Our Story
I'm Kelly, the Producer, and I wanted to tell our story. My daughter, Trinity, was brainstorming some script ideas. We had just seen a short film she was in called Pink Diamond and we fell in love with one of the actors, Xavier, and the director Russell. We thought both Xavier and Trinity would be a unique fit for a film and sent an idea to Xavier of the two of them working together in a 'spy type' movie. Good news...he loved it and sent the idea to Russell who immediately said he wanted to help write and direct the film. From there things went pretty fast. We all met to brainstorm ideas and ended up spending almost three hours together. It was an instant click and we were all off and running. Before we knew it, we were setting up film dates and got everything put together and filmed within a matter of three months. We knew we were a great team and everything just flowed.
We have so much story left to tell that we need this to be a feature film. Both Xavier and Trinity's characters have huge backstories and an entire adventure to share, so this is why we left the short with a cliffhanger. The characters have just begun to grow together and we want their ride to continue. Your contributions will send our short to multiple film festivals and also allow us to pitch our film to important execs in the industry who can help us turn our project into a feature. This is why we need your help!
What We Need: $10,000
The $10,000 will get this film in front of executives in Hollywood who can help us make this into a feature film premiered in theaters nation wide. The contributions will be used in these ways:
- Fees to send Take Me Home to Short Film Festivals
- Travel expenses for pitching and festivals
- Misc. production fees
Perks
Our PERKS are to reward our fundraisers for their contributions:
- $25- social media shout-out and thank-you card from the producer
- $50- signed poster from the cast/director and all of the above perks
- $100- signed script from the cast/director and all of the above perks
- $250- You get to be a background character in a ViLite Film and all of the above perks
- $500- You will have a speaking part in a ViLite Film or spend a day on set with the producer and all of the above perks
- $1000- You will become an Executive Producer of the short film Take Me Home and will get monthly financial updates along with creative input. If the film is picked up to become a feature film, you will be refunded your $1000!
Other Ways You Can Help
No contribution is too small! Promoting this film among friends and family or making small donations of $2, $5, or $10 will greatly help us reach our goal.
- Please share our Indiegogo account on your social media accounts.
- Share our trailer with your friends and family and let them know we need help turning this into a feature.
And that's all there is to it.
Meet the Team
DIRECTOR- Russell Reed
With a burning passion for telling stories, Russell Reed is a devoted 23 year old filmmaker, from Houston, TX, who’s goal is to simply excel from each of his films. Looking to inspire and entertain, Russell’s keen eye for imagery and heart for directing has earned recognition from respected industry folk in the Texas region. Russell commits countless of time studying his craft and chasing his dreams of filmmaking while maintaining his studies as he pursues a Business Marketing degree as a student at Texas State University.
Russell also has an emerging film production company called ViLite Films. Reed founded his company in January of 2018. Since then, Vilite has already produced over 6 narrative short films, 4 award-winning narrative short films and two mini documentaries with a feature in its near future. Vilite assures cinematic quality, originality in every project and pushes to tell your story through their lens.
![]()
PRODUCER- Kelly Johnston
Kelly Johnston is a multitalented, high charismatic, over-achiever. When her OCD is not driving her nuts, she is very organized and excels in people relations. She holds a BA degree in Speech Communication along with an English Teaching Certification from San Jose State University. Kelly is also a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach. Her life-long interest in writing, directing and acting has lead to her newly found passion of producing.
![]()
CO-STAR- Xavier Alvarado
Xavier Alvarado was born in Omaha, Nebraska but raised in Texas. Alvarado grew up with the notion that art itself can fulfill his wildest dreams. His father said that Xavier would walk around with a pencil and paper, drawing the expressions of action figures, animals, buildings along with anything he could lay his eyes on. Alvarado would grow up playing the game of basketball but would soon transition fully into a lifelong journey of pursuing art. You may catch Xavier starring in movies on the weekends and painting throughout the weekday. Xavier stands on the side of being a progressive artist possessing traits of passion and love. Marcus Aurelius’s quote inspires Alvarado throughout his days;
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. “
![]()
CO-STAR- Trinity Johnston
Trinity started acting in Austin, TX when she was 5yrs old and hasn't stopped. Her passion for musical theater, TV, and film has earned Trinity a Best Actress Award through the Austin 48hr Film Project and Best Young Adult Actress Award from Broadway World Austin for her role as Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden. Last December Trinity performed in her first Equity Musical Production at ZACH Theater. She played the role of Fan in A Christmas Carol. Trinity has a reoccurring role on a popular YouTube channel called New Sky Kids which has over 2 million subscribers. Trinity has been in almost 30 episodes for the New Sky Kids and has enjoyed being able to play multiple comedy roles.
Take Me Home is Trinity's 16th short film. She appreciates the opportunity to play a variety of characters, but her favorite type is when she gets to dig deep and film an intense scene. This is why she absolutely loved playing Kylie because she was able to explore multiple levels with this character.
Trinity's ultimate goal is to go to LA Film School and get a BS in Film Production and Directing. Trinity loves every aspect of film making and sees herself acting as well as directing when she is older. Her passion is strong and her determination and drive will take her far.
![]()
FINANCE DIRECTOR- Mark Johnston
Mark Johnston is a seasoned financial professional with strong business development background. He has developed more than 10 successful businesses and manage thousands of employees over the past 35 years. He is currently employed with ABC Home and Commercial services located in Austin Texas as a business development manager with 42 employees.
![]()