Willy Goes Way Back!
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
A bizarre and quirky comedy, "WILLY" explores a question for which many of us don't have an answer: If you could re-live only one moment of your life, which would it be? Our film is an offbeat and touching story of one man who would go to the greatest lengths to see his late mother one last time.
Willy Goes Way Back!
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
2 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,584 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
102 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
A bizarre and quirky comedy, "WILLY" explores a question for which many of us don't have an answer: If you could re-live only one moment of your life, which would it be? Our film is an offbeat and touching story of one man who would go to the greatest lengths to see his late mother one last time.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"WILLY GOES WAY BACK!" is a quirky and surrealist comedy/drama. It's odd, it's fun, it has cats and dead rats and doctors and lullabyes and pills, most importantly.................
time travel.
WE BELIEVE
that there are two types of art:
1) Art that wants you to believe in something
2) Art that wants you to stop believing in something
This is the kind that wants you to believe.
WHO IS THIS MOVIE ABOUT?
WILLY is a dopey-eyed man, lost somewhere in his 30's, who always tries to do the right thing-- but he has a very hard time understanding the way that other people think. Many have described him as, “odd,” or sometimes, “very odd.”
THE DOCTOR is a very weird man, and definitely not a doctor. He has been working on a secret project for most of his career, and the only thing between him and absolute fame is convincing someone to be his pilot tester.
(It's going to be Willy).
WHY DOES THIS MOVIE MATTER?
"Willy Goes Way Back!" explores a question for which many of us don't have an answer: If you had the opportunity to re-live one moment of your life, what would you choose? In a time of hyper-cynical cinema our short film aims to simply paint an original and touching story: one man, who would go to the greatest, most magical lengths to see his mother one more time.
WHY SHOULD YOU CONTRIBUTE?
We truly believe that this project will go on to be a strong contender in the major festival circuit. At the healm of our film are two brilliant performers -- Josh Fadem (30 Rock, Better Call Saul, Twin Peaks) and John Ennis (Mr. Show, Walk Hard, Drunk History). They'll be backed by an outstanding supporting cast as well as a tremendous collection of creative, award-winning, filmmakers.
We're asking for help in raising the funds for half of our budget. In order to achieve the dynamic and stylized visuals that this project requires, we'll be using top-tier equipment, great locations, and an all-star cast and crew. This all costs money!! Even though we're cutting costs wherever we can - and using every favor imaginable - this project still requires significant funds! We would so deeply appreicate it if you would consider contributing.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera and Lenses
Costs $900
This is for one weekend of camera and lens rentals.
Makeup and Wardrobe
Costs $250
Even with primarily thrifting for wardrobe it still costs money!
Lighting Equipment
Costs $600
Without lights it'd be, "camera, action!" Insane! This will pay for one weekend of lighting rentals.
Sound
Costs $300
We would LOVE to hear the movie.
Food
Costs $400
Most of our crew will be working for free, so good food is how we can say thanks!
Art Department
Costs $950
We have to create an entire world, that costs some money! This covers purchases and rentals for art.
Editing
Costs $300
Our editor will spend hundreds of hours cutting this film, we need to give him a little cheddar!
Music
Costs $400
Music is a HUGE part of our story, and this will cover the rate of a fantastic composer.
Sound Editing and Mixing
Costs $300
This will cover the sound editors and mixers on our film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The creative team behind "WILLY GOES WAY BACK!" are all great friends now, but are more than willing to destroy each other if it pleases the donars.
--- THE CREW ---
RYAN WAGNER
Writer/Director
Once a little baby, Ryan is now a grown man living in Los Angeles. He is an award winning writer and director, known for his music videos and short films. Originally from Chicago, Ryan moved to Los Angeles to attend USC's film school. There he performed in, and eventually directed, the actually-kind-of-well-known comedy troupe Commedus Interruptus (alumni include Jason Reitman, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett). He is very excited to make this movie.
REEF OLDBERG
Producer
Reef Oldberg is a Los Angeles based Director and Producer and recent graduate from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Having grown up in rural Mexico, Reef hopes to infuse perspective and authenticity of culture and the human experience throughout his work. Reef’s wide gamut of work includes producing USC thesis films as well as a number of narrative short films, music videos, and commercial projects. Reef’s years of on-set experience give him the ability to adapt quickly and think creatively when producing.
JASON PHILLIPS
Producer
Originating as a triplet from San Diego, Jason Phillips graduated in May 2018 with a Film and Television Production BFA Degree from the University of Southern California. In August 2018, Jason was featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s article “Hollywood Needs Us”. He has been featured/won awards at festivals such as the Los Angeles International Film Festival and American Pavilion Emerging Filmmakers Showcase at Cannes Film Festival. He has interned at companies such as Revelations Entertainment, LA Publicity, BoulderLight Pictures, and Lionsgate. Jason received the Malcolm and Berman Family Fund Scholarship for undergraduate producers.
NATALIE CHAO
Director of Photography
Natalie Archambaud Chao is a Hong Kong born and raised filmmaker and cinematographer who recently finished her B.A degree in Film Production at the USC School Of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles. Over the years, themes pertaining to time and space have persisted in in all of her work, as she continues to explore how memory, nostalgia and transience are inevitably present in both our mundane and extraordinary lives. Her goal is to bridge the gap between realism and poetic imagery in order to tell stories through the female gaze.
CHARLOTTE GUERRY
First Assistant Director
Charlotte Guerry just graduated from USC’s Film and TV Production program in May. She loves assistant directing anything and everything — from music videos to feature films including Michael Boyle's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS and Bailey Heinonen’s YOU'LL NEVER SEE IT COMING. She just started work as an assistant at Alan Siegel Entertainment and G-Base Production Company, and is so excited to devote the rest of her time to working on WILLY GOES WAY BACK!
EMMA BRADFORD
Production Designer
Emma Bradford is a young filmmaker from Sacramento, California. She graduated from USC in May of 2018 with a BFA in Film Production from the School of Cinematic Arts and a minor in Music Industry from the Thornton School of Music. Emma tells stories about real people and the complex relationships that manifest in our society today between family, friends, or even strangers. Overall, she wants to make films that inspire laughter and cause the audience to reconsider a truth about humanity.
KATIE THEEL
Production Designer
Katie Theel is a Wisconsin-born filmmaker who discovered a love for production design upon setting foot on her very first film set at age 16. She chased her passion far from her home and, more importantly, her cheese all the way to Los Angeles, where she attended USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, receiving her BFA in Film and Television Production in 2018. Since graduating, Katie has joined the workforce as a freelance production designer and all-around art department gal, and has worked on a number of short films, music videos, commercials, and web content. Her favorite types of films both to work on and to watch are those that toe the absurd line between reality and fantasy - you know, like this one.
GAVING MCFARLAND
Production Sound and Mixer
Gavin McFarland is a sound editor, re-recording mixer, and sound recordist based in Los Angeles, CA. He has years of experience working on feature films, commercials, web series, and short films. His favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip and he owns two cats named Pumpkin and Spice.
JILLIAN DUDLEY
Costume Designer
Jillian Dudley recently graduated from USC's School of Cinematic Arts where she studied Film and Television Production and Screenwriting. With a passion for fashion, Jillian has also wardrobe designed for her own shorts and music videos along with other indie shorts and features. She has assisted industry professional wardrobe designers and plans to continue pursuing it. She is the owner and co-creative director of Perpetual Productions.
NINA BRACKETT
Makeup Artist
Nina Brackett is a Makeup Artist based in Los Angeles,CA. She has 15 years of experience in the beauty industry. Being an avid movie watcher and having immense passion for the arts is what inspired her to go into cosmetics, and that passion has led her down many different paths, including feature film, shorts, music videos and still photography.
--- THE CAST ---
JOSH FADEM
"WILLY"
Josh Fadem is an American actor, writer, and comedian. He is known for playing the cameraman Joey Dixon on the AMC series Better Call Saul and Liz Lemon's agent Simon Barrons on the NBC series 30 Rock. He has also appeared on Key & Peele, It's Always Sunny In Philidalphia, The Whitest Kids U Know, and Comedy! Bang! Bang!. Fadem was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but has lived and worked in Los Angeles since he was 20.
JOHN ENNIS
"THE DOCTOR"
John Ennis is an American actor and comedian. Ennis is currently a cast member on Netflix's w/ Bob & David and previously on HBO's Mr. Show w/ Bob and David. Other roles include Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Zodiac, and the reboot of Twin Peaks. He is also an acting teacher, having taught for several years at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in Los Angeles.
DALIT BERKOWITZ
"BARBARA"
Dalit was born in the northernmost coastal town of Nahariya, Israel to an Argentinian mother and South African father. When Dalit was 6 months old, they moved to the United States, where she grew up on Long Island and in New York City. She received her BFA in acting from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama and appeared in numerous New York productions and workshops at venues including Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, Todo Con Nada, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The West Bank Theater, Manhattan Playhouse and the Manhattan Theater Club. Some of her television credits include COLONY, LAW & ORDER and the iconic series, CHINA BEACH. On film, Dalit creates real, unforgettable characters in far-ranging genres, from dramas to comedies to thrillers and even westerns. A couple of favorite film roles are Agnes in the award-winning WAITING FOR YOU and Sister Dolores in the Spanish language horror film, MADRE. She’s delighted get to see Willy again.
MASON WELLS
"LITTLE WILLY"
Mason C. Wells from Atlanta Georgia. He is 8 years old who enjoys being homeschooled, loves reading, outdoors, and any sports activities. His career started when he was 6. He recently signed with a top talent agency and currently lives in Los Angeles, California. He is a passionate little actor that always brings his energy and professionalism to the set and projects he works on.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"WILLY GOES WAY BACK!" is a quirky and surrealist comedy/drama. It's odd, it's fun, it has cats and dead rats and doctors and lullabyes and pills, most importantly.................
time travel.
WE BELIEVE
that there are two types of art:
1) Art that wants you to believe in something
2) Art that wants you to stop believing in something
This is the kind that wants you to believe.
WHO IS THIS MOVIE ABOUT?
WILLY is a dopey-eyed man, lost somewhere in his 30's, who always tries to do the right thing-- but he has a very hard time understanding the way that other people think. Many have described him as, “odd,” or sometimes, “very odd.”
THE DOCTOR is a very weird man, and definitely not a doctor. He has been working on a secret project for most of his career, and the only thing between him and absolute fame is convincing someone to be his pilot tester.
(It's going to be Willy).
WHY DOES THIS MOVIE MATTER?
"Willy Goes Way Back!" explores a question for which many of us don't have an answer: If you had the opportunity to re-live one moment of your life, what would you choose? In a time of hyper-cynical cinema our short film aims to simply paint an original and touching story: one man, who would go to the greatest, most magical lengths to see his mother one more time.
WHY SHOULD YOU CONTRIBUTE?
We truly believe that this project will go on to be a strong contender in the major festival circuit. At the healm of our film are two brilliant performers -- Josh Fadem (30 Rock, Better Call Saul, Twin Peaks) and John Ennis (Mr. Show, Walk Hard, Drunk History). They'll be backed by an outstanding supporting cast as well as a tremendous collection of creative, award-winning, filmmakers.
We're asking for help in raising the funds for half of our budget. In order to achieve the dynamic and stylized visuals that this project requires, we'll be using top-tier equipment, great locations, and an all-star cast and crew. This all costs money!! Even though we're cutting costs wherever we can - and using every favor imaginable - this project still requires significant funds! We would so deeply appreicate it if you would consider contributing.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera and Lenses
Costs $900
This is for one weekend of camera and lens rentals.
Makeup and Wardrobe
Costs $250
Even with primarily thrifting for wardrobe it still costs money!
Lighting Equipment
Costs $600
Without lights it'd be, "camera, action!" Insane! This will pay for one weekend of lighting rentals.
Sound
Costs $300
We would LOVE to hear the movie.
Food
Costs $400
Most of our crew will be working for free, so good food is how we can say thanks!
Art Department
Costs $950
We have to create an entire world, that costs some money! This covers purchases and rentals for art.
Editing
Costs $300
Our editor will spend hundreds of hours cutting this film, we need to give him a little cheddar!
Music
Costs $400
Music is a HUGE part of our story, and this will cover the rate of a fantastic composer.
Sound Editing and Mixing
Costs $300
This will cover the sound editors and mixers on our film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The creative team behind "WILLY GOES WAY BACK!" are all great friends now, but are more than willing to destroy each other if it pleases the donars.
--- THE CREW ---
RYAN WAGNER
Writer/Director
Once a little baby, Ryan is now a grown man living in Los Angeles. He is an award winning writer and director, known for his music videos and short films. Originally from Chicago, Ryan moved to Los Angeles to attend USC's film school. There he performed in, and eventually directed, the actually-kind-of-well-known comedy troupe Commedus Interruptus (alumni include Jason Reitman, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett). He is very excited to make this movie.
REEF OLDBERG
Producer
Reef Oldberg is a Los Angeles based Director and Producer and recent graduate from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Having grown up in rural Mexico, Reef hopes to infuse perspective and authenticity of culture and the human experience throughout his work. Reef’s wide gamut of work includes producing USC thesis films as well as a number of narrative short films, music videos, and commercial projects. Reef’s years of on-set experience give him the ability to adapt quickly and think creatively when producing.
JASON PHILLIPS
Producer
Originating as a triplet from San Diego, Jason Phillips graduated in May 2018 with a Film and Television Production BFA Degree from the University of Southern California. In August 2018, Jason was featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s article “Hollywood Needs Us”. He has been featured/won awards at festivals such as the Los Angeles International Film Festival and American Pavilion Emerging Filmmakers Showcase at Cannes Film Festival. He has interned at companies such as Revelations Entertainment, LA Publicity, BoulderLight Pictures, and Lionsgate. Jason received the Malcolm and Berman Family Fund Scholarship for undergraduate producers.
NATALIE CHAO
Director of Photography
Natalie Archambaud Chao is a Hong Kong born and raised filmmaker and cinematographer who recently finished her B.A degree in Film Production at the USC School Of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles. Over the years, themes pertaining to time and space have persisted in in all of her work, as she continues to explore how memory, nostalgia and transience are inevitably present in both our mundane and extraordinary lives. Her goal is to bridge the gap between realism and poetic imagery in order to tell stories through the female gaze.
CHARLOTTE GUERRY
First Assistant Director
Charlotte Guerry just graduated from USC’s Film and TV Production program in May. She loves assistant directing anything and everything — from music videos to feature films including Michael Boyle's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS and Bailey Heinonen’s YOU'LL NEVER SEE IT COMING. She just started work as an assistant at Alan Siegel Entertainment and G-Base Production Company, and is so excited to devote the rest of her time to working on WILLY GOES WAY BACK!
EMMA BRADFORD
Production Designer
Emma Bradford is a young filmmaker from Sacramento, California. She graduated from USC in May of 2018 with a BFA in Film Production from the School of Cinematic Arts and a minor in Music Industry from the Thornton School of Music. Emma tells stories about real people and the complex relationships that manifest in our society today between family, friends, or even strangers. Overall, she wants to make films that inspire laughter and cause the audience to reconsider a truth about humanity.
KATIE THEEL
Production Designer
Katie Theel is a Wisconsin-born filmmaker who discovered a love for production design upon setting foot on her very first film set at age 16. She chased her passion far from her home and, more importantly, her cheese all the way to Los Angeles, where she attended USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, receiving her BFA in Film and Television Production in 2018. Since graduating, Katie has joined the workforce as a freelance production designer and all-around art department gal, and has worked on a number of short films, music videos, commercials, and web content. Her favorite types of films both to work on and to watch are those that toe the absurd line between reality and fantasy - you know, like this one.
GAVING MCFARLAND
Production Sound and Mixer
Gavin McFarland is a sound editor, re-recording mixer, and sound recordist based in Los Angeles, CA. He has years of experience working on feature films, commercials, web series, and short films. His favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip and he owns two cats named Pumpkin and Spice.
JILLIAN DUDLEY
Costume Designer
Jillian Dudley recently graduated from USC's School of Cinematic Arts where she studied Film and Television Production and Screenwriting. With a passion for fashion, Jillian has also wardrobe designed for her own shorts and music videos along with other indie shorts and features. She has assisted industry professional wardrobe designers and plans to continue pursuing it. She is the owner and co-creative director of Perpetual Productions.
NINA BRACKETT
Makeup Artist
Nina Brackett is a Makeup Artist based in Los Angeles,CA. She has 15 years of experience in the beauty industry. Being an avid movie watcher and having immense passion for the arts is what inspired her to go into cosmetics, and that passion has led her down many different paths, including feature film, shorts, music videos and still photography.
--- THE CAST ---
JOSH FADEM
"WILLY"
Josh Fadem is an American actor, writer, and comedian. He is known for playing the cameraman Joey Dixon on the AMC series Better Call Saul and Liz Lemon's agent Simon Barrons on the NBC series 30 Rock. He has also appeared on Key & Peele, It's Always Sunny In Philidalphia, The Whitest Kids U Know, and Comedy! Bang! Bang!. Fadem was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but has lived and worked in Los Angeles since he was 20.
JOHN ENNIS
"THE DOCTOR"
John Ennis is an American actor and comedian. Ennis is currently a cast member on Netflix's w/ Bob & David and previously on HBO's Mr. Show w/ Bob and David. Other roles include Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Zodiac, and the reboot of Twin Peaks. He is also an acting teacher, having taught for several years at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in Los Angeles.
DALIT BERKOWITZ
"BARBARA"
Dalit was born in the northernmost coastal town of Nahariya, Israel to an Argentinian mother and South African father. When Dalit was 6 months old, they moved to the United States, where she grew up on Long Island and in New York City. She received her BFA in acting from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama and appeared in numerous New York productions and workshops at venues including Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, Todo Con Nada, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The West Bank Theater, Manhattan Playhouse and the Manhattan Theater Club. Some of her television credits include COLONY, LAW & ORDER and the iconic series, CHINA BEACH. On film, Dalit creates real, unforgettable characters in far-ranging genres, from dramas to comedies to thrillers and even westerns. A couple of favorite film roles are Agnes in the award-winning WAITING FOR YOU and Sister Dolores in the Spanish language horror film, MADRE. She’s delighted get to see Willy again.
MASON WELLS
"LITTLE WILLY"
Mason C. Wells from Atlanta Georgia. He is 8 years old who enjoys being homeschooled, loves reading, outdoors, and any sports activities. His career started when he was 6. He recently signed with a top talent agency and currently lives in Los Angeles, California. He is a passionate little actor that always brings his energy and professionalism to the set and projects he works on.