Logline: 

After a Summer romance in Sicily, with a smoking hot, Italian, boat captain she met abroad, 20 year old, Italian-American, Allie, is in for a rude awakening when she invites her lover to America 6 months later, to stay with her family for winter break, and the moment he lands on American soil, she realizes he's not the "hottie" she thought he was on the streets of Italy. It's like what 'they' say, "what happens in...Sicily...should stay there...unless you want to be stuck with someone who gives you the ick and endure a horrifically, uncomfortable holiday season. "Ciao" is used for both greetings and departures in Italian, which is fitting, because just as fast as he says Hi, she wants to say BYE. This is a comedy. This is a tragedy. This is based on a very true story. 

Short Summary

Hi! I'm Allie Arasi. I'm an Italian-American actress, writer, and comedian originally from a small(ish) town in Georgia, now living in the BIG CITY of Los Angeles. I went to film/acting school at Chapman University, I have a big nose, I'm consistently told "I'm funny" (except by that one mean casting director), and a lot of true, crazy things have happened to me, so I have a lot of stories to tell. This is my craziest story, and I need to tell it! This project is going to be used as a "proof of concept" to pitch as a TV series, so one day, we can make the real deal, and you can watch it on a streaming service in your living rooms...or bedrooms.. or bathrooms, wherever you do that kind of thing. 

• It is based on a true story that I lived through at 19, so it's a project very near and dear to my heart. 
• This is a showcase of who I am as a writer, an actor, a director, and a person. This industry can be tough, so instead of waiting for auditions and for my "big break", I want to make my own story that I truly believe needs to be told. Trust me it does, you'll see. 
• Donating will allow me to make this project as amazing as possible! From equipment, to crew, to cast, to locations, to food, any little bit will help. HELP! 
• The better I can make this proof of concept, the more likely I can get this thing made into a real show....and the more likely it'll be that I get invited to the MET gala before 2040. I promise you, yes you, can be my plus one, all of you. 

What We Need & What You Get

•  I'm seeking to raise $15,000 for this project. I want to be able to pay my beautiful, talented cast and crew and use the best equipment possible to capture this story. 
• Funds will be used for travel for cast/crew, equipment, locations, film festival submissions, editing, cast/crew compensation, insurance, permits, costuming, set design, and more. 
• What do you get? Besides, helping a sweet, innocent, Italian-American girl with a BIG DREAM make it in Hollywood, you can get some fun perks! On the right hand side, you can choose to donate a fixed amount and get a perk along with it, OR contribute a custom sum of your choosing. Whether you donate 1$ or $1 billion, I will be forever grateful. 
• If we don't reach our entire goal, every penny will still be used! But the more money we raise, the more we can do to make this project really POP. 

The Impact

Every single person I've told this story, is genuinely shook by it. Seldom have I told people the story and they haven't responded with "this has to be a movie", and by golly, I agree. 

WHAT MAKES THIS PROJECT SPECIAL???

• There aren't very many stories about/from an Italian-American FEMALE perspective. Think about it. I'm right. This piece is hilarious and shows a unique and fun perspective from a Sicilian girl. 
• The story is a vulnerable depiction of my own personal mistakes, insecurities, failures, and downfalls as a person, told in the best way I know how, HILARIOUSLY. The traits that our protagonist, Allie, aka myself,  have are relatable to many people in their youth. When we're young, we can be very self-involved, forget to pay attention to what's important, and can sometimes wear rose colored glasses, when we get the slightest bit of romantic attention. This of course leads us down...dangerous paths. 
• I'm an up and coming female creative, who hasn't peaked yet, but has lots of experience with creating successful, quality projects. All I need is someone to believe in me, sigh. 
• I've been working on this project for a long time. The script came from the truth and from my heart, and when you read it, you can tell.

Risks & Challenges

THERE ARE NONE! Just kidding. Making an independent project can be tough. Costs come here, there, and everywhere, so having a little cushion money is very important. I solemnly swear to use each and every penny to its fullest and none of the donation will go to waste. All money will either go to the unemployed, talented, future gen of the entertainment industry who are working on the project, or to the production/post production costs themselves. I have a team of experienced and talented individuals and I can assure you, your money will be in great hands, and you WILL see the finished product, and it WILL make you GIGGLE for 20 minutes straight. 

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can't contribute, no fear, I love you anyway!! Jesus says I have to. If you can't donate, please just share! Share with your rich boss who lives in Beverly Hills or your distant Uncle who has a nice inheritance, or any other person you've ever known. I appreciate you all. Let's make a MOVIE!!!

Meet the team!  

Writer/Producer/Lead/Co-Director - Allie Arasi  - Allie is a Chapman University Graduate, of the BFA Screen Acting Program. She graduated in 2022, and has since been active in the stand-up comedy, improv, and sketch scene in Los Angeles, and continuing her education at The Groundlings, UCB, Lesly Kahn & CO, Pretty Funny Women, and more. She's written, directed, and produced various films that have gone on to film festivals and has performed at The Comedy Store, The Dynasty Typewriter, Flappers, HaHa Comedy Club, and more, but this project is the most extravagant and exciting  endeavor of her creative life yet. In addition to her training, Allie has worked professionally in the industry at top companies, such as Funny or Die, Mosaic Media Group, Legendary Entertainment, and Entertainment 360. In her free time, Allie volunteers at her church Mosaic on Hollywood Blvd, plays with her little white dog Cloudy, and eats as much Italian food as her body can handle. She deeply appreciates everyone who supports her on her silly, artistic journey.

Co-Director - Irelyn Wesley - Currently attending her last year at the University of Southern California, Irelyn is working on her B.A. in Film and Television Production at the School of Cinematic Arts. Graduating in the Spring of 2024, Irelyn hopes to continue pursuing writing and directing in narrative/commercials as well as music videos. Irelyn has currently been a part of many intense narrative projects inside the walls of USC’s SCA, but is most proud of a recent music video she co-directed outside of school called “Still in Love with You” which found itself on the screens of Times Square. Irelyn is currently working for a company called Productivity Media in the coverage department and is very passionate about writing as well. When Irelyn has down time, she enjoys day trips to the beach and doing dinner/movie nights with her friends.

Producer- Chase Fury - Chase Fury earned his BFA in Screenwriting from Chapman University. Following his graduation, he embarked on a career in the entertainment industry, initially as a Writer's PA for Fox's television series NEXT, which regrettably ceased production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, he found a role at 3 Arts Entertainment, where he currently supports literary and talent managers with an extensive track record in television and film production. Beyond his work in the entertainment sphere, Chase also delves into filmmaking by producing short films and extends his creative reach as a photographer, often collaborating with sustainability-focused brands. Chase's primary passion lies in crafting narratives that explore the complexities of imperfect individuals striving for personal growth within mixed-genre storytelling contexts. 

Producer - Landon Seelye - Landon is an aspiring producer and a seasoned production worker in the Los Angeles area. In 2021 he graduated with a degree in Economics and Film, Television and Media from the University of Michigan, where he produced a sketch pilot with the comedy group Craig. He started his career in film by producing the environmental activism and adventure documentary Troubled Water, before moving to Los Angeles to further pursue film. Since then, he has worked on many feature films in the LA area, including Fast 10, Nyad, Meet Me Next Christmas, and American Fiction. Outside of Los Angeles, he has worked on Netflix’s Murder Mystery 2 in Hawaii, and the Paramount + show Special Ops: Lioness, as the Assistant to the Executive Producer in Baltimore. In his free time, Landon can be found convincing his friends to play golf, or struggling on the basketball court. Go Blue!

Ryan Cartee - Director of Photography - Ryan Cartee is currently a photographer and cinematographer based in LA. She's passionate about people, human emotion, and the little things, and she hopes to convey that through her work. She’s worked on 50+ productions, which include but are not limited to narratives, music videos, documentaries, and experimental shorts, where she works on mainly camera, lighting, and grip teams. She interned with the Newport Beach Film Festival where she collaborated with the production team to record B-Roll footage on red carpet and edited promotional content for the Newsletter and Social Media, and worked as the Executive Creative Director and Editorial Photographer for the Gen Z magazine Unpublished. After her graduation this past May from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, she plans to pursue a career where she can be behind a camera in any capacity, and in an environment that stimulates her creatively, socially, and professionally.