Overview
The Chew Toy is the story of your classic 50s sitcom couple, and all the bullying, blabbering, and bludgeoning we've come to love about them. The film follows the sitcom through seasons and seasons, slowly revealing the horrors within this uncanny sitcom world. Lacy McKillicutty is trapped by her stifling husband Rob, her social status, the studio audience, and the creators. The film captures pressing issues of sexism, domestic abuse, and what happens when we find entertainment in others' pain.
Having the characters trapped in an uncanny, black and white 50s sitcom set gives contradicting emotions that encourage viewers to assess their relationship as modern audience members to the characters, the laugh track audience within the show, and whoever is controlling this narrative.
Character Breakdown
Lacy: A housewife and aspiring actress who's uber-expressiveness and charming clumsiness turns robotic, turns manic and vindictive as she descendants into madness trapped inside her 50s sitcom role.
Rob: Has a zaniness almost charming, almost frightening. He may be a goofball but he's also stifling and short-tempered. He pushes the limits of his extra-large Hotel Doorman uniform.
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Lethel: Irreverent and cunning. Lacy's faithful extension and the devil on her shoulder.
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We are seeking to raise $5,000 in order to reach our goals and hope to gain your support! Below is a breakdown of our budget.
Transportation - We hope to cover transportation expenses for our actors, production crew, and equipment for shoots.
Equipment - In order to create the essence of our film and its time period, getting the correct equipment is crucial. Creating visuals that can closely mimic the style of a 50s, multi-camera, black and white sitcom are essential. From lenses to dolly tracks and rigs, we plan to rent the necessary equipment to create the best experience for the viewer.
Production Design and Location - The biggest percentage of our budget will be funding Production Design. Our art team is determined to accurately mimick common 50s sitcom sets, with an attention to detail and many period-specific props crucial to the story.
We plan to build the set in Emerson College's Prop Warehouse which holds tons of furniture, decorations, etc from various time periods. Our story spans the beginning and end of the relationship between our two characters. In order to represent the progression of the relationship, it is crucial to have a constantly changing set. In addition, we need to account for location, rental fees, permits, props, costumes, hair, makeup, and of course, television sets.
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Talent and Craft - We always aim for the best vibes and morale we can for our cast and crew while on set. The actors will be members of the Screen Actors Guild and will be paid accordingly. With warm meals and a collaborative mood on set, talent will be able to give it their all (that goes for crew too!).
Director of Photography - We will be budgeting out a piece to fund a DP to bring uncanny horror to what is typically a flat, multicamera situation. The visuals, entirely 4:3 black and white, will play with how the cameras and audience are watching and following the characters. The lighting will evoke the darkness within the contrasty black and white sitcom style, descending further into moody Chiaroscuro lightning. Having the perfect DP to capture this style is crucial to the film.
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The risks and challenges of this film also are what make it so unique and exciting for the filmmakers and viewers alike! Luckily, nearly all our scenes are at the same location; however, the props and design are constantly in flux as the set deteriorates through the seasons. Other challenges include using both multi-camera and single-camera shooting, a live mouse, practical effects, stunts, and miniatures.
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Our goal is to give our crew the platform to showcase their talent and skills while shedding light on exploitation in media, whether that be an outdated sexist narrative or a revisionist revenge story. By contributing to this project, you will be aiding us in creating the best quality film possible in addition to allowing us to pay the fees and reach further audiences we otherwise would not be able to.
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If you are as excited as we are about this project, or just want to help make our big dreams a reality, please select a perk from the menu and donate today!
If you are not able to give and still want to show your support please help us by following and sharing with our page on social media! Simply reposting, sharing a link, or mentioning to a friend that we are crowdfunding for this film is immensely helpful! Help us spread the word to make our film a reality!
Thank you so much,
The Chew Toy Team
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