The Videoblogs
Brooklyn, New York | Film Feature
Drama
The life of a struggling young woman takes a surprise turn when a troubled teen finds her private video journal. This project is being developed as part of an initiative to contribute to a more widespread dialogue on mental health.
The Videoblogs
Brooklyn, New York | Film Feature
Drama
3 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $21,665 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
164 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
The life of a struggling young woman takes a surprise turn when a troubled teen finds her private video journal. This project is being developed as part of an initiative to contribute to a more widespread dialogue on mental health.
In Partnership With
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
The Story
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
A few years ago, I started blogging again for the last time. I say this because I had made several attempts before, starting and stopping and then starting and stopping again. Without going too far into specifics, all previous attempts to write publicly in a sustain way failed because I wasn't ready to be authentic. There was a lot I still had to work through as a person before I could really be myself, whether when writing online or even in life. Up until recently, whenever I bumped up against that truth, I cut my losses and shut down.
But things have been different this time.
My journey back into online personal writing coincided with the almost spur-of-the-moment decision to make Multiverse, my recently completed short film about an agoraphobic young woman who braves a night out in New York City and is confronted by an increasingly isolating series of strange events. The production of that film, in addition to some changes I've made in my life in recent years, finally brought me to a place where I realized I could really begin connecting with other people, as myself.
Still, sometimes -- and I don't think I'm unique in this as a writer or even as a young American who grow up in a hyper-connected era -- I am nonetheless left feeling like it's easier to express myself and connect, at least initially, online rather than in person. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, depending on where we all place our own particular thresholds.
I was able to begin really connecting with people, after living too many years bouncing between periods of isolation and abandon, by slowly expressing myself to myself in my personal writing. Similarly, I feel like Multiverse provided a huge boost to my development as a more complete and authentic person. In collaborating with my cast and crew to produce something so deeply personal, I found myself drawn closer to the world.
This new project, The Videoblogs -- in many ways its the story of my journey back into the world after a stretch of years that weren't completely unhappy but were punctuated by long stretches of confusion, anxiety and depression. While I've always been an optimist at bottom, it's also the first story I've attempted to tell that doesn't originate completely from a cynical or fatalistic standpoint.
I feel like there's a lot to this story that could hopefully get people talking about some important subjects, particularly the importance of engaging in a more widespread dialogue about mental health as well as the potential positive applications of using new communications technologies for personal expression. I'd love for you to join me and the entire Videoblogs team on our journey.
Michael
Writer + Filmmaker
@MichaelDiBiasio
mdibiasio.com
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Make Up Artist
Costs $1,000
Our leading ladies don't even need makeup but it's a good idea to have someone on hand anyway.
Production Manager
Costs $800
Help us help one of our main crew members reserve our shoot days on his freelance work schedule.
Grips
Costs $800
Everyone needs to get one, at some point or another. This person will help us light and shoot.
Production Office Rental
Costs $195
"Can I call you right back? I'm in a meeting that our Seed and Spark supporters helped make happen."
Casting Director
Costs $200
We do our own Casting, but have to pay to rent space for auditions and callbacks.
Taxis
Costs $1,000
Zach and Alex need to get to BROOKLYN - all the way from QUEENS - for most shoot days. Woah.
Craft Services Food
Costs $750
Help us supply our Cast and Crew with a steady stream of energy to go with their hopes and prayers.
Prop Package
Costs $500
This line item could use a little "Propping Up". So could our jokes. Geez.
Accessories - Stabilizers
Costs $75
We need a low-cost stabilizer we can beat up for our main camera.
Wireless Lav Kit Rentals
Costs $900
"WHAT?! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!?" Without these mics, that could become an actual problem.
Lowel DP Light and Acessories
Costs $300
We have a few lights. We need one more for some extra illumination on dark lonely nights.
Compact HD - HD DSLR
Costs $200
We're hoping to grab cheap B and C cam rentals for a few days that have larger setups.
Actor
Costs $2,000
Minimum day rates for our wonderful union actors. They work hard! Help us compensate them!
Hard Drive
Costs $1,200
Gonna have a lotta (awesome) footage. Needa store it for editing and gotta BACK IT UP like a truck.
Sound Designer
Costs $1,750
Michael can handle the rest of post if necessary, but we need a real pro to mix the film.
Mesh Wire Screen Material
Costs $200
We're shooting a lot during the day, and this is a cheap DIY way to cut down light in windows.
SAG Deposit
Costs $330
This will help us pay Pension and Health benefits under our contract with SAG-AFTRA.
Production Sound Mixer
Costs $700
"WHAT?!" We need a little extra help with production sound on some days with larger setups.
Share this update!
About This Team
Michael DiBiasio
Writer and Director
Michael is a Writer/Director based in New York City. He grew up in Cranston, RI. In addition to his work on the The Videoblogs, Michael has written and directed three short films, helped produce a fourth, and is developing several feature-length screenplays and one dramatic TV pilot. His work has appeared on his desk and in his head and, occasionally, on a big screen in front of nice people. He blogs regularly and existentially, about writing, independent film, social justice, and other fun topics, at his web site:http://www.mdibiasio.com. Michael is also active on The Twitter (@MichaelDiBiasio).
Michael lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two kids who aren’t kids at all (really just a dog and a cat). He recently wrote a short book.
Rebecca De Ornelas
Creative Producer and Lead Actor
Rebecca is super excited to be producing her third film and first feature! She's been on the acting train for quite a while now, working most recently with Alice Spivak's OnTheRoadRep and on some crazy videos with The Motel Staff. She is looking forward to working on this amazing project (especially Phase Two!) with these amazing people at this amazing point in her life. Check out more amazing stuff on her website at www.rebeccadeornelas.com.
Clara Peterson
Supervising Producer
Clara is an independent Producer and Writer in New York City. She currently works full time producing virtual events for the live streaming start-up, Watchitoo, and spends her free time working on independent films and web content. You can find her essays, stories and ever-enlightened commentary here and here.
Zach Nading
Associate Producer
Zach Nading has a degree in Playwriting from Slippery Rock University. He currently creates sketch comedy via The Motel Staff YouTube page. The 26 year old Actor/Writer hopes to make it as a Best Boy Grip someday.
Alex Hollock
Associate Producer
Alex is half of the comedic YouTube duo, The Motel Staff. Aside from comedy, Alex is an Actor from Pittsburgh, PA. You can find him killing or being killed on Discovery ID.
Emily Laue
Consulting Producer, Production Manager
Emily Laue has worked on both coasts as a Producer, Production Manager, Director and Actor. After obtaining a BFA in Theatre in Vancouver, BC, she went on to focus primarily in production work on feature and short films and music videos. Emaily has since worked in Seattle, Vancouver and Los Angeles and now lives and works in New York.
Liam Billingham
Consulting Producer
Liam Billingham is a filmmaker and theatre director based in Brooklyn, NY. He directed the award-winning one-woman show 'Human Fruit Bowl,' and his most recent short film 'Future Perfect' has played all over the USA. He's thrilled to be helping his pals Michael and Rebecca on The Videoblogs. You can see some of his work and get updates at liambillingham.com.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
The Story
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
A few years ago, I started blogging again for the last time. I say this because I had made several attempts before, starting and stopping and then starting and stopping again. Without going too far into specifics, all previous attempts to write publicly in a sustain way failed because I wasn't ready to be authentic. There was a lot I still had to work through as a person before I could really be myself, whether when writing online or even in life. Up until recently, whenever I bumped up against that truth, I cut my losses and shut down.
But things have been different this time.
My journey back into online personal writing coincided with the almost spur-of-the-moment decision to make Multiverse, my recently completed short film about an agoraphobic young woman who braves a night out in New York City and is confronted by an increasingly isolating series of strange events. The production of that film, in addition to some changes I've made in my life in recent years, finally brought me to a place where I realized I could really begin connecting with other people, as myself.
Still, sometimes -- and I don't think I'm unique in this as a writer or even as a young American who grow up in a hyper-connected era -- I am nonetheless left feeling like it's easier to express myself and connect, at least initially, online rather than in person. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, depending on where we all place our own particular thresholds.
I was able to begin really connecting with people, after living too many years bouncing between periods of isolation and abandon, by slowly expressing myself to myself in my personal writing. Similarly, I feel like Multiverse provided a huge boost to my development as a more complete and authentic person. In collaborating with my cast and crew to produce something so deeply personal, I found myself drawn closer to the world.
This new project, The Videoblogs -- in many ways its the story of my journey back into the world after a stretch of years that weren't completely unhappy but were punctuated by long stretches of confusion, anxiety and depression. While I've always been an optimist at bottom, it's also the first story I've attempted to tell that doesn't originate completely from a cynical or fatalistic standpoint.
I feel like there's a lot to this story that could hopefully get people talking about some important subjects, particularly the importance of engaging in a more widespread dialogue about mental health as well as the potential positive applications of using new communications technologies for personal expression. I'd love for you to join me and the entire Videoblogs team on our journey.
Michael
Writer + Filmmaker
@MichaelDiBiasio
mdibiasio.com
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Make Up Artist
Costs $1,000
Our leading ladies don't even need makeup but it's a good idea to have someone on hand anyway.
Production Manager
Costs $800
Help us help one of our main crew members reserve our shoot days on his freelance work schedule.
Grips
Costs $800
Everyone needs to get one, at some point or another. This person will help us light and shoot.
Production Office Rental
Costs $195
"Can I call you right back? I'm in a meeting that our Seed and Spark supporters helped make happen."
Casting Director
Costs $200
We do our own Casting, but have to pay to rent space for auditions and callbacks.
Taxis
Costs $1,000
Zach and Alex need to get to BROOKLYN - all the way from QUEENS - for most shoot days. Woah.
Craft Services Food
Costs $750
Help us supply our Cast and Crew with a steady stream of energy to go with their hopes and prayers.
Prop Package
Costs $500
This line item could use a little "Propping Up". So could our jokes. Geez.
Accessories - Stabilizers
Costs $75
We need a low-cost stabilizer we can beat up for our main camera.
Wireless Lav Kit Rentals
Costs $900
"WHAT?! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!?" Without these mics, that could become an actual problem.
Lowel DP Light and Acessories
Costs $300
We have a few lights. We need one more for some extra illumination on dark lonely nights.
Compact HD - HD DSLR
Costs $200
We're hoping to grab cheap B and C cam rentals for a few days that have larger setups.
Actor
Costs $2,000
Minimum day rates for our wonderful union actors. They work hard! Help us compensate them!
Hard Drive
Costs $1,200
Gonna have a lotta (awesome) footage. Needa store it for editing and gotta BACK IT UP like a truck.
Sound Designer
Costs $1,750
Michael can handle the rest of post if necessary, but we need a real pro to mix the film.
Mesh Wire Screen Material
Costs $200
We're shooting a lot during the day, and this is a cheap DIY way to cut down light in windows.
SAG Deposit
Costs $330
This will help us pay Pension and Health benefits under our contract with SAG-AFTRA.
Production Sound Mixer
Costs $700
"WHAT?!" We need a little extra help with production sound on some days with larger setups.
Share this update!
About This Team
Michael DiBiasio
Writer and Director
Michael is a Writer/Director based in New York City. He grew up in Cranston, RI. In addition to his work on the The Videoblogs, Michael has written and directed three short films, helped produce a fourth, and is developing several feature-length screenplays and one dramatic TV pilot. His work has appeared on his desk and in his head and, occasionally, on a big screen in front of nice people. He blogs regularly and existentially, about writing, independent film, social justice, and other fun topics, at his web site:http://www.mdibiasio.com. Michael is also active on The Twitter (@MichaelDiBiasio).
Michael lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two kids who aren’t kids at all (really just a dog and a cat). He recently wrote a short book.
Rebecca De Ornelas
Creative Producer and Lead Actor
Rebecca is super excited to be producing her third film and first feature! She's been on the acting train for quite a while now, working most recently with Alice Spivak's OnTheRoadRep and on some crazy videos with The Motel Staff. She is looking forward to working on this amazing project (especially Phase Two!) with these amazing people at this amazing point in her life. Check out more amazing stuff on her website at www.rebeccadeornelas.com.
Clara Peterson
Supervising Producer
Clara is an independent Producer and Writer in New York City. She currently works full time producing virtual events for the live streaming start-up, Watchitoo, and spends her free time working on independent films and web content. You can find her essays, stories and ever-enlightened commentary here and here.
Zach Nading
Associate Producer
Zach Nading has a degree in Playwriting from Slippery Rock University. He currently creates sketch comedy via The Motel Staff YouTube page. The 26 year old Actor/Writer hopes to make it as a Best Boy Grip someday.
Alex Hollock
Associate Producer
Alex is half of the comedic YouTube duo, The Motel Staff. Aside from comedy, Alex is an Actor from Pittsburgh, PA. You can find him killing or being killed on Discovery ID.
Emily Laue
Consulting Producer, Production Manager
Emily Laue has worked on both coasts as a Producer, Production Manager, Director and Actor. After obtaining a BFA in Theatre in Vancouver, BC, she went on to focus primarily in production work on feature and short films and music videos. Emaily has since worked in Seattle, Vancouver and Los Angeles and now lives and works in New York.
Liam Billingham
Consulting Producer
Liam Billingham is a filmmaker and theatre director based in Brooklyn, NY. He directed the award-winning one-woman show 'Human Fruit Bowl,' and his most recent short film 'Future Perfect' has played all over the USA. He's thrilled to be helping his pals Michael and Rebecca on The Videoblogs. You can see some of his work and get updates at liambillingham.com.