YOYOs (You're On Your Own)
Martinsville, Virginia | Film Feature
Comedy, Drama
Liberal sisters Dinah and Abby return to their childhood home in rural VA after a long estrangement to pay respects to their supposedly dying conservative father and get bamboozled into running the survivalist camp for kids their parents run. Our motley crew flails and triumphs throughout the week.
YOYOs (You're On Your Own)
Martinsville, Virginia | Film Feature
Comedy, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
73 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$22,280
Goal: $50,800 for production
Liberal sisters Dinah and Abby return to their childhood home in rural VA after a long estrangement to pay respects to their supposedly dying conservative father and get bamboozled into running the survivalist camp for kids their parents run. Our motley crew flails and triumphs throughout the week.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Have you ever been estranged from a family member? Opposed politically?
Us too.
Unfortunately, almost everyone can relate on some level.
While YOYOs is a fictional story, it is inspired by my own relationship with my parents. I love my parents deeply and we have luckily managed to remain close despite some ugly arguments. We’ve been diametrically opposed for over a decade and it has been difficult to navigate how my worldview has evolved to be so completely different from the people who raised me. I still believe that we share a lot of the same values - family, kindness, love, community, and service. So how could our thoughts on how to protect those things differ so much?
(My parents and me in Colorado in 2020)
I have been wanting to explore this topic for sometime. It feels important, timely and necessary. But I wasn’t sure what the medium was. An essay? A podcast? I didn’t know it was a film until Michal and I started writing.
Michal and I met at Naked Angels in New York City sometime in the spring of 2023. We were instantly attracted to the idea of working together not only because we considered each other talented but we recognized our similar drive, work ethic, and stubbornness - all qualities that get sh$@ done. We began brainstorming something to film on the property that Michal and her husband were looking to purchase in rural Virginia. Sometimes the best ideas come when you are given strict parameters.
(Michal and me presenting at Naked Angels in NYC)
What blossomed from our rural Virginia prompt, was a deeply personal story that brought to life this inner struggle I was having with my relationship to my parents.
Our film follows two liberal sisters, Dinah and Abby, who haven’t spoken to their parents in ten years after political and religious differences reached a boiling point. When their mother spins a lie about their father being in a coma, Dinah’s ten-year-old son Michael forces them to return home to say goodbye. Upon arrival at their parents’ homestead, it becomes apparent that it was all a ruse to get them home to discuss their inheritance. Their parents Jeb and Susan run a wilderness survival camp for kids and the daughters must run one successful session of that camp to prove they have retained the values and skills their parents raised them with, otherwise their inheritance will be donated to the NRA. Reluctantly, Dinah and Abby agree, leading Michael and 6 paying campers between the ages of 9 and 13 into the woods for a week-long adventure. We watch them all flail and triumph, learning and growing from each other along the way. When a medical emergency arises, our characters are forced into conversations that will either lead them further apart or finally back together.
Our film is both a comedy and a drama. We believe in fiction, just as in life, humor is one of the best tools for getting through the painful moments. While several films have inspired the tone of the film, the motley crew of characters, color schemes, and slice-of-life qualities of Moonrise Kingdom, Captain Fantastic, and Little Miss Sunshine summarize our tone succinctly. We hope to do this genre justice.
Our community at Naked Angels in New York has been a huge supporter of our project along the way. We had two ten page excerpts read back in February and April of 2024. And on March 17th, 2025 we held a full staged reading through their program “First Mondays” in conjunction with The New School. We had a packed house and received tons of great feedback.
(Our staged reading in conjunction with Naked Angels and The New School.)
Cast: Jean Marie McKee, Lexi Graboski, Michal Sinnott, Bernard Scudder, Greg Connolly, Jacey Powers, Deanna Tarraza, Zoe Fernanda Wilson, Olivia Rose Pickard, Quin Stiller, and Bryant Jager
I also hosted seven YOYOs Variety Show Fundraisers in New York and LA to kickstart our fundraising efforts. A huge thanks to Patti Ann's in Brooklyn for being an incredible venue and to Kent Jenkins and The Electric Lodge for hosting our LA show in your beautiful theater! The Naked Angels community showed up as performers and attendees to every event and we couldn't be more grateful. Every show was a great way to bring artists together during a tough time in our nation and world at large. As Toni Morrison said "This is precisely the time when artists go to work." This initial funding enabled us to hire our Director, Producers, Line Producer, Assistant Director, Director of Photography, Production Designer, and Casting Director!
(Several Naked Angels members at the January YOYOs Variety Show)
When we posted an ad for a director, we received over 90 submissions. After interviewing 11 great candidates, we chose Lynda J Reiss who we know we were destined to work with. Lynda has worked in the industry for over 30 years as a Property Master and Art Director on projects including Stranger Things, True Detective, and American Beauty. Several years ago she made the switch to directing and has directed three award winning short films. She is more than ready for her first feature and we are so lucky to have her. She is a force to be reckoned with.
(Me, Lynda, and Michal)
Our team has steadily grown since January and we are overwhelmed with how eager people are to work on our film. Our fellow artists have reflected back to us that it is timely, relatable, and needed. Michal and I are also excited to be building a team that includes several women in key creative positions, as well as a cast and crew that is diverse in as many ways as possible. We aim to set a standard of respect, inclusivity, and support on set. Our cast and crew already spans the political spectrum and we will practice what we hopefully don't preach, rather show, in our film: that we can and must work together.
(Our team at our location scout in Henry County, VA)
From left to right: AD Danny Caporaletti, Director Lynda J Reiss, Writer/Producer Michal Sinnott, Production Designer Rachel Leggett, Producer Heather Waters, Survival Consultant Scott Vernon, and Writer/Producer Lexi Graboski
My goal as an artist has always been to make the audience feel seen, understood, and less alone. If one person sees our film and reaches out to someone with whom they are estranged, we will have done our job.
Long term, we hope to finish editing by early 2026 and apply to the festival circuit. Depending on acceptance, our world premiere is TBD, but we can already guarantee a red carpet Virginia premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival.
Then, we will distribute on streaming domestically and internationally, so that everyone can view our film.
We need help in order to hire more crew, get the proper costumes for the 7 child actors who will be tramping through the woods with us, purchase all our props and set dressings, finalize our locations, and pay our socials team. If you are able to offer anything in-kind, contribute financially, or simply like, follow, and share - every single dollar and share helps!
So please follow, like, share, and contribute if you can. Click on an incentive to contribute - depending on which incentive speaks to you, you can always give more than suggested!
There are also several opportunities to be more formally involved in our film. If interested, please reach out to us at [email protected].
We are so grateful for everyone joining us on this journey!
With gratitude,
Lexi
(and the whole YOYOs team)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Wardrobe Purchases
Costs $3,500
We need insect repellent and SPF protected clothing for our child actors while we film in the woods and duplicates for continuity.
Bigger Crew
Costs $27,000
We need to fill out our crew with 3 PA's, 1 Art PA, Key Craft Service, Assistant Makeup Artist, Intimacy Coordinator and Stunt Coordinator!
Locations
Costs $2,300
We still need to finalize an alpaca farm, hospital room, country supply store, grocery store, and lake for various scenes in the movie.
Honey Wagon Trailer with A/C for crew
Costs $6,000
We're filming in the summer in the woods of VA and it'll be HOT. Having a trailer with AC will protect the crew from heat exhaustion!
ATV for Jebediah and Susan
Costs $1,500
The parent characters Jedediah and Susan drive an ATV around their property and it is crucial to one of our scenes.
PR and Socials Team
Costs $6,000
Right now everyone on our team is wearing a lot of hats. Delegating the PR & Social Media work will allow us to focus on the film itself.
Props and Set Decoration
Costs $4,500
For the highest production value possible we are still seeking several props and set decorations to build out the YOYOs world.
Share this update!
About This Team
Lexi Graboski
Writer / Producer / Actor
Lexi Graboski’s TV & Film credits include American Crime Story on FX, the pilot Dirty written/directed by Jeff Meek, the horror feature The New Hands written/directed by Brandon Scullion, and several short films and web series. She has performed around southern CA with Will & Company and across the country with Playfair. Behind the camera, Lexi wrote and produced several comedy shorts with her all-female sketch team The Sissy Space Cats, as well as her short film Uphill which screened at the Reel Recovery Festival in 2015. In 2016 she produced Reasons to be Pretty and Reasons to be Happy at the Two Roads Theater. After moving to New York, she became an active member of the Naked Angels Theater community where she met Michal.
https://demoreel.com/lexi-graboski
Michal Sinnott
Writer / Producer / Actor
Michal Sinnott is a classically trained storyteller. Her narrative feature, 'Unpacking,’ as co/writer-director-producer recently hit streaming platforms after winning 17 awards (including Best of the Fest, Rising Star Director, Best Ensemble, and Best Actress for Michal) in 25 fests (including Cinequest, RIFF, and Sedona International). She’s acted in 75+ roles for companies/institutions like ABC, Sundance and The Whitney Museum of American Art. She’s best known as the voice and performance-capture artist for Tracey De Santa in the multi-billion dollar phenomenon Grand Theft Auto V.
https://www.michalsinnott.com/
Lynda J Reiss
Director
Lynda, who was born in New York and raised in England, is a multi award winning director. Her short films show range from drama to dark comedy and one of them was Oscar qualified in 2019. Her entire career has been a 25 year Master Class in prep, production, and finding rapid solutions to last minute requests while still telling the story, on such projects as American Beauty, American History X, Stranger Things, True Detective, and Winning Time. Lynda is a fellow of the Sony Pictures Diverse Directors Program, the Black Magic Collective Filmmaker Advancement Initiative, and a fellow of the Women in Film Transitioning Creatives Mentor Program.
https://www.lyndareiss-director.com/
Heather Waters
Producer
Heather Waters is an award-winning producer, director, and writer known for her visionary leadership in film, music, and the arts. She is the Founder & Producer of the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF), Founder of the arts & tech company, the Indie MIX, and Co-founder of Creative World Awards (CWA), a leading development company serving writers worldwide. Waters’ body of work spans narratives and documentaries. Her most recent film, A Mother’s Promise, is an award winning 1920’s short making its run on the festival circuit with an accompanied feature in development. She is thrilled to be a producer on the upcoming feature film YOYOS, set to shoot in Virginia this summer.
https://www.rvafilmfestival.com/
Diana Hull
Producer
Diana Hull is a producer based in the greater Philadelphia area, with a decade of experience in philanthropic work, including her role as Director of Operations at The Women’s Film Festival. She is also a co-founder of 3 Left Handed Women, promoting films by and for women. Diana holds a bachelor's degree from Villanova University with a concentration in theatre. She is best known for producing LAND OF BAD (Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth, and Milo Ventimiglia) and ONE TRUE LOVES (Simu Liu, and Phillipa Soo). Her films BEAR COUNTRY (Russell Crowe, Nina Dobrev, and Aaron Paul), REFUGE, STALKED, and NOT WITHOUT HOPE (Zachary Levi) are currently in post-production. In addition to YOYOS, she is preparing to film two more features this year: A Better Place and Back to December.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13068648/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Chelsea Fenton
Line Producer
Chelsea Fenton, a Canadian-American Producer and member of the Producers Guild of America was born in Toronto, raised in Dubai, and is now based in Los Angeles. She has produced nine features and multiple shorts, music videos and brand content spots with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000. She has successfully navigated production logistics such as working with a bear, pyro and explosives, extensive VFX and stunts, cast/crews of 200+ people, aerial filming with helicopters, and working within various states to acquire tax credits and rebates towards production.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6551679/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Julia Cassidy
Co-Producer
Julia Cassidy is an Emmy Award-winning producer with a track record of over 25 years in the industry. Beyond specializing as a showrunner in unscripted series, she spent 11+ years in development and over six years as Head of Creative at (Sony-owned) Embassy Row. In addition to leading a production company, she has a genuine love of story-telling, teamwork, and cultivating the growth of individuals. She brings creativity, innovation, and industry knowledge to every project she undertakes. Additionally, she is a dedicated advocate for the autistic community.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2415750/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Jarrod Russell
Director of Photography
Jarrod Russell was raised in Richmond. He recently DP’d the feature film Tapawingo starring Jon Heder and Billy Zane. He cut his production teeth on film, television and commercial projects in and around the mid-Atlantic region. Jarrod’s skill set was honed working simultaneously in both camera and lighting which was an advantage to an up-and-coming Cinematographer. Now based in NYC Jarrod has gaffed shows such as Amazon’s The Peripheral, AMC’s Walking Dead, World Beyond, and Apple TV’s Lady in the Lake in addition to features films that are awaiting release. Jarrod has worked under the tutelage of ten ASC cinematographers including John Toll, Janusz Kaminski, and Lachlan Milne. He’s shot commercials for companies such as Walmart, Tiger Fuels, TEDx, and Hamilton Beach. Grateful for the opportunities he has received, Jarrod looks forward to furthering his role as a cinematographer and continuing his artistic journey.
Danny Caporaletti
Assistant Director
Danny Caporaletti makes movies about life’s mysterious turning points and those magic moments that linger in dreams. His films have screened in Berlin, New Orleans, Toronto, Los Angeles DC, Richmond, and beyond. His most recent short, A Little Sun, won the best short prize at the Fine Arts Film Fest in Venice, California. Danny has taught at VCUartsCinema on and off since 2016. Danny has an MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of New Orleans and is a professor in practice in the Cinema Dept at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he teaches directing and film production. Danny works as a director/producer/AD on a variety of commercial and narrative productions. He recently AD’d the 2024 Tribeca Best Narrative film winner Griffin In Summer. He lives in Richmond, VA with his wife and two amazing children.
Rachel Leggett
Production Designer
Rachel Leggett is a Production Designer/Prop Master/Stop Motion Animator based in Los Angeles, CA. She was born and raised in Ohio and studied forestry before pursuing her career as a filmmaker. Rachel has developed her skills in the film industry through a diverse body of work, including social media spots, shorts, and feature films. Recent projects include Never Hike Alone 2, Super Human Anxiety, and The Stain. Throughout her creative endeavors, she is known to lean into unique challenges ranging from building a life-size elevator to crafting a spa of cheese. As a member of Women in Film, Cool Girl Cinema Club, and a regular at the neighborhood cinema, she loves connecting with the film community. Rachel is excited to be a part of the YOYOs team and get back into the woods.
https://www.rachel-leggett.com/home
Jeanne Nugent
Costume Designer
With over 3 decades of experience as a designer in VA and beyond, JHN is known for creating costume treatments that enhance and propel the overall storytelling— whether for a big budget film/series, or a regional theatrical production. She has served as Assistant Costume Designer for high-profile projects such as "The Walking Dead, World Beyond" and HBO’s “White House Plumbers." Other notable credits include Taylor Sheridan’s “Lioness”, Apple TV’s “Lady in the Lake,” and Michel Gondry’s “Golden,” produced by Pharrell Williams. With deep roots in Virginia theater, she’s designed costumes for over 30 musicals, including "The Wiz," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and "Peter and the Star Catcher.” A hands-on creative and collaborator, she’s known for making the “impossible” possible on both the screen and stage. She’s so excited to be a part of bringing this incredible script to life with such a talented team.
Anne Chapman
Casting Director, CSA
Anne Chapman has a keen eye for finding just the right actor to fit a part, whether it’s a Revolutionary War soldier or a telephone installer. Her boutique casting company specializes in independent projects. Anne’s deep knowledge of Virginia’s actor and crew base makes her a valuable asset as she works closely with directors, writers and producers. Versatile and able to scale her efforts to meet a project’s needs, she has lent her expertise to hundreds of productions such as Lincoln, Harriet, Loving, Big Stone Gap, and many more. Since 2007, Anne has also cast over 100 university short films at VCU, where she serves as an Adjunct Professor.
https://www.annechapmancasting.com/
Scott Vernon
Survivalist Consultant & Associate Producer
After over a decade's search into living with the natural world, Scott Vernon founded the non-profit Sustainable Homestead Institute to inspire leaders in sustainable development, ecological land design, and nature reliance education. His goal is to give students the firsthand knowledge of what it takes to create self-enriching abundant agricultural systems through environmental connection and ancestral skill immersion. The campus sits on over 140 acres of serene southwest Virginia farmland not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pasture, forest, orchard, creeks, hideaways, and permaculture gardens dot the rolling hills and showcase integrated systems farming and resource management.Pasture, forest, orchard, creeks, hideaways, and permaculture gardens dot the rolling hills and showcase integrated systems farming and resource management.
https://www.sustainablehomestead.com/
Joseph Schollart
Catering Manager
Joseph is a writer and a former sous chef. He co-wrote Unpacking (now streaming Amazon Prime, which screened 25 festivals worldwide and won 17 awards), and also served as the entire Craft Services department on location in Bali, Indonesia, where he shopped the Indonesian local markets daily and served two family style meals a day to the 15 person cast and crew on the 13 day shoot. He's thrilled to be returning to the kitchen in his new home base of Martinsville, VA, that he shares with Michal Sinnott. When he's not playing with words or food, you can find him in the garden on his 6 acre property, at a desk proofreading a transcript for high stakes litigation at U.S. Legal Support, or volunteering in the local recovery community.
John Graboski
Catering & Crafty
John Graboski recently retired from over 40 years in the corporate world. He studied economics and philosophy at Bucknell University and completed a two-year Wharton Management program for business. He spent 14 years in Operations, Marketing, and Sales in the Telecom Industry in Bell of PA in Philadelphia, AT&T in New Jersey, and US WEST in Denver, CO. Making a career change into Human Resources, he worked in that field for 28 years in Aetna Health Plans in Middletown, CT, Praxair Inc. in Danbury, CT, Valmont Industries in Omaha, NE, and Ashley Furniture in La Crosse, WI. He ended his career working for ES3, a large wholesale distributor, in York, PA. Now retired with his wife of 43 years in Larkspur, Colorado he enjoys volunteer work as the Lobbyist to the Colorado State Legislature for the Convention of States Action (COSA) group, and the Colorado Institute For Fair Elections (COIFFE). John spent several years engaging with college and community theater as an actor and business manager. He is very excited to be a part of this movie making process and support his youngest daughter.
Virginia Graboski
Wardrobe Assistant
Virginia Graboski attended Bucknell University for math and Spanish. She worked in props, lighting and costumes with the university’s Cap & Dagger Theatre. After graduation she worked as a Computer Programmer and later a Systems Analyst for AT&T in New Jersey. After taking several years to raise her young children, she returned to work as the Technology Assistant at Highland Elementary where she was lovingly referred to as “the Computer Lady.” Ginny sewed costumes for several Cheshire Youth Theater productions in Connecticut. She is a highly skilled seamstress, sewing all the curtains in her house, and treasured Christmas presents for family members such as doll clothes, aprons, luggage tags, and more. Now retired in Larkspur, CO with her husband John, she enjoys hiking, biking, sewing, Mah Jongg, genealogy, and spending time with her two grandsons. She is very excited to see her youngest daughter’s dreams come true and watch the making of a film from start to finish.
Michael & Rita Hodges
Associate Producers
Michael and Rita Hodges are proud owners of a 300+ acre farm nestled in the heart of rural Virginia. Over 200 acres of this land have been in Michael’s family since the 1760s, with the original land grant signed in 1781. This multi-generational farm has deepened their bond with the YOYOs movie family, and they are thrilled to offer their property as a backdrop for a portion of the film's production.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Have you ever been estranged from a family member? Opposed politically?
Us too.
Unfortunately, almost everyone can relate on some level.
While YOYOs is a fictional story, it is inspired by my own relationship with my parents. I love my parents deeply and we have luckily managed to remain close despite some ugly arguments. We’ve been diametrically opposed for over a decade and it has been difficult to navigate how my worldview has evolved to be so completely different from the people who raised me. I still believe that we share a lot of the same values - family, kindness, love, community, and service. So how could our thoughts on how to protect those things differ so much?
(My parents and me in Colorado in 2020)
I have been wanting to explore this topic for sometime. It feels important, timely and necessary. But I wasn’t sure what the medium was. An essay? A podcast? I didn’t know it was a film until Michal and I started writing.
Michal and I met at Naked Angels in New York City sometime in the spring of 2023. We were instantly attracted to the idea of working together not only because we considered each other talented but we recognized our similar drive, work ethic, and stubbornness - all qualities that get sh$@ done. We began brainstorming something to film on the property that Michal and her husband were looking to purchase in rural Virginia. Sometimes the best ideas come when you are given strict parameters.
(Michal and me presenting at Naked Angels in NYC)
What blossomed from our rural Virginia prompt, was a deeply personal story that brought to life this inner struggle I was having with my relationship to my parents.
Our film follows two liberal sisters, Dinah and Abby, who haven’t spoken to their parents in ten years after political and religious differences reached a boiling point. When their mother spins a lie about their father being in a coma, Dinah’s ten-year-old son Michael forces them to return home to say goodbye. Upon arrival at their parents’ homestead, it becomes apparent that it was all a ruse to get them home to discuss their inheritance. Their parents Jeb and Susan run a wilderness survival camp for kids and the daughters must run one successful session of that camp to prove they have retained the values and skills their parents raised them with, otherwise their inheritance will be donated to the NRA. Reluctantly, Dinah and Abby agree, leading Michael and 6 paying campers between the ages of 9 and 13 into the woods for a week-long adventure. We watch them all flail and triumph, learning and growing from each other along the way. When a medical emergency arises, our characters are forced into conversations that will either lead them further apart or finally back together.
Our film is both a comedy and a drama. We believe in fiction, just as in life, humor is one of the best tools for getting through the painful moments. While several films have inspired the tone of the film, the motley crew of characters, color schemes, and slice-of-life qualities of Moonrise Kingdom, Captain Fantastic, and Little Miss Sunshine summarize our tone succinctly. We hope to do this genre justice.
Our community at Naked Angels in New York has been a huge supporter of our project along the way. We had two ten page excerpts read back in February and April of 2024. And on March 17th, 2025 we held a full staged reading through their program “First Mondays” in conjunction with The New School. We had a packed house and received tons of great feedback.
(Our staged reading in conjunction with Naked Angels and The New School.)
Cast: Jean Marie McKee, Lexi Graboski, Michal Sinnott, Bernard Scudder, Greg Connolly, Jacey Powers, Deanna Tarraza, Zoe Fernanda Wilson, Olivia Rose Pickard, Quin Stiller, and Bryant Jager
I also hosted seven YOYOs Variety Show Fundraisers in New York and LA to kickstart our fundraising efforts. A huge thanks to Patti Ann's in Brooklyn for being an incredible venue and to Kent Jenkins and The Electric Lodge for hosting our LA show in your beautiful theater! The Naked Angels community showed up as performers and attendees to every event and we couldn't be more grateful. Every show was a great way to bring artists together during a tough time in our nation and world at large. As Toni Morrison said "This is precisely the time when artists go to work." This initial funding enabled us to hire our Director, Producers, Line Producer, Assistant Director, Director of Photography, Production Designer, and Casting Director!
(Several Naked Angels members at the January YOYOs Variety Show)
When we posted an ad for a director, we received over 90 submissions. After interviewing 11 great candidates, we chose Lynda J Reiss who we know we were destined to work with. Lynda has worked in the industry for over 30 years as a Property Master and Art Director on projects including Stranger Things, True Detective, and American Beauty. Several years ago she made the switch to directing and has directed three award winning short films. She is more than ready for her first feature and we are so lucky to have her. She is a force to be reckoned with.
(Me, Lynda, and Michal)
Our team has steadily grown since January and we are overwhelmed with how eager people are to work on our film. Our fellow artists have reflected back to us that it is timely, relatable, and needed. Michal and I are also excited to be building a team that includes several women in key creative positions, as well as a cast and crew that is diverse in as many ways as possible. We aim to set a standard of respect, inclusivity, and support on set. Our cast and crew already spans the political spectrum and we will practice what we hopefully don't preach, rather show, in our film: that we can and must work together.
(Our team at our location scout in Henry County, VA)
From left to right: AD Danny Caporaletti, Director Lynda J Reiss, Writer/Producer Michal Sinnott, Production Designer Rachel Leggett, Producer Heather Waters, Survival Consultant Scott Vernon, and Writer/Producer Lexi Graboski
My goal as an artist has always been to make the audience feel seen, understood, and less alone. If one person sees our film and reaches out to someone with whom they are estranged, we will have done our job.
Long term, we hope to finish editing by early 2026 and apply to the festival circuit. Depending on acceptance, our world premiere is TBD, but we can already guarantee a red carpet Virginia premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival.
Then, we will distribute on streaming domestically and internationally, so that everyone can view our film.
We need help in order to hire more crew, get the proper costumes for the 7 child actors who will be tramping through the woods with us, purchase all our props and set dressings, finalize our locations, and pay our socials team. If you are able to offer anything in-kind, contribute financially, or simply like, follow, and share - every single dollar and share helps!
So please follow, like, share, and contribute if you can. Click on an incentive to contribute - depending on which incentive speaks to you, you can always give more than suggested!
There are also several opportunities to be more formally involved in our film. If interested, please reach out to us at [email protected].
We are so grateful for everyone joining us on this journey!
With gratitude,
Lexi
(and the whole YOYOs team)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Wardrobe Purchases
Costs $3,500
We need insect repellent and SPF protected clothing for our child actors while we film in the woods and duplicates for continuity.
Bigger Crew
Costs $27,000
We need to fill out our crew with 3 PA's, 1 Art PA, Key Craft Service, Assistant Makeup Artist, Intimacy Coordinator and Stunt Coordinator!
Locations
Costs $2,300
We still need to finalize an alpaca farm, hospital room, country supply store, grocery store, and lake for various scenes in the movie.
Honey Wagon Trailer with A/C for crew
Costs $6,000
We're filming in the summer in the woods of VA and it'll be HOT. Having a trailer with AC will protect the crew from heat exhaustion!
ATV for Jebediah and Susan
Costs $1,500
The parent characters Jedediah and Susan drive an ATV around their property and it is crucial to one of our scenes.
PR and Socials Team
Costs $6,000
Right now everyone on our team is wearing a lot of hats. Delegating the PR & Social Media work will allow us to focus on the film itself.
Props and Set Decoration
Costs $4,500
For the highest production value possible we are still seeking several props and set decorations to build out the YOYOs world.
Share this update!
About This Team
Lexi Graboski
Writer / Producer / Actor
Lexi Graboski’s TV & Film credits include American Crime Story on FX, the pilot Dirty written/directed by Jeff Meek, the horror feature The New Hands written/directed by Brandon Scullion, and several short films and web series. She has performed around southern CA with Will & Company and across the country with Playfair. Behind the camera, Lexi wrote and produced several comedy shorts with her all-female sketch team The Sissy Space Cats, as well as her short film Uphill which screened at the Reel Recovery Festival in 2015. In 2016 she produced Reasons to be Pretty and Reasons to be Happy at the Two Roads Theater. After moving to New York, she became an active member of the Naked Angels Theater community where she met Michal.
https://demoreel.com/lexi-graboski
Michal Sinnott
Writer / Producer / Actor
Michal Sinnott is a classically trained storyteller. Her narrative feature, 'Unpacking,’ as co/writer-director-producer recently hit streaming platforms after winning 17 awards (including Best of the Fest, Rising Star Director, Best Ensemble, and Best Actress for Michal) in 25 fests (including Cinequest, RIFF, and Sedona International). She’s acted in 75+ roles for companies/institutions like ABC, Sundance and The Whitney Museum of American Art. She’s best known as the voice and performance-capture artist for Tracey De Santa in the multi-billion dollar phenomenon Grand Theft Auto V.
https://www.michalsinnott.com/
Lynda J Reiss
Director
Lynda, who was born in New York and raised in England, is a multi award winning director. Her short films show range from drama to dark comedy and one of them was Oscar qualified in 2019. Her entire career has been a 25 year Master Class in prep, production, and finding rapid solutions to last minute requests while still telling the story, on such projects as American Beauty, American History X, Stranger Things, True Detective, and Winning Time. Lynda is a fellow of the Sony Pictures Diverse Directors Program, the Black Magic Collective Filmmaker Advancement Initiative, and a fellow of the Women in Film Transitioning Creatives Mentor Program.
https://www.lyndareiss-director.com/
Heather Waters
Producer
Heather Waters is an award-winning producer, director, and writer known for her visionary leadership in film, music, and the arts. She is the Founder & Producer of the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF), Founder of the arts & tech company, the Indie MIX, and Co-founder of Creative World Awards (CWA), a leading development company serving writers worldwide. Waters’ body of work spans narratives and documentaries. Her most recent film, A Mother’s Promise, is an award winning 1920’s short making its run on the festival circuit with an accompanied feature in development. She is thrilled to be a producer on the upcoming feature film YOYOS, set to shoot in Virginia this summer.
https://www.rvafilmfestival.com/
Diana Hull
Producer
Diana Hull is a producer based in the greater Philadelphia area, with a decade of experience in philanthropic work, including her role as Director of Operations at The Women’s Film Festival. She is also a co-founder of 3 Left Handed Women, promoting films by and for women. Diana holds a bachelor's degree from Villanova University with a concentration in theatre. She is best known for producing LAND OF BAD (Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth, and Milo Ventimiglia) and ONE TRUE LOVES (Simu Liu, and Phillipa Soo). Her films BEAR COUNTRY (Russell Crowe, Nina Dobrev, and Aaron Paul), REFUGE, STALKED, and NOT WITHOUT HOPE (Zachary Levi) are currently in post-production. In addition to YOYOS, she is preparing to film two more features this year: A Better Place and Back to December.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13068648/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Chelsea Fenton
Line Producer
Chelsea Fenton, a Canadian-American Producer and member of the Producers Guild of America was born in Toronto, raised in Dubai, and is now based in Los Angeles. She has produced nine features and multiple shorts, music videos and brand content spots with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000. She has successfully navigated production logistics such as working with a bear, pyro and explosives, extensive VFX and stunts, cast/crews of 200+ people, aerial filming with helicopters, and working within various states to acquire tax credits and rebates towards production.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6551679/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Julia Cassidy
Co-Producer
Julia Cassidy is an Emmy Award-winning producer with a track record of over 25 years in the industry. Beyond specializing as a showrunner in unscripted series, she spent 11+ years in development and over six years as Head of Creative at (Sony-owned) Embassy Row. In addition to leading a production company, she has a genuine love of story-telling, teamwork, and cultivating the growth of individuals. She brings creativity, innovation, and industry knowledge to every project she undertakes. Additionally, she is a dedicated advocate for the autistic community.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2415750/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Jarrod Russell
Director of Photography
Jarrod Russell was raised in Richmond. He recently DP’d the feature film Tapawingo starring Jon Heder and Billy Zane. He cut his production teeth on film, television and commercial projects in and around the mid-Atlantic region. Jarrod’s skill set was honed working simultaneously in both camera and lighting which was an advantage to an up-and-coming Cinematographer. Now based in NYC Jarrod has gaffed shows such as Amazon’s The Peripheral, AMC’s Walking Dead, World Beyond, and Apple TV’s Lady in the Lake in addition to features films that are awaiting release. Jarrod has worked under the tutelage of ten ASC cinematographers including John Toll, Janusz Kaminski, and Lachlan Milne. He’s shot commercials for companies such as Walmart, Tiger Fuels, TEDx, and Hamilton Beach. Grateful for the opportunities he has received, Jarrod looks forward to furthering his role as a cinematographer and continuing his artistic journey.
Danny Caporaletti
Assistant Director
Danny Caporaletti makes movies about life’s mysterious turning points and those magic moments that linger in dreams. His films have screened in Berlin, New Orleans, Toronto, Los Angeles DC, Richmond, and beyond. His most recent short, A Little Sun, won the best short prize at the Fine Arts Film Fest in Venice, California. Danny has taught at VCUartsCinema on and off since 2016. Danny has an MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of New Orleans and is a professor in practice in the Cinema Dept at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he teaches directing and film production. Danny works as a director/producer/AD on a variety of commercial and narrative productions. He recently AD’d the 2024 Tribeca Best Narrative film winner Griffin In Summer. He lives in Richmond, VA with his wife and two amazing children.
Rachel Leggett
Production Designer
Rachel Leggett is a Production Designer/Prop Master/Stop Motion Animator based in Los Angeles, CA. She was born and raised in Ohio and studied forestry before pursuing her career as a filmmaker. Rachel has developed her skills in the film industry through a diverse body of work, including social media spots, shorts, and feature films. Recent projects include Never Hike Alone 2, Super Human Anxiety, and The Stain. Throughout her creative endeavors, she is known to lean into unique challenges ranging from building a life-size elevator to crafting a spa of cheese. As a member of Women in Film, Cool Girl Cinema Club, and a regular at the neighborhood cinema, she loves connecting with the film community. Rachel is excited to be a part of the YOYOs team and get back into the woods.
https://www.rachel-leggett.com/home
Jeanne Nugent
Costume Designer
With over 3 decades of experience as a designer in VA and beyond, JHN is known for creating costume treatments that enhance and propel the overall storytelling— whether for a big budget film/series, or a regional theatrical production. She has served as Assistant Costume Designer for high-profile projects such as "The Walking Dead, World Beyond" and HBO’s “White House Plumbers." Other notable credits include Taylor Sheridan’s “Lioness”, Apple TV’s “Lady in the Lake,” and Michel Gondry’s “Golden,” produced by Pharrell Williams. With deep roots in Virginia theater, she’s designed costumes for over 30 musicals, including "The Wiz," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and "Peter and the Star Catcher.” A hands-on creative and collaborator, she’s known for making the “impossible” possible on both the screen and stage. She’s so excited to be a part of bringing this incredible script to life with such a talented team.
Anne Chapman
Casting Director, CSA
Anne Chapman has a keen eye for finding just the right actor to fit a part, whether it’s a Revolutionary War soldier or a telephone installer. Her boutique casting company specializes in independent projects. Anne’s deep knowledge of Virginia’s actor and crew base makes her a valuable asset as she works closely with directors, writers and producers. Versatile and able to scale her efforts to meet a project’s needs, she has lent her expertise to hundreds of productions such as Lincoln, Harriet, Loving, Big Stone Gap, and many more. Since 2007, Anne has also cast over 100 university short films at VCU, where she serves as an Adjunct Professor.
https://www.annechapmancasting.com/
Scott Vernon
Survivalist Consultant & Associate Producer
After over a decade's search into living with the natural world, Scott Vernon founded the non-profit Sustainable Homestead Institute to inspire leaders in sustainable development, ecological land design, and nature reliance education. His goal is to give students the firsthand knowledge of what it takes to create self-enriching abundant agricultural systems through environmental connection and ancestral skill immersion. The campus sits on over 140 acres of serene southwest Virginia farmland not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pasture, forest, orchard, creeks, hideaways, and permaculture gardens dot the rolling hills and showcase integrated systems farming and resource management.Pasture, forest, orchard, creeks, hideaways, and permaculture gardens dot the rolling hills and showcase integrated systems farming and resource management.
https://www.sustainablehomestead.com/
Joseph Schollart
Catering Manager
Joseph is a writer and a former sous chef. He co-wrote Unpacking (now streaming Amazon Prime, which screened 25 festivals worldwide and won 17 awards), and also served as the entire Craft Services department on location in Bali, Indonesia, where he shopped the Indonesian local markets daily and served two family style meals a day to the 15 person cast and crew on the 13 day shoot. He's thrilled to be returning to the kitchen in his new home base of Martinsville, VA, that he shares with Michal Sinnott. When he's not playing with words or food, you can find him in the garden on his 6 acre property, at a desk proofreading a transcript for high stakes litigation at U.S. Legal Support, or volunteering in the local recovery community.
John Graboski
Catering & Crafty
John Graboski recently retired from over 40 years in the corporate world. He studied economics and philosophy at Bucknell University and completed a two-year Wharton Management program for business. He spent 14 years in Operations, Marketing, and Sales in the Telecom Industry in Bell of PA in Philadelphia, AT&T in New Jersey, and US WEST in Denver, CO. Making a career change into Human Resources, he worked in that field for 28 years in Aetna Health Plans in Middletown, CT, Praxair Inc. in Danbury, CT, Valmont Industries in Omaha, NE, and Ashley Furniture in La Crosse, WI. He ended his career working for ES3, a large wholesale distributor, in York, PA. Now retired with his wife of 43 years in Larkspur, Colorado he enjoys volunteer work as the Lobbyist to the Colorado State Legislature for the Convention of States Action (COSA) group, and the Colorado Institute For Fair Elections (COIFFE). John spent several years engaging with college and community theater as an actor and business manager. He is very excited to be a part of this movie making process and support his youngest daughter.
Virginia Graboski
Wardrobe Assistant
Virginia Graboski attended Bucknell University for math and Spanish. She worked in props, lighting and costumes with the university’s Cap & Dagger Theatre. After graduation she worked as a Computer Programmer and later a Systems Analyst for AT&T in New Jersey. After taking several years to raise her young children, she returned to work as the Technology Assistant at Highland Elementary where she was lovingly referred to as “the Computer Lady.” Ginny sewed costumes for several Cheshire Youth Theater productions in Connecticut. She is a highly skilled seamstress, sewing all the curtains in her house, and treasured Christmas presents for family members such as doll clothes, aprons, luggage tags, and more. Now retired in Larkspur, CO with her husband John, she enjoys hiking, biking, sewing, Mah Jongg, genealogy, and spending time with her two grandsons. She is very excited to see her youngest daughter’s dreams come true and watch the making of a film from start to finish.
Michael & Rita Hodges
Associate Producers
Michael and Rita Hodges are proud owners of a 300+ acre farm nestled in the heart of rural Virginia. Over 200 acres of this land have been in Michael’s family since the 1760s, with the original land grant signed in 1781. This multi-generational farm has deepened their bond with the YOYOs movie family, and they are thrilled to offer their property as a backdrop for a portion of the film's production.