The Road Trip Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Drama, LGBTQ
When a man learns his childhood best friend is getting married—and he wasn’t invited—he road-trips up the Pacific Coast Highway with the only other guest he knows: his former childhood bully, in order to fulfill a childhood promise.
The Road Trip Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Drama, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $17,575 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
254 supporters | followers
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When a man learns his childhood best friend is getting married—and he wasn’t invited—he road-trips up the Pacific Coast Highway with the only other guest he knows: his former childhood bully, in order to fulfill a childhood promise.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Road Trip is a feature film that follows Hunter as he fights to reconnect with his long-lost best friend, Michael. When Hunter learns Michael is getting married, and that he wasn't invited, he embarks on a roadtrip up the Pacific Coast Highway with the only other person he knows that's invited - his childhood bully, Paul.
As Hunter and Paul drive up the coast, the road pulls Hunter and Paul back into their past. Memories resurface, truths begin to crack, and long-buried moments demand to be confronted as Hunter tries to fulfill a childhood promise.
From the desert landscapes of Los Angeles to the cliffs of Big Sur, to the winding streets of San Francisco, and the towering redwoods of Portland, Oregon, this road trip is like no other.
Support Needed
Ever since the success of my award-winning short film FLOWERS in 2023, I’ve been developing The Road Trip—a feature film that dives deeper into similar themes of self-acceptance, love, and what it means to become who you were always meant to be.
WHY NOW
The industry is shifting. Big studios aren’t making the kind of stories that matter anymore—they’re chasing blockbusters and remakes. I’m keeping this film community-driven so the story stays real to itself. We’ll be shooting on location along the West Coast—from LA to Portland—not on a studio lot, not via CGI. I want to protect the meaning of this story, so I'm asking for your help. I need your help to bring this film out of pre-production and into production.
Budget Breakdown
To make this film a reality,
We will need $20k- below are our goals...
IMMEDIATE SUPPORT — $20K:
Bring the core road trip story to life.
STRETCH GOAL — $25K:
Expand Character Arcs and add more depth to the film.
SUPER STRETCH GOAL — $30K:
Create the fully realized feature, including the LA and Portland storylines, showing the full scope of Hunter’s journey.
Note: We need to reach 80% of our funding goal to unlock the full funds from Seed&Spark. Every pledge brings us closer to making this film a reality!
WHY YOU
If this story speaks to you—if you’ve ever cared about someone, and then one day realized they’re out of your life, and wished you could still be close—this film is for you.
By pledging, you’re not only allowing this story to exist, but you're giving someone who needs it the ability to see this story. You'll be a part of something that matters—something that reminds us that the people we care about are always worth fighting for, especially when we think it's too late.
YOUR DONATIONS ARE TAX WRITE-OFFS (NON-PROFIT - FISCAL SPONSORSHIP)
This film is fiscally sponsored by From The Heart Productions, which is partnering with Seed&Spark. Your contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Other Ways To Support
Not able to give right now? Here are other ways to help:
- SHARE this campaign with friends, family, and film lovers.
- FOLLOW me on social media, and spread the word.
- INTRODUCE me to potential collaborators or donors.
A Fun Fact about this film: I'll be documenting the entire process of making this film on my YouTube Channel (@YourFriendNickYT). You can also support this film and future films via Patreon, where I share early access to content that is protected from public eyes.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations + Permits
Costs $1,200
This will allow us to shoot in locations safely for our film.
Crew
Costs $6,500
This will enable us to hire the necessary personnel to ensure the production runs smoothly.
Cast
Costs $3,000
Being able to get the best actors for the roles. Will help with facilitating auditions and callbacks
Travel & Lodging
Costs $3,200
This will allow the crew and cast to travel between locations safely and efficiently.
Equipment
Costs $2,800
Allows our production to rent the right gear to capture the story in the right way.
Food & Crafty
Costs $2,000
This will allow us to feed our cast and crew during our shooting days.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to buy props and set dressings that are needed
Insurance
Costs $300
This will allow us to ensure any gear we may need.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
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Nicholas Hansell (writer, director) is best known for his award-winning short film FLOWERS (2023), which won Best Direction at the Toronto LGBTQ+ Film Festival and was runner-up for Best Short Film at the East London LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
He has worked in the location department for Showtime’s Shameless, HBO’s The Flight Attendant, Hulu’s Dollface, and two Sundance award-winning films: The Getaway Driver and Little Death.
Nicholas’s work often explores intimacy, friendship, and identity through visually striking storytelling and surrealist imagery. He is now developing his first feature, The Road Trip, a personal and emotional story centered on connection, growth, and LGBTQ+ experiences.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Road Trip is a feature film that follows Hunter as he fights to reconnect with his long-lost best friend, Michael. When Hunter learns Michael is getting married, and that he wasn't invited, he embarks on a roadtrip up the Pacific Coast Highway with the only other person he knows that's invited - his childhood bully, Paul.
As Hunter and Paul drive up the coast, the road pulls Hunter and Paul back into their past. Memories resurface, truths begin to crack, and long-buried moments demand to be confronted as Hunter tries to fulfill a childhood promise.
From the desert landscapes of Los Angeles to the cliffs of Big Sur, to the winding streets of San Francisco, and the towering redwoods of Portland, Oregon, this road trip is like no other.
Support Needed
Ever since the success of my award-winning short film FLOWERS in 2023, I’ve been developing The Road Trip—a feature film that dives deeper into similar themes of self-acceptance, love, and what it means to become who you were always meant to be.
WHY NOW
The industry is shifting. Big studios aren’t making the kind of stories that matter anymore—they’re chasing blockbusters and remakes. I’m keeping this film community-driven so the story stays real to itself. We’ll be shooting on location along the West Coast—from LA to Portland—not on a studio lot, not via CGI. I want to protect the meaning of this story, so I'm asking for your help. I need your help to bring this film out of pre-production and into production.
Budget Breakdown
To make this film a reality,
We will need $20k- below are our goals...
IMMEDIATE SUPPORT — $20K:
Bring the core road trip story to life.
STRETCH GOAL — $25K:
Expand Character Arcs and add more depth to the film.
SUPER STRETCH GOAL — $30K:
Create the fully realized feature, including the LA and Portland storylines, showing the full scope of Hunter’s journey.
Note: We need to reach 80% of our funding goal to unlock the full funds from Seed&Spark. Every pledge brings us closer to making this film a reality!
WHY YOU
If this story speaks to you—if you’ve ever cared about someone, and then one day realized they’re out of your life, and wished you could still be close—this film is for you.
By pledging, you’re not only allowing this story to exist, but you're giving someone who needs it the ability to see this story. You'll be a part of something that matters—something that reminds us that the people we care about are always worth fighting for, especially when we think it's too late.
YOUR DONATIONS ARE TAX WRITE-OFFS (NON-PROFIT - FISCAL SPONSORSHIP)
This film is fiscally sponsored by From The Heart Productions, which is partnering with Seed&Spark. Your contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Other Ways To Support
Not able to give right now? Here are other ways to help:
- SHARE this campaign with friends, family, and film lovers.
- FOLLOW me on social media, and spread the word.
- INTRODUCE me to potential collaborators or donors.
A Fun Fact about this film: I'll be documenting the entire process of making this film on my YouTube Channel (@YourFriendNickYT). You can also support this film and future films via Patreon, where I share early access to content that is protected from public eyes.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations + Permits
Costs $1,200
This will allow us to shoot in locations safely for our film.
Crew
Costs $6,500
This will enable us to hire the necessary personnel to ensure the production runs smoothly.
Cast
Costs $3,000
Being able to get the best actors for the roles. Will help with facilitating auditions and callbacks
Travel & Lodging
Costs $3,200
This will allow the crew and cast to travel between locations safely and efficiently.
Equipment
Costs $2,800
Allows our production to rent the right gear to capture the story in the right way.
Food & Crafty
Costs $2,000
This will allow us to feed our cast and crew during our shooting days.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to buy props and set dressings that are needed
Insurance
Costs $300
This will allow us to ensure any gear we may need.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Nicholas Hansell (writer, director) is best known for his award-winning short film FLOWERS (2023), which won Best Direction at the Toronto LGBTQ+ Film Festival and was runner-up for Best Short Film at the East London LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
He has worked in the location department for Showtime’s Shameless, HBO’s The Flight Attendant, Hulu’s Dollface, and two Sundance award-winning films: The Getaway Driver and Little Death.
Nicholas’s work often explores intimacy, friendship, and identity through visually striking storytelling and surrealist imagery. He is now developing his first feature, The Road Trip, a personal and emotional story centered on connection, growth, and LGBTQ+ experiences.