Learning to Cohabit...
Sadie, a "well-intended" white girl moves to Bushwick looking to make a home, but when she begins a romance with Brooklyn Nuyorican Nazara, she struggles to accept the obvious: they're living on the same block, but in two different neighborhoods.
322 Jefferson is a village baby film project, conceived and to be created by a group of Brooklyn-based friends and peers who all happen to be talented young artists. It is a short film that reckons with queer identities, the intersections of race and class, and what it really means to be a twenty-something striving to define oneself in a radically diverse city. Although the film is based in Bushwick, Brooklyn, anyone who's interacted with someone of a different background can relate to the film's themes. 90% of the story comes from people, places and relationships the writer/director has experienced or observed while living and growing up in Brooklyn for four years.
With the help of our production partners Tenement Street Workshop, we're looking to raise $10,000 in order to make this earnest portrayal of young adulthood come to life. The project has all of its cast and crew--the only thing missing is funds!
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Why We Need $10,000
Here are a few reasons our budget is at $10,000 for our 5-day shoot:
- FAIRNESS: We're trying to do something different with this project--pay people! Young artists are routinely taking advantage of and we want to break that habit; our cast and crew is full of talented and accomplished hustlers who deserve to be compensated for their craft and time as fairly as possible.
- Equipment: Because many of us have day-jobs, we are shooting on the weekends, which means equipment rental prices go up almost 30%!
- Transportation: A 5-day shoot on weekends means a 3 weekend shoot, which means 3 equipment pick-ups and 3 drop-offs. Plus, we'd like to provide subway fair for cast and crew.
- Craft Services: People gotta eat yo!
- Insurance: We like to be smart and play it safe. Insurance is a hefty cost but good investment.
All money raised from this campaign is going to our production partners Tenement Street Workshop, a registered 501c3. This means CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Plus, TSW is going to do a great job at helping us manage our budget.
Why You Should Help!
We're offering really great and personal rewards as a way to say "thank you" for donating. Those that aren't an extension of the cast and crew's talents come from Brooklyn-based businesses we're buddies with. Once the film is finished, TSW will help us submit to a number of national and international film festivals and seek digital distribution. By getting involved now, you'll be able to become a part of 322 Jefferson's long lifespan!
Other reasons to consider donating:
- We're really trying to envision a world where young artists can work independently, create meaningful content that reaches its audience and not go broke in doing so. While the internet makes most of this possible (look at series like The Outs or Awkward Black Girl), we're hoping this project will be an example of ultimate follow through.
- A promise to fairness: Right now 60% of our $10,000 budget is slated towards cast and crew. No matter what we raise, we promise that the majority of our budget will go towards paying our people a fair wage.
- This movie will get made. We're more than ready: we're exploding with anticipation. Getting to this point has been an incredible "yes" process. What started as a dare between two friends, freshmen year roommates Rachel and Elisa, has become a project people want to work on and see because the story rings true to their lives. Please help us delivered the finished product to you and interested audiences around the world!
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't contribute money it's okay, we still love you. If you think of other goods or services you could contribute besides money (cooking for the cast and crew one day, helping us secure apartment locations, being an extra during a party scene, etc.) please let us know!
