Flock
Bar Harbor, Maine | Film Short
Thriller, LGBTQ
Flock is a trans film that pushes the boundaries of LGBTQ+ filmmaking. We believe that queer and trans storytelling should not be limited to one-dimensional representation and coming out stories. We deserve media across-genres, and we think the time is right for a trans dramatic cult thriller.
Flock
Bar Harbor, Maine | Film Short
Thriller, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $13,992 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
183 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Flock is a trans film that pushes the boundaries of LGBTQ+ filmmaking. We believe that queer and trans storytelling should not be limited to one-dimensional representation and coming out stories. We deserve media across-genres, and we think the time is right for a trans dramatic cult thriller.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
TRANS STORIES ON TRANS TERMS
The three co-creators of this film are trans, as is the majority of the crew and the lead. However, this is not a ‘coming out’ story, nor is it a story ‘about’ the trans experience. It’s a dramatic thriller, told through a queer and trans lens. We feel this is especially necessary now, as queer and trans media representation continues to grow. We feel (hope) that society has evolved beyond narrow calls for surface-level representation, and that the world is ready to see trans content across genre and tone. Where are the trans rom coms? The trans-specific sci-fi mysteries? The trans-centered thrillers about death cults? Oh yeah! That’s the one we’re making!
DID YOU SAY A BARN IN MAINE?
Yes! Flock is part of a residency with the Barn Arts Collective, a nonprofit that brings people together to create art on Mount Desert Island (MDI). MDI is a beautiful island in downeast Maine, about 5 hours from Boston. MDI is more than twice the size of Manhattan, but has less than 1% of its population. Barn Arts fosters the development of new artistic projects through free residencies. Teams of artists live, work, eat, and plan together, creating a temporary creative community and supporting one another in their individual and collective goals. Flock will be created in the spirit of collaboration and mutual support between passionate people in a beautiful place.
PUSHING CINEMATIC BOUNDARIES
It’s not enough to make LGBTQ+ films, we have to continuously push the boundaries of filmmaking so that we’re taken seriously in our field and contributing to the artistic development of filmmaking as a whole. That's what we're doing with Flock. We're building an ambitious shot list that utilizes innovative camera language with car rigs, underwater filming, drone cinematography, steadicam, and more.
WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT FLOCK?
Securing funding for high quality, trans-specific content is critical and timely. Your support will go towards these priorities, and will send a message that these stories are important to tell, and that they deserve a level of high production value and professionalism.
I was recently at the premiere screening of a feature film made by a close friend and collaborator. During the Q&A that followed, the writer/producer was asked, “What was the most difficult part of the filmmaking process?” My friend’s answer, which came to her immediately, was that the hardest part was the transition from an idea into a film. The unanswerable question of “Will I actually be able to make this movie?”
From where we stand now, getting the Green Light from contributions such as yours would be a clear, resounding “YES!” We have the script, the passion, the team, and the plan. Now all we need is the support and belief from individuals like you to take this film from an ambitious dream into a tangible reality.
Trust us. This is going to be a good one.
FOR MORE INFO - See our mood board below!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound Mixing
Costs $1,500
We'll be working with a sound mixer in post-production so that our film sounds incredible.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Travel to Maine!
Costs $1,000
We'll need to rent a few vehicles and pay for gas to get our cast and crew to and from Maine!
Camera Package
Costs $3,000
We're working with a rental house who's giving us a deal on a 4k camera and telephoto lenses.
Additional Camera Gear
Costs $1,500
We’re pushing cinematic boundaries with undersea filming, aerial drone shots, and car rigs!
G&E Gear
Costs $3,000
We're also getting a deal on our lighting package to be fully equipped for our gorgeous locations.
Production Design
Costs $800
The art and wardrobe will serve as Flock's mise-en-scene, and will heighten the film's storytelling.
Meals + Crafty
Costs $1,500
We're feeding our cast + crew on set, and we want to provide them with high-quality, yummy meals!
Color Correction
Costs $1,500
We will be hiring a color corrector in post-production to enhance the film's visual appeal.
Music
Costs $1,200
We'll be working with a music composer for film to create a cinematic soundtrack.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ariel Mahler (co-writer, director) is a nonbinary filmmaker, producer, trans rights advocate. Last year, Ariel released Bad Ally, an irreverent comedy series they co-created with Daquisha Jones. Ariel also worked as an AD on Salacia and Mary of Ill Fame, written and directed by trans icon Tourmaline, as well as Flourish by Heather María Ács. Ariel Mahler also produced Death and Bowling, a feature film created by more than 40 trans people. Ariel is inspired by the many trans filmmakers and artists who make work consistently and push boundaries with their work, especially in such a volatile political culture.
Easton Carter Angle (co-writer, director of photography) is a bi-coastal director of photography and film photographer working on narratives, commercials, and documentaries. His most recent short film, “Here With You”, featuring an all trans cast and crew premiered at Frameline in San Francisco this past June. He’s also worked on season 2 episode 2 of the web series, “Brothers”, directed by EmmettLundberg and Sheyam Ghieth. His debut photography show, “Nostalgia”, featuring 30 film photographs from his travels across the United States has been shown in multiple spaces and is available online.
Calvin Woodruff (co-writer, editor) is a camera assistant and editor from the east coast who has worked on narratives, television, and commercials. He prides himself on having worked on many notable projects about trans and queer stories- including Death & Bowling, Brothers, Here With You, and Beautiful Something. He hopes to connect trans filmmakers all over the world and continue working to bring their incredible stories to audiences everywhere.
Iris Devins (producer)
Iris Devins is a writer, director, and producer. The Sundance Institute selected her to participate in the Screenwriters Intensive, and she was a 2017 Sundance Knight Fellow. The Leeway Foundation awarded her with a 2018 Transformation Award. She recently finished a festival run with her narrative short, After the Date. The film portrays a romance between a trans woman and a straight man. After the Date premiered at Frameline in 2017, and later screened at festivals such as Hollyshorts, Athens International Film + Video Festival, Mammoth Film Festival, and Portland Film Festival. She received funding from the Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant for her upcoming short, Trashy Booty. The film is a dark comedy about two dumpster diving trans women who find a hitchhiking robot in the outskirts of Philadelphia. She is currently developing her first narrative feature, Angie Star. The film is supported by a grant from the Sundance Institute with additional support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Rafael "Q" Quinde (producer)
Rafael “Q” Quinde is an emerging producer. He produced the narrative short After the Date, which premiered at Frameline and later screened at festivals, such as Hollyshorts, Portland Film Festival, and Athens International Film + Video Festival. The film won an audience award at qFLIX Philadelphia for best trans short film. He is currently in pre-production for Trashy Booty, a narrative short film about two dumpster diving trans women who come across a hitchhiking robot. He is also developing a post-apocalyptic web series.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
TRANS STORIES ON TRANS TERMS
The three co-creators of this film are trans, as is the majority of the crew and the lead. However, this is not a ‘coming out’ story, nor is it a story ‘about’ the trans experience. It’s a dramatic thriller, told through a queer and trans lens. We feel this is especially necessary now, as queer and trans media representation continues to grow. We feel (hope) that society has evolved beyond narrow calls for surface-level representation, and that the world is ready to see trans content across genre and tone. Where are the trans rom coms? The trans-specific sci-fi mysteries? The trans-centered thrillers about death cults? Oh yeah! That’s the one we’re making!
DID YOU SAY A BARN IN MAINE?
Yes! Flock is part of a residency with the Barn Arts Collective, a nonprofit that brings people together to create art on Mount Desert Island (MDI). MDI is a beautiful island in downeast Maine, about 5 hours from Boston. MDI is more than twice the size of Manhattan, but has less than 1% of its population. Barn Arts fosters the development of new artistic projects through free residencies. Teams of artists live, work, eat, and plan together, creating a temporary creative community and supporting one another in their individual and collective goals. Flock will be created in the spirit of collaboration and mutual support between passionate people in a beautiful place.
PUSHING CINEMATIC BOUNDARIES
It’s not enough to make LGBTQ+ films, we have to continuously push the boundaries of filmmaking so that we’re taken seriously in our field and contributing to the artistic development of filmmaking as a whole. That's what we're doing with Flock. We're building an ambitious shot list that utilizes innovative camera language with car rigs, underwater filming, drone cinematography, steadicam, and more.
WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT FLOCK?
Securing funding for high quality, trans-specific content is critical and timely. Your support will go towards these priorities, and will send a message that these stories are important to tell, and that they deserve a level of high production value and professionalism.
I was recently at the premiere screening of a feature film made by a close friend and collaborator. During the Q&A that followed, the writer/producer was asked, “What was the most difficult part of the filmmaking process?” My friend’s answer, which came to her immediately, was that the hardest part was the transition from an idea into a film. The unanswerable question of “Will I actually be able to make this movie?”
From where we stand now, getting the Green Light from contributions such as yours would be a clear, resounding “YES!” We have the script, the passion, the team, and the plan. Now all we need is the support and belief from individuals like you to take this film from an ambitious dream into a tangible reality.
Trust us. This is going to be a good one.
FOR MORE INFO - See our mood board below!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound Mixing
Costs $1,500
We'll be working with a sound mixer in post-production so that our film sounds incredible.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Travel to Maine!
Costs $1,000
We'll need to rent a few vehicles and pay for gas to get our cast and crew to and from Maine!
Camera Package
Costs $3,000
We're working with a rental house who's giving us a deal on a 4k camera and telephoto lenses.
Additional Camera Gear
Costs $1,500
We’re pushing cinematic boundaries with undersea filming, aerial drone shots, and car rigs!
G&E Gear
Costs $3,000
We're also getting a deal on our lighting package to be fully equipped for our gorgeous locations.
Production Design
Costs $800
The art and wardrobe will serve as Flock's mise-en-scene, and will heighten the film's storytelling.
Meals + Crafty
Costs $1,500
We're feeding our cast + crew on set, and we want to provide them with high-quality, yummy meals!
Color Correction
Costs $1,500
We will be hiring a color corrector in post-production to enhance the film's visual appeal.
Music
Costs $1,200
We'll be working with a music composer for film to create a cinematic soundtrack.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ariel Mahler (co-writer, director) is a nonbinary filmmaker, producer, trans rights advocate. Last year, Ariel released Bad Ally, an irreverent comedy series they co-created with Daquisha Jones. Ariel also worked as an AD on Salacia and Mary of Ill Fame, written and directed by trans icon Tourmaline, as well as Flourish by Heather María Ács. Ariel Mahler also produced Death and Bowling, a feature film created by more than 40 trans people. Ariel is inspired by the many trans filmmakers and artists who make work consistently and push boundaries with their work, especially in such a volatile political culture.
Easton Carter Angle (co-writer, director of photography) is a bi-coastal director of photography and film photographer working on narratives, commercials, and documentaries. His most recent short film, “Here With You”, featuring an all trans cast and crew premiered at Frameline in San Francisco this past June. He’s also worked on season 2 episode 2 of the web series, “Brothers”, directed by EmmettLundberg and Sheyam Ghieth. His debut photography show, “Nostalgia”, featuring 30 film photographs from his travels across the United States has been shown in multiple spaces and is available online.
Calvin Woodruff (co-writer, editor) is a camera assistant and editor from the east coast who has worked on narratives, television, and commercials. He prides himself on having worked on many notable projects about trans and queer stories- including Death & Bowling, Brothers, Here With You, and Beautiful Something. He hopes to connect trans filmmakers all over the world and continue working to bring their incredible stories to audiences everywhere.
Iris Devins (producer)
Iris Devins is a writer, director, and producer. The Sundance Institute selected her to participate in the Screenwriters Intensive, and she was a 2017 Sundance Knight Fellow. The Leeway Foundation awarded her with a 2018 Transformation Award. She recently finished a festival run with her narrative short, After the Date. The film portrays a romance between a trans woman and a straight man. After the Date premiered at Frameline in 2017, and later screened at festivals such as Hollyshorts, Athens International Film + Video Festival, Mammoth Film Festival, and Portland Film Festival. She received funding from the Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant for her upcoming short, Trashy Booty. The film is a dark comedy about two dumpster diving trans women who find a hitchhiking robot in the outskirts of Philadelphia. She is currently developing her first narrative feature, Angie Star. The film is supported by a grant from the Sundance Institute with additional support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Rafael "Q" Quinde (producer)
Rafael “Q” Quinde is an emerging producer. He produced the narrative short After the Date, which premiered at Frameline and later screened at festivals, such as Hollyshorts, Portland Film Festival, and Athens International Film + Video Festival. The film won an audience award at qFLIX Philadelphia for best trans short film. He is currently in pre-production for Trashy Booty, a narrative short film about two dumpster diving trans women who come across a hitchhiking robot. He is also developing a post-apocalyptic web series.