What? You've never heard of Moishe Schmendrick, Jesus’ fifth cousin and the so-called Thirteenth Disciple? Well, that's not surprising since his name has been erased from biblical history.

But have no fear, the president of the Schmendrick Society, amateur historian Archibald Sneed, is out to remedy this omission by creating a live-action documentary to tell the world about this revolutionary genius who lifted the spirits of the people with his funny business and practical jokes. For example, once after Jesus' miracle of walking on the water, Schmendrick also pulled off this feat (with the help of goat-bladder pontoons)!

In SCHMENDRICK: THE THIRTEENTH DISCIPLE, we meet advocates of Schmendrick, as well as skeptics, archeologists, and protestors. All in nine minutes.

Inspired by the incisive questioning of Philomena Cunk in “Cunk on Earth,”

and the historical elucidations of Monty Python’s “The Life of Brian,”

and the rigorous journalism of “This is Spinal Tap,”

"Schmendrick: The Thirteenth Disciple” investigates an unknown corner of biblical lore.

What motivated me to write and produce this film? In one word: Laughter. I think it’s funny. And in today’s challenging world, what better way to rouse life and metabolize sorrow than good humor.

Another reason for bringing this story to life is that after writing more than a dozen screenplays for feature films that never got made, some of which won or were finalists in prominent international competitions, I decided that it would be satisfying and fun to write something that could actually exist as a film and be seen and enjoyed by others, and not just live in the netherworld of unfulfilled concepts.

I invite you to join me in fulfilling this concept and bringing this film to tangible life by becoming a backer. Your support will help us pay for actors, director, cinematographer, sound, editing and the other expenses of making a great short film.

We've assembled a fantastic team of actors and crew members. They include:

Richard Seidman

Screenwriter, Producer, and Actor (Hapless Protestor)

Richard Seidman was a winner of the Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition, a top-ten finalist for the PAGE Awards, and a finalist in the Screencraft and Stage 32 Animation competitions. He has written two novels for children, "World Cup Mouse" and "The Secret of Ebbets Field," and a non-fiction book for adults, "Oracle of Kabbalah: Mystical Teachings of the Hebrew Letters." Richard founded Friends of Trees in Portland, Oregon. With the help of 50,000 volunteers, this nonprofit has planted close to a million trees along city streets and in natural areas. He now lives in Ashland, Oregon and works as a grant writer for the Center for Popular Democracy.

Peter Alzado

Director and Actor (Professor Zerner)

Peter Alzado has several decades of acting and directing experience. He was a resident actor at La MaMa Plexus in New York, and has performed on Broadway, Off Broadway, and at the American Shakespeare Theatre-Stratford, New York Public Theatre, and Arena Stage. 

Peter has an MFA in Directing from the University of Montana, and has studied with many legendary actors and teachers, including Joel Zwick, Mira Rostova, and Stella Adler. 

He has appeared on TV in “Portlandia” and several soap operas. Peter was Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Talent and founded Oregon Stage Works. His recent performances include Matt in "Talley's Folly," Mark Rothko in "Red" (which he also co-directed), Joe Keller in "All My Sons," and Torvald in "A Doll’s House, Part 2." He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.

Marvin Walder

Director of Photography and Editor

Marvin Walder is a recent Southern Oregon University Digital Cinema program graduate and the owner of Marvin Walder Media LLC. He has worked on numerous short film projects as cinematographer and camera operator. Marvin also has experience in commercial video production, photography and remote editing. He is currently working on "Seeking Beauty," a documentary about Ashland, Oregon cellist, Daniel Sperry. Marvin will be utilizing his Canon Cinema camera setup as well as his editing and color grading expertise to help bring "Schmendrick" to life.

Anthony Heald

Actor (Archibald Sneed)

Anthony Heald portrayed the late, great Hannibal Lecter's jailer in “The Silence of the Lambs” and has performed in “8MM,” “The Client,” and “The Pelican Brief.” On television, he portrayed Vice Principal Scott Guber in “Boston Public,” and appeared in “Boston Legal”, “Cheers”, “Frasier”, “The X-Files”, and many other shows.

Tony has acted with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for twelve seasons, playing such roles as Shylock, Timon of Athens, and Iago. He has appeared in many plays on Broadway and Off Broadway and has received two Tony Award nominations for outstanding featured performance, two Obie Awards, and a Theater World Award. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.

Tyrone Wilson

Actor (Father Anthony)

Tyrone Wilson is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama where he received his MFA in Acting and Middlebury College earning BA Honor Degrees in Theatre and Psychology. He has appeared in several films including “Privilege,” “The Super” with Joe Pesci, and “Stone Soup” with Grace Zabriskie.

Theatre audiences have seen Tyrone in the European Tour of “Ajax” directed by Peter Sellars, on Broadway in “Lettice and Lovage” with Maggie Smith and the US Tour with Julie Harris. Off Broadway, he performed with the Theatre for New Audience, New York Public Theater and Circle Repertory Theatre. He has also performed at numerous regional theatres. In 30 seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Mr. Wilson has performed over 70 roles in nearly 60 productions. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.

Barret O'Brien

Actor (Maximillian Johannson)

Barret O'Brien is an actor and author committed to creating work that is gentle on Earth's natural resources. A graduate of Yale School of Drama, Mr. O'Brien has acted in over 80 theater, television, and film productions across the country and abroad. He is currently starring in the Gary Lundgren film "Above the Trees "and the Duplass Brothers TV series, "The Long Long Night," which premiered at this year's Tribeca and SXSW Film Festivals. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. You can watch an interview with Barret here.

Monica Cortez

Actor (Professor Haddad)

Monica Lynn Cortez is an actress and filmmaker. She studied acting with Terry Knickerbocker at the William Esper Studio, and has performed on numerous stages in NYC, including INTAR and the Director’s Company.

When an acting role led her to the Sundance Film Festival, she was motivated to expand her storytelling skills to the screen. Ms. Cortez graduated from NYU's Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, where she studied all aspects of filmmaking.

Flming will begin in early December, 2024 in Ashland, Oregon. Once the film is edited, we'll submit it to film festivals for viewing around the country. I am also starting to write a feature-length version of "Schmendrick," and hope that the success of the initial short film will serve as a "proof of concept" and encourage other producers and investors to make a feature version of the story.

There are a lot of fun rewards for supporting the project at various levels. For example, you can even be an extra in the film itself. Thank you for backing it at whatever level works for you.

Crowdfunding campaigns rely on community. I humbly request your support sharing this project. Feel free to copy/paste the text below or write your own. Please share it on social media and text or email it to close friends and family individually.

“Please help my friend, Richard Seidman, produce his funny short film at seedandspark.com/fund/Schmendrick. It’s about a bumbling amateur historian presenting the controversial story of Jesus’ forgotten disciple, Moishe Schmendrick.”

I thank you. Archibald Sneed thanks you. And Moishe Schmendrick thanks you, too!