Squad
Aurora, Colorado | Film Short
Drama, Teen
SQUAD is a poignant coming-of-age drama that follows Lucius, a disciplined but emotionally conflicted 15-year-old, as he is thrust into leadership. The film explores themes of leadership, mental health, the cost of ambition, and paints a powerful portrait of the loneliness and resilience.
Squad
Aurora, Colorado | Film Short
Drama, Teen
1 Campaigns | Colorado, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,395 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
82 supporters | followers
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SQUAD is a poignant coming-of-age drama that follows Lucius, a disciplined but emotionally conflicted 15-year-old, as he is thrust into leadership. The film explores themes of leadership, mental health, the cost of ambition, and paints a powerful portrait of the loneliness and resilience.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When a teenage cadet is given a shot at command, he embraces a ruthless philosophy of leadership that puts him on a collision course with the one friend who trusts him most.
Lucius, a sophomore cadet: uncertain but ambitious, begins to assert himself and tests the line between leadership and control as the group fractures. This is the first moment of many, where Lucius is forced to confront a simple question: is he leading or becoming something else entirely?
ABOUT THE PROJECT
I’m raising funds to produce SQUAD, a proof of concept short film that will serve as the foundation for a feature I plan to shoot in Colorado in 2027. This short is not just a standalone project. It is a critical step in building a larger, deeply personal story about leadership, identity, and the quiet pressure placed on young people to become something before they are ready.
ABOUT MICHAEL
I grew up in Aurora, Colorado, where JROTC programs shaped the lives of many students around me. SQUAD is inspired by that world. It explores what happens when structure, discipline, and ambition collide with adolescence. At its core, this story is about a young cadet forced to make a decision that defines who he is, and what it costs him.
This matters to me because I’ve lived adjacent to this experience. As a military veteran and a filmmaker, I understand both the value and the weight of leadership. I’m interested in telling stories about young people who are asked to carry more than they should, and the emotional consequences of those expectations. There are not many films that explore this space with honesty and specificity, especially from a perspective rooted in communities like Aurora.
I work in content and distribution, but my foundation is in independent filmmaking. I started my career making short films in Colorado, and everything I’ve built since then has been with the goal of returning to tell stories there at a higher level.
This film will be produced lean and intentionally, with a focused crew and a controlled two-day shoot. We have secured meaningful in-kind support: a camera and lens package as well as post-production facility resources. Every dollar raised will go directly toward cast, crew, locations, sound, and bringing this story to life at a high level.
AND SO...
The goal is simple: create an emotional short film that proves the viability of the feature version of SQUAD. All of the money donated will be used to pay crew, location rentals, props, meals, and post-production services. With your help, we can attract partners and move us one step closer to filming in Colorado SUMMER 2026.
BUT WHY?
Because films like this literally don't exist. There is not a direct comparable film but there's strong evidence that a story like this will succeed. It involves three key ingredients: memorable ensemble characters, niche and stylized community, and strong emotional themes.
This proof of concept is a proof of characters and it's the first step in something much bigger.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Meals and Production Expenses
Costs $2,200
Our crew will dedicate two full days of non-stop filming. Meals, transportation, and equipment on set will keeps us moving efficiently.
Location Rentals
Costs $1,000
A permitted rental keeps the crew and cast safe as we film in an outdoor location.
Production Design
Costs $1,200
Funding will help keep locations and props authentic and assign a professional to keep everyone organized.
Casting
Costs $3,000
Powerful characters need experienced actors. Help us compensate our cast!
Props
Costs $1,000
These specific props (purchased, rented, or loaned) are central to the story's themes and drive the conflict.
Post-Production
Costs $1,600
Help in post-production will guarantee we complete the film quickly this fall!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Michael Hyon Johnson
Michael is a BlacKorean Air Force Veteran, Los Angeles based streaming executive and filmmaker, and a Colorado native whose work is rooted in stories about identity, leadership, and the cost of ambition. He currently serves as Director of Streaming and Content Operations at Electric Entertainment, where he oversees platform strategy, distribution, and audience growth for ElectricNOW across major platforms including Roku, Amazon Prime Video, and Samsung TV+. His career spans digital media and entertainment, with previous work at Machinima, Inc. and BuzzFeed, where he built a foundation in storytelling, audience engagement, and content strategy.
Michael grew up in Aurora, Colorado and participated in a JROTC program in Aurora, the same program that inspired SQUAD. Later he began making short films and competing in local film races while producing a popular web-series for Machinima, Inc. Those early experiences: in filmmaking and in structured military environments, continue to shape his voice as a storyteller.
Michael is a graduate of the Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts MFA program in Film Production and a United States Air Force veteran. He has been recognized by programs including the Realscreen/NATPE Dialog Mentorship, The War Horse Black Veterans Writing Fellowship, Tyler Perry Dream Collective, Stowe Narrative Writer's Lab, Netflix Animation Foundations Writer's Program, the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, the AT&T Veterans Media Fellowship, and winner of the 2022 Spring M Film Lab.
Angel Williams
Angel Williams is a U.S. Army veteran, award-winning writer and producer, and co-founder of Soldier Up Productions, where she develops bold, inclusive stories for film and television. Her work centers on amplifying underrepresented voices and creating emotionally resonant content that connects with diverse audiences.
Her original scripts, Stone Fate and Conversations with Mom, have been recognized on Coverfly’s Red List and as ScreenCraft Film Fund semifinalists. She co-wrote and produced the PBS-acclaimed docuseries Renegades, and her producing credits include I Got Next and The Taking of Courtroom One, Two, Three (in partnership with MACRO). She also served as script supervisor on Brand New, now streaming on ALLBLK.
In addition to her creative work, Angel serves as Board Chair of Women in Film & Media Colorado (WIFMCO) and Member-At-Large of Women in Film & Television US (WIFT US), where she advocates for equity and access in the entertainment industry.
With a strong production track record and a mission-driven approach, Angel continues to shape impactful stories that inspire, challenge, and move culture forward.
Keonia "Ke-Ke" Williams
Keonia “Ke-Ke” Williams is an actress, writer, and producer driven by character-first storytelling and honest representation. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised across the U.S. in a military family, she grew up with a wide-lens view of people and place—an experience that now fuels the empathy and range in her work. Keonia began acting at nine in theater before transitioning to film and television, with screen credits including Dear Eleanor, The Accountant, Netflix’s Amateur, and the series Daybreak.
Behind the camera, she co-founded Soldier Up Productions alongside her mother and discovered her voice as a screenwriter during the COVID-19 pandemic. She co-produced the documentary Barriers Included, produced short films, In Real Life (IRL), and I Got Next. Her debut feature screenplay, Rare, is currently being submitted to screenplay contests.
A current fellow of the Disability Belongs Entertainment Lab, Keonia champions inclusive, emotionally resonant stories that reflect the world as it is—and as it should be.
Robert Chuck
Robert is a Chinese-Filipino cinematographer originally from Honolulu, Hawai’i. His passion for visual media started in graphic design and evolved into a passion for visual storytelling through filmmaking and cinematography. He moved to California to pursue a career in film, earning his MFA in Cinematography at Chapman University in 2018. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Chuck’s goal is to make meaningful connections through filmmaking that broaden his world view, while also exploring his own roots. His work has been previously featured at Slamdance and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and he is a 2025 Project Involve Cinematography fellow.
Torey Sinclair
Torey is a Chicago based filmmaker and Cleveland native who focuses on character driven stories about people feeling stuck, searching for direction, or quietly afraid of what comes next. He earned his degree in Video Production from Ohio University and later received his MFA in Screenwriting from Chapman University, where several of his short scripts were produced.
Peng Wang
Peng is a versatile film and television editor known for shaping emotionally driven stories across documentary and series formats. With credits on Netflix’s Untold franchise, Disney+, HBO, and NBCU, Peng brings a sharp instinct and a collaborative approach to crafting compelling and emotionally charged narratives.
Alex Iseri
Alex is an award winning colorist, filmmaker, and educator whose work bridges technical precision with cinematic storytelling. He is half Japanese and brings a personal perspective that informs his visual approach. He holds both an MBA and MFA, combining artistic discipline with a deep understanding of production and post production workflows.
His professional credits include Assistant Editor on Leverage: Redemption, along with work on projects such as The Bunker, The Butcher, The Clearing, and The Dark Military, spanning both narrative and documentary filmmaking.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When a teenage cadet is given a shot at command, he embraces a ruthless philosophy of leadership that puts him on a collision course with the one friend who trusts him most.
Lucius, a sophomore cadet: uncertain but ambitious, begins to assert himself and tests the line between leadership and control as the group fractures. This is the first moment of many, where Lucius is forced to confront a simple question: is he leading or becoming something else entirely?
ABOUT THE PROJECT
I’m raising funds to produce SQUAD, a proof of concept short film that will serve as the foundation for a feature I plan to shoot in Colorado in 2027. This short is not just a standalone project. It is a critical step in building a larger, deeply personal story about leadership, identity, and the quiet pressure placed on young people to become something before they are ready.
ABOUT MICHAEL
I grew up in Aurora, Colorado, where JROTC programs shaped the lives of many students around me. SQUAD is inspired by that world. It explores what happens when structure, discipline, and ambition collide with adolescence. At its core, this story is about a young cadet forced to make a decision that defines who he is, and what it costs him.
This matters to me because I’ve lived adjacent to this experience. As a military veteran and a filmmaker, I understand both the value and the weight of leadership. I’m interested in telling stories about young people who are asked to carry more than they should, and the emotional consequences of those expectations. There are not many films that explore this space with honesty and specificity, especially from a perspective rooted in communities like Aurora.
I work in content and distribution, but my foundation is in independent filmmaking. I started my career making short films in Colorado, and everything I’ve built since then has been with the goal of returning to tell stories there at a higher level.
This film will be produced lean and intentionally, with a focused crew and a controlled two-day shoot. We have secured meaningful in-kind support: a camera and lens package as well as post-production facility resources. Every dollar raised will go directly toward cast, crew, locations, sound, and bringing this story to life at a high level.
AND SO...
The goal is simple: create an emotional short film that proves the viability of the feature version of SQUAD. All of the money donated will be used to pay crew, location rentals, props, meals, and post-production services. With your help, we can attract partners and move us one step closer to filming in Colorado SUMMER 2026.
BUT WHY?
Because films like this literally don't exist. There is not a direct comparable film but there's strong evidence that a story like this will succeed. It involves three key ingredients: memorable ensemble characters, niche and stylized community, and strong emotional themes.
This proof of concept is a proof of characters and it's the first step in something much bigger.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Meals and Production Expenses
Costs $2,200
Our crew will dedicate two full days of non-stop filming. Meals, transportation, and equipment on set will keeps us moving efficiently.
Location Rentals
Costs $1,000
A permitted rental keeps the crew and cast safe as we film in an outdoor location.
Production Design
Costs $1,200
Funding will help keep locations and props authentic and assign a professional to keep everyone organized.
Casting
Costs $3,000
Powerful characters need experienced actors. Help us compensate our cast!
Props
Costs $1,000
These specific props (purchased, rented, or loaned) are central to the story's themes and drive the conflict.
Post-Production
Costs $1,600
Help in post-production will guarantee we complete the film quickly this fall!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Michael Hyon Johnson
Michael is a BlacKorean Air Force Veteran, Los Angeles based streaming executive and filmmaker, and a Colorado native whose work is rooted in stories about identity, leadership, and the cost of ambition. He currently serves as Director of Streaming and Content Operations at Electric Entertainment, where he oversees platform strategy, distribution, and audience growth for ElectricNOW across major platforms including Roku, Amazon Prime Video, and Samsung TV+. His career spans digital media and entertainment, with previous work at Machinima, Inc. and BuzzFeed, where he built a foundation in storytelling, audience engagement, and content strategy.
Michael grew up in Aurora, Colorado and participated in a JROTC program in Aurora, the same program that inspired SQUAD. Later he began making short films and competing in local film races while producing a popular web-series for Machinima, Inc. Those early experiences: in filmmaking and in structured military environments, continue to shape his voice as a storyteller.
Michael is a graduate of the Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts MFA program in Film Production and a United States Air Force veteran. He has been recognized by programs including the Realscreen/NATPE Dialog Mentorship, The War Horse Black Veterans Writing Fellowship, Tyler Perry Dream Collective, Stowe Narrative Writer's Lab, Netflix Animation Foundations Writer's Program, the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, the AT&T Veterans Media Fellowship, and winner of the 2022 Spring M Film Lab.
Angel Williams
Angel Williams is a U.S. Army veteran, award-winning writer and producer, and co-founder of Soldier Up Productions, where she develops bold, inclusive stories for film and television. Her work centers on amplifying underrepresented voices and creating emotionally resonant content that connects with diverse audiences.
Her original scripts, Stone Fate and Conversations with Mom, have been recognized on Coverfly’s Red List and as ScreenCraft Film Fund semifinalists. She co-wrote and produced the PBS-acclaimed docuseries Renegades, and her producing credits include I Got Next and The Taking of Courtroom One, Two, Three (in partnership with MACRO). She also served as script supervisor on Brand New, now streaming on ALLBLK.
In addition to her creative work, Angel serves as Board Chair of Women in Film & Media Colorado (WIFMCO) and Member-At-Large of Women in Film & Television US (WIFT US), where she advocates for equity and access in the entertainment industry.
With a strong production track record and a mission-driven approach, Angel continues to shape impactful stories that inspire, challenge, and move culture forward.
Keonia "Ke-Ke" Williams
Keonia “Ke-Ke” Williams is an actress, writer, and producer driven by character-first storytelling and honest representation. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised across the U.S. in a military family, she grew up with a wide-lens view of people and place—an experience that now fuels the empathy and range in her work. Keonia began acting at nine in theater before transitioning to film and television, with screen credits including Dear Eleanor, The Accountant, Netflix’s Amateur, and the series Daybreak.
Behind the camera, she co-founded Soldier Up Productions alongside her mother and discovered her voice as a screenwriter during the COVID-19 pandemic. She co-produced the documentary Barriers Included, produced short films, In Real Life (IRL), and I Got Next. Her debut feature screenplay, Rare, is currently being submitted to screenplay contests.
A current fellow of the Disability Belongs Entertainment Lab, Keonia champions inclusive, emotionally resonant stories that reflect the world as it is—and as it should be.
Robert Chuck
Robert is a Chinese-Filipino cinematographer originally from Honolulu, Hawai’i. His passion for visual media started in graphic design and evolved into a passion for visual storytelling through filmmaking and cinematography. He moved to California to pursue a career in film, earning his MFA in Cinematography at Chapman University in 2018. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Chuck’s goal is to make meaningful connections through filmmaking that broaden his world view, while also exploring his own roots. His work has been previously featured at Slamdance and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and he is a 2025 Project Involve Cinematography fellow.
Torey Sinclair
Torey is a Chicago based filmmaker and Cleveland native who focuses on character driven stories about people feeling stuck, searching for direction, or quietly afraid of what comes next. He earned his degree in Video Production from Ohio University and later received his MFA in Screenwriting from Chapman University, where several of his short scripts were produced.
Peng Wang
Peng is a versatile film and television editor known for shaping emotionally driven stories across documentary and series formats. With credits on Netflix’s Untold franchise, Disney+, HBO, and NBCU, Peng brings a sharp instinct and a collaborative approach to crafting compelling and emotionally charged narratives.
Alex Iseri
Alex is an award winning colorist, filmmaker, and educator whose work bridges technical precision with cinematic storytelling. He is half Japanese and brings a personal perspective that informs his visual approach. He holds both an MBA and MFA, combining artistic discipline with a deep understanding of production and post production workflows.
His professional credits include Assistant Editor on Leverage: Redemption, along with work on projects such as The Bunker, The Butcher, The Clearing, and The Dark Military, spanning both narrative and documentary filmmaking.