Flunkyball

Drama, Foreign Film

Short

New York

Flunkyball takes place in rural Austria and functions as an allegory for racism in contemporary society, exploring themes of culture clash, language barriers, and racial profiling. Flunkyball explores how these subtleties shape the way a community treats its minority members.

19 Hours Left

$17,170 of $15,000

for PRODUCTION

148 supporters

272 followers

Enter the amount you'd like to pledge:

The Story

Inclusion Statement

Flunkyball argues that good intentions do not always result in positive outcomes. Illustrating misunderstandings and misinterpretations across racial lines, Flunkyball challenges the perspective of inclusivity when this is valued above and before awareness, tolerance, and knowledge.

About The Project

As a white woman, I do my best to constantly check my privilege and my sometimes flawed perspective of events. I think privileged people often see an approximation of suffering that they have never experienced themselves, creating a disconnect. Only seeing an approximation leaves less room for the complexity and dimensions of the human spirit — flattening those who are suffering and minimizing their humanity. Flunkyball is a commentary on the "white hero complex" and is an allegory for internalized racism and language -- investigating the relationship between sexism and racism, which are mutually dependent.

Our vision for Flunkyball is not only to resonate with people because it tackles racial stereotypes, but also to unearth discomfort and leave viewers re-evaluating their own perspectives.

Subtle biases and prejudices can lead to tragic results.

Internalized racism and microaggressions can prove just as dangerous, if not more so, than explicit racism. It our goal to explore how these subtle prejudices shape the way a society treats its minority members.

We have spent the past year putting our heads together about how we can accomplish this as a team. After 15 drafts of the script, production meetings from across oceans, 10-mintue WhatsApp audio notes, and brainstorm sessions on the couch, we have come up with a plan we're all pretty stoked about. But we need your help to make it happen.

We are raising $15k through this crowdfunding campaign and reaching the rest of our goal through individual donations, partnerships, *~parties~* and grants!

$30k will allow us to hire more crew, spend more on art and set design, and will allow us to bring the project through postproduction (audio, editing, color, score, etc.) while also covering some of our distribution costs!

Your support drives this project forward. This is a grassroots campaign and community is everything. We can't do it without you, so everything that you do to help us means the world. Thank you so much for your support, your love, and your trust.

Incentives

$10

Social media shoutout

We will be making personalized shoutouts on our social media pages to people making contributions of $10 or more!

$25

IG story shout out!

Our team will be making special ~video~ shout outs to those who contribute $25 or more!

Claimed: 15 of 100

$50

What Matters To You?

We believe in community. With a gift of $50 or more, we will share YOUR passion project on our SM pages! OR anything you want to share with our followers (within reason...) #spiritofcommunity <3

$100

BTS updates

This incentive guarantees some ~exclusive~ production updates during our shoot! You'll also get access to a private link to our short film before we release it or put it through the festival circuit!

$150

Director's Cut + Comments!

We will send you a private link to the director's cut with ~commentary~ from the Flunkyball creative team!

$200

Invitation to first screening

We are planning on a Flunkyball screening for cast & crew in NYC after the project is complete. If you contribute $200 or more, you will be personally invited to our closed premiere screening!

Claimed: 10 of 50

$300

An Original Song!

Edan Laniado, Flunkyball producer, is also an incredibly talented and classically trained pianist! With a gift of $300 or more, Edan will happily write and dedicate an original song, just for you!

$400

On-set invite!

With a gift of $400 or more, you will be cordially invited to join us on set for a day of watching the production process in action!

$500

One-on-one with Tess!

Support us with $500 or more and you deserve some personalized attention! Tess will offer a one hour session that covers any film topics you'd like! Want to learn the basics of producing / directing? Tess will run you through an intro course. Got your own film project? Use it as a consultation! Or maybe you just want to hang and drink coffee...the choice is yours! Can't do in-person? Tess will happily conference with you via vid-chat!

Claimed: 2 of 5

$1,000

1.5 hour intro to editing session

As a team, we are self taught artists and we believe that peer to peer education and collaboration leads to success! Our very own DP, David Siciliano, will give you a run down of Adobe Premiere and give the basics so you can start editing your own material!

Claimed: 0 of 2

$2,000

Executive Producer credit

Contributions of $2,000 or more deserve a credit to match such generosity!
Wishlist

Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.

Location Rental

This is to rent our location (a home with an outdoor garden).

$1,500 to go

costs $1,500

×
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$

Equipment Rentals

Renting a cinema camera, lights, and sound equipment doesn't come cheap. We need your help!

$2,500 to go

costs $2,500

×
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$

Catering + Craft Services

We are expecting a cast & crew upwards of 30 people a day. That's a lot of food. And a lot of money.

$1,500 to go

costs $1,500

×
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$

Crew

To hire the perfect people for the project AND pay them what they're worth.

$4,500 to go

costs $4,500

×
How much would you like to pledge?
$

Art Direction

To craft a specific look and feeling we need the right resources!

$1,500 to go

costs $1,500

×
How much would you like to pledge?
$

Insurance

Insurance isn't the cutest wishlist item, but it's essential for a safe work environment!

$500 to go

costs $500

×
How much would you like to pledge?
$

Transportation + Lodging

To transport ourselves, our crew, and our equipment from NYC to upstate NY for filming!

$2,000 to go

costs $2,000

×
How much would you like to pledge?
$

Props

Parties have props. Props are monies.

$1,000 to go

costs $1,000

×
How much would you like to pledge?
$

$10

Social media shoutout

We will be making personalized shoutouts on our social media pages to people making contributions of $10 or more!

$25

IG story shout out!

Our team will be making special ~video~ shout outs to those who contribute $25 or more!

Claimed: 15 of 100

$50

What Matters To You?

We believe in community. With a gift of $50 or more, we will share YOUR passion project on our SM pages! OR anything you want to share with our followers (within reason...) #spiritofcommunity <3

$100

BTS updates

This incentive guarantees some ~exclusive~ production updates during our shoot! You'll also get access to a private link to our short film before we release it or put it through the festival circuit!

$150

Director's Cut + Comments!

We will send you a private link to the director's cut with ~commentary~ from the Flunkyball creative team!

$200

Invitation to first screening

We are planning on a Flunkyball screening for cast & crew in NYC after the project is complete. If you contribute $200 or more, you will be personally invited to our closed premiere screening!

Claimed: 10 of 50

$300

An Original Song!

Edan Laniado, Flunkyball producer, is also an incredibly talented and classically trained pianist! With a gift of $300 or more, Edan will happily write and dedicate an original song, just for you!

$400

On-set invite!

With a gift of $400 or more, you will be cordially invited to join us on set for a day of watching the production process in action!

$500

One-on-one with Tess!

Support us with $500 or more and you deserve some personalized attention! Tess will offer a one hour session that covers any film topics you'd like! Want to learn the basics of producing / directing? Tess will run you through an intro course. Got your own film project? Use it as a consultation! Or maybe you just want to hang and drink coffee...the choice is yours! Can't do in-person? Tess will happily conference with you via vid-chat!

Claimed: 2 of 5

$1,000

1.5 hour intro to editing session

As a team, we are self taught artists and we believe that peer to peer education and collaboration leads to success! Our very own DP, David Siciliano, will give you a run down of Adobe Premiere and give the basics so you can start editing your own material!

Claimed: 0 of 2

$2,000

Executive Producer credit

Contributions of $2,000 or more deserve a credit to match such generosity!
Updates
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The Team

Current Team

About This Team

TESS FORESTIERI

Tess is a NYC-based filmmaker with a background in various forms of media and video content. Primarily a director / producer, Tess also has extensive experience as an assistant director, production manager, and production coordinator. Tess is a 2015 summa cum laude Muhlenberg College grad, where she concentrated in Directing and Media & Communications. Tess was awarded the James D. Schneider Award for Social Justice & The Susan E. Halamay Journalism Award upon completion of her Bachelor’s degree. She is currently working at the digital media agency, VaynerMedia as a Project Coordinator.

https://www.tessforestieri.com/

EDAN LANIADO

2015 graduate of Muhlenberg College, Edan studied theatre and film at Muhlenberg College receiving his degree in film studies and completing his first web series during his final year at university. Edan studied film in Prague during this third year of college, working on various independent films as an actor, director, and AD. Edan was also selected as best actor in the original play Fast, which brought him to a national acting competition during his first year at Muhlenberg College. Edan is originally from Israel, moving back to his homeland upon completion of BA. Having recently moved back to NYC, Edan is working in sales development at the second fastest growing tech start up in North America, Justworks.

DAVID SICILIANO

David is a NYC-based freelance filmmaker and has worked on national commercials with VaynerMedia for brands such as Budweiser, Gatorade, XBox, Quaker, Mountain Dew, and others. David works primarily as an editor / DP, but has extensive experience line producing, post producing, and directing. David’s work has been seen on national television during the 2017 World Series and other major sports games. David is a 2013 cum laude graduate of Syracuse University where he received his BFA in Acting. David won various awards throughout his four years at university -- including Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Production. Upon graduation, David founded the NYC based non-profit film and theatre company, RADD Productions, which focuses on the simple and sustainable production of artist-based projects. He is currently working at the entertainment company and global network, Fullscreen.

https://www.davidsiciliano.com/

LISA MAIER

Lisa is currently completing her B.A. at University of Vienna in Theatre, Film & Media studies and English & American Studies. Lisa is the founder and CEO of her company, Wiener Spielwut, which received official registration in Vienna in 2018. Lisa has directed various theatre projects with her company, including Regained Paradise Lost ,Bel Ami, and Concerning Mars, which was part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Lisa has worked on various independent films such as Philomena (2016) and Stark im Kommen (2017 TV Show Pilot). Lisa starting grad school this Fall 2018 to get her M.A. in arts administration and directing.

NATASHA JAHCHAN

Natasha is an NYC-based product designer, social media director, and brand designer. Natasha studied User Experience Design at General Assembly and currently does freelance digital design on websites, mobile applications, and social media platforms. She has led successful social media campaigns for The Phluid Project and Dapper Tomboy, including everything from branding and content to execution and marketing. Natasha's background also includes project management, engineering, and architecture. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Structural Engineering. Natasha's focus is in problem solving for user and audience experiences.

https://www.natashajahchan.work/
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