This exciting adventure explores how unresolved trauma comes back to haunt us and the people we care about. Casey and Kate try to avoid injuries from their past at the expense of their relationships, until they are pushed to the brink and there is no option but to face what feels unbearable.
This exciting adventure explores how unresolved trauma comes back to haunt us and the people we care about. Casey and Kate try to avoid injuries from their past at the expense of their relationships, until they are pushed to the brink and there is no option but to face what feels unbearable.
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Story
Mission Statement
Trauma survivors are often excluded from trauma-centered media due to triggering scenes and heavy storylines. That's why I wrote something that I could also watch: an escape that could be honest about painful issues I was going through, without losing its sense of humor along the way.About The Project
It started with grief.
After months of work, I finally had to pass over the stages of bargaining and anger and depression to find my way forward. What was I grieving over? A comedy routine, that I now had to accept would never see the light of day. Why? Because it was about domestic violence.
Now let me be clear: It was funny. I'm not saying I could not make domestic violence work as a bit because it worked. But the thing I absolutely could not get over was the idea of walking into an open mic, where somewhere in the crowd could well be an unsuspecting survivor, out for the first night with her friends after escaping a horrific ordeal, only for me to traumatize her again.
I had been there, in that state where up is down and nothing makes sense and you're left alone to process the loss of what you thought your life would be. No matter how hard I worked the routine, how much I tried to convince myself that I had every right to deal with my experiences on my own terms, I could not ease the guilt I would feel if my processing of trauma made it more painful for someone else.
And with that, I shelved the project altogether.
(What I pictured happening if I ever tried to deliver that routine.)
Years later, the pain of trauma therapy drove me back to my keyboard and I started to write an untitled film project. I found myself searching for exciting scenarios; people on the run, caught in a bisexual love triangle, arguing about their personal lives around a campfire in the woods. A flippy knife was always involved. But then, when I thought to myself, Maybe I should include some of what I'm going through now, all life would evaporate from the story.
If I wanted to write about my experiences, the reasons I was in trauma therapy, I would have to write scenes of abuse. I would have to write a character as my abuser, assessing his motives and working out the realism of his lines. I would, down the line, have to sit in front of a computer screen with a hundred self-tape submissions of men auditioning to be my tormentor.
These thoughts drove me away from my work, drove me further into depression, made me question my entire career as a filmmaker, as an actor. After all, what kind of an artist would I be if I couldn't write about the things I was experiencing?
Two stunning characters whose arcs I missed out on because of how traumatizing it was to watch. 5/10
It was during one of these depressing spirals, while I was trying to decide specifically what this abuser would do to inflict pain upon my character, when I stopped and thought:
Is there really no other way to tell this story? Why am I following a standard that I had no part in creating? A standard that has been perpetuated by people who had never endured, and likely would never endure, the things they wrote onto the screen?
This is what led me to re-think the project altogether.
Out of therapy and my realization came "Trauma Bonded," a six-episode web series in which I would follow three rules for depicting trauma:
1) I would not cast the role of the abuser.
2) I would not show graphic violence.
3) The project must be fun and funny. (Yes, my original comedy routine found its home in the series.)
A hilarious show about difficult topics. 10/10
Not only would these rules make the series accessible to survivors, but they also helped me focus the story on the real issue: the lasting effects of trauma itself.
I was in intensive therapy years after I had last laid eyes on my abuser, because what happened continued to affect me long after the fact. I spent those years in between barely hanging on until a triggering event left me unemployed, crying on my couch for weeks, unable to move.
I wanted my series to reflect this moment, when it feels like you can't possibly move forward, and yet somehow, you find a way.
Beautiful, intricate storytelling, created by a survivor. 12/10
With the help of this crowdfunding campaign and its contributors, we will shoot the series as soon as we are able to do so safely within COVID guidelines. Once the series is finished in post-production, contributors will receive pre-screening links before the project goes on its festival run.
After its festival run, "Trauma Bonded" will be available online for anyone to watch. While crowdfunding is important to make the series possible, it is also important to spread the word and help find an audience for this series, which I hope will continue beyond season one because - and I promise I'm not trying to brag - I have lots more trauma to go around.
FOLLOW
Follow our campaign as "Trauma Bonded" comes to life! It's 100% free, and as the project gains more followers, we earn rewards including products, services, and festival fee waivers, courtesy of Seed & Spark!
CONTRIBUTE AND PLEDGE
You can help make "Trauma Bonded" a reality by making a pledge. We must collect 80% of our crowdfunding goal to keep our funds, and if we exceed our total goal, further contributions will go towards the distribution of the series in festivals around the country. We had so much fun creating various incentives so that you can choose any pledge amount that fits your budget!
No pledge is to small. Every dollar makes a difference in making this series possible.
SPREAD THE WORD
The only way we can reach our goal is by expanding our networks. By sharing this project with others, YOU can help bring it to life.
I started this project, initially, to cope with struggles I was facing in my own life. Now, it has grown into something that I hope will pave the way for other creatives like me to add our narratives to the conversation, which can in turn create lasting change.
By helping us spread the word, you help "Trauma Bonded" find its audience.
Here are some easy-to-share examples. You can post one of these Trauma Tiles (or all of them! Just press and hold or right-click on a computer and select "save image") and either copy-paste the caption or write your own:
Trauma sticks around. Help filmmaker @itschloeburns by supporting her project #TraumaBondedSeries, which highlights survivors of assault and domestic violence who are telling their own stories in media. Join them on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/trauma-bonded
#TraumaBondedSeries by @itschloeburns is putting a new spin on survivors in film & television. Support them on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/trauma-bonded so I can watch this show!
I cannot WAIT to see this show! So excited to see survivors like @itschloeburns adding their own stories to media. Support #TraumaBondedSeries on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/trauma-bonded
Incentives
$5
Special Edition Sticker - 1ct
Special edition stickers created by Elisa Richards, a proud deaf actor, director, and activist. Elisa uses her creativity & sass to de-stigmatize mental health & invisible disabilities. In the words of Toni Cade Bambara, “The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible,” and that’s exactly what she’s out to do!
Trauma Bonded collaborated with Elisa to create a unique set of stickers aimed to educate and de-stigmatize trauma therapy and recovery.
Skull: "Bro, go to therapy" Size: 2.4"
Jacket: "Survivors Unite" Size: 2.5" x 2.3"
Motorcycle: "Get in loser, we're learning to accept ourselves" Size: 2.5" x 2.6"
Knuckles: "EMDR Gang - Can't touch us" Size: 3.1" x 1.5"
For $5, choose your sticker as an incentive! Or, get the pack of 4 for $20.
$15
Social Media Shout Out
Thank you for joining us on our journey! For $15, you will be featured on our social media pages.
$20
Special Edition Sticker - 4 pack
Receive all 4 Special Edition stickers, designed by deaf actor, director, and activist Elisa Richards in a special collaboration with Trauma Bonded!
$25
Customized Assassin Graphic
"Trauma Bonded" features Kate, an assassin with a sense of style. For your pledge, you will receive a link to the finished project and a customized graphic of your assassin persona. Include your birthday/zodiac for the fully personalized effect!
$50
Domestic Violence Information Cards
One of the best ways to combat domestic violence is to get educated. In addition to a link to the finished project, with your pledge you receive a download of easy-to-read cards that help explain what DM is, how to recognize it, and how to help, how to recover, and resources to use.
$100
Name In Credits
Along with your link to the finished project, your name will also appear in the Special Thanks section in our credits!
$125
Table Read: Episode One
Table reads are a critical part of the film pre-production process.
They allow:
- Actors to show their performances
- Writers to check that jokes, dialogue, and the story overall hang together
- Directors to see the story come to life
And more!
For your incentive, you will receive a limited-access video of our table read for the first episode of Trauma Bonded.
*Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Anniston appearances pending. We are negotiating with McConaughey. John Ledgend said no.*
$250
Producing Crash-Course
In addition to your link to the finished project, you will receive a personal call with our producers, during which we will share what your money has gone towards and answer any questions you have about what it takes to produce a film!
$500
Episode Breakdown
Want to learn even more about film production? For your pledge, in addition to a link to the finished work, we will take you through the process of creating an episode, from the lookbook and storyboards to preparing actor performances and more!
$1,000
Associate Producer
Be featured as an Associate Producer on our project, which includes links to the finished work, your name in the top of credits, and IMDb credit.
$5,000
Executive Producer
Be featured as an Executive Producer, which includes links to final work, your name at top of credits and IMDb credit, and join our team for our festival run!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Special Edition Sticker - 1ct
Special edition stickers created by Elisa Richards, a proud deaf actor, director, and activist. Elisa uses her creativity & sass to de-stigmatize mental health & invisible disabilities. In the words of Toni Cade Bambara, “The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible,” and that’s exactly what she’s out to do!
Trauma Bonded collaborated with Elisa to create a unique set of stickers aimed to educate and de-stigmatize trauma therapy and recovery.
Skull: "Bro, go to therapy" Size: 2.4"
Jacket: "Survivors Unite" Size: 2.5" x 2.3"
Motorcycle: "Get in loser, we're learning to accept ourselves" Size: 2.5" x 2.6"
Knuckles: "EMDR Gang - Can't touch us" Size: 3.1" x 1.5"
For $5, choose your sticker as an incentive! Or, get the pack of 4 for $20.
$15
Social Media Shout Out
Thank you for joining us on our journey! For $15, you will be featured on our social media pages.
$20
Special Edition Sticker - 4 pack
Receive all 4 Special Edition stickers, designed by deaf actor, director, and activist Elisa Richards in a special collaboration with Trauma Bonded!
$25
Customized Assassin Graphic
"Trauma Bonded" features Kate, an assassin with a sense of style. For your pledge, you will receive a link to the finished project and a customized graphic of your assassin persona. Include your birthday/zodiac for the fully personalized effect!
$50
Domestic Violence Information Cards
One of the best ways to combat domestic violence is to get educated. In addition to a link to the finished project, with your pledge you receive a download of easy-to-read cards that help explain what DM is, how to recognize it, and how to help, how to recover, and resources to use.
$100
Name In Credits
Along with your link to the finished project, your name will also appear in the Special Thanks section in our credits!
$125
Table Read: Episode One
Table reads are a critical part of the film pre-production process.
They allow:
- Actors to show their performances
- Writers to check that jokes, dialogue, and the story overall hang together
- Directors to see the story come to life
And more!
For your incentive, you will receive a limited-access video of our table read for the first episode of Trauma Bonded.
*Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Anniston appearances pending. We are negotiating with McConaughey. John Ledgend said no.*
$250
Producing Crash-Course
In addition to your link to the finished project, you will receive a personal call with our producers, during which we will share what your money has gone towards and answer any questions you have about what it takes to produce a film!
$500
Episode Breakdown
Want to learn even more about film production? For your pledge, in addition to a link to the finished work, we will take you through the process of creating an episode, from the lookbook and storyboards to preparing actor performances and more!
$1,000
Associate Producer
Be featured as an Associate Producer on our project, which includes links to the finished work, your name in the top of credits, and IMDb credit.
$5,000
Executive Producer
Be featured as an Executive Producer, which includes links to final work, your name at top of credits and IMDb credit, and join our team for our festival run!
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Chloe Burns
Writer/Producer/Actor
Chloe Burns graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Film & Media Studies and is currently working in Los Angeles. After graduating, Chloe wrote, produced, and acted in The Adventures of Botfly, a 6-episode web series that premiered at the 2019 Indie Short Fest and received an Honorable Mention Award at the 2019 Life After Life Films: FEM Fest. After this, she wrote, produced, and acted in The Thing About Miller House, which showed at film festivals throughout Kansas City.
As an actress, she has been featured in roles at the University of Southern California and the ArtCenter College of Design. She has studied at Warner Loughlin Studios and Lesly Kahn Studios in Los Angeles, and uses writing and producing to create challenging, dynamic roles for herself.
Tori Lane Ross
Director
Tori Lane Ross is an actor and director with a degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and an extensive resume of roles in various television, film, and stage productions in Los Angeles and throughout the country.
After working as Director's Assistant on Unexpecting, a film by David Hunt and Patricia Heaton, Ross went on to direct the theatre/film hybrid presentation of Josie Needs Help, live-streamed in October 2020. This groundbreaking production allowed them to collaborate on a story that explored the diverse experiences and challenges faced by those who struggle with mental health in our modern society.
As a proudly queer, non-binary, and spiritual artist, their goal is to normalize queer experiences and to encourage true connection and compassion with every story they tell.
Amber Handy
Line Producer
Amber Handy is a Tulsa based filmmaker and photographer with a passion for producing powerful stories through creative collaboration. She has produced several short films, documentaries and creative videos throughout Oklahoma and internationally.
“I love to challenge myself to build projects from what was once just an idea into a visual memorable experience for others to enjoy!”
John Lewis
Cinematographer
John Lewis has been working in the business for the past 10yrs. His resume ranges from countless commercials, movies, music videos and shorts. John’s passion for capturing light & emotions through the lens came at a young age when his grandfather placed a camera in his hand and that passion has never ran out.
John says that “Each subject in front of the lens brings a unique characteristic and emotion to the overall visual narrative of the project. It’s my job to capture that emotion through light, shadow and composition."
Ria Patel
Public Relations
Ria is an Australian-Indian actress, dancer, and writer. Art has always been there for her and that is what she wants to do for her audience: connect with them, help them feel understood, and ultimately evoke change.
She graduated from New York Film Academy with a Bachelors in Acting and also studied at Victorian College of the Arts in Australia. Some of her work includes playing the lead in the first ever Gujarati web-series Varta re Varta, short film Bandaid, and award-winning short Two Paper Nightingale and Nice. Most recently she won Best Actress Award for her films Trey Pops and Bandaid.
She is also passionate about PR. Actors want to tell stories and by incorporating PR into the mix, this elevates visibility of their story being shared with the audience. Ria strongly believes "your story deserves to be seen".
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