The Charities
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Documentary, Music
Our film explores the brotherhood amongst a group of passionate bandmates as they lean on each other through personal and professional hardships and triumphs. They confront the pivotal question of whether they will ascend to the mainstream or continue to thrive in their local community's admiration.
The Charities
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Documentary, Music
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $12,142 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
92 supporters | followers
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Our film explores the brotherhood amongst a group of passionate bandmates as they lean on each other through personal and professional hardships and triumphs. They confront the pivotal question of whether they will ascend to the mainstream or continue to thrive in their local community's admiration.
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"The Charities” film follows the journey of The Charities, an up-and-coming funk and soul band based in Southern California. As they pour their hearts and souls into their craft, they must confront their own insecurities, ambitions, and the realities of the ever changing music industry.
Through the lens of their manager, director Jo Anna Edmison, this film will offer a unique twist on the visualization of brotherhood through a woman’s perspective as she helps the band grow and shape their future.
Members of the band grow up throughout the film. We see characters leave the band, lose sight of the vision, and even struggle with substance abuse. With heavy undertones of hardship amidst living under the same roof while the world shut down during the pandemic, they overcome these challenges through their ultimate devotion to music and love for one another.
Brock (lead singer and songwriter) takes on the role of the main character. We get to know him and begin to understand his connection to music. Growing up with a single mother who struggled with addiction her whole life, the audience gains a deeper perspective on his balance and relationship between tragedy and comedy, and where many of the sincere lyrics come from. His charisma, sense of humor, and stage presence are what keep people listening and invested in the band.
They found their own style of music in the melting pot of different cultures that is the West Coast with their mix of soul, rock, R&B, and funk. While their live performances serve as the heartbeat of The Charities’ identity, their creative evolution extends far beyond the stage. With a deep reverence for vintage aesthetic and sound, the band immerses themselves in a timeless allure, infusing their music with a nostalgic charm that resonates with listeners of all ages.
The visual style of the project calls back the aesthetics of an era in which their music is inspired by and complements the band’s obsession with vintage gear, clothes, and overall way of life. Over the course of 7 years, the band has been documented with many different mediums. Utilizing authentic 16mm and Super 8 film footage, VHS tape footage, 35mm film photos, and other complementary graphics. The story becomes a collage of visual expression and experimentation in itself. Seamlessly blending the timeless charm of 16mm film with the contemporary look of digital interview footage, the film reveals intimate backstage moments of the band’s candid realism.
Boldly merging documentary realism with narrative storytelling, our film offers a fresh and innovative take on the timeless tale of a band. A written, play-like performance of The Charities will lead the viewer through the story. Band members will perform on a theater stage as footage from the past is inserted into the film’s timeline. A blend of live performance and archival footage immerses viewers in the band's journey, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Director Jo Anna Edmison started managing The Charities in 2018 when they needed help booking their backyard shows. She was just a teenager at the time and has become a key component in the evolution of the band and has grown up alongside each of them. Over the years she captured hundreds of hours of footage and thousands of photographs of the band throughout their career. The closeness of their relationship grants the film premiere access to their candid moments and authentic feelings. They often forget the camera is even there.
During some early interviews with band members, Director Jo's presence naturally emerged as integral to the conversation. We embraced this dynamic, flipping the script and putting Jo in front of the camera for collaborative dialogue with the band. This refreshing twist sees the band actively shaping the documentary and becoming co-creators of the film.
Because we are all striving to find success in our lives in one way or another. By sharing their story, we seek to foster an open and vulnerable dialogue for independent artists, inspiring them to persist in their pursuit of self-expression and success, however they define it. Supporting artists is crucial because they are the heartbeat of culture and the catalysts for change. They bring people together, fostering connections and sparking inspiration. With this project, we celebrate and empower artists, recognizing their invaluable contribution to communities everywhere.
In today's ever-evolving cultural landscape, younger generations are boldly breaking free from conventional norms, carving unique paths that prioritize passion and authenticity over convention. We find ourselves amidst a moment defined by exploration and a hunger for genuine expression. Our film captures the spirit of this moment in time! We aspire to be a beacon of encouragement for this current wave of explorative energy, inspiring individuals to pursue their passions fearlessly. We believe in the power of now—your journey is just as noteworthy as your intended destination and you don’t need to wait for your story to be told. By making this film now, we invite our audience to become part of the band's ongoing journey, contributing to their story as it unfolds.
We are on the brink of completing production and entering the early stages of post production. Jo Anna has been filming since 2018 and 95% of the film has been shot. Some interviews have been captured but we still have a few left to do. While we have captured a few insightful interviews for the film, a few more remain, along with the pivotal stage live performance sequence that we will film at a theater in Telluride, CO while the band is on tour.
Our target goal of $15,000 will play a crucial role in covering the remaining production expenses and facilitating the post-production process.Your generous contribution will directly support essential elements such as film stock and development, editing, color grading, sound design and more. Additionally, it will enable us to co compensate our dedicated crew and post-production team.
If we surpass our goal of $15,000, the fund will be allocated towards distribution efforts and the impact of our campaign! Our aspiration is to premiere the film at SXSW where it can resonate with our target audience: creatives, entrepreneurs, seasoned culture enthusiasts, and music lovers.
We intend to submit the film to over 15 film festivals for the 2025 calendar year, embarking on a circuit that will engage audiences across diverse settings. We will plan a 6 month community screening initiative, starting in California and then moving to other locations nationally, showcasing the film in theaters, music venues and alongside live performances by the band. After we are finished with in-person screenings, we aim to have the film licensed on a streaming platform— on branded channels like YouTube, WaterBear, and Vimeo for even wider audiences to see.
By supporting our project, you're not just backing a film—you're becoming part of a community that champions individual expression and artistic integrity. As independent artists ourselves, we understand the challenges and triumphs that come with pursuing a creative path. Together, we have the power to ignite conversations, and empower aspiring artists worldwide.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $4,000
Our incredibly talents top tier team has already put in so many hours and have more to go!
Travel
Costs $1,000
We need our dedicated team to join the band on a few stops on their tour to capture all the magic!
Film Stock and Development
Costs $1,500
Capturing the journey with the timeless charm of 35mm is worth every pretty penny! But it takes a lot of pennies!
Camera & Lighting Equipment
Costs $2,000
With the use of so many different mediums, the film will become a collage of visual expression and experimentation!
Location for Staged Performance
Costs $1,000
We have our heart set on the perfect theater that will set the scene for the band's mystical staged performance.
Post Production
Costs $5,500
We'll have hundreds of hours of footage to go through for this short. This will help pay for editing, color correction, audio mixing, etc!
About This Team
DIRECTOR: Jo Anna Edmison
Jo Anna's unique approach to filmmaking sets her apart. Her love affair with 16mm film and Super 8 is a testament to her dedication to preserving the authenticity and charm of analog practices. In an age dominated by digital technology, Jo Anna's commitment to these mediums adds a nostalgic and visually stunning quality to her documentaries.
Jo Anna's talent has not gone unnoticed, and her short documentary works have garnered acclaim at prestigious film festivals. In 2020, she received the Best Student Documentary awards at both the SLO Film Festival and the Big Sur Film Festival for her film Stoke Chasers, acknowledging her ability to craft compelling narratives. The recognition continued in 2022, with Jo Anna securing the Best Documentary Short award at the SLO Film Festival for her film Freedom of Flow, cementing her status as a rising star in the world of documentary filmmaking.
PRODUCER: Hayley Nenadal
Hayley has over 20 years experience working in film production and film festival programming. She knows how to see a project from inception to completion with a strong sense of timeline and budget. Her years of experience include working extensively at Sundance, Telluride, Mill Valley, Mountainfilm, EarthX film festivals and many other well connected companies and institutions. Hayleyhasstrongrelationshipswithinthe documentary film world, whether it is through grants, donors, or programmers and can build + implement strong strategy around The Book of George impact distribution and funding.
PRODUCER: Melissa Bindi
Melissa is a Producer based in Los Angeles, California, with a strong ability to craft engaging narratives across various genres. Her portfolio includes a range of scripted and unscripted projects, including sketch comedy, documentary series, narrative and documentary shorts, competition shows, game shows, promotional campaigns, and live events. She values collaboration and strives to infuse her work with meaningful storytelling that resonates with audiences. Her partnerships have included collaborations with Netflix, CollegeHumor/Dropout, Funny or Die, StyleLikeU and beyond.
EDITOR: Ian McMullen
Ian is a designer, artist, and filmmaker working with video, graphics, and photography. His passion for cinema from a young age has led him to make films with unique stories, formats, and compelling subjects. He searches for the distinctive voice and perspective in every story and brings a strong eye and ear for aesthetic to a wide range of creative film projects. He currently lives in the mountains of Telluride, Colorado.
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"The Charities” film follows the journey of The Charities, an up-and-coming funk and soul band based in Southern California. As they pour their hearts and souls into their craft, they must confront their own insecurities, ambitions, and the realities of the ever changing music industry.
Through the lens of their manager, director Jo Anna Edmison, this film will offer a unique twist on the visualization of brotherhood through a woman’s perspective as she helps the band grow and shape their future.
Members of the band grow up throughout the film. We see characters leave the band, lose sight of the vision, and even struggle with substance abuse. With heavy undertones of hardship amidst living under the same roof while the world shut down during the pandemic, they overcome these challenges through their ultimate devotion to music and love for one another.
Brock (lead singer and songwriter) takes on the role of the main character. We get to know him and begin to understand his connection to music. Growing up with a single mother who struggled with addiction her whole life, the audience gains a deeper perspective on his balance and relationship between tragedy and comedy, and where many of the sincere lyrics come from. His charisma, sense of humor, and stage presence are what keep people listening and invested in the band.
They found their own style of music in the melting pot of different cultures that is the West Coast with their mix of soul, rock, R&B, and funk. While their live performances serve as the heartbeat of The Charities’ identity, their creative evolution extends far beyond the stage. With a deep reverence for vintage aesthetic and sound, the band immerses themselves in a timeless allure, infusing their music with a nostalgic charm that resonates with listeners of all ages.
The visual style of the project calls back the aesthetics of an era in which their music is inspired by and complements the band’s obsession with vintage gear, clothes, and overall way of life. Over the course of 7 years, the band has been documented with many different mediums. Utilizing authentic 16mm and Super 8 film footage, VHS tape footage, 35mm film photos, and other complementary graphics. The story becomes a collage of visual expression and experimentation in itself. Seamlessly blending the timeless charm of 16mm film with the contemporary look of digital interview footage, the film reveals intimate backstage moments of the band’s candid realism.
Boldly merging documentary realism with narrative storytelling, our film offers a fresh and innovative take on the timeless tale of a band. A written, play-like performance of The Charities will lead the viewer through the story. Band members will perform on a theater stage as footage from the past is inserted into the film’s timeline. A blend of live performance and archival footage immerses viewers in the band's journey, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Director Jo Anna Edmison started managing The Charities in 2018 when they needed help booking their backyard shows. She was just a teenager at the time and has become a key component in the evolution of the band and has grown up alongside each of them. Over the years she captured hundreds of hours of footage and thousands of photographs of the band throughout their career. The closeness of their relationship grants the film premiere access to their candid moments and authentic feelings. They often forget the camera is even there.
During some early interviews with band members, Director Jo's presence naturally emerged as integral to the conversation. We embraced this dynamic, flipping the script and putting Jo in front of the camera for collaborative dialogue with the band. This refreshing twist sees the band actively shaping the documentary and becoming co-creators of the film.
Because we are all striving to find success in our lives in one way or another. By sharing their story, we seek to foster an open and vulnerable dialogue for independent artists, inspiring them to persist in their pursuit of self-expression and success, however they define it. Supporting artists is crucial because they are the heartbeat of culture and the catalysts for change. They bring people together, fostering connections and sparking inspiration. With this project, we celebrate and empower artists, recognizing their invaluable contribution to communities everywhere.
In today's ever-evolving cultural landscape, younger generations are boldly breaking free from conventional norms, carving unique paths that prioritize passion and authenticity over convention. We find ourselves amidst a moment defined by exploration and a hunger for genuine expression. Our film captures the spirit of this moment in time! We aspire to be a beacon of encouragement for this current wave of explorative energy, inspiring individuals to pursue their passions fearlessly. We believe in the power of now—your journey is just as noteworthy as your intended destination and you don’t need to wait for your story to be told. By making this film now, we invite our audience to become part of the band's ongoing journey, contributing to their story as it unfolds.
We are on the brink of completing production and entering the early stages of post production. Jo Anna has been filming since 2018 and 95% of the film has been shot. Some interviews have been captured but we still have a few left to do. While we have captured a few insightful interviews for the film, a few more remain, along with the pivotal stage live performance sequence that we will film at a theater in Telluride, CO while the band is on tour.
Our target goal of $15,000 will play a crucial role in covering the remaining production expenses and facilitating the post-production process.Your generous contribution will directly support essential elements such as film stock and development, editing, color grading, sound design and more. Additionally, it will enable us to co compensate our dedicated crew and post-production team.
If we surpass our goal of $15,000, the fund will be allocated towards distribution efforts and the impact of our campaign! Our aspiration is to premiere the film at SXSW where it can resonate with our target audience: creatives, entrepreneurs, seasoned culture enthusiasts, and music lovers.
We intend to submit the film to over 15 film festivals for the 2025 calendar year, embarking on a circuit that will engage audiences across diverse settings. We will plan a 6 month community screening initiative, starting in California and then moving to other locations nationally, showcasing the film in theaters, music venues and alongside live performances by the band. After we are finished with in-person screenings, we aim to have the film licensed on a streaming platform— on branded channels like YouTube, WaterBear, and Vimeo for even wider audiences to see.
By supporting our project, you're not just backing a film—you're becoming part of a community that champions individual expression and artistic integrity. As independent artists ourselves, we understand the challenges and triumphs that come with pursuing a creative path. Together, we have the power to ignite conversations, and empower aspiring artists worldwide.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $4,000
Our incredibly talents top tier team has already put in so many hours and have more to go!
Travel
Costs $1,000
We need our dedicated team to join the band on a few stops on their tour to capture all the magic!
Film Stock and Development
Costs $1,500
Capturing the journey with the timeless charm of 35mm is worth every pretty penny! But it takes a lot of pennies!
Camera & Lighting Equipment
Costs $2,000
With the use of so many different mediums, the film will become a collage of visual expression and experimentation!
Location for Staged Performance
Costs $1,000
We have our heart set on the perfect theater that will set the scene for the band's mystical staged performance.
Post Production
Costs $5,500
We'll have hundreds of hours of footage to go through for this short. This will help pay for editing, color correction, audio mixing, etc!
About This Team
DIRECTOR: Jo Anna Edmison
Jo Anna's unique approach to filmmaking sets her apart. Her love affair with 16mm film and Super 8 is a testament to her dedication to preserving the authenticity and charm of analog practices. In an age dominated by digital technology, Jo Anna's commitment to these mediums adds a nostalgic and visually stunning quality to her documentaries.
Jo Anna's talent has not gone unnoticed, and her short documentary works have garnered acclaim at prestigious film festivals. In 2020, she received the Best Student Documentary awards at both the SLO Film Festival and the Big Sur Film Festival for her film Stoke Chasers, acknowledging her ability to craft compelling narratives. The recognition continued in 2022, with Jo Anna securing the Best Documentary Short award at the SLO Film Festival for her film Freedom of Flow, cementing her status as a rising star in the world of documentary filmmaking.
PRODUCER: Hayley Nenadal
Hayley has over 20 years experience working in film production and film festival programming. She knows how to see a project from inception to completion with a strong sense of timeline and budget. Her years of experience include working extensively at Sundance, Telluride, Mill Valley, Mountainfilm, EarthX film festivals and many other well connected companies and institutions. Hayleyhasstrongrelationshipswithinthe documentary film world, whether it is through grants, donors, or programmers and can build + implement strong strategy around The Book of George impact distribution and funding.
PRODUCER: Melissa Bindi
Melissa is a Producer based in Los Angeles, California, with a strong ability to craft engaging narratives across various genres. Her portfolio includes a range of scripted and unscripted projects, including sketch comedy, documentary series, narrative and documentary shorts, competition shows, game shows, promotional campaigns, and live events. She values collaboration and strives to infuse her work with meaningful storytelling that resonates with audiences. Her partnerships have included collaborations with Netflix, CollegeHumor/Dropout, Funny or Die, StyleLikeU and beyond.
EDITOR: Ian McMullen
Ian is a designer, artist, and filmmaker working with video, graphics, and photography. His passion for cinema from a young age has led him to make films with unique stories, formats, and compelling subjects. He searches for the distinctive voice and perspective in every story and brings a strong eye and ear for aesthetic to a wide range of creative film projects. He currently lives in the mountains of Telluride, Colorado.