INTRODUCTION

Hello everyone!

My name is Kayla Taylor and I am looking to fund the pilot episode for "The Spring That Went Dark," a new series written by Justin Joseph G. This series is a very passionate project that Justin has been working on for a few years, and I would love to help make it a reality!

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

"The story follows Cruz, a self-doubting high schooler reeling from heartbreak after confessing his love to his crush. Hoping to lift his spirits, his best friends take him on a spring break getaway, where he meets two girls with completely opposite personalities. As he develops strong feelings for both, he finds himself entangled in an intense love triangle. But everything changes when Cruz uncovers dark secrets about a local murder. Determined to expose the truth and protect his friends, he takes matters into his own hands—setting off a thrilling chain of events." - Justin

WHO IS IN THE CAST?

We have an incredible cast of actors who truly bring their characters to life, adding depth, authenticity, and emotion to every scene. Their dedication and talent create a captivating experience, making the show even more engaging and unforgettable.

Ethan Highsmith is a talented dancer, actor, and writer who has been captivating audiences since childhood. Featured in Dhar Mann (2021) and Orange Vests & Cigarettes (2024), he began dancing at the age of three, drawing inspiration from the legendary Michael Jackson. Beyond performing, Ethan has a deep passion for storytelling, aspiring to become a director and screenwriter. Most recently, he wrapped filming on One Twenty Six (2025), a project directed by Dan Lesser and brought to life by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Sam Davis.

Skyla Lynne is a professional actress with over 18 years of training at renowned institutions such as The Groundlings, New York Film Academy, Cathryn Sullivan's Acting for Film & more. Having attended Illinois Wesleyan University for a BFA in Acting, her foundation as a versatile performer is solidified. Skyla's skills also extend beyond acting, encompassing singing, songwriting, dance, musical theatre, various sports & instruments, and content creation with over 1.5 million followers.

Raquel Basco is an actress, model, and former Miss Bay Area USA titleholder. With extensive experience in commercial modeling and film, she is dedicated to using her platform to challenge stereotypes and pave the way for more women artists and models of color in the entertainment industry. Through her work, Raquel strives to inspire change and create greater opportunities for diverse representation.

Mary Katherine Moore is a Bay Area actress and model with a growing presence in the industry. She has starred in online ad campaigns for brands like LinkedIn and Tasty Pot. Passionate about storytelling, she also teaches theatre and co-directs musicals with Audacity Performing Arts Inc. Always eager for new opportunities, she continues to expand her craft and take on exciting projects.

Christopher Matthew Pynchon has a background in high school theatre and is thrilled to be part of this web series. Passionate about acting, he is eager to bring his skills to the screen and continue growing as a performer.

Shirel Knot is a San Jose-based singer, dancer, actress, and model with a strong background in musical theatre. Passionate about performance, she also enjoys dancing and playing basketball. She is thrilled to be part of this production, and having a recurring role is a meaningful milestone in her career.

Alyssa McCullough is a versatile actress known for her dynamic performances in both theater and film. She has portrayed iconic roles such as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (2017), Viola in Twelfth Night (2018), and Audrey in As You Like It (2018) with American Youth Shakespeare in San Jose, CA. Her film work includes Homecoming Shenanigans and Three Wishes. Alyssa has trained under Janis Bergman at Foothill College, focusing on Acting and Actor Marketing Strategies. Beyond acting, she is skilled in archery, dance, and violin, and is proficient in Japanese and French. Her athletic pursuits include swimming, basketball, and water polo. Alyssa brings a compelling presence to her diverse roles.

Omar Zhari is a dedicated actor who discovered his passion for performance just over a year ago and hopes to pursue it for a lifetime. Recently, he played a supporting role in The Rich Kid Rules (2025), directed by Makenna Perkal. Beyond acting, he enjoys sports, video games, movies, and reading. Grateful for every opportunity, Omar is excited to continue growing in the industry.

Gelsey Plaza is a versatile actress and storyteller based in San Francisco. She has appeared in projects like Miss Cartwright, as well as theater productions such as Fiddler on the Roof and Noises Off!. Gelsey’s passion for performance earned her recognition as Best Actress for her role as Cinderella in Into the Woods. Outside of acting, she is an experienced rock climber and a creative writer with a background in journalism from Northwestern University. Fluent in English and conversational Spanish, Gelsey brings a dynamic presence to every project she takes on.

Summer Givens is an actress based in San Francisco with a passion for acting that began at age four in The Wiz. She has since honed her craft through community theater and high school drama, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Acting at the Academy of Art University. Committed to character development, Summer immerses herself in each role by exploring motivations and crafting backstories that allow her to connect with diverse perspectives. Driven by creativity and curiosity, she sees every role as an opportunity for both artistic growth and personal discovery.

Alana Young is a Bay Area-based actress, making her series debut with this role. Her standout Zoom audition secured her the part, and she is thrilled to be part of this project.

THE VISUAL STRATEGY

The visual strategy for "The Spring That Went Dark" mirrors its storytelling—starting as a sun-drenched teen drama before gradually shifting into a moody, suspenseful murder mystery. At first, the show embraces a warm, nostalgic indie aesthetic, with golden-hour lighting, handheld cinematography, and soft pastels that capture the energy of spring break. Scenes of Cruz, Brooke, and their friends laughing at the beach or getting lost in late-night conversations feel intimate and real, reminiscent of The Summer I Turned Pretty and Outer Banks. Wide, open frames emphasize their sense of freedom—but freedom is temporary, and the past is never far behind.

As secrets begin to surface, relationships fracture, and paranoia creeps in, the visual tone shifts dramatically. The warm glow fades into cool blues, desaturated greens, and deep grays, making the once-vibrant world feel colder, more detached. Shadows stretch longer, and lighting becomes harsher—neon lights buzzing in the background, phone screens casting eerie glows on anxious faces, headlights flickering in the night. The cinematography embraces unease, with slow zoom-ins, blurred reflections, and lingering shots that make characters feel watched, isolated, and unsure of what’s real. This transformation is inspired by the unsettling aesthetics of Cruel Summer and 13 Reasons Why, where everyday life is infused with a quiet but inescapable sense of dread.

By the time the show fully embraces its murder mystery elements, the visuals are drenched in tension. The carefree, open spaces of the first act become tight, claustrophobic, and unpredictable. Empty hallways feel too quiet, party scenes suddenly feel suffocating, and the cinematography becomes more fragmented—jump cuts, quick flashes of past and present, and abrupt sound drop-offs that leave the audience waiting for something to happen. The eerie, voyeuristic quality of Pretty Little Liars and the dark, psychological suspense of Gone Girl influence this phase of the series, as characters realize they are not only keeping secrets—they’re being hunted by them.

The visual evolution of The Spring That Went Dark reflects its descent into darkness—what begins as a sunlit coming-of-age story slowly unravels into a shadowy, high-stakes mystery. Even in daylight, the truth remains hidden, and the past refuses to stay buried. The shift from warm, inviting cinematography to a cold, unsettling aesthetic keeps the audience on edge, ensuring that every frame carries a sense of urgency. Someone is watching. Someone knows the truth. And as the mystery deepens, the darkness takes over.

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Our talented production team is the backbone of our show. Leading the charge is Justin Joseph, the visionary show creator who brought everything together. Sydney Strange masterfully directs the show, guiding every creative decision, while Ethan Highsmith not only acts but also produces, ensuring a seamless blend of performance and production. Behind the camera, Kevin Stevenson elevates each scene as our skilled director of photography, and Ryan Leonard crafts the captivating soundtracks that bring the entire production to life.

Sydney Strange has been writing and directing since she was in middle school, her passion for storytelling and film driving her throughout the past decade to make numerous short films, pilots, and more. Her work has toured in her local Sacramento, as well as nationally and internationally.

Check out one of her short films, 5 Stages of Grief.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nEMisnYsVg&amp...

Kevin Stevenson is a Los Angeles native and an award winning filmmaker. He loves the great outdoors, small indie cinemas, and has a passion for storytelling and moving pictures. With 10 years behind the camera as a Cinematographer, Kevin thoroughly enjoys shooting and directing indie films. Earning his degree in Film and Electronic Arts, he has worked for various national media companies creating original content for TV and film

Check out one of the trailers from his films, A Girl Upstairs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L50Pkl5Zk9U

Ryan Leonard is a talented music composer known for his compelling soundtracks that evoke deep emotion and storytelling through melody. He gained significant recognition for his work on Portrait of Fear (2024), a hauntingly atmospheric score that perfectly complements the intense themes of the project. Leonard also composed the evocative music for Hidden Above 2: The Mystery Unfolds (2023), a score that brilliantly blends tension and mystery, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding narrative. Currently, he is working on the highly anticipated score for Starting Quarterback (2025), a project that promises to showcase his versatility and unique style in an entirely new light. With each composition, Ryan Leonard continues to captivate audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the world of film and television music.

Check out his previous work!

https://youtu.be/mleW4UM28-g?si=INk1Lr1jTZv4LXMJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HGyCT-sIXI

WHAT ARE WE FILMING ON?

We’re filming with the ARRI Alexa Mini, a Netflix-approved camera that guarantees top-tier quality and precision. This cutting-edge technology will bring the cinematography to a whole new level, with each episode crafted to feel like a feature film. Its ability to capture stunning visuals with remarkable detail will give the show a cinematic, larger-than-life aesthetic that will captivate audiences.

The sophisticated color science and incredible dynamic range of the Alexa Mini will ensure every scene is visually striking, offering an immersive experience that draws viewers in. With such a high standard of production, the show’s quality will shine through in every frame, making it a visual masterpiece from start to finish.

WHAT DO WE NEED?

Our goal is to raise $20,000 to film our pilot episode for the show, and every contribution counts. Your generous donation will directly support the production, helping us cover essential costs like crew salaries, actor fees, and providing meals for everyone on set.

We want the best quality for our pilot as we want the show to get picked up by a streaming platform like Netflix, Hulu, Tubi, Prime Video to complete 5 episodes.

Whether you contribute a little or a lot, know that your support will help turn this project into a reality, and we truly appreciate any amount you can give.

STRETCH GOALS

Our base goal is $10,000, which allows us to bring The Spring That Went Dark to life on a small but powerful scale. But with your support, we can elevate the production quality, enhance the suspenseful atmosphere, and create an unforgettable pilot episode.

Base Goal: $10,000 – The Essentials

• A complete, high-quality pilot episode
• Covers cast & crew payments (indie rates)
• Basic equipment rentals (camera, sound, lighting)
• Location rentals & permits
• Costumes, props, and set design
• Editing, sound mixing, and music licensing
• Basic marketing & festival submissions

 $12,500 – Cinematic Enhancements

• Higher-end camera & lens rentals for a more polished, cinematic look
• Improved lighting design for better thriller aesthetics
• Additional shooting days to allow for more takes & refined performances

 $15,000 – Professional Post-Production Upgrade

• High-end color grading to enhance the show’s shifting tones from warm nostalgia to dark mystery
• More complex sound design & an original score for an immersive thriller experience
• Better visual effects & title design for a more polished final product

 $17,500 – Expanding the World of the Pilot

• More detailed production design (realistic sets, custom props to build the mystery)
• More locations & set pieces to visually enhance key moments
• Additional background actors to make the world feel more lived-in

$20,000 – The Ultimate Vision for the Pilot

• High-end stunt coordination & choreography for intense thriller moments
• Bigger set pieces & expanded night sequences for a truly suspenseful climax
• Professional marketing materials (trailer, posters, press outreach) to maximize exposure
• Behind-the-scenes content & exclusive cast interviews for backers

BACKER AWARDS

$10: Digital Poster + Shout-Out

$20: Cast Thank You! + Previous Perks

$35: Signed Poster + Previous Perks

$50: Associate Producer + Previous Perks

$150: Producer + Keychain + Bracelet + Early Access To The Pilot + Previous Perks

$500:  Insider Access: Virtual Tour On Zoom + Behind The Scenes Access + Signed Polaroids + Crew T-Shirt + Previous Perks

$1,000: Co-Producer + Personal Q&A With Two Actors + Previous Perks

$5,000: Executive Producer + Personal Q&A With Whole Cast + Crew + Previous Perks

$15,000: Co-Owner + 45% Ownership Of The Pilot + Joining The Team + Previous Perks

$20,000: Co Owner + 50% Ownership Of The Pilot + Joining The Team + Previous Perks

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is more than just a pilot episode—it's a story about friendship, heartbreak, secrets, and the darkness that follows us. We’ve poured our hearts into this project, crafting a cinematic, suspenseful, and emotionally gripping thriller, but we can’t do it without you.

Every dollar you contribute goes directly into making this vision a reality—funding the cast, crew, locations, and high-quality production that this story deserves. With your support, we can create something unforgettable, something that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

If you love thrillers, gripping mysteries, and coming-of-age stories with real depth, please consider donating. Every pledge, every share, every bit of support matters. Join us in making The Spring That Went Dark a reality—we promise it’ll be worth it.

Donate now & be part of the journey!