"Vipers" | A Comedy Short
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy
This dark comedy follows the kind, unassuming Mitzi as she tries to befriend her fiance’s social group. But what starts as a dinner party turns into a grudge match, fueled by lies and secrets, and Mitzi will find herself right in the middle.
"Vipers" | A Comedy Short
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $27,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
164 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
This dark comedy follows the kind, unassuming Mitzi as she tries to befriend her fiance’s social group. But what starts as a dinner party turns into a grudge match, fueled by lies and secrets, and Mitzi will find herself right in the middle.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Few of us get a glorious blow-up moment with toxic friendships or partnerships that need to die, and walk away clean. But there’s a time to be polite, and there’s a time to tell everyone to shove it. And quite honestly, who wouldn’t want at least one chance at the latter?
Vipers is our chance to get that catharsis through our protagonist, Mitzi, a small-town country mouse, who feels she should be deferential and thankful to everyone else in the room. Mitzi has met the man of her dreams in Chase – a charming stunner. They’re engaged and eager to start their life together. But first, her final hurdle of acceptance: dinner with Chase’s oldest friends. Chase warns he has a “complicated” past with them. Mitzi must win them over.
But the most intimidating friend, Beatrix, has it out for her from the jump. Mitzi will discover the reasons why, as the friends lay their cards on the table through the course of the night – a minefield of old grudges, secrets, and sexual tension.
We will root for Mitzi’s optimism, and laugh through her embarrassing stumbles, as she tries to figure out just what the heck did she get herself into.
The Story of Our Team
Our team of creatives behind Vipers have been friends, and making movies together, for a long time (for some of us, since we were 10 years old).
Writers Kevin Clark-Ryan and Paige VanTassell have been good friends for a good while. As supportive people with similar problems, they commonly encourage each other with a mantra: “it’s okay to take up space.” This, unsurprisingly, became a theme of their work that felt personal to all of us.
Especially now, coming out of the writers/actors strikes in summer and fall of 2023, it’s easy to assume that the loudest, scariest voice in the room is always right. But the scariest people are often the most insecure. Vipers pokes fun at that, and reminds us nobody really has a handle on things. We’re all just figuring it out as we go. And it’s okay to take up space as you do.
And we need your support to help us tell this story.
What We Need
Now for the hard truth – short films cost money. And there are very few financial avenues for young filmmakers who want to create short films and pay their crew.
We already have a finished script, fantastic actors cast in key roles (like Michael Behling, Michelle DeShon, and Kelly Sry) and partial funding. We’re scouting locations and eyeing an early 2024 filming date.
But, we need YOU to help us move forward with production.
Your donations will go entirely to the hard costs of filmmaking, including camera and lighting gear, a location, insurance and permits, food, and most importantly, payment for our cast and crew! We know that making quality content takes a village, and we want to compensate that village for their time and talent.
Our $18,000 Funding Goal is the minimum we need to move forward with production. However, it doesn't stop there and with your help we can meet our stretch goals to set us up for further costs down the line:
Why Us? Why Now?
The WGA and SAG strikes of 2023 (as well as our own industry experience) exposed the extent to which large studios have a chokehold over what gets produced, and the barriers up against new creatives. While we have nothing against big-budget-intellectual-property-multiverses, we also want there to be space for interesting, relatable, smaller stories to be told. Unfortunately, there’s really not - so screw it, we’re making space!
We’re a fun, supportive team of creatives and friends, itching to tell relatable, hilarious, satisfying stories. Each project is an opportunity to learn and to teach, and we intend to do both. We’ll pair experienced crewmembers with new professionals on set. We’d like to pay it forward as we mutually learn from and grow a community of independent artists who continue to make art in the face of steadfast gatekeepers, and continue the beating heart and spirit of any artist who wonders why they got into this crazy business in the first place.
This team is here to stay, and we’re just getting started. We’d love it if you could join us for the ride!
What Next?
Once the short film is through post-production, we’ll enter it into a number of film festivals, like SXSW, Tribeca, and Sundance. When our festival run is over (and we’ve, fingers crossed, picked up an award or two), we’ll find the best platform to distribute and share the film with the world!
For now, please "Follow" the campaign here on Seed & Spark! Once we hit 250 "followers," regardless of how many people pledge, we'll start unlocking creator discounts for this and future projects.
And, follow us on Instagram @vipersfilm and help get the word out by sharing the following on your social media: "Help @vipersfilm and a group of diverse independent (and hilarious!) filmmakers by supporting the dark comedy film #VipersFilm on @seedandspark! Join them here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/vipersfilm"
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Our Talented Cast
Costs $3,250
Payment for our cast to compensate them for their talents and contributions. As well as rental costs associated with casting and rehearsals.
Our Wonderful Crew
Costs $5,000
Coming out of the 2023 strikes in Hollywood, it's important to us that we offer compensation for our talented crew's work and efforts.
A Sleek & Sexy House
Costs $2,230
The location of the film is critical to the creative execution of this story. We need to find the perfect house, and pay rental fees.
Insurance, Permits, and Fees
Costs $2,230
We want to produce this film safely and following all industry regulations. We need to pay for things like insurance and film permits.
Food for the Crew (and Cast!)
Costs $900
People gotta eat!
Camera Gear
Costs $1,400
Professional cinema-quality cameras and lenses will be a key component of this film looking the best it can be.
Lighting & Electric Gear
Costs $840
To bathe our beautiful actors in light.
Transportation
Costs $400
Fees associated with vans and trucks to cart our film gear around Los Angeles.
Art Department Production Design & Wardrobe
Costs $1,750
Our location & actors need to embody a sleek, sophisticated, and intimidating aesthetic. Our amazing Art Department will make that happen.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
A swamp-adjacent Florida kid raised by New Yorkers, Kevin Clark-Ryan (Director, Co-Writer) grew up with chronic illness, and retreated into stories whenever his body failed him. He learned a good story could make pain go away — and that he could write his own whenever he wanted. Those stories got him out of Florida, and into NYU Film. He’s worked as a Writers Assistant for shows on HBO Max, Freeform, Hulu, and others. Kevin currently works for showrunner Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (CBS’s SWAT, Netflix’s The Get Down, Friday Night Lights).
Paige VanTassell (Co-Writer) loves to write stories that can make an audience laugh so hard they cry, then emotionally affect them so hard they cry. Really, she just wants to make people cry. Paige is currently achieving that goal (she hopes) as a writer and co-producer on the Emmy award-winning animated series, The Dragon Prince. Paige’s independent scripts have been recognized by notable festivals and competitions, such as Austin Film Festival, Final Draft Big Break, and Seriesfest Storytellers Initiative. In 2021, she was named one of ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch.
Greta Onieogou (Executive Producer) is an LA-based actress best known for her work on the hit CW series “All American”. Her TV credits include, HEARTLAND, Emmy-nominated series SCHITT’S CREEK, WORKIN’ MOMS, ANNE WITH AN E, and ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING. She has also showcased her talent on the big screen in such films as MISS SLOANE, UNDERCOVER GRANDPA and FEVER PITCH. Greta boasts an impressive and dedicated social media following, with over 3 million followers across an array of platforms, including Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube.
Melissa Balan (Producer) is a producer and post producer hailing from Detroit, Michigan, and currently living and working in Los Angeles. A graduate of NYU's Film and Television program, she has spent over a decade in the entertainment industry, working on short and feature films, television, commercials, music videos and digital media. Her production work has taken her from the plains of Kenya, to the streets of Shanghai, to backstage with some of pop culture's biggest musicians. When she's not working, you can find her cooking or baking, hiking, snuggling with her cat, reading, playing tennis, on a camping trip, or at a concert.
Long lost daughter of Meryl Streep (or so she’d like to think). Cooks such good food. Friend to all cats. Marissa Rutka (Co-Producer) is a Japanese-Ukrainian editor, actor, and producer from Toronto. Graduating from NYU's Film and Television program in 2013, she has had a mish-mash of a career ever since. She has edited many films including shorts, documentaries, and features; has been an on-camera reporter for the BBC’s Talking Movies (where she got to interview Benedict Cumberbatch *swoon*); script supervised festival-going indie films; and landed a recurring role for the first season of Netflix’s Grand Army. Most days you’ll find her geeking out over anime. Or cats. She loves cats. Like, a lot.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Few of us get a glorious blow-up moment with toxic friendships or partnerships that need to die, and walk away clean. But there’s a time to be polite, and there’s a time to tell everyone to shove it. And quite honestly, who wouldn’t want at least one chance at the latter?
Vipers is our chance to get that catharsis through our protagonist, Mitzi, a small-town country mouse, who feels she should be deferential and thankful to everyone else in the room. Mitzi has met the man of her dreams in Chase – a charming stunner. They’re engaged and eager to start their life together. But first, her final hurdle of acceptance: dinner with Chase’s oldest friends. Chase warns he has a “complicated” past with them. Mitzi must win them over.
But the most intimidating friend, Beatrix, has it out for her from the jump. Mitzi will discover the reasons why, as the friends lay their cards on the table through the course of the night – a minefield of old grudges, secrets, and sexual tension.
We will root for Mitzi’s optimism, and laugh through her embarrassing stumbles, as she tries to figure out just what the heck did she get herself into.
The Story of Our Team
Our team of creatives behind Vipers have been friends, and making movies together, for a long time (for some of us, since we were 10 years old).
Writers Kevin Clark-Ryan and Paige VanTassell have been good friends for a good while. As supportive people with similar problems, they commonly encourage each other with a mantra: “it’s okay to take up space.” This, unsurprisingly, became a theme of their work that felt personal to all of us.
Especially now, coming out of the writers/actors strikes in summer and fall of 2023, it’s easy to assume that the loudest, scariest voice in the room is always right. But the scariest people are often the most insecure. Vipers pokes fun at that, and reminds us nobody really has a handle on things. We’re all just figuring it out as we go. And it’s okay to take up space as you do.
And we need your support to help us tell this story.
What We Need
Now for the hard truth – short films cost money. And there are very few financial avenues for young filmmakers who want to create short films and pay their crew.
We already have a finished script, fantastic actors cast in key roles (like Michael Behling, Michelle DeShon, and Kelly Sry) and partial funding. We’re scouting locations and eyeing an early 2024 filming date.
But, we need YOU to help us move forward with production.
Your donations will go entirely to the hard costs of filmmaking, including camera and lighting gear, a location, insurance and permits, food, and most importantly, payment for our cast and crew! We know that making quality content takes a village, and we want to compensate that village for their time and talent.
Our $18,000 Funding Goal is the minimum we need to move forward with production. However, it doesn't stop there and with your help we can meet our stretch goals to set us up for further costs down the line:
Why Us? Why Now?
The WGA and SAG strikes of 2023 (as well as our own industry experience) exposed the extent to which large studios have a chokehold over what gets produced, and the barriers up against new creatives. While we have nothing against big-budget-intellectual-property-multiverses, we also want there to be space for interesting, relatable, smaller stories to be told. Unfortunately, there’s really not - so screw it, we’re making space!
We’re a fun, supportive team of creatives and friends, itching to tell relatable, hilarious, satisfying stories. Each project is an opportunity to learn and to teach, and we intend to do both. We’ll pair experienced crewmembers with new professionals on set. We’d like to pay it forward as we mutually learn from and grow a community of independent artists who continue to make art in the face of steadfast gatekeepers, and continue the beating heart and spirit of any artist who wonders why they got into this crazy business in the first place.
This team is here to stay, and we’re just getting started. We’d love it if you could join us for the ride!
What Next?
Once the short film is through post-production, we’ll enter it into a number of film festivals, like SXSW, Tribeca, and Sundance. When our festival run is over (and we’ve, fingers crossed, picked up an award or two), we’ll find the best platform to distribute and share the film with the world!
For now, please "Follow" the campaign here on Seed & Spark! Once we hit 250 "followers," regardless of how many people pledge, we'll start unlocking creator discounts for this and future projects.
And, follow us on Instagram @vipersfilm and help get the word out by sharing the following on your social media: "Help @vipersfilm and a group of diverse independent (and hilarious!) filmmakers by supporting the dark comedy film #VipersFilm on @seedandspark! Join them here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/vipersfilm"
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Our Talented Cast
Costs $3,250
Payment for our cast to compensate them for their talents and contributions. As well as rental costs associated with casting and rehearsals.
Our Wonderful Crew
Costs $5,000
Coming out of the 2023 strikes in Hollywood, it's important to us that we offer compensation for our talented crew's work and efforts.
A Sleek & Sexy House
Costs $2,230
The location of the film is critical to the creative execution of this story. We need to find the perfect house, and pay rental fees.
Insurance, Permits, and Fees
Costs $2,230
We want to produce this film safely and following all industry regulations. We need to pay for things like insurance and film permits.
Food for the Crew (and Cast!)
Costs $900
People gotta eat!
Camera Gear
Costs $1,400
Professional cinema-quality cameras and lenses will be a key component of this film looking the best it can be.
Lighting & Electric Gear
Costs $840
To bathe our beautiful actors in light.
Transportation
Costs $400
Fees associated with vans and trucks to cart our film gear around Los Angeles.
Art Department Production Design & Wardrobe
Costs $1,750
Our location & actors need to embody a sleek, sophisticated, and intimidating aesthetic. Our amazing Art Department will make that happen.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
A swamp-adjacent Florida kid raised by New Yorkers, Kevin Clark-Ryan (Director, Co-Writer) grew up with chronic illness, and retreated into stories whenever his body failed him. He learned a good story could make pain go away — and that he could write his own whenever he wanted. Those stories got him out of Florida, and into NYU Film. He’s worked as a Writers Assistant for shows on HBO Max, Freeform, Hulu, and others. Kevin currently works for showrunner Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (CBS’s SWAT, Netflix’s The Get Down, Friday Night Lights).
Paige VanTassell (Co-Writer) loves to write stories that can make an audience laugh so hard they cry, then emotionally affect them so hard they cry. Really, she just wants to make people cry. Paige is currently achieving that goal (she hopes) as a writer and co-producer on the Emmy award-winning animated series, The Dragon Prince. Paige’s independent scripts have been recognized by notable festivals and competitions, such as Austin Film Festival, Final Draft Big Break, and Seriesfest Storytellers Initiative. In 2021, she was named one of ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch.
Greta Onieogou (Executive Producer) is an LA-based actress best known for her work on the hit CW series “All American”. Her TV credits include, HEARTLAND, Emmy-nominated series SCHITT’S CREEK, WORKIN’ MOMS, ANNE WITH AN E, and ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING. She has also showcased her talent on the big screen in such films as MISS SLOANE, UNDERCOVER GRANDPA and FEVER PITCH. Greta boasts an impressive and dedicated social media following, with over 3 million followers across an array of platforms, including Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube.
Melissa Balan (Producer) is a producer and post producer hailing from Detroit, Michigan, and currently living and working in Los Angeles. A graduate of NYU's Film and Television program, she has spent over a decade in the entertainment industry, working on short and feature films, television, commercials, music videos and digital media. Her production work has taken her from the plains of Kenya, to the streets of Shanghai, to backstage with some of pop culture's biggest musicians. When she's not working, you can find her cooking or baking, hiking, snuggling with her cat, reading, playing tennis, on a camping trip, or at a concert.
Long lost daughter of Meryl Streep (or so she’d like to think). Cooks such good food. Friend to all cats. Marissa Rutka (Co-Producer) is a Japanese-Ukrainian editor, actor, and producer from Toronto. Graduating from NYU's Film and Television program in 2013, she has had a mish-mash of a career ever since. She has edited many films including shorts, documentaries, and features; has been an on-camera reporter for the BBC’s Talking Movies (where she got to interview Benedict Cumberbatch *swoon*); script supervised festival-going indie films; and landed a recurring role for the first season of Netflix’s Grand Army. Most days you’ll find her geeking out over anime. Or cats. She loves cats. Like, a lot.