Spring Break in LA
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Comedy, Teen
Hank, Eli, Andrew and Chris, best friends and seniors in high school, embark on a road trip around Southern California. The trip soon stalls out on an empty college campus in LA, where the only other people around are a 23-year-old has-been and a college theater troupe.
Spring Break in LA
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Comedy, Teen
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $38,271 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
122 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Hank, Eli, Andrew and Chris, best friends and seniors in high school, embark on a road trip around Southern California. The trip soon stalls out on an empty college campus in LA, where the only other people around are a 23-year-old has-been and a college theater troupe.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
UPDATE 5/1/22 - WE'RE FULLY FUNDED! Now, we're looking ahead to our stretch goals:
$38,500 - A longer stay in our primary location "Solo's House" to give us more room to get those scenes right
$40,000 - Professional coloring and sound mixing that would give this movie the "look" that belongs in a theater
$45,000 - More competitive pay for our crew who will be dedicating 3 weeks of their lives to this project
Spring Break in LA (still a working title) is written and directed by Will Gundlach, a student of the MFA Director’s program in UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. Inspired by the formative road trips Will took in his youth, the film tells the story of four high school friends from Sacramento who decide to take a road trip around SoCal for spring break. Once in LA, the “Sac Boys” stay at a college party house next to campus.The only problem is the college is also on spring break - prompting the guys to make friends in unlikely places, explore the city on their own terms, and confront the reality of growing up and wanting different things.
We originally planned to shoot Spring Break in LA in August 2021, but unfortunately we had to shut down after just two days of filming due to COVID-19. We’ve used the time to rethink our film and make it better. With the added money from our Seed&Spark campaign, the film will be able to have a more ambitious scope, better locations, and we’ll also be able to pay many more of the talented artists involved in the project. Now, we're shooting in July 2022 and will submit this film to festivals in 2023, with a hope to eventually be purchased and added to a streaming service!
As much as this is a movie about male friendship, the production is not a boys’ club. Two of our producers and our cinematographer are women. And that’s just who we’ve confirmed so far. We’re looking to make this story and our crew inclusive, informed by multiple perspectives, and relatable no matter who you are or where you come from.
Overall, it’s a celebration of friendship, growing up, Los Angeles, and the things that make us all unique. And if these last few years have taught us anything, it's that a fun hangout movie is exactly what we need right now.
The vision for this movie mixes Will’s love for Hollywood coming-of-age movies with his love for talk-y foreign coming-of-age movies. Think Judd Apatow meets Mia Hansen-Løve. While these might seem like contrasting styles on the surface, both put interesting, multidimensional characters at the center of stories that are ultimately about growing up and how we relate to each other.
A lot of first films try to be way too showy cinematographically. In SBILA we want to focus on the characters. The best way to do that is with simple cinematography that allows our actors freedom of movement in these beautiful locations we’ve found around LA and UCLA.
As far as content, few movies show close male friendships as more than excuses for comedic sidekicks, which usually take backseats to love interests. SBILA allows the four Sac Boys’ friendship to be a central theme, showing guys who actually talk about their feelings with each other. The Sac Boys are the kind of bros who watch rom coms together to get jacked up on love. They're the sort of bros who will all eventually become humanities majors once in college. To put it simply, The Sac Boys are sensitive, artsy bros -- just like Will and his friends growing up and just like our four main leads we cast in the film.
Here are some films that inspire Spring Break in LA:
We have four main characters: Chris, Hank, Andrew and Eli - also known as the “Sac Boys.” They each have their own unique voices, goals, and relationships to each other, largely shaped by the actors themselves. Through extensive rehearsals, one-on-one character development, and a script that allows for a lot of improv, we’ve created a hangout movie that feels real. Our actors will bring specific, nuanced performances to the screen informed by their own experiences.
Our seven leads – the Sac Boys plus their love interests and new friends – include people of color and members of the LGBT community. While the original concept is based on Will’s experiences, we’ve cast people from all backgrounds in order to bring other artists into the story and create a varied, authentic ensemble of friends. We’re telling a story of friendship from all walks of life through a vibey road-trip comedy.
Everyone knows how important a good playlist is for a road trip. So, for a road trip movie, we need an excellent soundtrack. With a lot of driving scenes, and many locations contrasting the different parts of Los Angeles, we’re working to build a unique score and get licensing rights for songs that will make a soundtrack perfect for any road trip.
While we’d love a multi-million dollar soundtrack budget for this film, we’re an independent production. Therefore, we will be leaning into independent artists who capture the sound we want and aim to support their music in our work.
In the meantime, here are some of our characters' fave road trip tracks:
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Also, shoutout to Bensound.com for providing the music in our pitch video.
It’s clear that everyone involved in this project is incredibly passionate about the story we’re telling. A majority of our original team has held on with us for the last year and will return for our revamped production. Now we just need YOU to help bring this to life! If you have ever been on a road trip, have ever been on the edge of adulthood trying to figure it all out, or just want to see more heartwarming on-screen bromance, this project is for you.
Here’s how you can support us:
FOLLOW THIS CAMPAIGN
Click the “Follow Project” button at the top of this page to get updates from our campaign. You’ll be the first to know about our crowdfunding status, updates about the cast and crew, and cool BTS (behind the scenes) info from our shoot this summer.
CONTRIBUTE
When we say every bit helps, we mean it. Your contributions will go toward LA film permits, location fees, food for our cast and crew, COVID supplies, equipment rentals, compensation for our artists, and so much more. Check out the WishList tab for more details. Supporting us especially means supporting the careers of everyone involved, propelling them into the highly competitive film industry and allowing them to have the resources to show what they can do.
SHARE OUR STORY
Word of mouth is powerful. If you like our story and what we stand for, please spread the word to your family and friends. You can share the link to this campaign or our Instagram page to let others know about this project and how they can support us too. In fact, here's some text you can copy and paste on social media to share our project:
I'm supporting Spring Break in LA, a new feature film by Will Gundlach. Check out the film at seedandspark.com/fund/springbreakinla to learn more and contribute to their campaign. #SBILA
If you love road trips and movies about road trips, then you'll love the upcoming movie Spring Break in LA. Support this incredible cast and crew by going to seedandspark.com/fund/springbreakinla. #SBILA
Introducing Spring Break in LA - the road trip hangout movie you didn't know you needed until right now. Learn more at seedandspark.com/fund/springbreakinla. #SBILA
THANK YOU for taking the time to read about our project and support independent filmmakers. We can’t wait to show you Spring Break in LA!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Hard Drives
Costs $1,500
A place to store our precious footage safely!
Camera Package
Costs $6,000
Renting nice camera equipment so the time, energy and rehearsals put into this look stunning.
G&E Package
Costs $4,000
G&E (grip and electric) includes lights, c-stands, extension cords and more.
Locations
Costs $6,000
We are shooting not only on the UCLA campus, but at various houses that we need to rent.
Production Design
Costs $2,500
All of the furniture, props and decor for 3 separate locations.
Catering and Craft Services
Costs $4,000
Our cast and crew need to be fed during long, 12-hour work days.
Insurance
Costs $1,800
Insurance for our expensive equipment and even more valuable team members.
Post-Production
Costs $6,500
Picture editing, sound editing, music, coloring and more.
Sound
Costs $4,700
Equipment and crew to record audio on set via a boom and lavalier mics.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a passionate group of undergrad students, grad students, post-grad filmmakers, and friends. We all met in one way or another at UCLA and can't wait to film SBILA on the campus we know so well. We are excited bring you a story influenced by all of our experiences at UCLA and beyond. - directed by Will and produced by Natalie
Other projects from us:
Property of the Majester (short film - password:tft) - directed by Will, produced by Natalie, shot by Gaby
Riley (feature film) - co-produced by Natalie
Angeles (short film) - produced by Samantha and Juan starring Natalie
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
UPDATE 5/1/22 - WE'RE FULLY FUNDED! Now, we're looking ahead to our stretch goals:
$38,500 - A longer stay in our primary location "Solo's House" to give us more room to get those scenes right
$40,000 - Professional coloring and sound mixing that would give this movie the "look" that belongs in a theater
$45,000 - More competitive pay for our crew who will be dedicating 3 weeks of their lives to this project
Spring Break in LA (still a working title) is written and directed by Will Gundlach, a student of the MFA Director’s program in UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. Inspired by the formative road trips Will took in his youth, the film tells the story of four high school friends from Sacramento who decide to take a road trip around SoCal for spring break. Once in LA, the “Sac Boys” stay at a college party house next to campus.The only problem is the college is also on spring break - prompting the guys to make friends in unlikely places, explore the city on their own terms, and confront the reality of growing up and wanting different things.
We originally planned to shoot Spring Break in LA in August 2021, but unfortunately we had to shut down after just two days of filming due to COVID-19. We’ve used the time to rethink our film and make it better. With the added money from our Seed&Spark campaign, the film will be able to have a more ambitious scope, better locations, and we’ll also be able to pay many more of the talented artists involved in the project. Now, we're shooting in July 2022 and will submit this film to festivals in 2023, with a hope to eventually be purchased and added to a streaming service!
As much as this is a movie about male friendship, the production is not a boys’ club. Two of our producers and our cinematographer are women. And that’s just who we’ve confirmed so far. We’re looking to make this story and our crew inclusive, informed by multiple perspectives, and relatable no matter who you are or where you come from.
Overall, it’s a celebration of friendship, growing up, Los Angeles, and the things that make us all unique. And if these last few years have taught us anything, it's that a fun hangout movie is exactly what we need right now.
The vision for this movie mixes Will’s love for Hollywood coming-of-age movies with his love for talk-y foreign coming-of-age movies. Think Judd Apatow meets Mia Hansen-Løve. While these might seem like contrasting styles on the surface, both put interesting, multidimensional characters at the center of stories that are ultimately about growing up and how we relate to each other.
A lot of first films try to be way too showy cinematographically. In SBILA we want to focus on the characters. The best way to do that is with simple cinematography that allows our actors freedom of movement in these beautiful locations we’ve found around LA and UCLA.
As far as content, few movies show close male friendships as more than excuses for comedic sidekicks, which usually take backseats to love interests. SBILA allows the four Sac Boys’ friendship to be a central theme, showing guys who actually talk about their feelings with each other. The Sac Boys are the kind of bros who watch rom coms together to get jacked up on love. They're the sort of bros who will all eventually become humanities majors once in college. To put it simply, The Sac Boys are sensitive, artsy bros -- just like Will and his friends growing up and just like our four main leads we cast in the film.
Here are some films that inspire Spring Break in LA:
We have four main characters: Chris, Hank, Andrew and Eli - also known as the “Sac Boys.” They each have their own unique voices, goals, and relationships to each other, largely shaped by the actors themselves. Through extensive rehearsals, one-on-one character development, and a script that allows for a lot of improv, we’ve created a hangout movie that feels real. Our actors will bring specific, nuanced performances to the screen informed by their own experiences.
Our seven leads – the Sac Boys plus their love interests and new friends – include people of color and members of the LGBT community. While the original concept is based on Will’s experiences, we’ve cast people from all backgrounds in order to bring other artists into the story and create a varied, authentic ensemble of friends. We’re telling a story of friendship from all walks of life through a vibey road-trip comedy.
Everyone knows how important a good playlist is for a road trip. So, for a road trip movie, we need an excellent soundtrack. With a lot of driving scenes, and many locations contrasting the different parts of Los Angeles, we’re working to build a unique score and get licensing rights for songs that will make a soundtrack perfect for any road trip.
While we’d love a multi-million dollar soundtrack budget for this film, we’re an independent production. Therefore, we will be leaning into independent artists who capture the sound we want and aim to support their music in our work.
In the meantime, here are some of our characters' fave road trip tracks:
Also, shoutout to Bensound.com for providing the music in our pitch video.
It’s clear that everyone involved in this project is incredibly passionate about the story we’re telling. A majority of our original team has held on with us for the last year and will return for our revamped production. Now we just need YOU to help bring this to life! If you have ever been on a road trip, have ever been on the edge of adulthood trying to figure it all out, or just want to see more heartwarming on-screen bromance, this project is for you.
Here’s how you can support us:
FOLLOW THIS CAMPAIGN
Click the “Follow Project” button at the top of this page to get updates from our campaign. You’ll be the first to know about our crowdfunding status, updates about the cast and crew, and cool BTS (behind the scenes) info from our shoot this summer.
CONTRIBUTE
When we say every bit helps, we mean it. Your contributions will go toward LA film permits, location fees, food for our cast and crew, COVID supplies, equipment rentals, compensation for our artists, and so much more. Check out the WishList tab for more details. Supporting us especially means supporting the careers of everyone involved, propelling them into the highly competitive film industry and allowing them to have the resources to show what they can do.
SHARE OUR STORY
Word of mouth is powerful. If you like our story and what we stand for, please spread the word to your family and friends. You can share the link to this campaign or our Instagram page to let others know about this project and how they can support us too. In fact, here's some text you can copy and paste on social media to share our project:
I'm supporting Spring Break in LA, a new feature film by Will Gundlach. Check out the film at seedandspark.com/fund/springbreakinla to learn more and contribute to their campaign. #SBILA
If you love road trips and movies about road trips, then you'll love the upcoming movie Spring Break in LA. Support this incredible cast and crew by going to seedandspark.com/fund/springbreakinla. #SBILA
Introducing Spring Break in LA - the road trip hangout movie you didn't know you needed until right now. Learn more at seedandspark.com/fund/springbreakinla. #SBILA
THANK YOU for taking the time to read about our project and support independent filmmakers. We can’t wait to show you Spring Break in LA!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Hard Drives
Costs $1,500
A place to store our precious footage safely!
Camera Package
Costs $6,000
Renting nice camera equipment so the time, energy and rehearsals put into this look stunning.
G&E Package
Costs $4,000
G&E (grip and electric) includes lights, c-stands, extension cords and more.
Locations
Costs $6,000
We are shooting not only on the UCLA campus, but at various houses that we need to rent.
Production Design
Costs $2,500
All of the furniture, props and decor for 3 separate locations.
Catering and Craft Services
Costs $4,000
Our cast and crew need to be fed during long, 12-hour work days.
Insurance
Costs $1,800
Insurance for our expensive equipment and even more valuable team members.
Post-Production
Costs $6,500
Picture editing, sound editing, music, coloring and more.
Sound
Costs $4,700
Equipment and crew to record audio on set via a boom and lavalier mics.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a passionate group of undergrad students, grad students, post-grad filmmakers, and friends. We all met in one way or another at UCLA and can't wait to film SBILA on the campus we know so well. We are excited bring you a story influenced by all of our experiences at UCLA and beyond. - directed by Will and produced by Natalie
Other projects from us:
Property of the Majester (short film - password:tft) - directed by Will, produced by Natalie, shot by Gaby
Riley (feature film) - co-produced by Natalie
Angeles (short film) - produced by Samantha and Juan starring Natalie