Why Me?
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Comedy, Mystery
Mike-Jo Molly, privileged yet trapped in a rut of his own creation, has exhausted the sympathy of his friends and family. So when he discovers a series of paintings of himself at an art gallery, his peers refuse to take him or his pleas for help seriously.
Why Me?
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Comedy, Mystery
1 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,401 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
33 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Mike-Jo Molly, privileged yet trapped in a rut of his own creation, has exhausted the sympathy of his friends and family. So when he discovers a series of paintings of himself at an art gallery, his peers refuse to take him or his pleas for help seriously.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Why Me? is a suspense-comedy short and MFA thesis project written by Robert Landau, a graduate student at the University of Georgia.
The film follows Mike Molly, a self-centered misanthrope, who has used up all of the patience of his friends and family since spiraling down a self-destructive rut. On one particularly lonely night, he wanders into an art gallery and discovers a series of paintings that he’s convinced are of him. Panicked, he looks to his support system for help, only to find that their sympathy has indeed run dry, leaving him alone on a paranoid search for the truth. When he sets out to solve this mystery, a lengthy inquiry yields only more questions and brings him face to face with his biggest fear of all: addressing his own narcissism.
Expected release: August 2024
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"Movies are special to me because of their ability to make powerful, complex messages accessible to all audiences.
Whether we want them to or not, great movies never fail to shake us to our core and bring us to question what we know about the world around us. As a privileged, cishet filmmaker, I feel that I have an obligation to speak up for what I believe in, elevate my less privileged peers, and embrace the artform as the endlessly powerful communication tool that it is.
Through and through, film is a deeply collaborative medium. I truly believe that, without a variety of diverse voices providing input on a project, it cannot and will not reach it's fullest potential. By opening our eyes and ears to the unique stories, perspectives, and visions of those around us, the result is beautiful synergy that sets cinema apart from the rest of the art world. That, to me, is true movie magic."
-Robert Landau (writer, director, editor)
.
.
.
You’re not only investing in this project; you’re investing in us.
Why Me? Is an exciting prospect for many reasons, but above all, it will serve as an essential tool for our future film endeavors. As a calling card, many of us will continue to point to the film as a showcase of our skills and utilize it as a powerful résumé item. As a community-building session, we will forge new connections, and strengthen existing ones, that will help to carry us deeper into the film world together, hand in hand. And last but certainly not least, working on a production of this scale will present a chance for everyone involved to hone in on their craft and to improve on what they do best and love.
This film is meant to serve as the reminder we all constantly need: that perspective is everything. In this deeply interconnected world of 2024, it has become astoundingly easy to not only share our lives with one another, but to pick and choose the parts of our lives that are visible. As such, we are noticing more than ever how our lives may or may not pale in comparison to those of our peers, causing an underlying resentment and profound sadness among us. To combat this, we want to remind audiences that, while the grass is indeed often greener, it can also be much greyer for others. In essence, we must remind ourselves to engage in self-reflection, acknowledge our own privilege, and live our lives to the fullest without it being at the expense of others.
As a crew composed entirely of student filmmakers trying our very best to break into the industry, we want to seize every resource we possibly can. This campaign presents a unique opportunity for us to dream big and create art that is uncompromisingly true to the original vision. It’s rare that we’re presented with this sort of chance, so we are 100% determined to make the absolute most of it. You have our word.
.
.
.
Why Me? is visually and stylistically inspired by a myriad of different sources, most prominently pulling from the Film Noir style of the 1940's, the Japanese New Wave of the 1950's, and the Indie Cinema Movement of the 1990's. Tokyo Twilight (top-left), The Third Man (top-right), La Haine (bottom-left), and Lost in Translation (bottom-right) exhibit these styles exceptionally well.
Conceptually and tonally, this film is reminiscent of the chaotic, unpredictable narratives of Adaptation (bottom-right) and After Hours (middle-left), the paranoid suspense of The Game (bottom-left) and Get Out (top-right), the psychological mayhem of Barton Fink (middle-right), and the zany egotism of Stranger Than Fiction (top-left).
.
.
.
Robert Landau (he/him) is a Colorado-born filmmaker currently obtaining his MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media at the University of Georgia. He has worked on countless short films and numerous features, having found modest success within the film festival circuit with several projects of his own. He has a deeply collaborative philosophy when it comes to art creation, determined to expand his horizons with every new project.
Matthew J. Hudgins (he/him) is a writer-producer from Atlanta, GA. An industry veteran, he spent nearly a decade in craft service with credits in Stranger Things, The Suicide Squad, Captain America: Civil War, and many more. He is currently obtaining his MFA in film, TV, and digital media at the University of Georgia with a goal of becoming a feature film screenwriter.
Emani Rashad Saucier (he/him) is a filmmaker, videographer, and the owner of Saucier Films, a prominent production company based in Atlanta, GA. Having earned his degree from the renowned Morehouse College, he is currently pursuing an MFA at the University of Georgia to continue to expand his creative horizons and refine his artistic vision. He continues to utilize his talents and experiences to forge a path of progress and empowerment for underrepresented communities.
Eli Saliba (he/him) is a filmmaker, cinematographer, and videographer residing in Athens, Georgia. He has worked on over twenty films and a dozen other digital media productions since starting his career in 2018. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston where he received a B.A. in communications and film studies and received his MFA in film and television production from the University of Georgia. With a wide variety of skills and a deep passion for the art form, he seeks to create and enhance the telling of human stories with a deep understanding of the visual arts.
Lauren Crawford (she/they) is a Georgia Film Academy alum and filmmaker based in Atlanta, GA. She has worked on numerous films across her career, primarily in the grip/electric department, and has maintained a close relationship with University of Georgia filmmakers as a flagship member of GFA's thesis support crew.
Sam Costantino (he/him) is an accomplished stage actor and aspiring writer-director, currently studying for his MFA in Film, Television, & Digital Media at the University of Georgia. After nearly a decade of involvement in the Atlanta theatre scene, Sam graduated from Belmont University with a BFA in Theatre Performance in 2022. His love for performance fostered an admiration for collaborative storytelling and a focus on community.
Why Me? was chosen to receive the support of the Georgia Film Academy, meaning a class of 20+ well-trained students, guided by an industry professional in a professorial capacity, will be on set to guide the work, ensuring a smooth and safe set-experience for everyone.
"The Georgia Film Academy’s efforts in building a professional workforce able to meet increased production demand is widely regarded to be a primary driver in this sudden and dramatic rise in economic impact on the state. The GFA is widely recognized by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), labor unions, and numerous competing states and countries as “the gold standard” in film and television production workforce training."
-Georgia Film Academy
.
.
.
With a grand total of $10,000 comprised of six essential expenses, our budget is certainly ambitious, but within reach with your help! Any overflow will go straight to compensating talent and crew as well as polishing the final product. We plan to keep contributors informed every step of the way, including communicating where and when their funds are used.
For a more detailed analysis of each section, go to the "Wishlist" tab beneath the pitch video.
.
.
.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Equipment Rental
Costs $500
With essential camera equipment such as a gimbal, a high-end camera, high-end lenses, etc., production value will reach new heights!
Props and Set Dec
Costs $750
With adequate resources for quality props and extensive set decoration, the mise-en-scène of the production will come to life!
Cast and Crew
Costs $1,250
With these extra funds, we will be able to pay our hardworking cast and crew who have volunteered their time for this production.
Locations
Costs $3,000
To enhance the production overall, we intend to allocate a large chunk of funds to securing the safest, most practical, aesthetic locations.
Travel
Costs $750
As far as reimbursement goes, at the very least we'd like to house, transport, and provide fuel to cast and crew throughout the shoot.
Catering & Crafty
Costs $1,000
Cast and crew deserve to be well-fed throughout their long days hard at work. Extra funds will allow this to become a reality.
Post Production
Costs $1,000
Sound is half of the medium; with money set aside for post, a compelling musical score and detailed sound design will complete the piece.
Festivals
Costs $750
The movie is done, and it's amazing! Now the goal is to get the film out there and ensure maximum exposure. Submissions are expensive!
10% Contingency
Costs $1,000
Surprises are bound to come up. This expense serves as a safety net for the production so we'll have the resources to handle them smoothly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Why Me? has a dedicated, talented team that is committed to delivering the best possible final product. Each with their own unique experience and set of skills, this ever-expanding team will stop at nothing to fulfill the exciting potential of this project.
Thanks in large part to the partnership between the University of Georgia and the Georgia Film Academy, crew will be composed almost entirely of film students and film school alums native to the state of Georgia. We wholeheartedly embrace the notion of a diverse crew, both in background and in experience, to make this production as inclusive as possible at every level.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Why Me? is a suspense-comedy short and MFA thesis project written by Robert Landau, a graduate student at the University of Georgia.
The film follows Mike Molly, a self-centered misanthrope, who has used up all of the patience of his friends and family since spiraling down a self-destructive rut. On one particularly lonely night, he wanders into an art gallery and discovers a series of paintings that he’s convinced are of him. Panicked, he looks to his support system for help, only to find that their sympathy has indeed run dry, leaving him alone on a paranoid search for the truth. When he sets out to solve this mystery, a lengthy inquiry yields only more questions and brings him face to face with his biggest fear of all: addressing his own narcissism.
Expected release: August 2024
.
.
.
"Movies are special to me because of their ability to make powerful, complex messages accessible to all audiences.
Whether we want them to or not, great movies never fail to shake us to our core and bring us to question what we know about the world around us. As a privileged, cishet filmmaker, I feel that I have an obligation to speak up for what I believe in, elevate my less privileged peers, and embrace the artform as the endlessly powerful communication tool that it is.
Through and through, film is a deeply collaborative medium. I truly believe that, without a variety of diverse voices providing input on a project, it cannot and will not reach it's fullest potential. By opening our eyes and ears to the unique stories, perspectives, and visions of those around us, the result is beautiful synergy that sets cinema apart from the rest of the art world. That, to me, is true movie magic."
-Robert Landau (writer, director, editor)
.
.
.
You’re not only investing in this project; you’re investing in us.
Why Me? Is an exciting prospect for many reasons, but above all, it will serve as an essential tool for our future film endeavors. As a calling card, many of us will continue to point to the film as a showcase of our skills and utilize it as a powerful résumé item. As a community-building session, we will forge new connections, and strengthen existing ones, that will help to carry us deeper into the film world together, hand in hand. And last but certainly not least, working on a production of this scale will present a chance for everyone involved to hone in on their craft and to improve on what they do best and love.
This film is meant to serve as the reminder we all constantly need: that perspective is everything. In this deeply interconnected world of 2024, it has become astoundingly easy to not only share our lives with one another, but to pick and choose the parts of our lives that are visible. As such, we are noticing more than ever how our lives may or may not pale in comparison to those of our peers, causing an underlying resentment and profound sadness among us. To combat this, we want to remind audiences that, while the grass is indeed often greener, it can also be much greyer for others. In essence, we must remind ourselves to engage in self-reflection, acknowledge our own privilege, and live our lives to the fullest without it being at the expense of others.
As a crew composed entirely of student filmmakers trying our very best to break into the industry, we want to seize every resource we possibly can. This campaign presents a unique opportunity for us to dream big and create art that is uncompromisingly true to the original vision. It’s rare that we’re presented with this sort of chance, so we are 100% determined to make the absolute most of it. You have our word.
.
.
.
Why Me? is visually and stylistically inspired by a myriad of different sources, most prominently pulling from the Film Noir style of the 1940's, the Japanese New Wave of the 1950's, and the Indie Cinema Movement of the 1990's. Tokyo Twilight (top-left), The Third Man (top-right), La Haine (bottom-left), and Lost in Translation (bottom-right) exhibit these styles exceptionally well.
Conceptually and tonally, this film is reminiscent of the chaotic, unpredictable narratives of Adaptation (bottom-right) and After Hours (middle-left), the paranoid suspense of The Game (bottom-left) and Get Out (top-right), the psychological mayhem of Barton Fink (middle-right), and the zany egotism of Stranger Than Fiction (top-left).
.
.
.
Robert Landau (he/him) is a Colorado-born filmmaker currently obtaining his MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media at the University of Georgia. He has worked on countless short films and numerous features, having found modest success within the film festival circuit with several projects of his own. He has a deeply collaborative philosophy when it comes to art creation, determined to expand his horizons with every new project.
Matthew J. Hudgins (he/him) is a writer-producer from Atlanta, GA. An industry veteran, he spent nearly a decade in craft service with credits in Stranger Things, The Suicide Squad, Captain America: Civil War, and many more. He is currently obtaining his MFA in film, TV, and digital media at the University of Georgia with a goal of becoming a feature film screenwriter.
Emani Rashad Saucier (he/him) is a filmmaker, videographer, and the owner of Saucier Films, a prominent production company based in Atlanta, GA. Having earned his degree from the renowned Morehouse College, he is currently pursuing an MFA at the University of Georgia to continue to expand his creative horizons and refine his artistic vision. He continues to utilize his talents and experiences to forge a path of progress and empowerment for underrepresented communities.
Eli Saliba (he/him) is a filmmaker, cinematographer, and videographer residing in Athens, Georgia. He has worked on over twenty films and a dozen other digital media productions since starting his career in 2018. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston where he received a B.A. in communications and film studies and received his MFA in film and television production from the University of Georgia. With a wide variety of skills and a deep passion for the art form, he seeks to create and enhance the telling of human stories with a deep understanding of the visual arts.
Lauren Crawford (she/they) is a Georgia Film Academy alum and filmmaker based in Atlanta, GA. She has worked on numerous films across her career, primarily in the grip/electric department, and has maintained a close relationship with University of Georgia filmmakers as a flagship member of GFA's thesis support crew.
Sam Costantino (he/him) is an accomplished stage actor and aspiring writer-director, currently studying for his MFA in Film, Television, & Digital Media at the University of Georgia. After nearly a decade of involvement in the Atlanta theatre scene, Sam graduated from Belmont University with a BFA in Theatre Performance in 2022. His love for performance fostered an admiration for collaborative storytelling and a focus on community.
Why Me? was chosen to receive the support of the Georgia Film Academy, meaning a class of 20+ well-trained students, guided by an industry professional in a professorial capacity, will be on set to guide the work, ensuring a smooth and safe set-experience for everyone.
"The Georgia Film Academy’s efforts in building a professional workforce able to meet increased production demand is widely regarded to be a primary driver in this sudden and dramatic rise in economic impact on the state. The GFA is widely recognized by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), labor unions, and numerous competing states and countries as “the gold standard” in film and television production workforce training."
-Georgia Film Academy
.
.
.
With a grand total of $10,000 comprised of six essential expenses, our budget is certainly ambitious, but within reach with your help! Any overflow will go straight to compensating talent and crew as well as polishing the final product. We plan to keep contributors informed every step of the way, including communicating where and when their funds are used.
For a more detailed analysis of each section, go to the "Wishlist" tab beneath the pitch video.
.
.
.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Equipment Rental
Costs $500
With essential camera equipment such as a gimbal, a high-end camera, high-end lenses, etc., production value will reach new heights!
Props and Set Dec
Costs $750
With adequate resources for quality props and extensive set decoration, the mise-en-scène of the production will come to life!
Cast and Crew
Costs $1,250
With these extra funds, we will be able to pay our hardworking cast and crew who have volunteered their time for this production.
Locations
Costs $3,000
To enhance the production overall, we intend to allocate a large chunk of funds to securing the safest, most practical, aesthetic locations.
Travel
Costs $750
As far as reimbursement goes, at the very least we'd like to house, transport, and provide fuel to cast and crew throughout the shoot.
Catering & Crafty
Costs $1,000
Cast and crew deserve to be well-fed throughout their long days hard at work. Extra funds will allow this to become a reality.
Post Production
Costs $1,000
Sound is half of the medium; with money set aside for post, a compelling musical score and detailed sound design will complete the piece.
Festivals
Costs $750
The movie is done, and it's amazing! Now the goal is to get the film out there and ensure maximum exposure. Submissions are expensive!
10% Contingency
Costs $1,000
Surprises are bound to come up. This expense serves as a safety net for the production so we'll have the resources to handle them smoothly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Why Me? has a dedicated, talented team that is committed to delivering the best possible final product. Each with their own unique experience and set of skills, this ever-expanding team will stop at nothing to fulfill the exciting potential of this project.
Thanks in large part to the partnership between the University of Georgia and the Georgia Film Academy, crew will be composed almost entirely of film students and film school alums native to the state of Georgia. We wholeheartedly embrace the notion of a diverse crew, both in background and in experience, to make this production as inclusive as possible at every level.