Tartar U.S.A.
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Drama, Mystery
Tartar U.S.A. is about a boy trapped in his town. After being discharged from the military, Lake returns to his estranged family of dumpster-divers. One day, he finds a tape in a dumpster that contains his baby photos, sending him on an emotional odyssey through the crumbling town of Tartar.
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Tartar U.S.A. is about a boy trapped in his town. After being discharged from the military, Lake returns to his estranged family of dumpster-divers. One day, he finds a tape in a dumpster that contains his baby photos, sending him on an emotional odyssey through the crumbling town of Tartar.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Tartar U.S.A. is a 90-minute feature about Lake Rhodes, a young man that returns to his crumbling hometown of Tartar after being dishonorably discharged from the military. Lake comes from a family of dumpster-divers, who survive off of selling discarded valuables and eating unfinished food. His family consists of: his abusive dad, Sonny, his distant mother, Myrtle, and his girlfriend, Olympia, who had moved in with Lake’s parents when he abruptly left for the army. One day, Lake finds a mysterious tape in a dumpster, titled in marker with “Tartar U.S.A.” Upon playing the tape, Lake views a bizarre video-diary that celebrates the town of Tartar, except...one segment of the footage includes Lake’s childhood photos. The discovery sends Lake on a surreal, emotional odyssey through a dark underbelly of Tartar. Lake’s conquest for the tape’s origins forces him to confront his childhood trauma, revealing hidden truths about his town, his family, and himself.
Tartar U.S.A. was described by our producer as if The Perks of Being a Wallflower took place in the world of Harmony Korine’s Gummo. The town of Tartar is inspired by real-life rustbelt communities, Northeastern towns that seem to have been left behind by the rest of the world, but we will elevate the setting to an almost post-apocalyptic hell, reflecting Lake’s fractured psyche. The film will be grounded in linear narrative, but will employ surreal stylistic choices, using magical realism and dream-logic to lean into the emotional confusion of Lake’s time in Tartar.
We’re asking for your support to help us produce our first independent feature-film that we believe has a meaningful and unique story to tell, and your backing of the project will help us actualize this story to its fullest potential.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Craft Services / Transportation
Costs $1,500
We need to feed our full cast and crew during our 10-day shoot.
Location Budget
Costs $1,000
With a film so dependent on appearance, we'll need to make sure that our locations appear genuine.
Equipment Rental
Costs $1,000
To film Tartar, we'll need to have all the best gear!
Production Design / Costume / Set
Costs $500
Your support will help us create unique and intricate costumes and set design that will contribute to the authenticity of our film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a team full of passionate, young filmmakers from NYU who aim to have professional careers in the film industry. We all come from diverse backgrounds and respective fields, which allows us to bring a multitude of creative angels onto set. Recently, co-directors, Caeden Conley and Juno Sapp, have written, directed, and produced their own passion projects outside of school that have proved and built up their skills to make this feature.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Tartar U.S.A. is a 90-minute feature about Lake Rhodes, a young man that returns to his crumbling hometown of Tartar after being dishonorably discharged from the military. Lake comes from a family of dumpster-divers, who survive off of selling discarded valuables and eating unfinished food. His family consists of: his abusive dad, Sonny, his distant mother, Myrtle, and his girlfriend, Olympia, who had moved in with Lake’s parents when he abruptly left for the army. One day, Lake finds a mysterious tape in a dumpster, titled in marker with “Tartar U.S.A.” Upon playing the tape, Lake views a bizarre video-diary that celebrates the town of Tartar, except...one segment of the footage includes Lake’s childhood photos. The discovery sends Lake on a surreal, emotional odyssey through a dark underbelly of Tartar. Lake’s conquest for the tape’s origins forces him to confront his childhood trauma, revealing hidden truths about his town, his family, and himself.
Tartar U.S.A. was described by our producer as if The Perks of Being a Wallflower took place in the world of Harmony Korine’s Gummo. The town of Tartar is inspired by real-life rustbelt communities, Northeastern towns that seem to have been left behind by the rest of the world, but we will elevate the setting to an almost post-apocalyptic hell, reflecting Lake’s fractured psyche. The film will be grounded in linear narrative, but will employ surreal stylistic choices, using magical realism and dream-logic to lean into the emotional confusion of Lake’s time in Tartar.
We’re asking for your support to help us produce our first independent feature-film that we believe has a meaningful and unique story to tell, and your backing of the project will help us actualize this story to its fullest potential.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Craft Services / Transportation
Costs $1,500
We need to feed our full cast and crew during our 10-day shoot.
Location Budget
Costs $1,000
With a film so dependent on appearance, we'll need to make sure that our locations appear genuine.
Equipment Rental
Costs $1,000
To film Tartar, we'll need to have all the best gear!
Production Design / Costume / Set
Costs $500
Your support will help us create unique and intricate costumes and set design that will contribute to the authenticity of our film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a team full of passionate, young filmmakers from NYU who aim to have professional careers in the film industry. We all come from diverse backgrounds and respective fields, which allows us to bring a multitude of creative angels onto set. Recently, co-directors, Caeden Conley and Juno Sapp, have written, directed, and produced their own passion projects outside of school that have proved and built up their skills to make this feature.