Ti Blan
New York City, New York | Series
Comedy, Drama
Support "Ti Blan" to bring a unique Haitian-American story to life. The story follows a Haitian-American teen named Junior, who is sent to live with his estranged grandmother. Junior connects with his roots, but his past threatens his future.
Ti Blan
New York City, New York | Series
Comedy, Drama
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,400 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
75 supporters | followers
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Support "Ti Blan" to bring a unique Haitian-American story to life. The story follows a Haitian-American teen named Junior, who is sent to live with his estranged grandmother. Junior connects with his roots, but his past threatens his future.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ti Blan” is a half-hour dramedy pilot that follows Junior, a troubled Haitian-American teen who, after a series of misfortunes, is sent to stay with his estranged Haitian grandmother in Long Island.
Disconnected from his roots, Junior becomes immersed in his family’s culture through his grandmother’s guidance, discovering the warmth and sense of belonging his family provides. As he reconnects with his cultural heritage and the core values he’s been missing, Junior grapples with the tension between tradition and personal ambition. Despite this newfound connection, old habits linger, and he soon finds himself in trouble again. Set against the backdrop of a tight-knit Haitian community, “Ti Blan” explores the complexities of cultural identity, family expectations, and personal dreams, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of balancing two worlds.
Our project sheds light on the richness of Haitian culture and the universal themes of family, identity, and resilience. With a diverse cast and crew dedicated to authenticity, "Ti Blan" aims to bring a fresh and necessary perspective to the screen, offering audiences a story that is both deeply personal and broadly relatable. In a media landscape where stories about Caribbean and Haitian-American experiences are rarely told, this project offers a fresh perspective. It’s a story about finding connection in the unlikeliest of places, told with authenticity and heart. There’s a growing need for diverse stories in film and television that reflect the breadth of experiences within marginalized communities. Ti Blan shines a light on the Haitian-American experience in a way that hasn’t been seen before, and now more than ever, audiences are eager for content that resonates with their own cultural identities and struggles.
Currently, Ti Blan is in pre-production, and we’re gearing up to shoot in November 2024. This crowdfunding campaign will help us raise the remaining funds to bring this project to life. With your support, we’ll be able to cover key costs like camera rentals, production design, and locations.
But that’s not all! We have a stretch goal of $13,000, which will go towards securing the best camera rentals for the production. Specifically, our Director of Photography has his eye on either the Atlas Orion anamorphic kit (the same lenses used for Babylon) or the Cook anamorphic lens kit to give the film a unique, cinematic look.
Once we wrap up filming, we’ll dive into post-production, aiming to have the project picture-locked by June 2025. Afterward, we plan to submit Ti Blan to festivals and share this powerful story with a global audience. Every contribution helps us move closer to that goal, and your support is key to making this happen!
This is more than just a pilot; it's a celebration of culture, family, and the pursuit of one's true self.
Join us on this journey by contributing, following our campaign, and sharing it with your networks. You can make a difference in bringing Ti Blan to life!
Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes updates: @tiblan.series
The story of Ti Blan draws inspiration from the lives of my Haitian family and I. A few years ago, I lost my grandmother, the matriarch of my family. She spoke only Creole, a language I never fully learned, and though words often failed us, the power of her love never did and one lesson she showed me is that family is everything- and that’s the heart of Ti Blan.
In Ti Blan, the tension between identity and heritage is at the core of Junior’s journey, mirroring my own experiences. Growing up, I often felt a disconnect with my culture, and this conflict deepened when I started working at my family’s takeout restaurant, and I was nicknamed "Ti Blan" for not speaking Creole. Like Junior, I struggled to reconcile my personal ambitions with cultural expectations. Ti Blan explores this push and pull, as Junior navigates the complexities of identity and finding a place between his heritage and his own path.
This show is my homage to the beautifully complex characters I’ve been surrounded by throughout my life and a celebration of the parts of Haitian culture that have always deeply resonated with me—our food, our music, and the strength of our familial bonds.
Ultimately, Ti Blan is about navigating the tension between individual aspirations and the desire to reconnect with one’s roots, a journey I continue exploring in my life.
In developing Ti Blan, we drew inspiration from shows like Ramy, The Bear, and Atlanta. Each of these series explores the complexities of cultural identity, family, and ambition, themes that are central to Ti Blan as well. Like Ramy, Ti Blan follows a protagonist’s journey of reconnecting with their heritage, but through the Haitian-American experience.
The Bear influenced our portrayal of family pressures, but with a unique twist: while The Bear focuses on the high-intensity world of professional cooking, Ti Blan immerses viewers in the warmth and richness of Haitian home cooking, where food serves as a cultural bridge between generations. Finally, Atlanta inspires us to blend humor, surrealism, and poignant social commentary, all while capturing the dynamics of a close-knit community. These comparisons highlight how Ti Blan offers a fresh perspective on these universal themes, with Haitian culture at its heart.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Rentals
Costs $1,500
High-quality camera lenses such as the Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens are essential to capturing Ti Blan's stunning visuals.
Meals
Costs $3,000
A well-fed crew is a happy and efficient crew. Your support will provide meals and snacks for the hardworking team bringing Ti Blan to life.
Transportation
Costs $2,500
Our production shoots all across New York State. Your contribution helps us rent a cargo and a 15-person passenger van to transport crew!
Location Rental
Costs $1,000
We need to secure a restaurant, barbershop, and—spoiler—a funeral home. Your contributions help us afford to lock these locations!
Props
Costs $2,200
Props and set design bring the story of Ti Blan to life. Your contribution helps us create, buy, and rent realistic props for our story!
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a passionate team of creatives from diverse backgrounds, with many of us proudly sharing Caribbean heritage. This diversity is central to the heart of Ti Blan, as it informs our storytelling, enriches our perspective, and deepens our connection to the themes of culture and identity.
Our collective experiences and cultural influences enable us to bring an authentic and multifaceted narrative to life, making Ti Blan not just a project but a representation of the vibrant and complex communities we come from. Together, we are committed to sharing stories that reflect the richness of our backgrounds while celebrating the universal struggles and triumphs that resonate across cultures.
Noah Petion Laforest
Showrunner & Writer
Noah Petion Laforest is a senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in Film & Television with a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Born and raised in Long Island, he is a writer/director with a focus on TV writing. He has gained industry experience at Milojo Productions and worked on various independent projects throughout New York City. Recently, Noah worked on the NYU TV bootcamp web series Dissonance (2024), where he both wrote and directed an episode. Noah's love for television was sparked by the countless hours he's spent binging shows. He is passionate about shows that create immersive worlds for audiences to escape into. Committed to telling stories that deeply resonate with viewers while championing underrepresented voices, Noah is excited to bring this personal story to life, inspired by his Haitian culture and family.
Sydney Crawford
Executive Producer
Sydney Crawford is a senior majoring in Film and Television at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, with a minor in Business, Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Born and raised in South Florida, she proudly identifies as Bahamian-American. Passionate about storytelling, Sydney serves as the Co-Director for the Fusion Film Festival and co-heads the Production Management team. A dedicated Marvel enthusiast, she aspires to work for the studio in the future. Sydney is committed to amplifying Black and LGBTQ+ narratives, aiming to bring these important stories to life through her work in film and television.
Dwight Ellis Jr
Director
Dwight Ellis Jr. is a Jamaican-American born and raised right outside of Detroit, Michigan. He is a Senior at NYU studying Film and Television with a focus on writing and directing. Dwight wants to spend his career highlighting the history and reality of Black America with reverence and respect. Dwight takes inspiration from all over, including genres like Westerns and Sports Dramas and directors like Ryan Cooler, Spike Lee, and Antoine Fuqua.
Dre Monteros
Director of Photography
Dre is a senior at Tisch with a focus on cinematography. Originally from Mexico, I’m passionate about and love every single step of the process to creating visual for film project. Outside of filmmaking, I’m involved in NYU’s community through sports and music. I’m excited to be the cinematographer for this project and look forward to help create something amazing!
Tristian Zhu
Production Designer
Tristian is a senior at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in Film and TV. My passion lies in creating immersive worlds, often drawing on campy, queer, authentic, and visually interesting aesthetics. Inspired by my favorite filmmakers like John Waters, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Harmony Korine, and Gaspar Noé, I aim to push creative boundaries in my work. As the production designer for this TV pilot, I’m drawn to its uniqueness, authenticity, and the incredible people I get to collaborate with on this project.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ti Blan” is a half-hour dramedy pilot that follows Junior, a troubled Haitian-American teen who, after a series of misfortunes, is sent to stay with his estranged Haitian grandmother in Long Island.
Disconnected from his roots, Junior becomes immersed in his family’s culture through his grandmother’s guidance, discovering the warmth and sense of belonging his family provides. As he reconnects with his cultural heritage and the core values he’s been missing, Junior grapples with the tension between tradition and personal ambition. Despite this newfound connection, old habits linger, and he soon finds himself in trouble again. Set against the backdrop of a tight-knit Haitian community, “Ti Blan” explores the complexities of cultural identity, family expectations, and personal dreams, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of balancing two worlds.
Our project sheds light on the richness of Haitian culture and the universal themes of family, identity, and resilience. With a diverse cast and crew dedicated to authenticity, "Ti Blan" aims to bring a fresh and necessary perspective to the screen, offering audiences a story that is both deeply personal and broadly relatable. In a media landscape where stories about Caribbean and Haitian-American experiences are rarely told, this project offers a fresh perspective. It’s a story about finding connection in the unlikeliest of places, told with authenticity and heart. There’s a growing need for diverse stories in film and television that reflect the breadth of experiences within marginalized communities. Ti Blan shines a light on the Haitian-American experience in a way that hasn’t been seen before, and now more than ever, audiences are eager for content that resonates with their own cultural identities and struggles.
Currently, Ti Blan is in pre-production, and we’re gearing up to shoot in November 2024. This crowdfunding campaign will help us raise the remaining funds to bring this project to life. With your support, we’ll be able to cover key costs like camera rentals, production design, and locations.
But that’s not all! We have a stretch goal of $13,000, which will go towards securing the best camera rentals for the production. Specifically, our Director of Photography has his eye on either the Atlas Orion anamorphic kit (the same lenses used for Babylon) or the Cook anamorphic lens kit to give the film a unique, cinematic look.
Once we wrap up filming, we’ll dive into post-production, aiming to have the project picture-locked by June 2025. Afterward, we plan to submit Ti Blan to festivals and share this powerful story with a global audience. Every contribution helps us move closer to that goal, and your support is key to making this happen!
This is more than just a pilot; it's a celebration of culture, family, and the pursuit of one's true self.
Join us on this journey by contributing, following our campaign, and sharing it with your networks. You can make a difference in bringing Ti Blan to life!
Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes updates: @tiblan.series
The story of Ti Blan draws inspiration from the lives of my Haitian family and I. A few years ago, I lost my grandmother, the matriarch of my family. She spoke only Creole, a language I never fully learned, and though words often failed us, the power of her love never did and one lesson she showed me is that family is everything- and that’s the heart of Ti Blan.
In Ti Blan, the tension between identity and heritage is at the core of Junior’s journey, mirroring my own experiences. Growing up, I often felt a disconnect with my culture, and this conflict deepened when I started working at my family’s takeout restaurant, and I was nicknamed "Ti Blan" for not speaking Creole. Like Junior, I struggled to reconcile my personal ambitions with cultural expectations. Ti Blan explores this push and pull, as Junior navigates the complexities of identity and finding a place between his heritage and his own path.This show is my homage to the beautifully complex characters I’ve been surrounded by throughout my life and a celebration of the parts of Haitian culture that have always deeply resonated with me—our food, our music, and the strength of our familial bonds.
Ultimately, Ti Blan is about navigating the tension between individual aspirations and the desire to reconnect with one’s roots, a journey I continue exploring in my life.
In developing Ti Blan, we drew inspiration from shows like Ramy, The Bear, and Atlanta. Each of these series explores the complexities of cultural identity, family, and ambition, themes that are central to Ti Blan as well. Like Ramy, Ti Blan follows a protagonist’s journey of reconnecting with their heritage, but through the Haitian-American experience.
The Bear influenced our portrayal of family pressures, but with a unique twist: while The Bear focuses on the high-intensity world of professional cooking, Ti Blan immerses viewers in the warmth and richness of Haitian home cooking, where food serves as a cultural bridge between generations. Finally, Atlanta inspires us to blend humor, surrealism, and poignant social commentary, all while capturing the dynamics of a close-knit community. These comparisons highlight how Ti Blan offers a fresh perspective on these universal themes, with Haitian culture at its heart.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Rentals
Costs $1,500
High-quality camera lenses such as the Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens are essential to capturing Ti Blan's stunning visuals.
Meals
Costs $3,000
A well-fed crew is a happy and efficient crew. Your support will provide meals and snacks for the hardworking team bringing Ti Blan to life.
Transportation
Costs $2,500
Our production shoots all across New York State. Your contribution helps us rent a cargo and a 15-person passenger van to transport crew!
Location Rental
Costs $1,000
We need to secure a restaurant, barbershop, and—spoiler—a funeral home. Your contributions help us afford to lock these locations!
Props
Costs $2,200
Props and set design bring the story of Ti Blan to life. Your contribution helps us create, buy, and rent realistic props for our story!
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a passionate team of creatives from diverse backgrounds, with many of us proudly sharing Caribbean heritage. This diversity is central to the heart of Ti Blan, as it informs our storytelling, enriches our perspective, and deepens our connection to the themes of culture and identity.
Our collective experiences and cultural influences enable us to bring an authentic and multifaceted narrative to life, making Ti Blan not just a project but a representation of the vibrant and complex communities we come from. Together, we are committed to sharing stories that reflect the richness of our backgrounds while celebrating the universal struggles and triumphs that resonate across cultures.
Noah Petion Laforest
Showrunner & Writer
Noah Petion Laforest is a senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in Film & Television with a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Born and raised in Long Island, he is a writer/director with a focus on TV writing. He has gained industry experience at Milojo Productions and worked on various independent projects throughout New York City. Recently, Noah worked on the NYU TV bootcamp web series Dissonance (2024), where he both wrote and directed an episode. Noah's love for television was sparked by the countless hours he's spent binging shows. He is passionate about shows that create immersive worlds for audiences to escape into. Committed to telling stories that deeply resonate with viewers while championing underrepresented voices, Noah is excited to bring this personal story to life, inspired by his Haitian culture and family.
Sydney Crawford
Executive Producer
Sydney Crawford is a senior majoring in Film and Television at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, with a minor in Business, Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Born and raised in South Florida, she proudly identifies as Bahamian-American. Passionate about storytelling, Sydney serves as the Co-Director for the Fusion Film Festival and co-heads the Production Management team. A dedicated Marvel enthusiast, she aspires to work for the studio in the future. Sydney is committed to amplifying Black and LGBTQ+ narratives, aiming to bring these important stories to life through her work in film and television.
Dwight Ellis Jr
Director
Dwight Ellis Jr. is a Jamaican-American born and raised right outside of Detroit, Michigan. He is a Senior at NYU studying Film and Television with a focus on writing and directing. Dwight wants to spend his career highlighting the history and reality of Black America with reverence and respect. Dwight takes inspiration from all over, including genres like Westerns and Sports Dramas and directors like Ryan Cooler, Spike Lee, and Antoine Fuqua.
Dre Monteros
Director of Photography
Dre is a senior at Tisch with a focus on cinematography. Originally from Mexico, I’m passionate about and love every single step of the process to creating visual for film project. Outside of filmmaking, I’m involved in NYU’s community through sports and music. I’m excited to be the cinematographer for this project and look forward to help create something amazing!
Tristian Zhu
Production Designer
Tristian is a senior at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in Film and TV. My passion lies in creating immersive worlds, often drawing on campy, queer, authentic, and visually interesting aesthetics. Inspired by my favorite filmmakers like John Waters, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Harmony Korine, and Gaspar Noé, I aim to push creative boundaries in my work. As the production designer for this TV pilot, I’m drawn to its uniqueness, authenticity, and the incredible people I get to collaborate with on this project.