Right on Time
Absent is about Greg, a senior in high school with perfect attendance, who misses a day of school on Senior Skip Day. Desperate to protect his attendance record, he teams up with the disillusioned campus police officer, Peter, and his eccentric mom to fake his own kidnapping. It's a warm, positive, coming of age comedy about learning
to see the bigger picture of life.
When we were writing Absent, we knew a couple things for certain. We wanted to write a coming of age comedy that harkened back to the days of the brat pack and, we wanted to make it with our talented friends. We're excited to tell you that WE'RE DOING BOTH! Our roster is full of talented people who we are very happy to call friends. And the story is like a freshly baked batch of chocolate chip cookies, complex and gooey. We love action flicks and horror movies, but we are excited to be sharing a movie chock full of genuine characters and heart-warming friendships. And a fake kidnapping.
Now then, let's meet the crew!
Attendance
Raymond Wei - Director/Writer: Raymond is a senior at NYU Tisch, studying Film and Television. In addition to directing, he also writes, edits, shoots, and does VFX. Most recently, he completed his intermediate film, Futureproof, learning numerous programs in the process. He currently is an intern with the CBS casting department, but has also worked at HitRECord and The Verge.
Chelsea Tageson-Crane - Writer/Producer: Chelsea is a writer and senior at NYU Tisch, studying Film and TV but focusing on the TV part. Last semester she wrote a feature film (1920's Lovecraftian adventure movie) and an original comedy pilot about a down on his luck Matthew Perry. She is an intern at National Geographic Television, working on their Emmy-nominated show Brain Games, and has previously interned at The Dr. Oz Show, 3 Arts Entertainment, and KCTS 9 Seattle. She is also a member of a KPOP dance crew that reached mid-level youtube fame among males aged 45+.
Sean Tully - Producer: Sean Tully is currently a senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He is studying Film and Television Production focusing on writing, producing, and editing. He is also pursing a minor in Web Programming and Applications. Don't tell him how Breaking Bad ended, he'll see it eventually.
Bucky Illingworth - Producer: Bucky Illingworth is a New York Native studying Film at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. With a background in narrative, documentary, and music videos, he's worked on numerous projects throughout the Tri-State Area over the past 5 years. He works as an assistant editor at Strange Customs, while also creating his own dramatic shorts from start to finish. He also enjoys the more personable side of producing and will use his familiarity with the area for positive effect
Blake Lyons - Director of Photography: Blake is a Director, Writer and Producer currently finishing his senior year at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He has had the pleasure of working on many student and independent films, as well as with the BBC and more recently Comedy Central's 'Inside Amy Schumer'. He has been collaborating and working alongside Raymond and Chelsea since meeting in their freshmen year film class, and is excited to help them translate 'Absent' onto the big screen.
Nicolas de Mones - Assistant Director: Nicolas de Mones, 22, is a current junior at NYU Tisch Film/TV Kanbar School of the Arts studying Film/TV production. Prone from the age of 11 towards the art of filmmaking, Nicolas has since stimulated his interest with classes, and in-field experience in acting, editing, directing, writing, and camerawork. Nicolas has directed and written twelve short films. While at NYU, Nicolas has developed his ability to write, and direct. He is now crewing professionally on feature-length films.
Jenny Nelson - Social Media Manager: Jenny is a writer and student living in Brooklyn. She's written and worked for blogs including Videogum, Splitsider, and The A.V. Club, produces a podcast for Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, and has previously managed social media for a K-pop dance crew (yes the same one Chelsea is in).
What We Need & What You Get
Luckily, Absent isn't a crazy sci-fi movie with time travel and secret agents, BUT it is still a movie, and movies cost money. All the money that you contribute goes towards equipment, locations, food for the crew, props, production design, and every thing else that goes into making a film. We want to make this the best movie about a student faking his own kidnapping ever, and we need your help!
In return, you will get some sweet rewards including, posters, dvds, behind the scenes footage and updates on our progress along the way!
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't contribute monetarily but want to help: Tell your friends! Tell your coworkers! Shout it from the rooftops! Shout it from the depths of the ocean! Shout it in space (looking at you Sandra Bullock)! Put this link in a chain email and warn readers that their true love won't talk to them if they don't contribute! The options are endless.
*On Rewards: You receive your level's rewards plus any previous rewards so long as they aren't redundant. So if you're contributing $200 you'll get the four signed posters but not the posters from $50 and $100 contribution level.
*On funding amount: Indiegogo charges a small fee, so we expanded our goal to include that amount. This will insure that we get all the money we need!