Story Summary

Dunce Cap Boy is a short story about bullying, sacrifice, and the power of a young boy’s imagination and seeing the world differently from others around him. This film emphasizes the importance of not conforming to what others are doing even if one does feel like an outcast. 

This story is set in the late 1800s and follows a young imaginative schoolboy who is bullied by his peers and a mean spirited teacher. Dunce Cap Boy is first seen walking through the woods on his way to school with a satchel on his back. As he is walking, he notices the sounds of the birds chirping, the water dripping, and the leaves rustling in the wind. He whistles along with the sounds of nature and these noises together in his head make music.  Once he makes it to school, the music in his head is no longer there and he is left to be ridiculed by his teacher and peers. One day he is caught looking out the window imagining the beauty of the outside world and the music that it makes until the teacher catches him and puts a Dunce Cap on his head. Thus, he becomes "Dunce Cap Boy". 

Dunce Cap Boy tries to take off the dunce cap but it seems to be a permanent fixture. Dunce Cap Boy is a complete outcast and is constantly being ridiculed by his peers. Then, everything changes when a new girl, Jenny, comes to the school and Dunce Cap Boy must decide to overcome his desire to fit in when the new girl faces the same treatment. Ultimately, this film is about two outcasts who must be willing to be true to themselves and refuse to abandon beauty in the world; including nature, music, and dance. 

Why are we telling this story? 

Jocely Lopez, our author, explains why she wrote this story: 

"I wrote this story because I wanted to show how our choices in life matter. People might see us one way and we might think they're right but we always have the freedom to choose to do the right thing. As a kid I was made fun of a lot and because of this I chose to bully other kids in an attempt to make myself feel better. Dunce Cap Boy made the choice that I wish that I had made when I was in that situation." 

Who We Are: 

We are a large group of young filmmakers and film students at John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego, California, wishing to create a beautiful story that will impact culture for Christ. Young filmmakers, just like Dunce Cap Boy, are outcasts wishing to create something they love. Especially in the film industry, it is difficult to break in and find a place. Everyone starts out as an outcast. We all have creative ideas and when we all come together as outcasts we can and will create something beautiful with the help of your support. 

Your Contributions Will Help: 

If you donate to our film, your contributions will help pay for: 

• Actors 
• Craft Services 
• Transportation for crew and actors 
• Costumes, Props, & Makeup
• Locations
• Studio Teacher

Thank You 

We just want to say thank you to those who contribute to our film and for those that can't, we ask that you share our indiegogo with your family members and friends and help us in any way that you can. 

If you can't or don't want to donate through Indiegogo you can send a check to John Paul the Great Catholic University (220 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025) and put "Dunce Cap Boy" on the memo line. 

Follow us on Instagram @duncecapboy for updates and please consider donating. Thank you all for your generosity. 

Our writer and director, Cecilia Morris. 

Our writer and producer, Milena Weber. 

Our author and storyboard artist, Jocely Lopez. 

Our assistant director, Nate Schuster. 

Our director of photography, Chuck Adams. 

Our art department, Raquel Palma. 

Our art department, Sophia Pappas.