"Ruthie Joins a Death Cult" is a dark comedy about a lonely young woman who tries to make friends by joining a death cult. The film explores the human need and desire for community, and the importance of being a friend to yourself.
"Ruthie Joins a Death Cult" is a dark comedy about a lonely young woman who tries to make friends by joining a death cult. The film explores the human need and desire for community, and the importance of being a friend to yourself.
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Story
Mission Statement
We are passionate about telling stories with heart through the lens of dark, sometimes absurd comedy that centers on the need - and often desperate desire - for human connection. We always want a viewer to feel a little less alone after watching our work - comfort through movies is everything!About The Project
Our story is about Ruthie.
Ruthie Ramos is sweet, earnest, and a little pathetic.
She lives alone, hates her customer service job, and is desperate for a friend.
Ruthie’s life is forever changed when she meets two women who introduce her to The Ascension…and she learns just how far she’s willing to go for friendship.
A movie is only as good as its villain.
A cult is only as intriguing as its leader.
And The Ascension is no exception...
Our cult leader isn't a generic villain. He can be warm but frightening, surreal but very human. Maroon isn't a con artist; he's a man who believes he's doing something good...no matter how he does it.
On her journey, Ruthie will also meet a variety of unique, interesting cult members that soon become her new family. But she'll also encounter an unexpected character from her past...
As Denise delves further into Ruthie's life, we discover how The Ascension treats non-believers.
But enough about the plot, let's talk about the movie's vibe...
There are plenty of cult stories, but what sets ours apart is the tone, style, and care we have for our characters. We're making a comedy that humanizes people lonely enough to join our fictional cult. And we're doing it with humor and heart.
Now that you know a bit about the story and visual style, you may be asking yourself...
This story comes from a very real place––it’s hard to make friends as an adult. The loneliness that grips you in your 30s when you're unsatisfied with your life and you feel like you have no community can be absolutely soul-crushing. At times, we’ve felt that joining a cult honestly sounds pretty great. There are so many different types of "cults" out there but each one has a common thread: community.
We want to explore that specific dynamic: the desperate need for human connection and the lengths a person will go to feel like they aren’t alone. While our movie deals with dark themes, it’s through the lens of heartfelt comedy.
But we can't tell this story without you.
Your pledges will go directly to the production of our film - assembling an entire crew, making sure we are COVID safe, making sure everyone is fed, paying our cast - the list is never-ending when it comes to making a feature. Every penny raised will be used to ensure a smooth, safe, and incredibly fun production! And we will be eternally grateful to you.
There are also other ways to help...
Like any good cult, we have to get the word out!
And the only way we can reach our crowdfunding goal is if we reach beyond our networks. If you like our story, YOU can make the difference in our success!
Please share our campaign via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, carrier pigeon, high concept body art, any way you like! We can't do this without you!
Here are some examples. Feel free to copy and paste!
Help filmmakers @kylefreakinkenyon and @ninaconcepcion by supporting their wild comedy film RUTHIE JOINS A DEATH CULT about a lonely young woman who tries to make friends by joining a death cult. Support them on @seedandspark: tiny.cc/ruthie
I just found out about RUTHIE JOINS A DEATH CULT directed by @kylefreakinkenyon and starring @ninaconcepcion and WOW, you've got to support this movie! Join them on @seedandspark: tiny.cc/ruthie
I'm so excited to see the new comedy RUTHIE JOINS A DEATH CULT, by @kylefreakinkenyon and @ninaconcepcion - Support them on @seedandspark: tiny.cc/ruthie
Follow our campaign and stay up-to-date on the latest "Ruthie Joins a Death Cult" news! It's 100% free and it really helps us! Seed&Spark rewards us for building our audience. The more followers we get, the more we unlock products, services, and festival fee waivers courtesy of Seed&Spark!
Can't make a monetary pledge but have services or items you can donate or loan? Check out our list below! We can offer credit and/or advertising. Feel free to email us at [email protected]
Here are a few things we are looking for:
- Bowling alley shooting location in/around Los Angeles
- Diner shooting location in/around Los Angeles
- Grocery/convenience store shooting location in/around Los Angeles
- Craft services (snacks, coffee, bottled water)
- Catering
- Extras
- Production assistants
- PPE
Thank you so much for whatever you can do! You are what makes this possible!
Incentives
$10
Level 1
You think this cult has some good ideas!
At this level, you'll receive a social media shout-out!
$25
Level 2
Welcome to the cult!
At this level, you'll receive a personalized digital cult membership card detailing your role in the cult. You're in!
Plus:
- Social Media Shout-Out
$50
Level 3
You're in deep now! You've successfully cut off your friends and family! :(
At this level, you'll receive the finished movie's score/soundtrack! And while you wait, we'll send you a link to the Spotify playlist we used while writing the script.
We'll also add your name to the end credits of the finished film!
Plus:
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
$100
Level 4
No turning back! The cult scares you but it's too late to leave.
At this level, you'll receive a digital copy of the movie!
Plus:
- Film Score/Soundtrack
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
$150
Commercial Acting Bootcamp!
New incentive!
At this level, you'll receive a one-hour commercial bootcamp session with Rachael Drummond via Zoom! Rachael will work with you and coach you on some of the many different components to commercial auditioning, from honing your audition technique to general advice on the business of being a commercial actor.
Rachael Drummond teaches at Stan Kirsch Studios and has booked over 40 national commercials, including AT&T, Sam Adams' "Your Cousin From Boston" and the Toyota "Swagger Wagon" campaign. Her other credits include Shameless, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bombshell, Great News, Speechless, Fresh Off the Boat, and Parks & Rec.
Rachael has spent her career honing her skills in the audition room, the audition zoom, mastering self-tapes and on killing it on set and is ready to share her techniques with you!
Plus:
- Film Score/Soundtrack
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 1 of 5
$150
Screenwriting Special!
New incentive!
At this level, you'll receive a special one-hour one-on-one screenwriting consultation with Scott Rodgers, the screenwriting teacher that taught us how to write movies! Whether you've got a finished script or just a vague idea, Scott's knowledge and advice can help take your movie script to the next level.
Plus:
- Film Score/Soundtrack
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Sold Out!
$250
Level 5
You've been promoted to recruiter! Get your cult paperwork and start knockin' on doors!
At this level, you'll receive a digital copy of the film along with a special commentary featuring the cast and crew! We'll tell you all about how the movie was made, funny stories from the set, and anything else you'd wanna know.
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Film Score/Soundtrack
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
$500
Level 6
Amazing! You're now part of cult history!
At this level, we will include a framed photo of you on our cult leader's wall of memories in the movie! If you're local to Los Angeles, we can take a photo of you (with other cult members!) and if not, we can photoshop you into a pre-existing group photo. Either way, you'll be seen in the movie as Ruthie looks at photos of our cult's history!
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 3 of 50
$666
Level 7
Not today, Satan? More like YAAAS today, Satan!
It's a risky number and that deserves a big reward.
At this level, we will name an on-screen cult member after you. And we're not talking about seeing your name on a list for a split second; you'll be able to watch as a featured character introduces themself with your name. You're immortal, baby!
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 2 of 5
$1,000
Level 8
As Dominic Toretto and Olive Garden would say,"When you're in this cult, you're family."
Welcome to the world of film production!
At this level, you'll receive an Associate Producer credit on the movie! Imagine your name on the big screen (and IMDb) as a legitimate Associate Producer of a brand new feature film. This is it!
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
$2,000
Level 9
Our business is cults and business is boomin'!
At this level, you'll reach the heavenly level of...Corporate Sponsorship! We'll feature your company's logo in the end credits and the film itself.
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 1 of 5
$5,000
Level 10
At this level, your product/company will be the official sponsor of Ruthie's favorite TV show "Buddies!"
Heavily featured throughout the film, "Buddies!" will always be accompanied by your company's name and logo. For example: "[Your brand] presents Buddies!"
In addition to footage from the TV show, the brand and logo will also be featured on all the "Buddies!" merchandise in various scenes.
Claimed: 0 of 1
$13,000
Level 11
Ok wow, you're the cult leader now. You better run that cult!
At this level, you'll receive the coveted title of EXECUTIVE PRODUCER.
Whoa. That's not something we even want to joke about.
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 0 of 4
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Level 1
You think this cult has some good ideas!
At this level, you'll receive a social media shout-out!
$25
Level 2
Welcome to the cult!
At this level, you'll receive a personalized digital cult membership card detailing your role in the cult. You're in!
Plus:
- Social Media Shout-Out
$50
Level 3
You're in deep now! You've successfully cut off your friends and family! :(
At this level, you'll receive the finished movie's score/soundtrack! And while you wait, we'll send you a link to the Spotify playlist we used while writing the script.
We'll also add your name to the end credits of the finished film!
Plus:
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
$100
Level 4
No turning back! The cult scares you but it's too late to leave.
At this level, you'll receive a digital copy of the movie!
Plus:
- Film Score/Soundtrack
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
$150
Commercial Acting Bootcamp!
New incentive!
At this level, you'll receive a one-hour commercial bootcamp session with Rachael Drummond via Zoom! Rachael will work with you and coach you on some of the many different components to commercial auditioning, from honing your audition technique to general advice on the business of being a commercial actor.
Rachael Drummond teaches at Stan Kirsch Studios and has booked over 40 national commercials, including AT&T, Sam Adams' "Your Cousin From Boston" and the Toyota "Swagger Wagon" campaign. Her other credits include Shameless, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bombshell, Great News, Speechless, Fresh Off the Boat, and Parks & Rec.
Rachael has spent her career honing her skills in the audition room, the audition zoom, mastering self-tapes and on killing it on set and is ready to share her techniques with you!
Plus:
- Film Score/Soundtrack
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 1 of 5
$150
Screenwriting Special!
New incentive!
At this level, you'll receive a special one-hour one-on-one screenwriting consultation with Scott Rodgers, the screenwriting teacher that taught us how to write movies! Whether you've got a finished script or just a vague idea, Scott's knowledge and advice can help take your movie script to the next level.
Plus:
- Film Score/Soundtrack
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Sold Out!
$250
Level 5
You've been promoted to recruiter! Get your cult paperwork and start knockin' on doors!
At this level, you'll receive a digital copy of the film along with a special commentary featuring the cast and crew! We'll tell you all about how the movie was made, funny stories from the set, and anything else you'd wanna know.
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Film Score/Soundtrack
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
$500
Level 6
Amazing! You're now part of cult history!
At this level, we will include a framed photo of you on our cult leader's wall of memories in the movie! If you're local to Los Angeles, we can take a photo of you (with other cult members!) and if not, we can photoshop you into a pre-existing group photo. Either way, you'll be seen in the movie as Ruthie looks at photos of our cult's history!
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 3 of 50
$666
Level 7
Not today, Satan? More like YAAAS today, Satan!
It's a risky number and that deserves a big reward.
At this level, we will name an on-screen cult member after you. And we're not talking about seeing your name on a list for a split second; you'll be able to watch as a featured character introduces themself with your name. You're immortal, baby!
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 2 of 5
$1,000
Level 8
As Dominic Toretto and Olive Garden would say,"When you're in this cult, you're family."
Welcome to the world of film production!
At this level, you'll receive an Associate Producer credit on the movie! Imagine your name on the big screen (and IMDb) as a legitimate Associate Producer of a brand new feature film. This is it!
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
$2,000
Level 9
Our business is cults and business is boomin'!
At this level, you'll reach the heavenly level of...Corporate Sponsorship! We'll feature your company's logo in the end credits and the film itself.
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 1 of 5
$5,000
Level 10
At this level, your product/company will be the official sponsor of Ruthie's favorite TV show "Buddies!"
Heavily featured throughout the film, "Buddies!" will always be accompanied by your company's name and logo. For example: "[Your brand] presents Buddies!"
In addition to footage from the TV show, the brand and logo will also be featured on all the "Buddies!" merchandise in various scenes.
Claimed: 0 of 1
$13,000
Level 11
Ok wow, you're the cult leader now. You better run that cult!
At this level, you'll receive the coveted title of EXECUTIVE PRODUCER.
Whoa. That's not something we even want to joke about.
Plus:
- Digital Copy of the Film
- Cast + Crew Commentary
- Film Score/Soundtrack/Playlist
- Name in End Credits
- Cult Membership Card
- Social Media Shout-Out
Claimed: 0 of 4
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Hey! I’m a Los Angeles-based writer, director, and editor originally from Osage Beach, Missouri (yep, the one from "Ozark").
13 years ago, I moved to LA with nothing but an old car and some friends. For the first month, I lived in a house with total strangers and shared a bedroom with 3 other people. It wasn't great!
But it was all worth it to be here chasing my childhood dreams and that's what this entire project represents for me.
I've been lucky enough to build a career helping other people's movies come to life while making my own smaller projects that I'm really proud of. Recently, I completed Schmotts, a two-hour web series that I wrote, directed, and co-created. It has gone on to win numerous awards at film festivals around the world.
I’m also a contributing editor for Everything Is Terrible and my work has been featured on sites like Vulture, Christian Nightmares, Fake News Network, and Reddit’s front page.
But none of those projects quite satisfied my ultimate goal of making a feature film. And that's what this movie is really about: wanting something so badly and needing others to help you experience it. Our team is going to pour everything we have into this movie and I'm really excited to share it with you.
I have wanted to be an actor my entire life. I used to write in my diary as a child that my dream was to obtain a SAG card. Shockingly, I was NOT in the popular crowd at school! But I haven’t stopped following this delusional dream of mine and I’m incredibly grateful that I get to be a working actor.
I love telling stories about lonely, slightly pathetic, definitely sad, extremely earnest women. I have been this woman. I still am this woman. I love this woman. Our movie is about this woman. And more than anything, I love telling stories with heart. Even though our film deals with super heavy themes, it's always through the lens of hope, and I think that's really important. Earnest stories forever!
I’m also passionate about seeing women like me on screen. Women who aren’t smoothed to perfection, women who don't look like they belong on a CW show (nothing wrong with that of course but more average-looking people in lead roles, please! More body diversity!). I want to see that woman as the lead in a movie.
I moved to New York City when I was a 20 year old fetus. I'd graduated a year early from a program in audio-radio production (that I was enrolled in via a clerical error), and was attaining the final six credits needed on my degree via an internship at the antique television program Total Request Live in a small quiet place known as "Times Square." That began a quick but efficient pivot into the world of television and film, and I've never looked back, except to judge my decisions that landed me on the crew of Teen Mom 2. I emancipated myself from the adolescent motherhood franchise for a role at CollegeHumor a decade ago, and since then it's been a long ride of producing comedy for the internet (Conde Nast, Reddit, Conaco), as well as the small screen (Louie, Baskets, Younger), and live comedy shows galore.
I now run my own production company that services clients in NY and LA, and I have launched a mission-based creative studio that develops shows and films from marginalized creators, and flips the demographics reported by WGA/DGA/PGA/...all GAs of relevance as reflected on the call sheets and the credits. I've been told since I was in Catholic grade school that I may be a great cult leader one day, but have settled for the SCORP life instead.
I'm a cinematographer based in LA, originally from Monterrey, Mexico. I not only strive to create captivating imagery, but to serve the story and create an emotional connection between the viewer and the piece. I love to enhance the director’s vision as much as to work with my crew.
I've worked under Sony Music, Columbia Records and Pneuma + as a director and cinematographer. I currently work with Sephora as a gaffer, and just finished shooting my first feature-length independent film.
A Southerner living in California, I'm a creative producer, co-founder, and production designer who, as a child, commandeered the family camcorder to shoot the world’s best “Take On Me” fan music video to date. In 2017, I turned my years of experience in visual design toward filmmaking by directing and shooting a video installation capturing women and femmes in various California landscapes titled FORMS OF RESISTANCE. I have since collaborated on several films, music videos, and commercials, working with a multitude of independent artists, Concrete Media, Epidemic Sound, and Crypt TV as production designer and producer. In 2020, along with partner and filmmaker, Darryl Jones, I co-founded High Dive, a Long Beach-based production studio supporting companies, artists, and filmmakers with creative producing and video content.
Following in my grandfather’s footsteps, I'm a lifelong filmmaker and movie lover. I started theater acting as a child in North Carolina, and as soon as my parents could afford a Sony Handycam on my 13th birthday, I became a filmmaker. As a writer/director I've made three short films: Surprise Me, All of This!!! and the forthcoming The Cave. I've produced hours of entertaining and educational content, racking up millions (yes, millions) of views across multiple platforms and film festivals. I love supporting other filmmakers. In collaboration with my creative partner, Hillary Jones, I co-founded the boutique production studio High Dive in 2020, which produces short films, music videos, commercials, web content, and now, our first feature film!
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