Short Summary:

The Story: 

I know what you’re thinking: Can you really debate the drinkability of a grape? Well… kind of. But this film captures much more than the systematic deconstruction of one of life’s greatest mysteries. The story follows four best friends who have been inseparable all their childhood; now, the night before leaving for college, they struggle to accept their impending independence. Indeed, while the four friends have personal ambitions — to become a renowned painter, a devoted family man, a groundbreaking engineer, and one of the few “good guys” in corporate finance — their hopes and dreams have always been tied to their relationships with each other. Over the course of one ridiculous, emotional evening, they must reckon with their inevitable divorce.

This movie asks: How do you visualize a future different from anything you’ve experienced? How can you grow up when you’re not ready to move on? How do you say goodbye to everything you’ve ever known? When confronting questions like these, sometimes it’s easier to lean into the absurd. But sometimes, you can’t avoid reality. This film aims to discover the best of both worlds. CAN YOU DRINK A GRAPE? is a buddy comedy and a twisted mystery, but at its core, it’s a coming of age story about coming into your own — while never letting go of the people who helped you get there.

The Team:

Caleb Brunman (Writer/Actor/Producer)

Caleb Brunman is a rising senior and Film Production major at Pomona College. He has collaborated with Nicholas Jensen since 2016, acting in a handful of short films, as well as starring in and producing the feature film JUNK FOOD, which is in the final stages of post-production. Caleb has written two feature film scripts, a short play, and a short film — ACCOUNT OF A CHOLERIC MAN — which he also acted in and directed. In addition to performing in over a dozen stage productions, he also stars in the upcoming short film INDECISION. Caleb recently completed production on Paramount+’s upcoming film FINESTKIND, for which he assisted producer Gary Foster and actor Tommy Lee Jones. 

Nicholas Jensen (Director/Cinematographer/Producer)

A motivated, mindful, and versatile filmmaker, Nicholas Jensen has an encyclopedic knowledge of cinema and has worked on sets for the past several years. With his strong work ethic, he strives to bring imaginative perspectives to the screen by encouraging audiences to look deeper into themselves.

Matteen Taghavi (Producer)

Matteen Taghavi is a senior at the University of Southern California majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Entertainment Industry. Matteen previously worked with Nicholas Jensen and Caleb Brunman on their last feature endeavor, JUNK FOOD, as a producer. Since then, he's amassed experience in the industry, working at companies dealing in production, literary/talent management, and development. He's stoked to be on board, and can't wait to get this going. 

Alexander Carstoiu (Actor)

Alexander Carstoiu will be playing the role of Alec in this film. He has been doing theatre for years, but has found that his medium is more on film. Recently, he made his feature debut in a starring role in the film MAGNOLIA FLOWERS, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Miles Parker (Actor)

Miles Parker is an actor, model, and video artist from Brooklyn, NY. He is currently finishing a double major in Theatre and Media Studies with a concentration in Film and Video at Pitzer College. Miles has taken part in many productions both on and off-screen, from devised experimental theater to an HBO series. In his downtime, Miles enjoys rock climbing and cooking overly ambitious meals for his friends.

Nathan Schoenberg (Actor)

Nathan Schoenberg is just starting his acting career. He’s flirted with it for years, doing small projects for friends and family, and has now decided to make it his mission. He has lived in LA his whole life, and studies philosophy and music, among other pursuits. Loves grapes.

What We Need & What You Get

Here's what your money would go toward:

• Equipment (Camera, Sound, Lighting, etc.)
• Craft services and meals 
• Props and prop rentals
• Post-production costs
• Distribution fees and festival submissions

Of course, we don't want our backers to feel like this is one-sided. We'd love to offer you perks such as: 

• Early access to the movie
• Snippets from inside our production
• Memorabilia expressing our immense gratitude
• Recognition in the credits
• Producer status

The Impact

We're operating on a shoestring budget, and though we are an experienced team, it still takes a substantial amount of time, effort, and funding to make a feature film. Every penny we raise during this campaign will help, from acquiring the equipment we need to begin shooting, to submitting to festivals once we've completed post-production. Nothing is too little for us. If you can pitch in, it would really mean everything.

Other Ways You Can Help

Even if you can't donate, it would mean the world if you could spread the word about our campaign with your friends, family, or anyone else who might be willing to listen. Every contribution counts, and we can't wait to share our work with you.