STRAIGHT UP is a feature film about intellectual soul mates. Todd might be gay. Rory might not care. A neat romantic-comedy drama with a twist; this is a love story without the thrill of copulation.
STRAIGHT UP is a feature film about intellectual soul mates. Todd might be gay. Rory might not care. A neat romantic-comedy drama with a twist; this is a love story without the thrill of copulation.
Participating In

100 Days of Optimism
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Story
Mission Statement
Starring an anti-leading man, our film illuminates issues of mental health and sexual identity with humor and depth (including some less trodden words on the spectrum: aesexuality, bisexuality, and heteromanticism.) Also, James is clearly Asian.About The Project
Salutations! Please take off your shoes, keep your socks on, and stay awhile.
Do you like smart comedies? Do you feel guilty using the handicap stall? Are you convinced you're going to die alone? Then keep reading, this is the movie for you!
This is the story of gay boy meets lonely girl... So we made a proof of concept for FOX Digital Studios, entitled Normal Doors. It was featured on Short of the Week. (See below).
Todd is a persnickety half-virgin diagnosed with OCD who thinks maybe he was socially conditioned to be gay. Rory is a struggling actress with her own sexual trauma who thinks Todd is #notallmen. They discover a shared fondness for Gilmore Girls and bananagrams and quickly evolve into two peas in a platonic pod. Then they fall in love. And the big question looms over them: can their relationship sustain without physical intimacy? Can Todd (or anyone) choose his sexual identity? What is love? Okay, we ask several big questions...
Good news is we've already raised the majority of financing through private equity. Not buttloads, but enough that, with your help, we can finally make Straight Up! To be clear though, if we do NOT raise our goal, this movie is dead. Deeaad. Dumbledore-level dead.
We have assembled a team of professional filmmakers who specialize in low-budget indies. In addition to Normal Doors, we have made a string of shorts together, including The First, Scenes from a Song, and Before Midnight Cowboy (currently streaming here on Seed&Spark.) Our film school training and years of production experience, combined with our industry relationships, will ensure Straight Up looks, sounds, and feels like a professional film at a fraction of the cost of a studio-financed feature.
We have a 20-day shoot and plan to commence filming in June. Post-production will take place over the summer, and we will submit to major film festivals and premiere in 2019. If we're extremely lucky, we could be in a theater near you next fall! (An arthouse theater subsidized by MoviePass, let's be real, we're not making Rampage.)
To the right, to the right. Everything you want is in a box to the right.
These rewards were meticulously crafted for your pleasure. Our three personal favorite incentives are The Grateful Banana, The Prop Master, and The Witty Banter Scene. The latter two are in short supply, so don't delay!
Our Seed&Spark Bananagram Sets will feature custom artwork AND thanks to our friends at Bananagrams HQ, our sets will also have wild tiles — special tiles that can stand in for any letter. We'll also include our Straight Up 'House Rules' inside the banana pouch. *There may or may not be a drinking game.
Importante Information:
· Travel, lodging and transportation to events are not included at any incentive level
· Some rewards may require additional paperwork (to protect us and you), such as a non-disclosure agreement or legal clearances.
So it's a different cast than Normal Doors?
Yes. It's possible you may see a familiar face in Straight Up, subject to actor availability, as these things go in show business. Stay tuned for casting announcements!
I have a fancy apartment/house in L.A. county. Do you want to film there?
Maybe! Please click the 'Loan' button under our 'Wishlist' and send us a message or reach out to us with pictures at [email protected].
What the f*ck is a instabananagram?
It's an anagram of your first + last name. We will email you an instagram-ready photo; share it, frame it, or delete it (but don't tell us. These are handmade, y'all.) #straightupfilm
Is the white elephant gift going to be something dumb, like a jar of peanut butter?
How little you think of me. At the very least, it will be Justin's Nut Butter. The questionnaire will help us gage your sense of humor and your affinity for practical gifts, and we will shop accordingly.
Can I get a discount if I want a DVD and not a Blu-ray? Blu-rays cost more.
No.
I don't know how to play bananagrams.
That's not a question.
Why all the prime numbers?
Like Todd and Rory, prime numbers are the outsiders among natural numbers.
Are you saying homosexuality is unnatural?
I don't know, it's just a metaphor.
If you have additional questions, or would like to lend your support in other ways, email us at [email protected]! We are not accepting naked casting submissions at this time.
Incentives
$5
Spotify Me, Captain
You get all the behind-the-scenes dirty emails and a link to our super secret Spotify playlist from our fake album soundtrack: "Music Inspired by the Motion Picture Straight Up."
(Note: this is not an album download. Spotify account not included.)
$11
The Instabananagram
To show our thanks, you will receive a .jpeg anagram of your name-nam made with bananagrams tailored for Instagram. Plus everything above.
(Note: confused? Check the FAQ.)
$23
The Straight Up-load
This is what you came for. You get HD-streaming access to watch Straight Up anytime, likely via Vimeo on Demand. Plus everything above.
(Note: delivery date will be at distributors discretion.)
$47
The Soul Mate Package
You get everything above PLUS a zip drive of digital goodies like photos, an annotated PDF of the shooting script (director’s notes, cast anecdotes, etc), and more. PLUS a 61 second phone call from the filmmakers. Oh yes, it will be timed.
(PS: we love you.)
$73
The Limited Edition Blu-ray
Digital not enough? Wanna get physical? You will receive a Seed&Spark-exclusive, custom artwork edition Blu-ray set (or DVD for the vintage hipsters and grandmas), signed by the team, complete with special features, like bloopers. Your copy will be numbered by hand, like a painting, so you KNOW it’s fancy. Plus everything above.
(Note: delivery date will be at distributors discretion. Add $10 for International shipping.)
$101
The Bananagrams Set
You will receive a custom Straight Up-themed Bananagrams Set, and a hand-written Thank You note. Play a game with yourself. Or friends. If you have any... Also includes everything in the Soul Mate Package.
(Note: add $15 for International shipping.)
$151
The Grateful Banana
You will receive the Bananagrams Set and everything in the limited edition Blu-ray Package. PLUS you will receive an on-screen THANKS in the film credits. Watch the movie and see your name roll by.
(Note: add $20 for International shipping.)
$199
Extra! Extra!
Got talent? Then get in the background! We will need extras on several days of filming. You will be served delicious crafty and receive everything in the Grateful Banana.
(Note: travel and accommodations not included.)
$251
The White Elephant Gift
We will pick out a white elephant gift, paired with a handwritten card, specifically for you, based off a short questionnaire. Maybe it will be a keepsake from the film. Maybe it will be a chia pet, you never know! Also includes everything in the Grateful Banana Incentive.
(PS: there is a scene about white elephants in the movie. This is relephant...)
Claimed: 3 of 11
$313
The Prop Master
Mail us a personal item and watch it make an appearance in the film! When Straight Up is released, we will publicly post a list of these items so everyone can hunt for these easter eggs in the film. Also, includes everything in the Grateful Banana Incentive.
(Note: you will be responsible for shipping and we'll need to approve it ahead of time for legal clearances and receive the prop before we commence filming.)
Claimed: 4 of 11
$499
The Witty Banter Scene
A 3-page scene in screenplay format written by James exclusively for YOU! Starring you and a character from Straight Up. You should have these pages framed, because one day they’ll be worth something. Also includes everything in the Grateful Banana Incentive.
(Note: rewrites not included.)
Claimed: 3 of 5
$997
The VIP Package
You’ll get a special invite to join us on set in Los Angeles, 2 tickets to the L.A. Premiere and Cast/Crew VIP After Party. Also includes everything in the Grateful Banana Incentive.
(Note: travel and accommodations not included.)
Claimed: 3 of 5
$9,973
The Producer Credit
We don’t believe in giving out producer credits willy nilly. So we are offering ONE Associate Producer Credit for the first backer who BELIEVES in us. Just one. Also includes everything in the VIP Package and other super special privileges.
Claimed: 0 of 1
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Spotify Me, Captain
You get all the behind-the-scenes dirty emails and a link to our super secret Spotify playlist from our fake album soundtrack: "Music Inspired by the Motion Picture Straight Up."
(Note: this is not an album download. Spotify account not included.)
$11
The Instabananagram
To show our thanks, you will receive a .jpeg anagram of your name-nam made with bananagrams tailored for Instagram. Plus everything above.
(Note: confused? Check the FAQ.)
$23
The Straight Up-load
This is what you came for. You get HD-streaming access to watch Straight Up anytime, likely via Vimeo on Demand. Plus everything above.
(Note: delivery date will be at distributors discretion.)
$47
The Soul Mate Package
You get everything above PLUS a zip drive of digital goodies like photos, an annotated PDF of the shooting script (director’s notes, cast anecdotes, etc), and more. PLUS a 61 second phone call from the filmmakers. Oh yes, it will be timed.
(PS: we love you.)
$73
The Limited Edition Blu-ray
Digital not enough? Wanna get physical? You will receive a Seed&Spark-exclusive, custom artwork edition Blu-ray set (or DVD for the vintage hipsters and grandmas), signed by the team, complete with special features, like bloopers. Your copy will be numbered by hand, like a painting, so you KNOW it’s fancy. Plus everything above.
(Note: delivery date will be at distributors discretion. Add $10 for International shipping.)
$101
The Bananagrams Set
You will receive a custom Straight Up-themed Bananagrams Set, and a hand-written Thank You note. Play a game with yourself. Or friends. If you have any... Also includes everything in the Soul Mate Package.
(Note: add $15 for International shipping.)
$151
The Grateful Banana
You will receive the Bananagrams Set and everything in the limited edition Blu-ray Package. PLUS you will receive an on-screen THANKS in the film credits. Watch the movie and see your name roll by.
(Note: add $20 for International shipping.)
$199
Extra! Extra!
Got talent? Then get in the background! We will need extras on several days of filming. You will be served delicious crafty and receive everything in the Grateful Banana.
(Note: travel and accommodations not included.)
$251
The White Elephant Gift
We will pick out a white elephant gift, paired with a handwritten card, specifically for you, based off a short questionnaire. Maybe it will be a keepsake from the film. Maybe it will be a chia pet, you never know! Also includes everything in the Grateful Banana Incentive.
(PS: there is a scene about white elephants in the movie. This is relephant...)
Claimed: 3 of 11
$313
The Prop Master
Mail us a personal item and watch it make an appearance in the film! When Straight Up is released, we will publicly post a list of these items so everyone can hunt for these easter eggs in the film. Also, includes everything in the Grateful Banana Incentive.
(Note: you will be responsible for shipping and we'll need to approve it ahead of time for legal clearances and receive the prop before we commence filming.)
Claimed: 4 of 11
$499
The Witty Banter Scene
A 3-page scene in screenplay format written by James exclusively for YOU! Starring you and a character from Straight Up. You should have these pages framed, because one day they’ll be worth something. Also includes everything in the Grateful Banana Incentive.
(Note: rewrites not included.)
Claimed: 3 of 5
$997
The VIP Package
You’ll get a special invite to join us on set in Los Angeles, 2 tickets to the L.A. Premiere and Cast/Crew VIP After Party. Also includes everything in the Grateful Banana Incentive.
(Note: travel and accommodations not included.)
Claimed: 3 of 5
$9,973
The Producer Credit
We don’t believe in giving out producer credits willy nilly. So we are offering ONE Associate Producer Credit for the first backer who BELIEVES in us. Just one. Also includes everything in the VIP Package and other super special privileges.
Claimed: 0 of 1
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