Smells Like Victory
New York City, New York | Film Short
Sport, Drama
After the legendary sharting dunk incident that ruined his life, Zeek Da' Freak vowed never dunk or touch a basketball ever again. Until, 24 years later, when a couple of college students convince him to play a game with them, a friendly shootaround sends Zeek back into his competitive "freak-mode."
Smells Like Victory
New York City, New York | Film Short
Sport, Drama
Green Light
This campaign raised $2,630 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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After the legendary sharting dunk incident that ruined his life, Zeek Da' Freak vowed never dunk or touch a basketball ever again. Until, 24 years later, when a couple of college students convince him to play a game with them, a friendly shootaround sends Zeek back into his competitive "freak-mode."
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Two benchwarmers. One suburban driveway. And a legend no one has seen in over two decades.
Nate and Chris have been spending their nights shooting around Nate’s driveway, sulking over the fact that they have moved from the starting lineup to the bench at Middletown North Community College, convinced that if they “lock in,” they can still make it to the league.
But a quiet sanitation worker starts cleaning the neighborhood, Nate becomes obsessed with the possibility that this man is Zeek Da’ Freak, the greatest player their school has ever seen, a mythical figure whose career ended in the infamous “sharting dunk” heard around campus lore. Nate believes that if they can convince Zeek to play with them, he can teach them some of his skills.
What begins as an awkward shootaround turns into a resurrection. As Zeek is coaxed back into playing, much to Chris’ dismay. In Zeek’s mind, the humiliating past he tried to run from resurfaces. But eventually, the driveway transforms into something larger than itself. Zeek gets his confidence back, and the cockiness that caused “the incident” all of those years ago is back - Nate and Chris realize they have unleashed a monster; Freak Mode returns. The legend is real again. Unless history repeats itself…
LOCATIONS
Driveway
This is where most of the film will take place. Where we are first introduced to Nate, Chris, and Zeek. We are shooting this at night and are planning to play with a lot of contrast and the shadows that would naturally fall on a subject playing basketball at night on an outdoor hoop with some warmer colors motivated by house lights.
Flashback Sequences/Indoor Court
We will pop in and out of the basketball court a lot. This is where we meet Young Zeek and Ashton. This will be a dream state/flashback of Zeek looking back on the moment that ruined his entire life. There will be no crowd as this will be shot from Zeek's perspective, representing his distorted sense of reality and how he remembers that fateful night almost 25 years ago.
WHY WILL THIS WORK?
The visual style subverts the rules that a comedy of this nature usually abides by, adding to its absurdity.
WHY THIS IS THE BEST MEDIUM FOR THE PROJECT
Smells Like Victory captures Zeek Da Freak at a point where his legacy collides with who he is now. The short form is the most effective vessel, given that the story follows him at the precise moment in time when he's faced with a decision.
WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN?
Shooting will take place on March 28th-March 29th with an NYC-based crew out of NYU, shooting in Middletown and Holmdel, New Jersey.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment
Costs $1,200
Our lighting and lens choices are all motivated by aspects of the story. This is imperative to moving the story forward.
Food
Costs $360
We need to feed our crew and Da' Freak.
Transportation
Costs $350
We will need to rent a van to get the gear to the set!
Lodging
Costs $650
We are shooting in New Jersey, so we will need an Airbnb for one night to lodge NY based crew members.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director
Mekhi Lee is a filmmaker at NYU's Tisch. Growing up in the South Bronx shaped the way he sees the world. Learning to find joy in the small moments and odd jokes, he has a goal to show that comedic narratives can be just as profound as dramatic ones. Working with true intention and shying away from abstract concepts is a focus of his. This story is a personal one to him as he has sharted himself on numerous occasions.
Director of Photography
Htet Aung Ye Yint is a Burmese cinematographer & filmmaker from Myanmar, and a Film & TV student at NYU's Tisch. Through his work, Htet hopes to convey and explore the vulnerability of human emotions through a visual cinematic lens. Htet is drawn to this project through its serious yet comedic elements and its unorthodox way of approaching its visual language, in contrast to the film. He is also a big fan of pooping.
Producer
Vignesh Jangareddi is a New York City–based filmmaker studying at NYU's Tisch who has built a large online community through digital storytelling and audience-focused content. Drawing from his experience growing a 600,000+ member audience and running a production company, he’s bringing both creative vision and practical marketing insight to this project.
Production Designer
Saho is a sophomore in Film and Television at NYU Tisch. She hopes to help the world of Zeek Da' Freak come to life through her role as the production designer.
Assitant Director
Sebastian Rachid is a filmmaker and student at NYU Tisch. As the assistant director on the project, he hopes to help keep things running smoothly and make sure the shoot stays on track so everyone can focus on doing their best work.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Two benchwarmers. One suburban driveway. And a legend no one has seen in over two decades.
Nate and Chris have been spending their nights shooting around Nate’s driveway, sulking over the fact that they have moved from the starting lineup to the bench at Middletown North Community College, convinced that if they “lock in,” they can still make it to the league.
But a quiet sanitation worker starts cleaning the neighborhood, Nate becomes obsessed with the possibility that this man is Zeek Da’ Freak, the greatest player their school has ever seen, a mythical figure whose career ended in the infamous “sharting dunk” heard around campus lore. Nate believes that if they can convince Zeek to play with them, he can teach them some of his skills.
What begins as an awkward shootaround turns into a resurrection. As Zeek is coaxed back into playing, much to Chris’ dismay. In Zeek’s mind, the humiliating past he tried to run from resurfaces. But eventually, the driveway transforms into something larger than itself. Zeek gets his confidence back, and the cockiness that caused “the incident” all of those years ago is back - Nate and Chris realize they have unleashed a monster; Freak Mode returns. The legend is real again. Unless history repeats itself…
LOCATIONS
Driveway
This is where most of the film will take place. Where we are first introduced to Nate, Chris, and Zeek. We are shooting this at night and are planning to play with a lot of contrast and the shadows that would naturally fall on a subject playing basketball at night on an outdoor hoop with some warmer colors motivated by house lights.
Flashback Sequences/Indoor Court
We will pop in and out of the basketball court a lot. This is where we meet Young Zeek and Ashton. This will be a dream state/flashback of Zeek looking back on the moment that ruined his entire life. There will be no crowd as this will be shot from Zeek's perspective, representing his distorted sense of reality and how he remembers that fateful night almost 25 years ago.
WHY WILL THIS WORK?
The visual style subverts the rules that a comedy of this nature usually abides by, adding to its absurdity.
WHY THIS IS THE BEST MEDIUM FOR THE PROJECT
Smells Like Victory captures Zeek Da Freak at a point where his legacy collides with who he is now. The short form is the most effective vessel, given that the story follows him at the precise moment in time when he's faced with a decision.
WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN?
Shooting will take place on March 28th-March 29th with an NYC-based crew out of NYU, shooting in Middletown and Holmdel, New Jersey.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment
Costs $1,200
Our lighting and lens choices are all motivated by aspects of the story. This is imperative to moving the story forward.
Food
Costs $360
We need to feed our crew and Da' Freak.
Transportation
Costs $350
We will need to rent a van to get the gear to the set!
Lodging
Costs $650
We are shooting in New Jersey, so we will need an Airbnb for one night to lodge NY based crew members.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director
Mekhi Lee is a filmmaker at NYU's Tisch. Growing up in the South Bronx shaped the way he sees the world. Learning to find joy in the small moments and odd jokes, he has a goal to show that comedic narratives can be just as profound as dramatic ones. Working with true intention and shying away from abstract concepts is a focus of his. This story is a personal one to him as he has sharted himself on numerous occasions.
Director of Photography
Htet Aung Ye Yint is a Burmese cinematographer & filmmaker from Myanmar, and a Film & TV student at NYU's Tisch. Through his work, Htet hopes to convey and explore the vulnerability of human emotions through a visual cinematic lens. Htet is drawn to this project through its serious yet comedic elements and its unorthodox way of approaching its visual language, in contrast to the film. He is also a big fan of pooping.
Producer
Vignesh Jangareddi is a New York City–based filmmaker studying at NYU's Tisch who has built a large online community through digital storytelling and audience-focused content. Drawing from his experience growing a 600,000+ member audience and running a production company, he’s bringing both creative vision and practical marketing insight to this project.
Production Designer
Saho is a sophomore in Film and Television at NYU Tisch. She hopes to help the world of Zeek Da' Freak come to life through her role as the production designer.
Assitant Director
Sebastian Rachid is a filmmaker and student at NYU Tisch. As the assistant director on the project, he hopes to help keep things running smoothly and make sure the shoot stays on track so everyone can focus on doing their best work.