THE TOWER
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Fantasy
Jane, a woman down on her luck - finds a mysterious book that catapults her on a dizzying quest of self-discovery one day in NYC.
THE TOWER
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Fantasy
Green Light
This campaign raised $13,243 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
136 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Jane, a woman down on her luck - finds a mysterious book that catapults her on a dizzying quest of self-discovery one day in NYC.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Jane, newly single and jobless in New York City, stumbles upon a quizzical book in the subway as she heads out to meet up with her friend, Shea. After a moment of deliberation, she picks up the book and once finished reading a portion of it, begins to experience some truly mysterious events.
Visibly shaken from what has just occurred, Jane sits across from Shea and explains to her what has happened. While doing this, once more, the book reveals another unexplainable happenstance that sends Jane on a mission for explanation - and self-discovery.
Jane then sets off to find the author, a quirky mystic who she is fortunate enough to come across as she seeks both them and the answers she has been in search of. The story is not only hilarious but also endearing as we travel with Jane on a journey that is not only personal to her but to all of us.
CHARACTERS
JANE - Downtrodden, searching for answers, hungry for truth, wholesome yet edgy
SHEA - Jane's best friend, concerned with her erratic yet excited behavior, deadpan
ANTONIO - Fabulous mystic, sassy - yet generous and kind, Rupaul-esque flair
Here are some of the influences for THE TOWER...
SEARCH PARTY (2016)
BROAD CITY (2014)
SLIP (2023)
THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (2013)
Moving to New York City completely changed my life. It hardened me, forced me to be my own human, and put me through heartbreaks and unbearable situations. I came here to study acting and better yet, to have a successful career as an actress. Cut to nine years and one pandemic later —
I decided to say SCREW IT! What do I have to lose? It’s time to make a film!
I had no idea what type of story I wanted to make but I knew it had to come from the heart.
My heart.
The questions that have led me (& Jane) here are…
“Where am I going in my life?”
“Have I lost my way?”
“What is the point of all of this?”
“Where can I get a decent donut in this city?!”
I know I’m not the only one who grapples with these questions. Lately, the clock and the chaos of the world feels louder. I wanted to provide healing for myself and others through this.
I believe this story will encourage people to believe not only in themselves but that they are exactly where they need to be, while motivating a push to challenge themselves further.
To seek the magic in this life.
*Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded. We must reach this goal in 30 days
or we won't receive a single penny!*
Your contribution is crucial to our project. With your support, we have the potential to make the best version of this film while paying our fantastic team fair wages! With the current WGA and SAG strikes - supporting independent films over studio films is more important than ever!
The $15,000 you are helping us raise will go towards:
-Hiring our cast & crew
-Renting high-quality film equipment
-Securing our locations
-Set design, props, wardrobe
-Feeding our people
We are ready to bring this story to life.
We need your support to make this a reality!
STRETCH GOALS & TIMELINE
-Our $15,000 goal is what we need to get our project green-lit to move into production. However, if we exceed this goal we will be able to more easily complete a few tasks after we wrap production.
-At $17,500 we are able to account for any contingency issues (loss of location, weather reschedules, etc…) as well as any last minute costs that may arise.
-At $20,000 we will be able to submit to all of the festivals we are looking forward to and get this story in front of even more eyes!
-At $25,000 we will be able to fund all of our Post-Production needs as well as any reshoots we may need.
*Pre-Production: April 2023 - September 2023
We have locked the script and are now in our pre-production process.
We will be casting and rounding out the crew as well as negotiating
with a baddie of a producer in August and September.
*Production: Early October 2023
Shooting for 3 days early October after our campaign is funded… thanks to you!
*Post-Production: October 2023 - December 2023
No need to dilly-dally, we are going straight into Post-Production
to get this baby locked by Santa’s birthday!
*Distribution: March 2024 - January 2025
THE TOWER will be entering the festival circuit near the end of March 2024.
We will have a private screening in New York for our campaign supporters
as well as send out a digital link to view the film early for any donors that hit that level.
We are incredibly excited to share this journey and story with you!
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and for being a part of this community. Remember that no donation is too small. Check out all the different fun incentives! We are extremely grateful to you.
We completely understand if you’re unable to donate
but some free ways you can help us are:
- FOLLOW US ON SEED AND SPARK (If we gain 250 followers on the Seed & Spark platform, we will have access to Filmmaker Perks that will help with the film’s production)
- SHARE THE LOVE with the following tags #TheTowerShortFilm and following/posting the creator’s instagram posts! @samgray
- NEED HELP WITH SHARING? Feel free to copy & paste the following to your social media page!
So excited to see the upcoming comedy short
THE TOWER created by @samgray ! Pledge here!
seedandspark.com/fund/the-tower #TheTowerShortFilm
We know with your support we are going to create
something amazing - THANK YOU!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew
Costs $7,100
Let's make sure our beautiful diverse cast & crew gets paid fair wages!
Art Department
Costs $450
Set design, props & all those necessary art pieces really make a film look fab!
Food, glorious food!
Costs $750
We humans need water and sustenance!
Locations
Costs $1,500
We're trying to make this thing look amazing!
Post-Production
Costs $3,000
Editing is just a big ol' woof! but we're gonna make it through
Equipment Rental
Costs $2,200
We're going to be renting lights and mics and making all of this great!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
SAM GRAY, Co-Director, Co-Writer, Producer & Lead (She/Her)
is an actor, writer, occasional singer, and full-time experience seeker. She has always had a love for movies and has wanted to be a part of the creative conversation since she was young. She attended Atlantic Acting School in NYC and also studied video production in the lovely state of Maine, where she is from. When she isn’t working, you’ll probably catch her lying on the grass near some trees or petting all of the dogs in Brooklyn.
The Tower is her most personal project to date.
EDEN MARTINEZ, Co-Director (They/Them)
is a Queer Puerto-Rican American filmmaker and Lower East Side native. Their work occupies the intersection of social justice and culture, pondering questions of identity, intersectionality, and belonging. Eden is currently developing the feature film, Rear/Naked, produced by Little Animal Pictures, ZEISS, and Honto88. When they're not creating you can find Eden making films, hiking with their dog Osita, or in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class.
JEFFREY WYATT, Co-Writer (He/Him)
After earning a degree in Classical Guitar, and then training for two years at the prestigious Second City Improv in Chicago, Jeffrey Wyatt chose to venture down another creative path. Writing for myriad projects over the past decade has left him with wonderful stories, delightful friends, and nearly one comma in his bank account. His wit, charisma, and penchant for word play make his work uniquely discernable amidst the deluge of consumable media in our current landscape. He credits his 8 year old daughter for allowing him to plagiarize her works.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Jane, newly single and jobless in New York City, stumbles upon a quizzical book in the subway as she heads out to meet up with her friend, Shea. After a moment of deliberation, she picks up the book and once finished reading a portion of it, begins to experience some truly mysterious events.
Visibly shaken from what has just occurred, Jane sits across from Shea and explains to her what has happened. While doing this, once more, the book reveals another unexplainable happenstance that sends Jane on a mission for explanation - and self-discovery.
Jane then sets off to find the author, a quirky mystic who she is fortunate enough to come across as she seeks both them and the answers she has been in search of. The story is not only hilarious but also endearing as we travel with Jane on a journey that is not only personal to her but to all of us.
CHARACTERS
JANE - Downtrodden, searching for answers, hungry for truth, wholesome yet edgy
SHEA - Jane's best friend, concerned with her erratic yet excited behavior, deadpan
ANTONIO - Fabulous mystic, sassy - yet generous and kind, Rupaul-esque flair
Here are some of the influences for THE TOWER...
SEARCH PARTY (2016)
BROAD CITY (2014)
SLIP (2023)
THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (2013)
Moving to New York City completely changed my life. It hardened me, forced me to be my own human, and put me through heartbreaks and unbearable situations. I came here to study acting and better yet, to have a successful career as an actress. Cut to nine years and one pandemic later —
I decided to say SCREW IT! What do I have to lose? It’s time to make a film!
I had no idea what type of story I wanted to make but I knew it had to come from the heart.
My heart.
The questions that have led me (& Jane) here are…
“Where am I going in my life?”
“Have I lost my way?”
“What is the point of all of this?”
“Where can I get a decent donut in this city?!”
I know I’m not the only one who grapples with these questions. Lately, the clock and the chaos of the world feels louder. I wanted to provide healing for myself and others through this.
I believe this story will encourage people to believe not only in themselves but that they are exactly where they need to be, while motivating a push to challenge themselves further.
To seek the magic in this life.
*Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded. We must reach this goal in 30 days
or we won't receive a single penny!*
Your contribution is crucial to our project. With your support, we have the potential to make the best version of this film while paying our fantastic team fair wages! With the current WGA and SAG strikes - supporting independent films over studio films is more important than ever!
The $15,000 you are helping us raise will go towards:
-Hiring our cast & crew
-Renting high-quality film equipment
-Securing our locations
-Set design, props, wardrobe
-Feeding our people
We are ready to bring this story to life.
We need your support to make this a reality!
STRETCH GOALS & TIMELINE
-Our $15,000 goal is what we need to get our project green-lit to move into production. However, if we exceed this goal we will be able to more easily complete a few tasks after we wrap production.
-At $17,500 we are able to account for any contingency issues (loss of location, weather reschedules, etc…) as well as any last minute costs that may arise.
-At $20,000 we will be able to submit to all of the festivals we are looking forward to and get this story in front of even more eyes!
-At $25,000 we will be able to fund all of our Post-Production needs as well as any reshoots we may need.
*Pre-Production: April 2023 - September 2023
We have locked the script and are now in our pre-production process.
We will be casting and rounding out the crew as well as negotiating
with a baddie of a producer in August and September.
*Production: Early October 2023
Shooting for 3 days early October after our campaign is funded… thanks to you!
*Post-Production: October 2023 - December 2023
No need to dilly-dally, we are going straight into Post-Production
to get this baby locked by Santa’s birthday!
*Distribution: March 2024 - January 2025
THE TOWER will be entering the festival circuit near the end of March 2024.
We will have a private screening in New York for our campaign supporters
as well as send out a digital link to view the film early for any donors that hit that level.
We are incredibly excited to share this journey and story with you!
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and for being a part of this community. Remember that no donation is too small. Check out all the different fun incentives! We are extremely grateful to you.
We completely understand if you’re unable to donate
but some free ways you can help us are:
- FOLLOW US ON SEED AND SPARK (If we gain 250 followers on the Seed & Spark platform, we will have access to Filmmaker Perks that will help with the film’s production)
- SHARE THE LOVE with the following tags #TheTowerShortFilm and following/posting the creator’s instagram posts! @samgray
- NEED HELP WITH SHARING? Feel free to copy & paste the following to your social media page!
So excited to see the upcoming comedy short
THE TOWER created by @samgray ! Pledge here!
seedandspark.com/fund/the-tower #TheTowerShortFilm
We know with your support we are going to create
something amazing - THANK YOU!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew
Costs $7,100
Let's make sure our beautiful diverse cast & crew gets paid fair wages!
Art Department
Costs $450
Set design, props & all those necessary art pieces really make a film look fab!
Food, glorious food!
Costs $750
We humans need water and sustenance!
Locations
Costs $1,500
We're trying to make this thing look amazing!
Post-Production
Costs $3,000
Editing is just a big ol' woof! but we're gonna make it through
Equipment Rental
Costs $2,200
We're going to be renting lights and mics and making all of this great!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
SAM GRAY, Co-Director, Co-Writer, Producer & Lead (She/Her)
is an actor, writer, occasional singer, and full-time experience seeker. She has always had a love for movies and has wanted to be a part of the creative conversation since she was young. She attended Atlantic Acting School in NYC and also studied video production in the lovely state of Maine, where she is from. When she isn’t working, you’ll probably catch her lying on the grass near some trees or petting all of the dogs in Brooklyn.
The Tower is her most personal project to date.
EDEN MARTINEZ, Co-Director (They/Them)
is a Queer Puerto-Rican American filmmaker and Lower East Side native. Their work occupies the intersection of social justice and culture, pondering questions of identity, intersectionality, and belonging. Eden is currently developing the feature film, Rear/Naked, produced by Little Animal Pictures, ZEISS, and Honto88. When they're not creating you can find Eden making films, hiking with their dog Osita, or in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class.
JEFFREY WYATT, Co-Writer (He/Him)
After earning a degree in Classical Guitar, and then training for two years at the prestigious Second City Improv in Chicago, Jeffrey Wyatt chose to venture down another creative path. Writing for myriad projects over the past decade has left him with wonderful stories, delightful friends, and nearly one comma in his bank account. His wit, charisma, and penchant for word play make his work uniquely discernable amidst the deluge of consumable media in our current landscape. He credits his 8 year old daughter for allowing him to plagiarize her works.