Gangster movies maintain 2 simple rules: men run the show, women stay at home. Wise Gals will challenge that status quo. Join us on an immersive journey into a 1980s underground in which women rule organized crime; having worked her way through the ranks, mobster Sophia is ready to take the throne.
Gangster movies maintain 2 simple rules: men run the show, women stay at home. Wise Gals will challenge that status quo. Join us on an immersive journey into a 1980s underground in which women rule organized crime; having worked her way through the ranks, mobster Sophia is ready to take the throne.
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Story
Mission Statement
Led by a female writer, director, producers, and majority female cast & crew--Wise Gals will allow women to create powerfully on both sides of the camera. Additionally, the varied ages, races, and backgrounds of characters will provide roles for women who are not often represented on film.About The Project
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In an alternative 1980s underground, women rule organized crime. Rising star Sophia will stop at nothing in her pursuit of power. As a lifetime of violence and web of uneasy alliances start to take their toll, she braces for a reckoning. Can she make it out of this one alive?
Wise Gals imagines a vibrant, transportive criminal world in which women are the ones making seedy deals, getting in shoot outs, double-crossing, and kicking ass.
But it goes deeper than that. It’s also a story about ambition, power, and betrayal that explores the relationship between the mentor and the mentee.
Genre: Narrative Short
Expected Run Time: approximately 20 minutes
Filming Location: Greater Boston areaSchedule: Filmed in February, 2018 - Editing in Spring 2018 - Releasing in May, 2018
Tone: Crime drama
Similar Projects in Tone and Visuals: Drive, Goodfellas, Atomic Blonde, Casino
We love gangster films: the power plays, the complicated relationships, the invincible characters. But we're frustrated by how women are portrayed in these movies: as wives, daughters, prostitutes, victims or cast-offs.
But that's not just opinion; it's fact! In preparation for this project we rewatched the "Top 12 Gangster Films of All Time" according to AskMen.com. Here's what we found:
Women were strikingly underrepresented in these films. Of the 906 total credited characters in these 14 films, only 189 were female!
The roles available to women were extremely limited. These 189 characters were largely the static romantic interests of more complex male protagonists:
While the plots of mob movies are different, one thing remains the same in all of them: their treatment of female characters. Until now!
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We're thrilled to make Wise Gals because it will:
Be an awesome movie!
If you’re a fan of the gangster movie genre: the anti-heroes, the values of loyalty and respect, and the vicarious thrill of living without authority—then you’re going to love Wise Gals. It’s made by mob movie fans, for mob movie fans.
Challenge the status quo, which pigeonholes both men and women into certain kinds of roles.
Why can’t a woman be a mobster? Why can’t a man be a loving spouse? We’ll ask these questions using a majority female cast and crew, allowing women to create powerfully, both in front of and behind the camera.
Empower women who rarely get to see themselves on screen.
The recent stories of sexual assault and intimidation in Hollywood really shine a light on the lack of power women hold in the film industry. We don’t often see stories made about us, and many of the roles available to actresses have strings attached, such as age, race, or clothing size. Wise Gals will not only be a compelling mob movie, but one that showcases women of diverse ages and backgrounds.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP WISE GALS
Join us and tell the world what kind of women you want to see on film!
Incentives
$11
Associate
You're an honorary member of the crew! We appreciate your contribution to this project, and we'll let you know with:
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital screener of the film upon release, live for one week.
$26
Soldier
Now you're cooking! You're helping us do our dirty work. To show our gratitude, we'll send you:
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film
$45
Cugine
You've got spunk, kid. We appreciate your loyalty. You'll be rewarded with:
- A sheet of temporary tattoos, featuring custom designs from Boston artist Julia Emiliani.
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out.
- A digital download of the completed film
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
$60
Capa
Whatever you say, boss! You're a good gal. We'll pay tribute with:
- One of only 50 enamel pins, featuring a custom design from artist Natalie Meagan of The Crybaby Club.
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani.
$99
Consigliere
You're a trusted member of our inner circle; you'll always have our ear.
We'd like to repay your generosity with:
- One of only 50 screenprinted totes, featuring a custom design from artist Julia Emiliani:
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani.
$367
Capa Bastone
You're no ordinary boss; you're our right-hand gal!
This campaign will reach its goal if we raise $367 a day for 30 days. Your contribution gets us one day closer to Wise Gals.
- Your name will be in the credits under "Special Thanks To." The world will have a lasting reminder of your kindness and support of independent, inclusionary film.
- You'll have the opportunity to spend the day on set--whether you'd like to appear in the film as an extra, or stay behind camera with the crew (This reward is only available to Boston-area supporters; transportation to/from set is not included).
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani.
- Your choice of an enamel pin designed by Natalie Meagan, or a printed tote designed by Julia Emiliani.
$1,000
Capa Famiglia
It's not just business; we're family.
As our honorary matriarch, you're entitled to:
- An Associate Producer credit in the film
- The opportunity to spend the day on set--whether you'd like to appear in the film as an extra, or stay behind camera with the crew (This reward is only available to Boston-area supporters; transportation to/from set is not included).
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani
- An enamel pin designed by Natalie Meagan
- A printed tote designed by Julia Emiliani
Claimed: 1 of 5
$5,000
The Godmother
We're eternally grateful to you! This film couldn't have happened without your help.
We want to give you a great experience as one of our principal investors, including:
- Regular calls with the Director and opportunity for creative influence on the film.
- A prop or costume from the film (excluding weaponry or anything rented by the production)
- An Executive Producer credit at the top of the film
- The opportunity to spend the day on set--whether you'd like to appear in the film as an extra, or stay behind camera with the crew (This reward is only available to Boston-area supporters; transportation to/from set is not included).
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani
- An enamel pin designed by Natalie Meagan
- A printed tote designed by Julia Emiliani
Claimed: 0 of 1
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$11
Associate
You're an honorary member of the crew! We appreciate your contribution to this project, and we'll let you know with:
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital screener of the film upon release, live for one week.
$26
Soldier
Now you're cooking! You're helping us do our dirty work. To show our gratitude, we'll send you:
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film
$45
Cugine
You've got spunk, kid. We appreciate your loyalty. You'll be rewarded with:
- A sheet of temporary tattoos, featuring custom designs from Boston artist Julia Emiliani.
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out.
- A digital download of the completed film
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
$60
Capa
Whatever you say, boss! You're a good gal. We'll pay tribute with:
- One of only 50 enamel pins, featuring a custom design from artist Natalie Meagan of The Crybaby Club.
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani.
$99
Consigliere
You're a trusted member of our inner circle; you'll always have our ear.
We'd like to repay your generosity with:
- One of only 50 screenprinted totes, featuring a custom design from artist Julia Emiliani:
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani.
$367
Capa Bastone
You're no ordinary boss; you're our right-hand gal!
This campaign will reach its goal if we raise $367 a day for 30 days. Your contribution gets us one day closer to Wise Gals.
- Your name will be in the credits under "Special Thanks To." The world will have a lasting reminder of your kindness and support of independent, inclusionary film.
- You'll have the opportunity to spend the day on set--whether you'd like to appear in the film as an extra, or stay behind camera with the crew (This reward is only available to Boston-area supporters; transportation to/from set is not included).
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name.
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani.
- Your choice of an enamel pin designed by Natalie Meagan, or a printed tote designed by Julia Emiliani.
$1,000
Capa Famiglia
It's not just business; we're family.
As our honorary matriarch, you're entitled to:
- An Associate Producer credit in the film
- The opportunity to spend the day on set--whether you'd like to appear in the film as an extra, or stay behind camera with the crew (This reward is only available to Boston-area supporters; transportation to/from set is not included).
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani
- An enamel pin designed by Natalie Meagan
- A printed tote designed by Julia Emiliani
Claimed: 1 of 5
$5,000
The Godmother
We're eternally grateful to you! This film couldn't have happened without your help.
We want to give you a great experience as one of our principal investors, including:
- Regular calls with the Director and opportunity for creative influence on the film.
- A prop or costume from the film (excluding weaponry or anything rented by the production)
- An Executive Producer credit at the top of the film
- The opportunity to spend the day on set--whether you'd like to appear in the film as an extra, or stay behind camera with the crew (This reward is only available to Boston-area supporters; transportation to/from set is not included).
- Regular project updates
- A personalized social media shout-out
- A digital download of the completed film, including a version with director's commentary.
- A personalized business card with your new mobster name
- A sheet of temporary tattoos designed by artist Julia Emiliani
- An enamel pin designed by Natalie Meagan
- A printed tote designed by Julia Emiliani
Claimed: 0 of 1
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
With a combined 50 years of filmmaking experience across our core team, we're a seasoned and motivated group of young professionals.
We're excited to bring this original, unorthodox story to life, and eager to challenge ourselves to create something that is truly unique!
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Community
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