Teenhood
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Western
Billy is a riding instructor who spends his days teaching children. His traumatic past with his father has drowned out his desire for familial affection. However, when a girl from his past breaks the news of an unintended pregnancy, he is forced to confront his distorted perception of parenthood.
Teenhood
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Western
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $6,260 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
21 supporters | followers
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Billy is a riding instructor who spends his days teaching children. His traumatic past with his father has drowned out his desire for familial affection. However, when a girl from his past breaks the news of an unintended pregnancy, he is forced to confront his distorted perception of parenthood.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
UPDATE: We've hit our goal!!
Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us for the past week. We can't even begin to express our gratitude and love for all of you!
Since we have 3 days to go, we thought we'd highlight some of our stretch goals -- the things we'll be able to do if we exceed our previous goal.
- 4K - Worldwide Festival Run + Contingency. We'll be able to submit to festivals around the world and get this seen by more people! The more buzz we can build, the higher our chances of getting that in front of the right eyes! This can help propel this short to being developed into a feature film.
- 5K - Location! Most of this film takes place inside a rural Wyoming horse ranch that our Production Designer will have to transform into from a Southern Californian one. With 5k, we'll be able to put more attention to detail, get the props we need, and make sure everything looks just like the places I grew up around!
- 6K - Professional cast + extra shooting day. This means we'll be able to hire veteran actors for the key roles, bringing the characters to life. We will also be able to add an additional production day to ensure every aspect of the story is captured.
- 7K - Premium Post Production. Sound and color grading do so much for a finished film - especially one like ours that will rely heavily on its setting. The Production Designer will build the world and the DP will capture it, but premium post-production will help us do their work justice.
PART 1 - STORY
In rural Wyoming, a young Chinese-American riding instructor named Billy spends his days teaching children. Though gentle and capable, Billy is deeply troubled by his turbulent teenage years which saw the divorce and then death of his foster mother. Billy continues to harbor resentment for his emotionally unavailable foster father Sawyer until Billy’s past love Sabrina breaks the news of her unintended pregnancy. This pivotal moment in Billy’s life pushes him to examine his true desires, repair the damage his father has done, and secure a better future for those he cherishes most.
PART 2 - WHY TEENHOOD
I am turning 20 in a few weeks, and the word “teen” will forever disappear from my age. I MADE IT. Finally done with teenhood. It was fun, but woww! Going from adolescence to adulthood was so hard and so confusing. As I look forward to the next chapter of my life, I want to take a moment and reflect on the last 7 years, on the countless mistakes and wrong paths.
This film is what I wished I had watched before going through the trials and tribulations of teenhood.
Teenhood is a story about family. Throughout my life, there have been far too many things I wished to have said to the people I love but weren’t able to because of the fear of judgment, rejection, or misunderstanding. However, I was quick to notice that this goes both ways. That the people we keep a piece of ourselves with are often doing the same thing. I began to understand that love occurs in proportion to one’s willingness to be hurt.
I left countless words unsaid so I could protect myself, and I’ve come to realize that I was never alone. I hope this film serves as a reminder that honesty and vulnerability can be incredibly hard for all of us. But fortunately, the hardest decisions are often the right ones.
Teenhood is a story of identity. Growing up in Wyoming as one of the only Asian Americans, I see this film as a reflection of the many questions I had when searching for my identity and place in that unfamiliar land. It began with the constant urge to fit in and be considered normal. But moving through my own teenhood taught me an unforgettable lesson.
I learned that while we were all born with confidence, we can also lose it through unaddressed trauma. It’s only when we properly acknowledge and handle the false identity we create for ourselves to cope with these past traumas can we finally embody the best person we can be. I hope this story serves as an ode to the struggles and courage so many immigrant children share.
PART 3 - CHARACTERS
Billy (18) A reserved Chinese-American riding instructor. Billy's relationship with his foster father, Sawyer, evolved into resentment after Sawyer divorced his late foster mother, distorting his perception of parenthood. Despite working with children every day, Billy has seemingly accepted a lonelier existence without warmth but is asleep to his true desire for a happy, functional family. When Billy’s ex, Sabrina, breaks the news of her pregnancy, Billy resorts to fear and anger once again. In order to believe that he can be a good father, Billy must face Sawyer and their unpleasant past with vulnerability and honesty.
Sabrina (18) A rational and resolute girl whose recent relationship with Billy led to her pregnancy. Star Valley born and raised, Sabrina once had an abusive mother and spent many years repairing her self-esteem. More enlightened than Billy in dealing with trauma, Sabrina truly loves and believes in Billy and wants to help him overcome his apprehensions about fatherhood for the good of her first real family.
Sawyer (58) A blunt, stubborn, emotionally unavailable man whose relationship with foster son Billy crumbled after the death of his ex-wife. Sawyer was absent in Billy’s upbringing and knows close to nothing about his life. Despite wanting to care for Billy, Sawyer has difficulty coming across as anything other than disrespectful and inconsiderate. Deep down, Sawyer is still terrified of being a father as he’s plagued by guilt and self-loathing. Will his son becoming a father warrant a new chapter?
Zane (18) A bright and laid-back riding instructor and Billy’s best friend. Zane is very supportive of Billy and is always there to offer advice as best as he can. Zane’s family owns the ranch where him and Billy work, and this loyal friend’s positive attitude has gotten Billy out of rock bottoms time and time again.
Becky (10) A spirited young girl and one of Billy’s students. Billy teaches Becky once a week, and Becky considers Billy and the pony Ruby her best friends. Despite her age, Becky is very smart and loves to listen in on adults’ conversations. Becky hopes Billy can be her riding instructor forever.
PART 4 - WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
We're a team of film students and young working professionals producing this film independently. Although we aim to shoot at the beginning of April, there's so much to get done and so many more people to hire, and that's why we need your help!
We've budgeted this film for 5k, and with my own personal savings put in, we are looking to raise at least 3,000. Seed&Spark is almost all or nothing, meaning that we need to reach our goal in 30 days or we don't receive anything and all your donations revert back to you.
Every dollar counts!
Authentic representation extends so much beyond story and talent. We're hoping to secure the most picturesque locations and find the best art team to transform California into the Wyoming countryside, paying homage to the setting and the world this story is based on.
With your generous donations, we'll also be able to pay for camera rentals, location fees, production design, and also have enough for post-production, festival submission fees, and marketing.
We've got the best producers on the job making sure every cent is going to the right place!
PART 5 - VISUAL STYLE and LOOK BOOK
Our visual aesthetic embraces naturalistic lighting, gentle movements, and sees the world with love and sentimentality. It captures the intimate moments with care and emphasizes the grand mountainous backdrop.
Support us. Make this come to life. Let's embark on this journey together!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Rental
Costs $1,500
Help us capture the picturesque locations and gripping drama on the best sensor and lenses.
Production Design
Costs $500
Help us create the world of a mountain west horse ranch.
Location
Costs $700
Help us transform Southern California into rural Wyoming!
Catering
Costs $300
Help keep our cast and crew well energized.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jiayang Liu is an award-winning writer, director, producer, and cinematographer from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He was born in Beijing, China, and moved to the US when he was 7. Growing up in Maryland, Jiayang developed an interest in filmmaking at the age of 11. Over the years, he has made over 40 short animations, documentaries, and live-action films, many of which have won awards worldwide. His latest film, The Summer Field, has been screened at venues such as the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and Indy Shorts International Film Festival before it was nominated for best drama at the AAHSFF and won best student film at the Lone Star Film Festival. Currently, he is studying film production at the University of Southern California.
Yunqi Richard Li is a filmmaker who aims to tell understated stories through compelling moving images. Originally from Beijing, China, and now attending USC School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, Richard is particularly inspired by films that explore the themes of memory, uncertainty, and self-actualization. His debut short film Almost Will was an official selection at the 2020 AAHSFF and won Outstanding Live Action Short at MetroWest Student Film Festival 2020. At USC, he collaborates closely with his peers in productions of various scales and genres.
Adam Bloodgood is a producer/director and choreographer. Originally from Seattle, he has spent the past twelve years working as a professional ballet dancer, most recently as a principal dancer at Ballet Fantastique. In addition to writing and directing his films, Adam was an associate producer on the Emmy-nominated film American Christmas Carol: A Ballet Movie (2020) and a first assistant director for Trenches of Rock (2019), a feature-length documentary that premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival. Adam is pursuing a B.F.A. in film and television production at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
Boris Liu is a director-producer with a MFA degree in Film & Television Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He is an international student from Beijing, China, with a passion for telling authentic and touching stories. He aims to explore topics of identity, representation, and culture that center on Asian diasporas. At USC, Boris got the Edward Thomas Troutner Endowed Student Scholarship for the short film Going Slow, Really Fast that he DP'd. As he gained more filming experiences and connections, he started to realize the importance of producing and recognizing potential from others. He stepped into the producing side of film production and the short film Venice Drifting he produced got the Best US Student Film at the 17th Venice Short Film Festival; the USC MFA 546 Capstone film Ebezina he produced got the 1st Runners Up in best producing in SCA Firstlook program and is now in festival circuits.
Bien Bagui is a filmmaker studying film and television production at the University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts. He’s a passionate storyteller of sci-fi and thrillers, and wants to direct a cerebral, thought-provoking feature worthy of his hero Christopher Nolan. He’s won multiple awards as a creative from Japan, and hopes to find the intersection between his Asian and Western roots. While he enjoys creating films, some of his favorite pastimes include fanboying over Christopher Nolan, exploring LA, watching the NBA, and swimming.
Isaiah Kollmansberger is a young filmmaker and educator from Southern California, currently studying Film Production at USC. Despite being a lifelong cinephile, Isaiah only began making his own films in 2021. A fan of the classics, Isaiah likes movies with fundamentally human stories and loves crafting films with familial ties. Although Isaiah primarily writes and directs, he is delighted to be associate producing Teenhood.”
Peter Zhu is a filmmaker & creative in Narrative Studies and Screenwriting at the University of Southern California. A published author at 12, Peter is an eclectic mix of extensive writing experience and intricate creative sensibilities, tapping into his passion for music, theatre, and new media art forms to inform his fierce and diverse film portfolio. Over 3 short high school years, Peter established himself as a devoted creative and capable leader, receiving 17 awards and nominations for his works while responsible for the Student Board and 2 newsletter organizations. Peter’s bicultural identity and love of people drive his stories, which often feature unfrequented worlds, the clash and union of ideologies, and celebrations of how we handle the turbulent human experience. Peter hopes to work in Narrative Design and Arts Leadership in order to chart new grounds in how we entertain and inspire.
Ethan Chu is a Chinese-Vietnamese-American film director and cinematographer from Orange County, California. His narrative short film, “Pho”, was a YoungArts 2022 finalist, won nine awards, and was an official selection at over twenty film festivals around the world. Currently, Ethan studies cinematography at Chapman University. In December 2022, Ethan shot his first feature film, Mad Dreams, directed by Tamara Farsadi. More recently, he lensed Kayvon Derak Shanian’s Living in Fear starring Kathleen Wilhoite and Nour Jude Assaf. He hopes to utilize his multicultural background to share compelling and transformative stories for the rest of his life.
Tammy Premchan is an award-winning filmmaker/assistant director, specializing in editing, VFX, and a bit of photography on the side. Born and raised in Thailand, and having moved to Florida at the age of 7, she is interested in exploring Asian-immigrant and Asian-American stories. Tammy has over 9 years of experience, creating numerous short films, music videos, and documentaries. Notably, 5 of her films played in the AMC theater in Times Square as part of the AAHSFF, she has received 4 awards from the Student Television Network, is a 3x award-winner and 2x Fan Favorite nominee of the C-SPAN National Documentary competition, amongst countless other state-level film festivals and competitions. Currently, she attends the University of Southern California studying Film & Television Production at the School of Cinematic Arts.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
UPDATE: We've hit our goal!!
Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us for the past week. We can't even begin to express our gratitude and love for all of you!
Since we have 3 days to go, we thought we'd highlight some of our stretch goals -- the things we'll be able to do if we exceed our previous goal.
- 4K - Worldwide Festival Run + Contingency. We'll be able to submit to festivals around the world and get this seen by more people! The more buzz we can build, the higher our chances of getting that in front of the right eyes! This can help propel this short to being developed into a feature film.
- 5K - Location! Most of this film takes place inside a rural Wyoming horse ranch that our Production Designer will have to transform into from a Southern Californian one. With 5k, we'll be able to put more attention to detail, get the props we need, and make sure everything looks just like the places I grew up around!
- 6K - Professional cast + extra shooting day. This means we'll be able to hire veteran actors for the key roles, bringing the characters to life. We will also be able to add an additional production day to ensure every aspect of the story is captured.
- 7K - Premium Post Production. Sound and color grading do so much for a finished film - especially one like ours that will rely heavily on its setting. The Production Designer will build the world and the DP will capture it, but premium post-production will help us do their work justice.
PART 1 - STORY
In rural Wyoming, a young Chinese-American riding instructor named Billy spends his days teaching children. Though gentle and capable, Billy is deeply troubled by his turbulent teenage years which saw the divorce and then death of his foster mother. Billy continues to harbor resentment for his emotionally unavailable foster father Sawyer until Billy’s past love Sabrina breaks the news of her unintended pregnancy. This pivotal moment in Billy’s life pushes him to examine his true desires, repair the damage his father has done, and secure a better future for those he cherishes most.
PART 2 - WHY TEENHOOD
I am turning 20 in a few weeks, and the word “teen” will forever disappear from my age. I MADE IT. Finally done with teenhood. It was fun, but woww! Going from adolescence to adulthood was so hard and so confusing. As I look forward to the next chapter of my life, I want to take a moment and reflect on the last 7 years, on the countless mistakes and wrong paths.
This film is what I wished I had watched before going through the trials and tribulations of teenhood.
Teenhood is a story about family. Throughout my life, there have been far too many things I wished to have said to the people I love but weren’t able to because of the fear of judgment, rejection, or misunderstanding. However, I was quick to notice that this goes both ways. That the people we keep a piece of ourselves with are often doing the same thing. I began to understand that love occurs in proportion to one’s willingness to be hurt.
I left countless words unsaid so I could protect myself, and I’ve come to realize that I was never alone. I hope this film serves as a reminder that honesty and vulnerability can be incredibly hard for all of us. But fortunately, the hardest decisions are often the right ones.
Teenhood is a story of identity. Growing up in Wyoming as one of the only Asian Americans, I see this film as a reflection of the many questions I had when searching for my identity and place in that unfamiliar land. It began with the constant urge to fit in and be considered normal. But moving through my own teenhood taught me an unforgettable lesson.
I learned that while we were all born with confidence, we can also lose it through unaddressed trauma. It’s only when we properly acknowledge and handle the false identity we create for ourselves to cope with these past traumas can we finally embody the best person we can be. I hope this story serves as an ode to the struggles and courage so many immigrant children share.
PART 3 - CHARACTERS
Billy (18) A reserved Chinese-American riding instructor. Billy's relationship with his foster father, Sawyer, evolved into resentment after Sawyer divorced his late foster mother, distorting his perception of parenthood. Despite working with children every day, Billy has seemingly accepted a lonelier existence without warmth but is asleep to his true desire for a happy, functional family. When Billy’s ex, Sabrina, breaks the news of her pregnancy, Billy resorts to fear and anger once again. In order to believe that he can be a good father, Billy must face Sawyer and their unpleasant past with vulnerability and honesty.
Sabrina (18) A rational and resolute girl whose recent relationship with Billy led to her pregnancy. Star Valley born and raised, Sabrina once had an abusive mother and spent many years repairing her self-esteem. More enlightened than Billy in dealing with trauma, Sabrina truly loves and believes in Billy and wants to help him overcome his apprehensions about fatherhood for the good of her first real family.
Sawyer (58) A blunt, stubborn, emotionally unavailable man whose relationship with foster son Billy crumbled after the death of his ex-wife. Sawyer was absent in Billy’s upbringing and knows close to nothing about his life. Despite wanting to care for Billy, Sawyer has difficulty coming across as anything other than disrespectful and inconsiderate. Deep down, Sawyer is still terrified of being a father as he’s plagued by guilt and self-loathing. Will his son becoming a father warrant a new chapter?
Zane (18) A bright and laid-back riding instructor and Billy’s best friend. Zane is very supportive of Billy and is always there to offer advice as best as he can. Zane’s family owns the ranch where him and Billy work, and this loyal friend’s positive attitude has gotten Billy out of rock bottoms time and time again.
Becky (10) A spirited young girl and one of Billy’s students. Billy teaches Becky once a week, and Becky considers Billy and the pony Ruby her best friends. Despite her age, Becky is very smart and loves to listen in on adults’ conversations. Becky hopes Billy can be her riding instructor forever.
PART 4 - WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
We're a team of film students and young working professionals producing this film independently. Although we aim to shoot at the beginning of April, there's so much to get done and so many more people to hire, and that's why we need your help!
We've budgeted this film for 5k, and with my own personal savings put in, we are looking to raise at least 3,000. Seed&Spark is almost all or nothing, meaning that we need to reach our goal in 30 days or we don't receive anything and all your donations revert back to you.
Every dollar counts!
Authentic representation extends so much beyond story and talent. We're hoping to secure the most picturesque locations and find the best art team to transform California into the Wyoming countryside, paying homage to the setting and the world this story is based on.
With your generous donations, we'll also be able to pay for camera rentals, location fees, production design, and also have enough for post-production, festival submission fees, and marketing.
We've got the best producers on the job making sure every cent is going to the right place!
PART 5 - VISUAL STYLE and LOOK BOOK
Our visual aesthetic embraces naturalistic lighting, gentle movements, and sees the world with love and sentimentality. It captures the intimate moments with care and emphasizes the grand mountainous backdrop.
Support us. Make this come to life. Let's embark on this journey together!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Rental
Costs $1,500
Help us capture the picturesque locations and gripping drama on the best sensor and lenses.
Production Design
Costs $500
Help us create the world of a mountain west horse ranch.
Location
Costs $700
Help us transform Southern California into rural Wyoming!
Catering
Costs $300
Help keep our cast and crew well energized.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jiayang Liu is an award-winning writer, director, producer, and cinematographer from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He was born in Beijing, China, and moved to the US when he was 7. Growing up in Maryland, Jiayang developed an interest in filmmaking at the age of 11. Over the years, he has made over 40 short animations, documentaries, and live-action films, many of which have won awards worldwide. His latest film, The Summer Field, has been screened at venues such as the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and Indy Shorts International Film Festival before it was nominated for best drama at the AAHSFF and won best student film at the Lone Star Film Festival. Currently, he is studying film production at the University of Southern California.
Yunqi Richard Li is a filmmaker who aims to tell understated stories through compelling moving images. Originally from Beijing, China, and now attending USC School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, Richard is particularly inspired by films that explore the themes of memory, uncertainty, and self-actualization. His debut short film Almost Will was an official selection at the 2020 AAHSFF and won Outstanding Live Action Short at MetroWest Student Film Festival 2020. At USC, he collaborates closely with his peers in productions of various scales and genres.
Adam Bloodgood is a producer/director and choreographer. Originally from Seattle, he has spent the past twelve years working as a professional ballet dancer, most recently as a principal dancer at Ballet Fantastique. In addition to writing and directing his films, Adam was an associate producer on the Emmy-nominated film American Christmas Carol: A Ballet Movie (2020) and a first assistant director for Trenches of Rock (2019), a feature-length documentary that premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival. Adam is pursuing a B.F.A. in film and television production at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
Boris Liu is a director-producer with a MFA degree in Film & Television Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He is an international student from Beijing, China, with a passion for telling authentic and touching stories. He aims to explore topics of identity, representation, and culture that center on Asian diasporas. At USC, Boris got the Edward Thomas Troutner Endowed Student Scholarship for the short film Going Slow, Really Fast that he DP'd. As he gained more filming experiences and connections, he started to realize the importance of producing and recognizing potential from others. He stepped into the producing side of film production and the short film Venice Drifting he produced got the Best US Student Film at the 17th Venice Short Film Festival; the USC MFA 546 Capstone film Ebezina he produced got the 1st Runners Up in best producing in SCA Firstlook program and is now in festival circuits.
Bien Bagui is a filmmaker studying film and television production at the University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts. He’s a passionate storyteller of sci-fi and thrillers, and wants to direct a cerebral, thought-provoking feature worthy of his hero Christopher Nolan. He’s won multiple awards as a creative from Japan, and hopes to find the intersection between his Asian and Western roots. While he enjoys creating films, some of his favorite pastimes include fanboying over Christopher Nolan, exploring LA, watching the NBA, and swimming.
Isaiah Kollmansberger is a young filmmaker and educator from Southern California, currently studying Film Production at USC. Despite being a lifelong cinephile, Isaiah only began making his own films in 2021. A fan of the classics, Isaiah likes movies with fundamentally human stories and loves crafting films with familial ties. Although Isaiah primarily writes and directs, he is delighted to be associate producing Teenhood.”
Peter Zhu is a filmmaker & creative in Narrative Studies and Screenwriting at the University of Southern California. A published author at 12, Peter is an eclectic mix of extensive writing experience and intricate creative sensibilities, tapping into his passion for music, theatre, and new media art forms to inform his fierce and diverse film portfolio. Over 3 short high school years, Peter established himself as a devoted creative and capable leader, receiving 17 awards and nominations for his works while responsible for the Student Board and 2 newsletter organizations. Peter’s bicultural identity and love of people drive his stories, which often feature unfrequented worlds, the clash and union of ideologies, and celebrations of how we handle the turbulent human experience. Peter hopes to work in Narrative Design and Arts Leadership in order to chart new grounds in how we entertain and inspire.
Ethan Chu is a Chinese-Vietnamese-American film director and cinematographer from Orange County, California. His narrative short film, “Pho”, was a YoungArts 2022 finalist, won nine awards, and was an official selection at over twenty film festivals around the world. Currently, Ethan studies cinematography at Chapman University. In December 2022, Ethan shot his first feature film, Mad Dreams, directed by Tamara Farsadi. More recently, he lensed Kayvon Derak Shanian’s Living in Fear starring Kathleen Wilhoite and Nour Jude Assaf. He hopes to utilize his multicultural background to share compelling and transformative stories for the rest of his life.
Tammy Premchan is an award-winning filmmaker/assistant director, specializing in editing, VFX, and a bit of photography on the side. Born and raised in Thailand, and having moved to Florida at the age of 7, she is interested in exploring Asian-immigrant and Asian-American stories. Tammy has over 9 years of experience, creating numerous short films, music videos, and documentaries. Notably, 5 of her films played in the AMC theater in Times Square as part of the AAHSFF, she has received 4 awards from the Student Television Network, is a 3x award-winner and 2x Fan Favorite nominee of the C-SPAN National Documentary competition, amongst countless other state-level film festivals and competitions. Currently, she attends the University of Southern California studying Film & Television Production at the School of Cinematic Arts.