Search & Destroy
Fort Worth, Texas | Film Short
Adventure, Drama
For Rafael and his friends (The Squad), the first day of summer is always reserved for a swim at the neighborhood pool. But this year, they must spend it searching the neighborhood for the oldest and now most elusive squad member who is accused of ditching them.
Search & Destroy
Fort Worth, Texas | Film Short
Adventure, Drama
1 Campaigns | Texas, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $18,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
77 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
For Rafael and his friends (The Squad), the first day of summer is always reserved for a swim at the neighborhood pool. But this year, they must spend it searching the neighborhood for the oldest and now most elusive squad member who is accused of ditching them.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SEARCH & DESTROY (S&D) is an adventourous and tender coming of age story that follows RAFAEL and his neighborhood squad members–CLAW and DONNIE–on the first day of summer. For the last 7 years, they have honored their annual first day of summer swim (The Streak) together on this day. But this year, Wes, the eldest squad member who is off to high school in the fall, is accused of ditching them.
Despite Claw's assertive plea to go on without Wes, Rafael takes the boys on a search in the neighborhood, and risks crossing paths with the high school baseball team, who they are also running from.
This project is a thesis film for the M.F.A. program in Film & Media Production at The University of Texas at Austin, a highly selective program brings together talented storytellers from all over the world and is produced by Prelude Films.
Inspired By
A few favorites come to mind as I developed S&D. These films demonstrate a thoughtful examination of adolescence and have greatly impacted my work thus far as the director of this project. Each is adventurous, heartfelt, and an overall stellar experience.
Before making films, I spent most of my youth consuming television or cheering in a theater with my father as a young and impressionable audience member. Immersing myself in these stories, whether I was aware of it or not, let me explore identity through the adventures and characters I observed on screen. My pre-thesis Tejano Night was made in response of asking myself about my own identity. As I wrestled with that question, I quickly noticed I was losing that grappling match. During the two year long reflection of making that film, I began revisiting the coming of age classics I watched as kid. None of them had non-white leads. This observation has at times left me wondering about whether my current symptoms are a result from my experiences as that young audience member. Whatever my thesis would end up becoming, it would need to be a story I could use to further examine my interest in identity.
So, this is Search & Destroy–a backyard project that will represent kids like me in a thrilling and thoughtful ride through the suburban streets of a diverse neighborhood in Texas where I’m from.
- Alex
Stills from I Think We're Alone Now.
Our goal is to shoot Search & Destroy with anamorphic lenses to give our audience an immersive and specific nostalgic experience. The combination of an Arri Alexa Mini camera package with the Round Front Lomo Anamorphic Set would be a dream come true. This duo was utilized in Reed Morano's I Think We're Alone Now.
The thought of young teens riding bikes in their neighborhood streets felt like a powerful image that could capture something unique about adolescence: energy and passionate youth. At the right moment, that entire period of time felt so intense in a way that made life feel like a movie. This coupled with our wide frame is intended to honor the stories and experience in the cinema that shaped me as a young audience member while also trying to bring a fresh take to this imagery.
Therefore, Search & Destroy will be familiar yet dirty, confrontational, and express the kinecticism of our youth.
Our director’s previous award-winning film Tejano Night is a coming-of-age exploration of a Chicano protagonist who is not able to speak Spanish, and feels misplaced during an evening with family. The project is a recepient of an AFS Grant and also earned a graduate student award for demonstrating a dedication and care that will inspire exploration of Latinx narratives by media makers and scholars alike.
The film has been programmed in over 38 festivals including both Academy-Award Qualifying Palm Springs International ShortFest & deadCenter Film Festival, along with New York Latino Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Indie Memphis Film Festival, Milwuakee Film Festival, and NALIP’s Latino Media Fest.
Additionally, our producing team — composed of Lizette Barrera, Andrew Czap, Seehum Isa, and Josh Gallas — have over a combined 40 years of experience in filmmaking, with state of the art projects that have premiered with SXSW, HBO Max, and ESPN. They’ve even won an Emmy and a 4th grade homeschool talent show!
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded. We must reach this goal in 30 days or we won't receive any funds at all.
We've ALREADY raised $15,000 that will go toward Cast & Crew, pre-production, and some production expenses. With this campaign, we hope to raise an additional $13,000+ to help pay for the essentials of our 5-day production to start.
STRETCH GOALS
While our goal of $13,000 will help us greenlight Search & Destroy, reaching the following stretch goals are additional ways to take this film beyond the essentials and to encourage the best version it can be:
- At $16,000, we'll be able to utilize our dream anamorphic lenses (round front lomo 4 lens set)
- At $18,500, we’ll be able to cover post-production sound.
- At $21,000, we'll submit S&D to a list of festivals we are targeting that support diverse filmmakers and also have markets for negotiating streaming rights. In addition, we'll be able to hire a PR firm for our World Premiere!
SPREAD THE WORD & OTHER WAYS TO HELP
This is another big way to support us! To reach our goal, we'll need any help we can get to create awareness about S&D. Help us spread the word to those who'd like to support your friendly Latino Filmmaker!
Follow us on Seed&Spark (searchdestroyfilm), Instagram & Facebook @searchdestroy.film where you’ll get behind-the-scenes access to our full filmmaking process.
We believe storytelling is the most influential tool to inspire people in asking more interesting questions about life around them. Search & Destroy is primed to give audiences an entertaining story in the hope they will be able to hear our themes of friendship and loyalty, and the complexity of growing up.
If you contributed, I'll be reaching out to you personally to thank you for your support. But if you can’t contribute today, I hope you can stay in touch and follow along with this summer adventure! If you feel inclined, send me a note at [email protected] if you have any questions or want to say hello :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Production Meals
Costs $3,250
This cast and crew deserve the best meals for a hard day's work.
Cast and Crew Housing
Costs $3,000
Great talent is coming from all over the state this summer! Here's one way to support them.
Rentals
Costs $3,000
Night scenes can be tricky, but not when you have a little light and the right gear!
Production Design
Costs $1,500
We need some special help to bring the squad's mid 2000's world and tool kit to life!
Location Fees
Costs $1,500
Securing remarkable and existing locations that belong in a movie.
Gas Money
Costs $750
The DFW is BIG and gas is at all time highs. Help support our crew get around!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The team at Prelude films have known one another for nearly ten years. The bond we've formed from making films together has led us to the most ambitious project to date and frankly, we are going to have some f*cking fun doing it together once more! Search & Destroy is about our closest friendships and we're excited to share with you how a real life squad's bond can have a great impact on storytelling.
Originally from the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Alexander has committed to stay based in Texas utilizing intimate and creative storytelling as a film and commercial director. After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2015 with a BFA in Film/Video and earning the Outstanding Graduating Senior, he freelanced in the film industry as a camera operator, traveling worldwide for various projects. But in an effort to narrow his focus, Alexander has spent the last few years as an MFA candidate in Film & Media Production at the University of Texas at Austin. His work as a graduate student has been screened at the Austin Film Festival, deadCenter Film Festival, Palm Springs International ShortFest. His pre-thesis short film TEJANO NIGHT, was a recipient of an Austin Film Society (AFS) Grant and is currently in the 2021-2022 festival circuit with over 38 program selections.
In the summer of 2021, Alexander was selected for a 1st Place Latino Media Arts & Studies graduate award at the University of Texas at Austin, given to an individual who demonstrate a dedication and care for Latinx stories that will inspire continued exploration of Latinx narratives by media makers and scholars, alike.
Lizette Barrera is a filmmaker whose films have played at festivals and networks worldwide, including her HBO previously licensed short films MOSCA (FLY) and ¡CÓME!, and her short film CHICLE (GUM) world premiering at South By Southwest. She received the 2020 Austin Film Society Development Grant for her upcoming Feature CHICLE (GUM). She is also a recipient of WarnerMedia’s 150 Grant and a finalist for the 2021 SFFILM Rainin Grant for the Anthology feature UNTITLED TEXAS LATINA PROJECT she is co-directing with four other directors.In addition, Lizette has produced branded content for Prelude Films, in which several of their content has grander numerous awards, including their Emmy-award winning video Allen Fire Department.
She has received her MFA in Film Production at The University of Texas at Austin and has previously served as a Senior Lecturer and Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington.
When he’s not behind the camera, our Director Josh Gallas can often be found behind the drums, keeping time for the band he plays in with his four brothers. And if he’s not playing music, he might be outdoors mountain biking, skiing, or hiking.
Already an Emmy Award winning director, Josh has over a decade of experience creating commercials, documentaries, features, and short films. He’s a globe-trotter by nature and draws inspiration for projects from his travels through Turkey, Nepal, Brazil, and more.A native of Arlington, TX, with both a degree and Master’s from the University of Texas at Arlington, Josh is married to wife Abbie, an ICU nurse. They have a son Fritz, and share their home with the hairiest member of the family – Chala, the Australian Shepherd.
Book lover. Guitar player. Fan of wasabi almonds. That’s Andrew Czap… in a nutshell. An avid reader with a keen eye for aesthetics, Andrew has 12 years of combined experience as a Director of Photography, still photography, and graphic design. He’s worked on a wide variety of film and video projects, and is known and respected for his strong leadership skills on the set in helping guide productions to successful completion.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Visual Communication Design, Andrew is a devote of black & white film that he knows how to develop at home. He also enjoys the great outdoors, and loves mountain biking, camping, hiking, and skiing. But in his downtime, you’re also just as likely to find him at home with a good book and a cup of tea.
A love of peanut butter and jelly helps fuel our associate producer Seehum Isa’s passion
for competing in triathlons. But it’s blending film with marketing and advertising to help clients reach their goals that she truly loves. An experienced marketer with experience writing and producing commercials,
Seehum’s main focus is achieving what’s important to a client. She also specializes in ensuring a brand’s voice is communicated and maintained throughout their video content.
A native of El Paso, TX, and a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Seehum gave a Ted Talk when she was only 20. She has authored two children’s books on culture and religion, and also enjoys painting and baking. Seehum and her husband James make their home in Fort Worth, which they share with their French bulldog Matcha.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SEARCH & DESTROY (S&D) is an adventourous and tender coming of age story that follows RAFAEL and his neighborhood squad members–CLAW and DONNIE–on the first day of summer. For the last 7 years, they have honored their annual first day of summer swim (The Streak) together on this day. But this year, Wes, the eldest squad member who is off to high school in the fall, is accused of ditching them.
Despite Claw's assertive plea to go on without Wes, Rafael takes the boys on a search in the neighborhood, and risks crossing paths with the high school baseball team, who they are also running from.
This project is a thesis film for the M.F.A. program in Film & Media Production at The University of Texas at Austin, a highly selective program brings together talented storytellers from all over the world and is produced by Prelude Films.
Inspired By
A few favorites come to mind as I developed S&D. These films demonstrate a thoughtful examination of adolescence and have greatly impacted my work thus far as the director of this project. Each is adventurous, heartfelt, and an overall stellar experience.
Before making films, I spent most of my youth consuming television or cheering in a theater with my father as a young and impressionable audience member. Immersing myself in these stories, whether I was aware of it or not, let me explore identity through the adventures and characters I observed on screen. My pre-thesis Tejano Night was made in response of asking myself about my own identity. As I wrestled with that question, I quickly noticed I was losing that grappling match. During the two year long reflection of making that film, I began revisiting the coming of age classics I watched as kid. None of them had non-white leads. This observation has at times left me wondering about whether my current symptoms are a result from my experiences as that young audience member. Whatever my thesis would end up becoming, it would need to be a story I could use to further examine my interest in identity.
So, this is Search & Destroy–a backyard project that will represent kids like me in a thrilling and thoughtful ride through the suburban streets of a diverse neighborhood in Texas where I’m from.
- Alex
Stills from I Think We're Alone Now.
Our goal is to shoot Search & Destroy with anamorphic lenses to give our audience an immersive and specific nostalgic experience. The combination of an Arri Alexa Mini camera package with the Round Front Lomo Anamorphic Set would be a dream come true. This duo was utilized in Reed Morano's I Think We're Alone Now.
The thought of young teens riding bikes in their neighborhood streets felt like a powerful image that could capture something unique about adolescence: energy and passionate youth. At the right moment, that entire period of time felt so intense in a way that made life feel like a movie. This coupled with our wide frame is intended to honor the stories and experience in the cinema that shaped me as a young audience member while also trying to bring a fresh take to this imagery.
Therefore, Search & Destroy will be familiar yet dirty, confrontational, and express the kinecticism of our youth.
Our director’s previous award-winning film Tejano Night is a coming-of-age exploration of a Chicano protagonist who is not able to speak Spanish, and feels misplaced during an evening with family. The project is a recepient of an AFS Grant and also earned a graduate student award for demonstrating a dedication and care that will inspire exploration of Latinx narratives by media makers and scholars alike.
The film has been programmed in over 38 festivals including both Academy-Award Qualifying Palm Springs International ShortFest & deadCenter Film Festival, along with New York Latino Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Indie Memphis Film Festival, Milwuakee Film Festival, and NALIP’s Latino Media Fest.
Additionally, our producing team — composed of Lizette Barrera, Andrew Czap, Seehum Isa, and Josh Gallas — have over a combined 40 years of experience in filmmaking, with state of the art projects that have premiered with SXSW, HBO Max, and ESPN. They’ve even won an Emmy and a 4th grade homeschool talent show!
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded. We must reach this goal in 30 days or we won't receive any funds at all.
We've ALREADY raised $15,000 that will go toward Cast & Crew, pre-production, and some production expenses. With this campaign, we hope to raise an additional $13,000+ to help pay for the essentials of our 5-day production to start.
STRETCH GOALS
While our goal of $13,000 will help us greenlight Search & Destroy, reaching the following stretch goals are additional ways to take this film beyond the essentials and to encourage the best version it can be:
- At $16,000, we'll be able to utilize our dream anamorphic lenses (round front lomo 4 lens set)
- At $18,500, we’ll be able to cover post-production sound.
- At $21,000, we'll submit S&D to a list of festivals we are targeting that support diverse filmmakers and also have markets for negotiating streaming rights. In addition, we'll be able to hire a PR firm for our World Premiere!
SPREAD THE WORD & OTHER WAYS TO HELP
This is another big way to support us! To reach our goal, we'll need any help we can get to create awareness about S&D. Help us spread the word to those who'd like to support your friendly Latino Filmmaker!
Follow us on Seed&Spark (searchdestroyfilm), Instagram & Facebook @searchdestroy.film where you’ll get behind-the-scenes access to our full filmmaking process.
We believe storytelling is the most influential tool to inspire people in asking more interesting questions about life around them. Search & Destroy is primed to give audiences an entertaining story in the hope they will be able to hear our themes of friendship and loyalty, and the complexity of growing up.
If you contributed, I'll be reaching out to you personally to thank you for your support. But if you can’t contribute today, I hope you can stay in touch and follow along with this summer adventure! If you feel inclined, send me a note at [email protected] if you have any questions or want to say hello :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Production Meals
Costs $3,250
This cast and crew deserve the best meals for a hard day's work.
Cast and Crew Housing
Costs $3,000
Great talent is coming from all over the state this summer! Here's one way to support them.
Rentals
Costs $3,000
Night scenes can be tricky, but not when you have a little light and the right gear!
Production Design
Costs $1,500
We need some special help to bring the squad's mid 2000's world and tool kit to life!
Location Fees
Costs $1,500
Securing remarkable and existing locations that belong in a movie.
Gas Money
Costs $750
The DFW is BIG and gas is at all time highs. Help support our crew get around!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The team at Prelude films have known one another for nearly ten years. The bond we've formed from making films together has led us to the most ambitious project to date and frankly, we are going to have some f*cking fun doing it together once more! Search & Destroy is about our closest friendships and we're excited to share with you how a real life squad's bond can have a great impact on storytelling.
Originally from the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Alexander has committed to stay based in Texas utilizing intimate and creative storytelling as a film and commercial director. After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2015 with a BFA in Film/Video and earning the Outstanding Graduating Senior, he freelanced in the film industry as a camera operator, traveling worldwide for various projects. But in an effort to narrow his focus, Alexander has spent the last few years as an MFA candidate in Film & Media Production at the University of Texas at Austin. His work as a graduate student has been screened at the Austin Film Festival, deadCenter Film Festival, Palm Springs International ShortFest. His pre-thesis short film TEJANO NIGHT, was a recipient of an Austin Film Society (AFS) Grant and is currently in the 2021-2022 festival circuit with over 38 program selections.
In the summer of 2021, Alexander was selected for a 1st Place Latino Media Arts & Studies graduate award at the University of Texas at Austin, given to an individual who demonstrate a dedication and care for Latinx stories that will inspire continued exploration of Latinx narratives by media makers and scholars, alike.
Lizette Barrera is a filmmaker whose films have played at festivals and networks worldwide, including her HBO previously licensed short films MOSCA (FLY) and ¡CÓME!, and her short film CHICLE (GUM) world premiering at South By Southwest. She received the 2020 Austin Film Society Development Grant for her upcoming Feature CHICLE (GUM). She is also a recipient of WarnerMedia’s 150 Grant and a finalist for the 2021 SFFILM Rainin Grant for the Anthology feature UNTITLED TEXAS LATINA PROJECT she is co-directing with four other directors.In addition, Lizette has produced branded content for Prelude Films, in which several of their content has grander numerous awards, including their Emmy-award winning video Allen Fire Department.
She has received her MFA in Film Production at The University of Texas at Austin and has previously served as a Senior Lecturer and Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington.
When he’s not behind the camera, our Director Josh Gallas can often be found behind the drums, keeping time for the band he plays in with his four brothers. And if he’s not playing music, he might be outdoors mountain biking, skiing, or hiking.
Already an Emmy Award winning director, Josh has over a decade of experience creating commercials, documentaries, features, and short films. He’s a globe-trotter by nature and draws inspiration for projects from his travels through Turkey, Nepal, Brazil, and more.A native of Arlington, TX, with both a degree and Master’s from the University of Texas at Arlington, Josh is married to wife Abbie, an ICU nurse. They have a son Fritz, and share their home with the hairiest member of the family – Chala, the Australian Shepherd.
Book lover. Guitar player. Fan of wasabi almonds. That’s Andrew Czap… in a nutshell. An avid reader with a keen eye for aesthetics, Andrew has 12 years of combined experience as a Director of Photography, still photography, and graphic design. He’s worked on a wide variety of film and video projects, and is known and respected for his strong leadership skills on the set in helping guide productions to successful completion.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Visual Communication Design, Andrew is a devote of black & white film that he knows how to develop at home. He also enjoys the great outdoors, and loves mountain biking, camping, hiking, and skiing. But in his downtime, you’re also just as likely to find him at home with a good book and a cup of tea.
A love of peanut butter and jelly helps fuel our associate producer Seehum Isa’s passion
for competing in triathlons. But it’s blending film with marketing and advertising to help clients reach their goals that she truly loves. An experienced marketer with experience writing and producing commercials,
Seehum’s main focus is achieving what’s important to a client. She also specializes in ensuring a brand’s voice is communicated and maintained throughout their video content.
A native of El Paso, TX, and a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Seehum gave a Ted Talk when she was only 20. She has authored two children’s books on culture and religion, and also enjoys painting and baking. Seehum and her husband James make their home in Fort Worth, which they share with their French bulldog Matcha.