card reading "ROUTE 53: An Exurbia Story". featuring the film's three main characters, Amani, Ethan, and Gabriel, a color palette, and the creator's contact information "[email protected]".
Image ID: EXURBiA title card reading "EXURBIA: created by Crinion Polacek" and featuring the film's main characters, Amani, leaning on a desk, and Ethan and Gabriel in student IDs.
What is EXURBIA about?
On the outskirts of working-class Chicagoland, three teenagers are forced together in a drama class none of them wanted to take. Over the course of the school year, each of them must defend their character to each other and the world around them, all while struggling to define what that character is.
While filming a scene in a forest preserve for a drama class, Ethan Hernandez cuts his hand on a rusty fence. His groupmates, Gabriel Ramos-Alvarado and Amani Carter, fight with him to go to an urgent care, despite his protests of not having insurance. When concerns of tetanus are brought up, Ethan relents, however, a new problem arises: Ethan's hand is bloody, and Gabriel has an unrelated concussion. Only Amani, unlicensed and afraid, can drive them to the clinic. The two boys must now coach her to drive on the fly, praying they don't crash or worse: stopped by state police.
ROUTE 53 focuses on the power struggle of three teenagers, both with each other, and the world at large. The overarching conflict comes from the kids being forced to work together in a system that actively seeks to make their lives harder. In this script, that system is the realities of US healthcare. Although ROUTE 53 is a comedy, the often harsh reality of growing up working-class is impossible to ignore in these characters.
The characters of ROUTE 53 and EXURBIA as a whole, were created out of desperation to see places like my hometown represented on screen. As a born and raised Joliet resident, as well as a product of Title I public education, I grew up with that same inherent defensiveness as Amani, Ethan, and Gabriel. The fierce love I have for my hometown comes from my deep admiration for my fellow residents who've their entire lives hearing how "poor" and "dangerous" their home is, yet maintaining an unyielding pride for their community in spite of it.
For every metal detector I went through just to get to class, for every time I was chased down by a security guard for not wearing my ID, for every joke about the I-80 bridge collapsing made to deflect the reality of our town's crumbling infrastructure, being from Joliet has given me a love for my community that I can't help but want to share with the world. Because when the administration fails us, when it feels you're set up to fail just because of your zip code, it's the people, your community, that has your back.
-Crinion Polacek (creator, writer, executive producer)
How To Support
There is a slice of each and every one of us in the characters of ROUTE 53. For the teenager in you that just wants to find their voice in this world, help us bring this story of growing up, friendship, and unity to life.
Our main priorities are compensating our hardworking cast & crew hailing from all over the country, as well as securing the perfect locations for our characters' world. With production fast approaching, we need to raise our goal of $8,425 by this August. Your pledges, no matter how big or small, will make this possible!
Follow us on social media (@exurbiaseries) to stay updated & learn more about the project as we continue to bring the world of EXURBIA to you!
.jpg)
Image ID: A thank you screen with the text: "Thank You!! Follow us on Instagram @exurbiaseries to stay updated!" and contact information: "[email protected]".
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $1,125
We gotta pay our amazing actors!
Locations
Costs $1,000
Nothing brings a story to life like the right setting.
Craft Services
Costs $500
Gotta keep the team healthy, not hungry!
Crew
Costs $2,200
Help us pay our hardworking crew!
Equipment
Costs $1,400
Can't make a movie without the right gear!
Production Design
Costs $200
This includes set dressing, props, wardrobe, hair, & makeup.
Transportation
Costs $800
We need to get our bi-coastal cast & crew to the same place!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET THE ROUTE 53 TEAM!
Crinion Polacek (they/them) - Writer, Executive Producer 
is a Chicagoland native and graduate of Temple University's Film and Media Arts Screenwriting BFA program. Primarily concerned with pre-production and development, Crinion's work aims to create vibrant characters with a focus on themes of power imbalances and gender identity. Additionally, Crinion is a digital illustrator, and their projects always feature a blend of both their writing as well as their artwork. Most recently, Crinion’s proof-of-concept short, CLADDAGH, has been recognized in festivals coast-to-coast.
Sophie Aguila (she/her) - Director 
a Los Angeles-based independent director with a passion for narrative film. She seeks to develop multi-dimensional, empowered female and queer characters in her short films. In Spring 2024, Sophie received her BFA in Film and Media Arts with a Concentration in Directing from Temple University. Her work has been recognized internationally within the festival circuit, with projects including EXURBIA: CLADDAGH, the proof-of-concept predecessor to EXURBIA: ROUTE 53; and her senior thesis, Meet Me Under the Bleachers, which has also won recent accolades at both the Garden State Film Festival and FirstGlance Film Festival Philadelphia.
Juliet Leos Ortiz (they/them) - Director of Photography 
is a Mexican-American non-binary filmmaker. Ortiz thrives to document and create stories of unseen BIPOC and queer experiences. Graduating from Temple University with a BA in FMA with a concentration in Cinematography, Ortiz primarily works as an AC and Camera Operator. Ortiz is returning from their previous celebrated work on CLADDAGH to work on ROUTE 53.
Theo Kontonis (she/her) - Co-Producer
is a New York City-based producer and makeup/SFX artist, and a graduate of Temple University. She began her professional filmmaking career as a makeup artist, and quickly found her passion for helping fellow artists bring their stories to life. Having taken on virtually every role on a film & TV crew, she has developed a deep appreciation for every aspect of the filmmaking process, and aims to utilize that appreciation to bring out the best in every crew she works with and every story she has the privilege of contributing to.
Salvatori Camarote (he/him) - Co-Producer 
is a Producer/Filmmaker from the City of Philadelphia. Sal has produced multiple award winning short films and with each coming project strives to overcome new challenges.
Ginelle Bamfo (she/her) - Actor (Amani Carter)
is a Ghanaian-American actor, writer, and director from Chicago. She recently graduated from NYU, and is passionate about portraying characters that are nuanced and is excited to be a part of this project!
Gage Phillips (he/him) - Actor (Ethan Hernandez) 
is a Mexican-American actor based in Los Angeles, California. He has been casted as the lead in films for USC, AFI, Dodge Chapman and plays for San Jose State University. When he’s not on set, he’s reading comics, playing video games, and drawing.
Alé La Paz (any) - Actor (Gabriel Ramos Alvarado) 
is a Philly-based Actor/writer, and a graduate of Temple University. After cutting his teeth on sketch comedy and improv, he’s spent the past year hosting open-mics in Brooklyn and juggling studio classes and internships. Alé is more than elated at the privilege to team up once again with the selection of gifted and driven artists responsible for CLADDAGH.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Image ID: ROUTE 53 title card reading "ROUTE 53: An Exurbia Story". featuring the film's three main characters, Amani, Ethan, and Gabriel, a color palette, and the creator's contact information "[email protected]".
Image ID: EXURBiA title card reading "EXURBIA: created by Crinion Polacek" and featuring the film's main characters, Amani, leaning on a desk, and Ethan and Gabriel in student IDs.
What is EXURBIA about?
On the outskirts of working-class Chicagoland, three teenagers are forced together in a drama class none of them wanted to take. Over the course of the school year, each of them must defend their character to each other and the world around them, all while struggling to define what that character is.
While filming a scene in a forest preserve for a drama class, Ethan Hernandez cuts his hand on a rusty fence. His groupmates, Gabriel Ramos-Alvarado and Amani Carter, fight with him to go to an urgent care, despite his protests of not having insurance. When concerns of tetanus are brought up, Ethan relents, however, a new problem arises: Ethan's hand is bloody, and Gabriel has an unrelated concussion. Only Amani, unlicensed and afraid, can drive them to the clinic. The two boys must now coach her to drive on the fly, praying they don't crash or worse: stopped by state police.
ROUTE 53 focuses on the power struggle of three teenagers, both with each other, and the world at large. The overarching conflict comes from the kids being forced to work together in a system that actively seeks to make their lives harder. In this script, that system is the realities of US healthcare. Although ROUTE 53 is a comedy, the often harsh reality of growing up working-class is impossible to ignore in these characters.
The characters of ROUTE 53 and EXURBIA as a whole, were created out of desperation to see places like my hometown represented on screen. As a born and raised Joliet resident, as well as a product of Title I public education, I grew up with that same inherent defensiveness as Amani, Ethan, and Gabriel. The fierce love I have for my hometown comes from my deep admiration for my fellow residents who've their entire lives hearing how "poor" and "dangerous" their home is, yet maintaining an unyielding pride for their community in spite of it.
For every metal detector I went through just to get to class, for every time I was chased down by a security guard for not wearing my ID, for every joke about the I-80 bridge collapsing made to deflect the reality of our town's crumbling infrastructure, being from Joliet has given me a love for my community that I can't help but want to share with the world. Because when the administration fails us, when it feels you're set up to fail just because of your zip code, it's the people, your community, that has your back.
-Crinion Polacek (creator, writer, executive producer)
How To Support
There is a slice of each and every one of us in the characters of ROUTE 53. For the teenager in you that just wants to find their voice in this world, help us bring this story of growing up, friendship, and unity to life.
Our main priorities are compensating our hardworking cast & crew hailing from all over the country, as well as securing the perfect locations for our characters' world. With production fast approaching, we need to raise our goal of $8,425 by this August. Your pledges, no matter how big or small, will make this possible!
Follow us on social media (@exurbiaseries) to stay updated & learn more about the project as we continue to bring the world of EXURBIA to you!
Image ID: A thank you screen with the text: "Thank You!! Follow us on Instagram @exurbiaseries to stay updated!" and contact information: "[email protected]".
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $1,125
We gotta pay our amazing actors!
Locations
Costs $1,000
Nothing brings a story to life like the right setting.
Craft Services
Costs $500
Gotta keep the team healthy, not hungry!
Crew
Costs $2,200
Help us pay our hardworking crew!
Equipment
Costs $1,400
Can't make a movie without the right gear!
Production Design
Costs $200
This includes set dressing, props, wardrobe, hair, & makeup.
Transportation
Costs $800
We need to get our bi-coastal cast & crew to the same place!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET THE ROUTE 53 TEAM!
Crinion Polacek (they/them) - Writer, Executive Producer
is a Chicagoland native and graduate of Temple University's Film and Media Arts Screenwriting BFA program. Primarily concerned with pre-production and development, Crinion's work aims to create vibrant characters with a focus on themes of power imbalances and gender identity. Additionally, Crinion is a digital illustrator, and their projects always feature a blend of both their writing as well as their artwork. Most recently, Crinion’s proof-of-concept short, CLADDAGH, has been recognized in festivals coast-to-coast.
Sophie Aguila (she/her) - Director
a Los Angeles-based independent director with a passion for narrative film. She seeks to develop multi-dimensional, empowered female and queer characters in her short films. In Spring 2024, Sophie received her BFA in Film and Media Arts with a Concentration in Directing from Temple University. Her work has been recognized internationally within the festival circuit, with projects including EXURBIA: CLADDAGH, the proof-of-concept predecessor to EXURBIA: ROUTE 53; and her senior thesis, Meet Me Under the Bleachers, which has also won recent accolades at both the Garden State Film Festival and FirstGlance Film Festival Philadelphia.
Juliet Leos Ortiz (they/them) - Director of Photography
is a Mexican-American non-binary filmmaker. Ortiz thrives to document and create stories of unseen BIPOC and queer experiences. Graduating from Temple University with a BA in FMA with a concentration in Cinematography, Ortiz primarily works as an AC and Camera Operator. Ortiz is returning from their previous celebrated work on CLADDAGH to work on ROUTE 53.
Theo Kontonis (she/her) - Co-Producer
is a New York City-based producer and makeup/SFX artist, and a graduate of Temple University. She began her professional filmmaking career as a makeup artist, and quickly found her passion for helping fellow artists bring their stories to life. Having taken on virtually every role on a film & TV crew, she has developed a deep appreciation for every aspect of the filmmaking process, and aims to utilize that appreciation to bring out the best in every crew she works with and every story she has the privilege of contributing to.
Salvatori Camarote (he/him) - Co-Producer
is a Producer/Filmmaker from the City of Philadelphia. Sal has produced multiple award winning short films and with each coming project strives to overcome new challenges.
Ginelle Bamfo (she/her) - Actor (Amani Carter)
is a Ghanaian-American actor, writer, and director from Chicago. She recently graduated from NYU, and is passionate about portraying characters that are nuanced and is excited to be a part of this project!
Gage Phillips (he/him) - Actor (Ethan Hernandez)
is a Mexican-American actor based in Los Angeles, California. He has been casted as the lead in films for USC, AFI, Dodge Chapman and plays for San Jose State University. When he’s not on set, he’s reading comics, playing video games, and drawing.
Alé La Paz (any) - Actor (Gabriel Ramos Alvarado)
is a Philly-based Actor/writer, and a graduate of Temple University. After cutting his teeth on sketch comedy and improv, he’s spent the past year hosting open-mics in Brooklyn and juggling studio classes and internships. Alé is more than elated at the privilege to team up once again with the selection of gifted and driven artists responsible for CLADDAGH.