Um, Documentary?
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary, Musical
Um, Documentary? follows trans rock band Um, Jennifer?, led by Eli Scarpati and Fig Regan, rising through New York City's underground music scene and across the U.S. — balancing life, the realities of an expensive city and a hostile climate for trans people, all while on the brink of stardom.
Um, Documentary?
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary, Musical
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $6,765 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
104 supporters | followers
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Um, Documentary? follows trans rock band Um, Jennifer?, led by Eli Scarpati and Fig Regan, rising through New York City's underground music scene and across the U.S. — balancing life, the realities of an expensive city and a hostile climate for trans people, all while on the brink of stardom.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Trans rock band Um, Jennifer? is forging a path to stardom, channeling joy into music and shaping New York City’s storied music scene.
Juxtaposing a nationwide campaign against transgender people and their right to exist, indie rock group Um Jennifer?’s star continues to rise. Um, Jennifer? is more than a band, it’s a legend. At the center is Jennifer: a godlike figure who demands devotion and embodies the chaotic beauty of queer identity. Founded in 2023 as the brainchild of Eli Scarpati and Fig Regan, the band has quickly built a devoted following. The pair uses their experiences to create music for themselves, their community and beyond. As being trans in the U.S. gets harder, Um, Jennifer? only grows hotter; booking shows at venues like Bowery Ballroom, getting interviewed by Pitchfork and Stereogum, appearing on the Apple Music podcast The Travis Mills Show, and releasing their first album to critical acclaim.
Get to know the people behind the legend as they heave their star into place while also surviving in one of the biggest, baddest, most magical cities in the world. Our film will showcase the true grit, drive, and perseverance it takes to truly make it in the City.
The visual language of this story is raw, energetic, and deeply personal, echoing the scale of our characters: big, brilliant, and unapologetically alive. The camera moves with them: through tight green rooms, crowded venues, and quiet bedrooms. From performances at Gold Diggers in LA to underground spaces in N.Y.C., we’re capturing a world that’s loud, tender, and totally unfiltered.
Fig is a songwriter, performer, and shapeshifter. Her music leans theatrical, possessed, and emotionally sharp, blending post-punk grit with character-driven satire and emotional excavation. She uses songwriting to play, to protest, and to figure herself out. Onstage, she’s Jennifer’s fiercest vessel; offstage, she’s the kind of friend who’d take you to Target just to make you feel better. (top left)
Eli is a songwriter, performer, and devout over-sharer. A trained jazz musician and veteran of New York’s DIY scene, he brings precision, spontaneity, and heart to Um, Jennifer? His writing and performance explore the space between sincerity and spectacle, crafting songs that are as emotionally raw as they are mythically charged. (top right)
Um, Jennifer? is a captivating band with a compelling story, a clear message, and a rich community. Formed in 2023, they’ve gained serious momentum this summer, with packed shows, an Apple Music feature, and a growing fanbase that spans beyond New York. We (Caroline and Natalie) have known the band for years, giving us a direct pulse on the energy and spirit that has been building around this project since its inception. We felt this summer was different; hotter, buzzier, and ripe with a seemingly never-ending list of high-profile opportunities. As we observed the moment around us, it became clear someone needed to start documenting what was happening. We realized it had to be us.
This story is unfolding at a time when trans rights are under attack across the U.S., and Um, Jennifer? offers something powerful in response: queer joy as a from of rebellion. Their shows are more than performances; they’re a refuge. At their shows, fans scream every word. Many are trans or nonbinary themselves and have shared that Um, Jennifer? has helped them feel seen, empowered them to come out, or given them the courage to live authentically.
Through the lens of a young, all-women filmmaking team, this is both a backstage pass and a love letter. We want audiences to laugh, cry, dance in their seats, leave as fans, and feel like they just experienced the best show of their lives. Through the world of Um, Jennifer?, we aim to inspire reverence, rebellion, and a redefinition of what it means to be rockstars.
May everyone's head bang and heart grow.
Nat and Caro
Caroline met Eli back in 2021 at a raucous and sweaty Brooklyn skatepark show. At the time, Eli was the drummer of a popular indie-pop band called Moon Kissed. They became fast friends, Natalie too, and the (now) directors have seen Eli perform in countless venues (think dive bars to Madison Square Garden), with multiple bands, refining his craft and showmanship with every venture. They were there at the start of Um, Jennifer? and have been watching as it takes over New York City and beyond. With this rich history and investment in the community, Natalie and Caroline understand that now is the time to capture this story as one of their most influential summers comes to a close.
So far, the directors have captured the band performing in Los Angeles and in queer spaces in New York City. They have pulled this off with their own networks and scrappy resourcefulness. They can't wait to see what they can accomplish with some funding.
Since early June, we’ve been gathering footage, traveling to LA and back to follow Um, Jen at every event we could. Now, we’re gearing up for a 7-day shoot to capture the final interviews as summer comes to a close and we need your support to make those interviews happen.
WE HOPE TO RAISE A MINIMUM OF $7,000
This includes equipment rentals, travel accommodations, insurance, and compensation for the talented crew members helping us bring our vision to life. This is a low-budget, independent short, so we may be limited in some aspects, but we will work to keep an efficient and tight production that is still able to tell a beautiful and compelling story.
STRETCH GOAL 1: $10,000
With $10K as our minimum budget, reaching our $15K stretch goal would ensure everyone who assisted in the production is compensated for their time and talents. It would also provide more resources for food and travel and help us license additional footage to help us better paint a picture of the rising political and social tensions at the forefront of 2025.
STRETCH GOAL 2: $15,000
We’d be able to pay our cast and crew industry-standard rates and support essential above-the-line costs with post-production, and have wider publicity & distribution. Any extra money after marketing and festivals will be donated to an organization supporting the trans community such as The Black Trans Liberation Kitchen, Ali Forney Center, The NYC Unity Project, and other NYC-based direct actions.
Every dollar, every share and every word of encouragement means the world to us. You’re the reason we will get to tell this story we are so excited to share!
From all of us (and Um, Jen),
Big love and endless thank yous
Follow us on Instagram: @um.documentary
And our production company’s Instagram: @offtheroofproductions
Other questions? Email us: [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Equipment
Costs $5,600
From lenses to batteries to hard drives, we are looking to rent one Sony FX3 and one Sony FX6 to capture the true essence of Um, Jennifer?!
Audio Equipment
Costs $500
Help us bring the electric sound of Um, Jennifer? to the screen.
Lighting Equipment
Costs $400
Lighting the band with rad colors will make this doc pop!
Food/Crafty
Costs $500
Most importantly, help us keep our crew fed through our 7-day shoot.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Directors Natalie Rice and Caroline Emmitt are making their filmmaking debut with Um, Documentary? Teaming up with producers Olivia Corso and Luca Bella Sisino, founders of Off the Roof Productions, the group is a dedicated team of young women who are passionate about telling bold, original stories.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Trans rock band Um, Jennifer? is forging a path to stardom, channeling joy into music and shaping New York City’s storied music scene.
Juxtaposing a nationwide campaign against transgender people and their right to exist, indie rock group Um Jennifer?’s star continues to rise. Um, Jennifer? is more than a band, it’s a legend. At the center is Jennifer: a godlike figure who demands devotion and embodies the chaotic beauty of queer identity. Founded in 2023 as the brainchild of Eli Scarpati and Fig Regan, the band has quickly built a devoted following. The pair uses their experiences to create music for themselves, their community and beyond. As being trans in the U.S. gets harder, Um, Jennifer? only grows hotter; booking shows at venues like Bowery Ballroom, getting interviewed by Pitchfork and Stereogum, appearing on the Apple Music podcast The Travis Mills Show, and releasing their first album to critical acclaim.
Get to know the people behind the legend as they heave their star into place while also surviving in one of the biggest, baddest, most magical cities in the world. Our film will showcase the true grit, drive, and perseverance it takes to truly make it in the City.
The visual language of this story is raw, energetic, and deeply personal, echoing the scale of our characters: big, brilliant, and unapologetically alive. The camera moves with them: through tight green rooms, crowded venues, and quiet bedrooms. From performances at Gold Diggers in LA to underground spaces in N.Y.C., we’re capturing a world that’s loud, tender, and totally unfiltered.
Fig is a songwriter, performer, and shapeshifter. Her music leans theatrical, possessed, and emotionally sharp, blending post-punk grit with character-driven satire and emotional excavation. She uses songwriting to play, to protest, and to figure herself out. Onstage, she’s Jennifer’s fiercest vessel; offstage, she’s the kind of friend who’d take you to Target just to make you feel better. (top left)
Eli is a songwriter, performer, and devout over-sharer. A trained jazz musician and veteran of New York’s DIY scene, he brings precision, spontaneity, and heart to Um, Jennifer? His writing and performance explore the space between sincerity and spectacle, crafting songs that are as emotionally raw as they are mythically charged. (top right)
Um, Jennifer? is a captivating band with a compelling story, a clear message, and a rich community. Formed in 2023, they’ve gained serious momentum this summer, with packed shows, an Apple Music feature, and a growing fanbase that spans beyond New York. We (Caroline and Natalie) have known the band for years, giving us a direct pulse on the energy and spirit that has been building around this project since its inception. We felt this summer was different; hotter, buzzier, and ripe with a seemingly never-ending list of high-profile opportunities. As we observed the moment around us, it became clear someone needed to start documenting what was happening. We realized it had to be us.
This story is unfolding at a time when trans rights are under attack across the U.S., and Um, Jennifer? offers something powerful in response: queer joy as a from of rebellion. Their shows are more than performances; they’re a refuge. At their shows, fans scream every word. Many are trans or nonbinary themselves and have shared that Um, Jennifer? has helped them feel seen, empowered them to come out, or given them the courage to live authentically.
Through the lens of a young, all-women filmmaking team, this is both a backstage pass and a love letter. We want audiences to laugh, cry, dance in their seats, leave as fans, and feel like they just experienced the best show of their lives. Through the world of Um, Jennifer?, we aim to inspire reverence, rebellion, and a redefinition of what it means to be rockstars.
May everyone's head bang and heart grow.
Nat and Caro
Caroline met Eli back in 2021 at a raucous and sweaty Brooklyn skatepark show. At the time, Eli was the drummer of a popular indie-pop band called Moon Kissed. They became fast friends, Natalie too, and the (now) directors have seen Eli perform in countless venues (think dive bars to Madison Square Garden), with multiple bands, refining his craft and showmanship with every venture. They were there at the start of Um, Jennifer? and have been watching as it takes over New York City and beyond. With this rich history and investment in the community, Natalie and Caroline understand that now is the time to capture this story as one of their most influential summers comes to a close.
So far, the directors have captured the band performing in Los Angeles and in queer spaces in New York City. They have pulled this off with their own networks and scrappy resourcefulness. They can't wait to see what they can accomplish with some funding.
Since early June, we’ve been gathering footage, traveling to LA and back to follow Um, Jen at every event we could. Now, we’re gearing up for a 7-day shoot to capture the final interviews as summer comes to a close and we need your support to make those interviews happen.
WE HOPE TO RAISE A MINIMUM OF $7,000
This includes equipment rentals, travel accommodations, insurance, and compensation for the talented crew members helping us bring our vision to life. This is a low-budget, independent short, so we may be limited in some aspects, but we will work to keep an efficient and tight production that is still able to tell a beautiful and compelling story.
STRETCH GOAL 1: $10,000
With $10K as our minimum budget, reaching our $15K stretch goal would ensure everyone who assisted in the production is compensated for their time and talents. It would also provide more resources for food and travel and help us license additional footage to help us better paint a picture of the rising political and social tensions at the forefront of 2025.
STRETCH GOAL 2: $15,000
We’d be able to pay our cast and crew industry-standard rates and support essential above-the-line costs with post-production, and have wider publicity & distribution. Any extra money after marketing and festivals will be donated to an organization supporting the trans community such as The Black Trans Liberation Kitchen, Ali Forney Center, The NYC Unity Project, and other NYC-based direct actions.
Every dollar, every share and every word of encouragement means the world to us. You’re the reason we will get to tell this story we are so excited to share!
From all of us (and Um, Jen),
Big love and endless thank yous
Follow us on Instagram: @um.documentary
And our production company’s Instagram: @offtheroofproductions
Other questions? Email us: [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Equipment
Costs $5,600
From lenses to batteries to hard drives, we are looking to rent one Sony FX3 and one Sony FX6 to capture the true essence of Um, Jennifer?!
Audio Equipment
Costs $500
Help us bring the electric sound of Um, Jennifer? to the screen.
Lighting Equipment
Costs $400
Lighting the band with rad colors will make this doc pop!
Food/Crafty
Costs $500
Most importantly, help us keep our crew fed through our 7-day shoot.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Directors Natalie Rice and Caroline Emmitt are making their filmmaking debut with Um, Documentary? Teaming up with producers Olivia Corso and Luca Bella Sisino, founders of Off the Roof Productions, the group is a dedicated team of young women who are passionate about telling bold, original stories.