The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Satire, Drama
TEOBD is a feature film that presents an America tilted on its axis. Told from the perspective of a popular cable news host with a questionable relationship to the truth, the story unfolds like a glossy dream quickly devolving into a waking nightmare... mirroring the dystopian society she inhabits.
The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Satire, Drama
1 Campaigns |
11 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$335
Goal: $30,000 for post-production
TEOBD is a feature film that presents an America tilted on its axis. Told from the perspective of a popular cable news host with a questionable relationship to the truth, the story unfolds like a glossy dream quickly devolving into a waking nightmare... mirroring the dystopian society she inhabits.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the Occidental Federation of America, the most popular news channel is ONN. And the most popular program on it? “Brittany Now!”—the hour-long current affairs program hosted by whip-smart girl-next-door Brittany Darlington. She’s the total package: an atomic blonde mixing equal parts beauty and brains, topped off with a caustic wit and a wry smile. She’s America’s sweetheart... or so she tells herself.
With changes on the horizon both nationally and within her profession, Brittany is experiencing an identity crisis of epic proportions. Over a week of tapings, she’ll be forced to confront her demons and reconcile her public image with the fragmented one staring back at her in the vanity mirror. Because for Brittany Darlington, there’s no sight as simultaneously repulsive and enchanting as that of her own face.
Inspired by films like Network, novels like 1984, and the raw energy of 1970s drive-in cinema, The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington blends political satire, dark comedy, psychological drama, and grindhouse horror into something both familiar and unlike anything else currently being made. It's a movie for these times that we expect will stand the test of time.
So, if you like your social commentary with a healthy bit of dark comedy and grindhouse fun, this flick is for you. We believe it places us at the vanguard of "resistance" films sure to arrive in the coming years and address this vital moment in history. To that end, we'd love for you to join us on the front lines.
My name is Chris Wallace, and I'm the writer/director of "The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington. A first-time director (but looooong-time writer), I can say confidently that my vision for this film would have been impossible to execute without a first-rate team.
Number one with a bullet is Erika Dawn Smith, the star and producer. A veteran actor with hundreds of credits to her name, she carries this entire film on her shoulders (in fact, she's in every scene). She delivers a tornado of a performance, at once bombastic and quietly devastating. We can't wait for people to see it.
Rounding out the team were a dedicated crew and supporting actors. Top collaborators include cinematographer extraordinaire David Gordon, actor/producer Michael Mau, and actor Malynda Hale.
We completely self-funded this 100-minute feature on a budget of $120,000, taking it all the way through principal photography and into a nearly locked cut. We made it to the five-yard line, but still require additional VFX shots, professional color grading, a final sound mix, editing, music licensing, etc. That means we're looking for some extra help to complete post-production and deliver Brittany into the world at a time when stories like this are most needed.
Every dollar you contribute to this campaign goes to bringing Brittany into the world. Of course, the post-production costs are many, which is why we've created this handy pie chart to show exactly where every one of those dollars goes.
Also, a HEADS UP:
GenAI Disclosure: No generative AI was used in the making of this motion picture or its promotional videos. Some generative AI was used in this campaign text/graphics.
For more news and updates regarding the project, you can follow Chris and Erika at @wallaceabroad and @theerikasmith. You can also follow the Seed&Spark campaign page.
Also, a very special thanks to Paul Gennaro for editing the pitch video for us.
Finally, thanks for your support, and we'll leave you with a message from one of the film's more colorful characters, Pastor Reed Sterling...
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Visual Effects
Costs $8,000
This may not be an action film, but it does include plenty of green screen and other digital FX. And those aren't cheap.
Professional Color Grading
Costs $5,000
Coloring is an art that transforms raw footage into a rich and dazzling spectacle of light... which is why we need it.
Final Sound Mix
Costs $5,000
Our kick-ass sound guy, Monson, captured great on-set audio—now we need another pro to come in and bring it all home.
Music Licensing
Costs $3,000
We're using a couple of perfectly selected songs to enhance the cinematic experience, so we gotta pay the artists.
Marketing Materials
Costs $3,000
Because once we start screening and streaming the film, we need to promote it across various channels.
Additional Editing
Costs $2,000
Final editorial polish, revisions, and finishing work before picture lock.
Poster & Film Artwork
Costs $1,000
To retain the services of a great, human graphic designer to design our finished poster.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Like humans, no movie is an island unto itself. Bringing TEOBD to life required the efforts of a talented cast and crew. Here are some of our bios.
CHRIS WALLACE / Writer + Director + Producer
Chris has been writing creatively since elementary school, when he discovered how much easier it was than math. Over the years, he's written screenplays for various production companies/producers in Los Angeles... all of it having gone exactly nowhere. After an extended sojourn as a travel writer/editor based in Latin America, he decided to throw his sanity and savings into adapting an anonymously written novella called "The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington." A first-time director, he managed to make it through the whirlwind 13-day shoot without wetting himself (as far as you know). You can follow him for project updates and decent travel/dog pics at @wallaceabroad.
ERIKA DAWN SMITH / Star + Producer
Erika Dawn Smith is an award-winning SAG-AFTRA actor whose work spans film, television, theater, and streaming. Her credits include HBO’s "The Deuce," Netflix’s "Gentefied," Apple TV+‘s "Margo’s Got Money Troubles," Martin Scorsese’s "The Irishman," and Marvel’s "Wolverine." She also won Best Actress at the Vegas Film Awards for "Rainfalls." In addition to acting, Erika produces and develops independent film projects, like the dark comedy, "The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington." Though not her first leading film role, Erika's portrayal of the titular Brittany is the only one that required her to wear an eyepatch and pretend to murder people while dressed only in her underwear. Follow her for updates at @theerikasmith.
DAVID GORDON / Director of Photography
David Gordon is a Los Angeles-based director and cinematographer whose work spans all genres and formats. Astrolatry is his feature directorial debut; he previously wrote and directed six short horror films. His work highlights themes of social commentary through negative character growth, in which characters develop to embrace the darker elements of their psyche. He has served as the director of photography for 14 feature films, in addition to 50+ short films and 20 music videos. David was drawn to the themes in "The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington"... for obvious reasons. Catch more of Dave's work at @dgordonfilm.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the Occidental Federation of America, the most popular news channel is ONN. And the most popular program on it? “Brittany Now!”—the hour-long current affairs program hosted by whip-smart girl-next-door Brittany Darlington. She’s the total package: an atomic blonde mixing equal parts beauty and brains, topped off with a caustic wit and a wry smile. She’s America’s sweetheart... or so she tells herself.
With changes on the horizon both nationally and within her profession, Brittany is experiencing an identity crisis of epic proportions. Over a week of tapings, she’ll be forced to confront her demons and reconcile her public image with the fragmented one staring back at her in the vanity mirror. Because for Brittany Darlington, there’s no sight as simultaneously repulsive and enchanting as that of her own face.
Inspired by films like Network, novels like 1984, and the raw energy of 1970s drive-in cinema, The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington blends political satire, dark comedy, psychological drama, and grindhouse horror into something both familiar and unlike anything else currently being made. It's a movie for these times that we expect will stand the test of time.
So, if you like your social commentary with a healthy bit of dark comedy and grindhouse fun, this flick is for you. We believe it places us at the vanguard of "resistance" films sure to arrive in the coming years and address this vital moment in history. To that end, we'd love for you to join us on the front lines.
My name is Chris Wallace, and I'm the writer/director of "The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington. A first-time director (but looooong-time writer), I can say confidently that my vision for this film would have been impossible to execute without a first-rate team.
Number one with a bullet is Erika Dawn Smith, the star and producer. A veteran actor with hundreds of credits to her name, she carries this entire film on her shoulders (in fact, she's in every scene). She delivers a tornado of a performance, at once bombastic and quietly devastating. We can't wait for people to see it.
Rounding out the team were a dedicated crew and supporting actors. Top collaborators include cinematographer extraordinaire David Gordon, actor/producer Michael Mau, and actor Malynda Hale.
We completely self-funded this 100-minute feature on a budget of $120,000, taking it all the way through principal photography and into a nearly locked cut. We made it to the five-yard line, but still require additional VFX shots, professional color grading, a final sound mix, editing, music licensing, etc. That means we're looking for some extra help to complete post-production and deliver Brittany into the world at a time when stories like this are most needed.
Every dollar you contribute to this campaign goes to bringing Brittany into the world. Of course, the post-production costs are many, which is why we've created this handy pie chart to show exactly where every one of those dollars goes.
Also, a HEADS UP:
GenAI Disclosure: No generative AI was used in the making of this motion picture or its promotional videos. Some generative AI was used in this campaign text/graphics.
For more news and updates regarding the project, you can follow Chris and Erika at @wallaceabroad and @theerikasmith. You can also follow the Seed&Spark campaign page.
Also, a very special thanks to Paul Gennaro for editing the pitch video for us.
Finally, thanks for your support, and we'll leave you with a message from one of the film's more colorful characters, Pastor Reed Sterling...
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Visual Effects
Costs $8,000
This may not be an action film, but it does include plenty of green screen and other digital FX. And those aren't cheap.
Professional Color Grading
Costs $5,000
Coloring is an art that transforms raw footage into a rich and dazzling spectacle of light... which is why we need it.
Final Sound Mix
Costs $5,000
Our kick-ass sound guy, Monson, captured great on-set audio—now we need another pro to come in and bring it all home.
Music Licensing
Costs $3,000
We're using a couple of perfectly selected songs to enhance the cinematic experience, so we gotta pay the artists.
Marketing Materials
Costs $3,000
Because once we start screening and streaming the film, we need to promote it across various channels.
Additional Editing
Costs $2,000
Final editorial polish, revisions, and finishing work before picture lock.
Poster & Film Artwork
Costs $1,000
To retain the services of a great, human graphic designer to design our finished poster.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Like humans, no movie is an island unto itself. Bringing TEOBD to life required the efforts of a talented cast and crew. Here are some of our bios.
CHRIS WALLACE / Writer + Director + Producer
Chris has been writing creatively since elementary school, when he discovered how much easier it was than math. Over the years, he's written screenplays for various production companies/producers in Los Angeles... all of it having gone exactly nowhere. After an extended sojourn as a travel writer/editor based in Latin America, he decided to throw his sanity and savings into adapting an anonymously written novella called "The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington." A first-time director, he managed to make it through the whirlwind 13-day shoot without wetting himself (as far as you know). You can follow him for project updates and decent travel/dog pics at @wallaceabroad.
ERIKA DAWN SMITH / Star + Producer
Erika Dawn Smith is an award-winning SAG-AFTRA actor whose work spans film, television, theater, and streaming. Her credits include HBO’s "The Deuce," Netflix’s "Gentefied," Apple TV+‘s "Margo’s Got Money Troubles," Martin Scorsese’s "The Irishman," and Marvel’s "Wolverine." She also won Best Actress at the Vegas Film Awards for "Rainfalls." In addition to acting, Erika produces and develops independent film projects, like the dark comedy, "The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington." Though not her first leading film role, Erika's portrayal of the titular Brittany is the only one that required her to wear an eyepatch and pretend to murder people while dressed only in her underwear. Follow her for updates at @theerikasmith.
DAVID GORDON / Director of Photography
David Gordon is a Los Angeles-based director and cinematographer whose work spans all genres and formats. Astrolatry is his feature directorial debut; he previously wrote and directed six short horror films. His work highlights themes of social commentary through negative character growth, in which characters develop to embrace the darker elements of their psyche. He has served as the director of photography for 14 feature films, in addition to 50+ short films and 20 music videos. David was drawn to the themes in "The Enlightenment of Brittany Darlington"... for obvious reasons. Catch more of Dave's work at @dgordonfilm.