Feeling Sexual
by Brooke Ross

Brooke Ross
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Feeling Sexual
by Brooke Ross
Brooke Ross
Follow
Feeling Sexual deals with the struggles of open communication in the bedroom. The director is committed to working with an all female/gender non-conforming crew.
Feeling Sexual deals with the struggles of open communication in the bedroom. The director is committed to working with an all female/gender non-conforming crew.
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Story
Mission Statement
Written and directed by a Jewish female, our motivation is to increase representation of women, both in front of & behind the camera. In addition to working with an all-female/gender non-conforming crew and an entirely Jewish cast to expand the representation of modern east coast Jewish adolescents.About The Project
Izzy Klein cannot be trusted. She can hardly trust herself. She’s confident that if a young man were to compliment the texture of her soft hair, there’s a 10/10 chance she’d cup their balls. Izzy recruits Susan Rothman the yente of her synagogue / therapist by day, to beat some self-love into her. As Izzy gains an appreciation for the once foreign concept of boundaries, listening to her body, and knowing when to use the word No, she discovers her purpose outside of male affirmation. She puts Susan’s teachings to the test when she visits Ezra Jacobowitz her long time crush and family friend, at college. It is in spending this intimate time with him that she is forced to leave her comfort zone, ask herself what she wants, and communicate with Ezra.
Izzy Klein (18) The wings of her eyeliner as sharp as her sense of humor, Isabel “Izzy” Klein (Jewish, 18) appears to have it all going on. She is a totally vulgar, ambitious, slightly neurotic, self-destructive, high honor roll high school senior who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She would like to stop self-sabotaging by saying yes to every boy that invites themselves in her pants. She is working with her therapist to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Ezra Jacobowitz (19) is an eccentric, socially-awkward, narcissist hungry for attention. As the middle child of finance moguls, he has always had to fight to be heard. As a virgin freshman in college, he feels behind his peers and looks to Izzy for advice regarding how to catch up.
Susan Rothman (63) is a full time yente, part time therapist, and an ex-off-broadway star. Raised in the Bronx, you can bet your bottom dollar, she takes no prisoners. She tells it like it is , and as painful as that may be for her patients, it is always worth their while - or so she believes.
1. Coming-of-age
2. Female Sexuality
3. Consent
Feeling Sexual was written by a woman, tells the story from the female protagonist’s point-of-view, provides layered roles for both young and older women, will be directed by a woman, and will be staffed by an entirely female and trans crew. Through our commitment to prioritizing women’s voices at every stage of the process, we hope to contribute positively to the lives of young women.
By centering the female perspective of sex and coming-of-age in this film, I hope to give young women something I wish I had had growing up. The narrative that young women who explore their sexuality are more promiscuous than their male peers still dominates many’s minds, and although there are shows now that highlight coming into one’s sexuality in a sensitive way, most of these stories are still told through the male protagonists eyes (take, “Sex Education” or “End of the F***ing World,” for example). Feeling Sexual seeks to change the stigma surrounding young women’s sexuality by encouraging them to look inward to explore their own needs.
The presence of consent in Feeling Sexual is complex and important. Consent is very rarely black and white in real life, and yet so many of our conversations and teachings to young people centers it on the “enthusiastic yes” versus the “certain no.” I am dedicated to not only telling stories about the female adolescent experience, but telling stories that capture the power dynamic between young persons in a way where the male almost always dominates. Communication can be hard, awkward, and confusing but as more people see representations of communication in the bedroom on screen, more people will feel comfortable implementing it into their lives. The purpose of this script is not to give an exact dialogue of what consent looks like, but rather to let women know that they are not alone.
Our team is completely committed to making sure honest communication is a constant in this process. We recognize that in telling this sensitive story, we have a responsibility to tell it in as safe a space as possible. We have brought an intimacy coordinator on board to be present on set and choreograph the intimate scenes to ensure that they are safely created and expressed. Although the intimacy between Izzy and Ezra is not idyllic in any sense of the word, the way we choreograph, rehearse, and shoot the sex scenes will be.
Since high school, I knew that I wanted to have a platform to create stories by and for young women. I recognize that this story is based on my own experience growing up in a liberal, predominantly Jewish, middle class community and that my experience in understanding boundaries may look very different for other young women. Yet, I feel confident that this script is reflective of variations of many’s struggle to find the right words to communicate in intimate, and unfortunately, sometimes forceful situations. The purpose of Feeling Sexual is to not only tell a story by a female writer and director, about a female protagonist, and told from her perspective, but to also create content that resonates with women of all ages, and lets them know they are not alone.Practicals, and lenses from the ‘70s will enhance the groovy vibe we’re throwing down. Grainy treatments will give it that perfect 35mm vibe.
Think ultra wide rectangular frames with the help of an anamorphic lens. This will emphasize the ironic disconnection between two people supposedly sharing an intimate moment.
The camera movement mimics that of the characters - wandering. We will be handheld in the bedroom scene with Ezra and Izzy. As Izzy struggles to find the right words to communicate what she is looking for, the shots will remain from her perspective. Just because she isn’t always speaking, does not mean we will not know what is on her mind.
However, it is in Izzy’s therapist’s office that the camera is static and everything is symmetrical. Even though Susan is not like your typical therapist in that her desk is a mess, her advice controversial, and her language fouler than a fraternity man’s, she makes Izzy feel safe. It is in Susan’s office that things stand still, make sense, slow down.
Pops of burnt orange break up the deep chocolate browns in Ezra’s bedroom. Our two locations will be a mix of Sophia Coppola made love to Wes Anderson - think quirky, crap in abundance, and color palettes. Similar to Ezra’s room, Susan’s office will have a similar color palette to that of a 70s disco lounge with its velvet, burnt orange, vibrant purples, and a whole lot of floral. Think musty perfume and lavender essential oil. Think Miss Havisham from “Great Expectations” in Miu Miu.
Ironically we are looking to use the subtext in the silence to help us find the humor to enhance all the uncomfortable feels we get from Ezra and Izzy. That being said, we will be collaborating with a female punk band who will create beats to emphasize the anxiety Izzy feels in the moments that words do not suffice.
This script jumps in time from Izzy being in the present with Ezra, to flashbacks with her therapist Susan. The script has been carefully structures to implement these smooth transitions. The quick edits emphasizes the humor and irony in the character’s communication.Brooke is inspired by dark comedies which incorporate stylistic elements that “balance ironic detachment with sincere engagement.” Think “The End of the F***ing World,” Marielle Heller’s The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Noah Baumbach’s The Squid and the Whale, anything touched by Wes Anderson. These cinematic works of art use elaborate production design, vibrant color palettes, and a novelized story structure to feed the audience some of the auteur’s darkest, most vulnerable moments - of course, all in a colorful, cohesive way.
This is a comedy, the deadpan kind, but sometimes you will feel sad - perhaps deeply sad. The director has requested you fight the urge to say, “Aw.” In fact, she recently fired her therapist for responding too frequently with pity. Brooke deemed it gauche and unprofessional as she prefers to handle the dark and disturbing with humor. She apologizes for her bluntness and swears she is a product of her environment - tough love.
Brooke urges you to laugh - especially at the times that feel the most inappropriate.Incentives
$5
Welcome to the Feeling Sexual Fan Club!
Every bit counts! We are so grateful for your support and will give you a Special Thanks credit in the film.
$10
Thigh Grazing on Bus Ride to Sweet 16
Receive Special Thanks credit + a digital copy of the film
$25
Let’s clink teeth!
In addition to above, you will receive a shoutout on our social media with fun commentary and we will make you a personalized Feeling Sexual-themed profile picture!
$50
I’m going to place your hand over my bra because you deserve it
In addition to social media shoutout, we will send you a personalized text message about how wonderful and beautiful you are and how the world is a better place because of you!
$75
Grandma Ruth to the rescue!
Our vulgar but wise Jewish Grandmother will leave you a special voicemail! (Includes Special Thanks)
$100
You just got Chucked!
In addition to above, Brooke will send you a had-written pep talk that includes some of her favorite nuggets of wisdom from her real-life therapist Chuck!
$250
Dark Chocolate, Klonopin - Who doesn't have a vice?!
Receive a bar of Ezra’s most favorite artisanal dark chocolate bar - himalayan sea salt included of course! (Includes Special Thanks)
$500
Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, I get really nauseous whenever I'm with you
Brooke will send you the angstiest poem she wrote in high school! (Includes Special Thanks)
$1,000
Brooke wants to offer you her body, but the producers + her therapist said that would be unnecessary
Receive credit as an Executive Producer, in addition to a digital copy of the film!
$2,500
Did you just become our sugar daddy?
Receive Sponsorship Credit and have your name incorporated into our set decoration! (Includes signed script and headshots)
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Welcome to the Feeling Sexual Fan Club!
Every bit counts! We are so grateful for your support and will give you a Special Thanks credit in the film.
$10
Thigh Grazing on Bus Ride to Sweet 16
Receive Special Thanks credit + a digital copy of the film
$25
Let’s clink teeth!
In addition to above, you will receive a shoutout on our social media with fun commentary and we will make you a personalized Feeling Sexual-themed profile picture!
$50
I’m going to place your hand over my bra because you deserve it
In addition to social media shoutout, we will send you a personalized text message about how wonderful and beautiful you are and how the world is a better place because of you!
$75
Grandma Ruth to the rescue!
Our vulgar but wise Jewish Grandmother will leave you a special voicemail! (Includes Special Thanks)
$100
You just got Chucked!
In addition to above, Brooke will send you a had-written pep talk that includes some of her favorite nuggets of wisdom from her real-life therapist Chuck!
$250
Dark Chocolate, Klonopin - Who doesn't have a vice?!
Receive a bar of Ezra’s most favorite artisanal dark chocolate bar - himalayan sea salt included of course! (Includes Special Thanks)
$500
Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, I get really nauseous whenever I'm with you
Brooke will send you the angstiest poem she wrote in high school! (Includes Special Thanks)
$1,000
Brooke wants to offer you her body, but the producers + her therapist said that would be unnecessary
Receive credit as an Executive Producer, in addition to a digital copy of the film!
$2,500
Did you just become our sugar daddy?
Receive Sponsorship Credit and have your name incorporated into our set decoration! (Includes signed script and headshots)
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
By the age of 15, I was running a brothel out of my Pottery Barn-clad room. I fooled around; sometimes because I wanted to, and other times because I felt obligated to. At some point in high school, I decided that none of the girls in my grade understood me. Desperate for connection, I relied on my relationship with men to guide me toward the foreign land of self-worth. Looking back, I recognize it was a waste of time to blame the other girls for my alienation; the person I was most detached from was myself.
When I wasn’t consumed with pleasing boyfriends and lovers, I spent my time binge watching coming-of-age films, like Lymelife and The Squid and the Whale, that I could only find in the Indie section of iTunes. While these films were more alternative compared to what was playing in mainstream theaters, it still felt like the representation of consent among adolescents was very black and white. There was either a scene in which an innocent Emma Roberts like figure loses her virginity to the quirky boy-next-door, or in the edgier films, some nightmarish rape scene. I am yet to find a film the captures what communication and consent look like among adolescents - specifically from the female point-of-view.
I graduated from high school believing sex isn’t “complete” until the male has finished and that nonverbal communication should suffice as consent. I was completely ill-prepared for any relationship that required honest disclosure. In the wake of the Me Too and Times Up movements, I am passionate about using filmmaking as a tool to broaden the representation surrounding sexuality and consent - specifically among adolescents. My mission is to give non-male persons the platform to speak out about intimate and coerced situations in which they were not given the space or permission to define their emotional or physical barriers. As bills are passed into laws, systems are turned upside down, and the voices of the once voiceless are heard, we have the power to challenge harmful social structures instilled to keep female sexuality a mystery.
Feeling Sexual is dedicated to every young woman who got on their knees because they felt powerless - that they owed someone something.Director's Bio:
Brooke Ross (22) is a writer, director, and feminist Jew hailing from the dirty Jers. She graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2018 with a degree in Film & Television Production. Brooke is committed to telling stories that broaden the conversation surrounding female sexuality.
Producers' Bios:
Charlotte Guerry (23) is an insatiable artist currently specializing in producing, directing, writing, acting, and latte art. Charlotte graduated from the University of Southern California's Film and Television Production program last May.
Eliza Blair (22), is an actor and activist, with a passion for uplifting queer and femme voices. They graduated in 2018 from Harvard with a degree in Theater, Dance, & Media and a minor in African-American Studies. They will also serve as the Intimacy Coordinator on this film.
Rebecca Mellinger (24) is an actor, producer, and professional medical clown! She graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts in 2017, and is a proud member of Women in Film’s Producing Mentoring Program.
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