In this mockumentary series, follow our host Fang as he travels through the neighborhoods of NYC to discover how they’ve evolved, and meet the people who have helped shape them by dreaming big! We all have dreams, theirs are just a little more.. out there. Help make ours come true!
In this mockumentary series, follow our host Fang as he travels through the neighborhoods of NYC to discover how they’ve evolved, and meet the people who have helped shape them by dreaming big! We all have dreams, theirs are just a little more.. out there. Help make ours come true!
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Story
Mission Statement
Our project is about New York and we actively reflect the diversity and inclusion of this great city in front of and behind the camera. Season One's cast and crew included several people of color, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ community. In Season Two, we are expanding our inclusion!About The Project
THE SERIES
Fang Du (as Fang) and Peter Romano (as Jimmy Spazzatura) in Episode 1: 9 Lives
Our creative team met through Columbia University’s Graduate Theatre program. The elements of clown and physical comedy they learned in training were directly applied to Season One of this project. Peter, our creator, began writing episodes that highlighted the specific comedic talents of a few actors he knew and soon had enough material for a full season.
Since beginning this project, the condition of the world has changed. As the Refugee Crisis has escalated and Xenophobia has found more seats in our government, it became that much more important to make art that promotes diversity and inclusion. Through comedy, we set out to champion this cause and to make this message accessible to all.Amber Chardae Robinson (as Wanda Wilson) and Fang Du in Ep. 2: How You Doin'
What can we expect in Season 2?
Fang, obviously! Also, new faces (and some you've seen before), plus this season, we are heading to Manhattan (bye Brooklyn). Some neighborhoods we are visiting include Lower East Side, FiDi, and Times Square, but we can't tell you what characters we are meeting - you will have to wait and see! We are shooting 7 episodes this season, and hope to release these in Spring 2019.
Why should you support this project?
Kenard Jackson (as Geoffrey Galliard III) in the Season Finale.
This Series is for Everyone, Not Just Artists.
You don’t need to know New York to like this series. We’ve created a show that has a unique non-linear format. Our episodes stand alone or can be watched consecutively; we’ve created a format that allows for both. Our goal was to create vignettes that are accessible to everyone. Each character has a dream, and this universal theme provides our comedic elements and a chance for audiences of all backgrounds to engage with the material.
Matthew Dunivan and Aaron Morton (above) in Ep. 3: Carnie Island
Fang Du and Brynne McManimie (below) in Ep. 7: Key ExChainge
We Thrive On Diversity and Inclusion.
Our stories reflect the diversity of New York City. In a time where diversity is not always seen at an asset, we are determined to make it so. Our mission comes right from Emma Lazarus's poem "The New Colossus" in the Statue of Liberty. Lazarus writes of the "tired and poor," from far off lands being welcomed by a "mighty woman with a torch.” We want to be that woman. We met people from many backgrounds in Season 1, and are exploring more communities and cultures in Season 2.
Fang Du and the Gypsters (Eric Williams, Keith Pinault, Alice Renier, Nico Keifer, Nick Shea) in Ep. 6: Gypsters
Every Dollar Matters.
A little goes a long way! Our team comes from a theatre background, so we know how to create art from nothing (we literally did theatre in a basement of a dorm with three clip lights and two blocks). Even a small contribution will provide us the means to create this season. You will see we do not have equipment rental in our budget breakdown - that's because we do not need to rent or pay for any equipment thanks to our friends over at Blackbox Productions, who have generously donated their time and equipment to this project.
(Side note: this campaign is only funding our production itself - all post-production, marketing, and festival submission fees will be funded separately).
Lauren Maykut and Michael Mullen (above) in Ep. 3: Park Slope Parents
Frank Ritorto (below) in Ep. 5: Bagels on Me
You’re Giving Artists Jobs.
Our project is fueled by a talented and diverse group of artists. The characters were written for the specific artists portraying them. We provide a platform for their artistic voices in an industry that doesn’t always have a job for them.
IT'S FANG!
We've Done This Before.
This is our second season! We have a solid cast and crew that has (mostly) been with us from the very beginning. Season 1 received consistent positive feedback from viewers and fellow filmmakers, and we were even accepted into several film festivals! We are lucky enough to get to do this all over again, and we are learning from our past mistakes to make Season 2 even better than Season 1. We are very excited to continue exploring these stories and characters, and to expand our audience!
Can't pledge today? That's okay!
You can still "follow" our campaign (click the button above!) and share on social media. Both of these things help us tremendously.
Incentives
$5
Lower East Side
From the lower east side of your wallet to ours, we thank you.
$10
Times Square
See your name in lights! Social Media Shout out on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter, etc.
$25
Chelsea
You heard it here first. Learn from the trendiest, get an NYC postcard with a (handwritten!!) thank you and unique NYC fact.
$50
K-town
Private Karaoke Room! Receive a link to exclusive behind the scenes footage.
$100
West Village
Get down in Greenwich! You are getting two tix** to our Season 2 screening Par-Tay.
**Travel not included.
Claimed: 1 of 20
$250
Union Square
Let’s make some noise! We’ll use your name (or name of choice) in an episode, plus two tix** to our Season 2 screening party.
**Travel not included.
Claimed: 2 of 5
$500
SoHo
Treat Yourself! Our multi-talented host will lend his Masseuse-Training** to your sore spots (above the belt only)… Free massage from Fang! Plus, two tix to our Season 2 screening party.
**Yes, he's an ACTUAL licensed massage therapist! Like, what doesn't he do, right?! NYC area only, travel not included for massage or screening party.
Claimed: 1 of 5
$750
FiDi
You've got it, so come flaunt it! Join us** for a day on set, either in front or behind the camera.
**Travel not included. NYC Area only.
Claimed: 0 of 5
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Lower East Side
From the lower east side of your wallet to ours, we thank you.
$10
Times Square
See your name in lights! Social Media Shout out on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter, etc.
$25
Chelsea
You heard it here first. Learn from the trendiest, get an NYC postcard with a (handwritten!!) thank you and unique NYC fact.
$50
K-town
Private Karaoke Room! Receive a link to exclusive behind the scenes footage.
$100
West Village
Get down in Greenwich! You are getting two tix** to our Season 2 screening Par-Tay.
**Travel not included.
Claimed: 1 of 20
$250
Union Square
Let’s make some noise! We’ll use your name (or name of choice) in an episode, plus two tix** to our Season 2 screening party.
**Travel not included.
Claimed: 2 of 5
$500
SoHo
Treat Yourself! Our multi-talented host will lend his Masseuse-Training** to your sore spots (above the belt only)… Free massage from Fang! Plus, two tix to our Season 2 screening party.
**Yes, he's an ACTUAL licensed massage therapist! Like, what doesn't he do, right?! NYC area only, travel not included for massage or screening party.
Claimed: 1 of 5
$750
FiDi
You've got it, so come flaunt it! Join us** for a day on set, either in front or behind the camera.
**Travel not included. NYC Area only.
Claimed: 0 of 5
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Peter Romano (Creator, Writer, Director) is a Syrian-American Actor, Director, Writer and Musician. He has worked internationally and regionally in Theatre, Television and Film. In the New York Theatre community, he has worked at The Signature, Atlantic Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company and with artists such as Suzan-Lori Parks, Nicky Silver, Jo Bonney, Sam Gold, and Kristin Linklater. He has worked on major Network Television shows like NBC’s The Blacklist, New Amsterdam and on film in Netflix’s The Week Of acting along side Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Steve Buscemi.
Brynne McManimie (Producer, Post-Production Supervisor) is an actor, singer, editor, and teaching artist, with an MFA in Acting from Columbia University. Recent acting credits include Twelfth Night (Feste, Four Words Theatre Co.), Othello (Bianca) with Classic Stage Company, Our Town (Rebecca Gibbs, dir. Tyne Rafaeli) and Blue Window (Emily, dir. Ken Rus Schmoll). TV: Elementary, Bull, The Mysteries of Laura. When she is not acting or editing, she is teaching music, theatre, and Shakespeare to kids all over New York City.
Fang Du (Producer, Lead) was born and raised in China until he was 17 years old. He spent the second half of his life in the United States, more specifically Boulder, Colorado. He attended the University of Virginia with the intention of studying business, but his passion for acting pushed him to finish with a degree in Drama. He recently graduated from Columbia University with his MFA in acting. He’s also a founding member of Squeaky Wheelz Productions. His favorite credits include Bun Foo in Thoroughly Modern Millie (national tour), Bedford in Henry V, Orpheus in Eurydice, Jack/Jesus in Reefer Madness. He has also appeared on TV in Mr. Robot, Law and Order, If Loving You Is Wrong and The Haves and The Have Nots. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and loves traveling, and food!
Matthew Dunivan (DP) is co-owner and producing member of Blackbox Productions. He has written & directed such films as Happy Birthday Dickweed, and Dying to Get Laid. He has co-produced and directed photography for Nerd Love, Thirty Nothings, and Tales of Toverud with Main Wench Productions. Matthew is also an actor. He received his MFA from Columbia University.
Michael Mullen (Producer, AD) has been a filmmaker and actor in Los Angeles and New York for over ten years. He is the co-owner of Blackbox Productions and has directed and produced twelve short films, six web series, and one feature film. Michael is also an active member of the avant-garde theatre community in NYC and has taught theater and filmmaking in LA, NYC, and Taiwan.
Squeaky Wheelz Productions (Producer) is an ensemble-based, multi-media production company in New York City. Exploring the mediums of theater and on-camera performance and production, SWP is committed to developing creative works that explore multiculturalism and promote cross-cultural understanding through creative storytelling within the United Stated and abroad. Following sold out previews at New York’s 59E59 Theatres, SWP presented its premiere production Someone Dies at the End at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. SWP is thrilled to expand its creative potential as it partners up to produce the second season of the outstanding mockumentary series “The New Neighborhood.” Welcome to the neighborhood!
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