Kooky Cookin'
Los Angeles, California | Series
Comedy, Musical
A varietal, comedy cooking show that teaches millennials how to cook cheap, simple and filling meals. Whether it’s learning a recipe, what spices and goods to buy, or how to spruce up leftovers, Erica wants to show every type of chef how easy and kooky cooking can be!
Kooky Cookin'
Los Angeles, California | Series
Comedy, Musical
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,065 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
113 supporters | followers
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A varietal, comedy cooking show that teaches millennials how to cook cheap, simple and filling meals. Whether it’s learning a recipe, what spices and goods to buy, or how to spruce up leftovers, Erica wants to show every type of chef how easy and kooky cooking can be!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A note from Kooky Cookin' creator, Erica Dawson: The smell of dough always gets me. My sister and I spent so many days at our nana’s house; a beautiful Mexican woman who taught me how to make a perfect flour tortilla at age seven. I spent a lot of my childhood picking lemons off her tree, making lemonade and smelling all of the chilis she was growing--everything was always fresh! To this day her garden is the most magical place that exists to me. She taught me how to love my food and how to put love into it. She’d quiz my sister and I on what she taught us, asking “Mijas, what are the three most important ingredients in Mexican cooking?” She was waiting for us to say, “onions, garlic, and tomatoes” ...I answered, “onions, garlic, and LARD!” She laughed at my answer although I was wrong; she knew I was paying attention. That’s what we did. We created the most beautiful meals, laughed, and loved, together. And for someone who had a rocky childhood, her home was my safe haven, filled with the creativity and freedom to embrace myself. Comedy is my other love affair but when I started improv at the Groundlings I found that I didn’t trust myself. A teacher asked me where I did trust myself and I knew it was in the kitchen. On the days I’d bomb and start my spiral of self hatred, I’d go into the kitchen and make a meal, proving to myself that I could trust my creative freedom to play. I always tell people my best improvisation is in the kitchen, and it’s true. Because no matter what kitchen I’m in, my nana is there with me in my heart and head, saying “Yes mija, you can!” I’m so happy to bring my two loves together and my dream is to bring as much love and laughter to your kitchens as my nana did for me.
More About Kooky Cookin':
The concept of the show is a play on traditional TV cooking shows with dated female stereotypes as hosts. Episode style varies, but most will take place in a kitchen where the host Erica, a manic, 50s style housewife, is constantly interrupted by characters, also played by Erica. For example, one of the episodes is a quesadilla rap where the entire episode is done as a 90’s rap/r&b music video. In another, Erica goes on a field trip to the 99c store to show you how to cheaply stock up on dried goods and spices.
The additional characters featured in KOOKY COOKIN’, are representations of everyone’s inner narration, either interrupting or aiding the cooking process. The characters: Eli, Anna, Erica’s Mom and Vegan Fairy; are embodiments of Erica's own thoughts and opinions of her cooking, ranging from judgement to pure excitement over eating when the munchies kick in. These are universal thoughts that can either keep people from cooking or inspire them to; with the help of characterization, Erica puts these voices into perspective while educating and entertaining viewers.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Paying our Crew
Costs $3,450
We couldn't be more grateful for the crew we have. We want to show them that with a paycheck!
Equipment
Costs $1,000
This will cover our camera, sound & lighting equipment, and all of our props!
Production Needs
Costs $550
We'll be able to feed our crew, cover transportation needs and have an equipped production "office!"
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The Kooky Cookin' crew is a team with experiences ranging from film, music videos, sketch, webseries and feature films. Below you'll find more information about the key players bringing Kooky Cookin' to life!
Erica Dawson - Creator | Writer | Executive Producer | Actor
Erica is a Los Angeles based artist performing standup, comedy songs, characters, sketch and more. She trained at CalArts where she received her BFA in acting and continued her studies at the Groundlings. Erica has traveled around the country performing at festivals like Gilda's Laughfest, Dallas Comedy Festival, and SXSW. You might've seen Erica in things like Laugh After Dark (2018) on Amazon Prime, in Netflix's, Ask the Storybots (2018), and on CONAN in the sketch, "Thanos Butt Jeans"(2018).
Abbie Steckler - Director | Editor
Abbie is a writer and director, originally from Norwalk, Connecticut. First things first, Abbie's philosophy about filmmaking is best summed up by none other than the street artist Banksy - "Film is incredibly democratic and accessible, it's probably the best option if you actually want to change the world, not just re-decorate it.” Some of her recent projects include writing, producing, and directing the comedy web series “A Girl’s Guide to Ghosting” (2018) as well a sci-fi short, "Smile" (2018), and many other digital episodes, music videos and comedy sketches in past years. In addition, over the last half year she has been working as an editor for NBC’s digital department. When she’s not theorizing about film’s power to change the world, Abbie can be found going for long runs, wishing she were skiing, practicing her British accent and not sleeping nearly enough.
Megan Stacey - Director of Photography
Megan Stacey is a Los Angeles based cinematographer with a background in feature films, commercials and music videos. She was born and raised in Sacramento where she discovered her passion for technology and film making. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television in Los Angeles, she completed a number of feature films and series as a cinematographer and 2nd unit cinematographer. In 2014 she was awarded the Ian Connor Cinematography Award, which is presented to an individual who exemplifies passion for the power and beauty of the cinematic image. She has also been a mentee of Bill Bennett, ASC since January 2014 and continues to work closely with him on various projects.
Emily Faris - Producer, Bad Birch Media | Hair & Makeup
Emily is a Swedish-American actor, writer and producer dividing her time between Los Angeles and Stockholm. She is currently in post-production with her passion project, mother daughter , together with her producing partner Michaela Fraboni. Emily holds a BFA in Acting from Califorina Institute of The Arts; her recent acting work as an actor includes the role of Frida in the Swedish feature film, Uppsalakidnappningen. If you're in LA, come see her perform every Monday night with The Pack Theater House improv team, Mama Bird. www.emilyfaris.com.
Michaela Fraboni - Producer, Bad Birch Media
Michaela is an LA based actor & producer. She is currently in post-production for her first project with Emily, short film, mother daughter. She has also produced two plays at The Road Theatre Company in Los Angeles; Sunday Morning by Abigail Carney & Through the Eye of a Needle by Jami Brandli. Acting credits include Bunny in short film Childish Things, and Donna in indie feature Creedmoria. She can also be found playing Tabitha in the web series, A Girl’s Guide to Ghosting. Favorite LA stage credit, Mari in Four Chambers by Lisa Kenner Grissom. Michaela received a Broadway World LA nomination for her work in Broken Fences (2016). Michaela can also be found behind the scenes on production teams, working on commercials around Los Angeles!
Jillian Davis - First Assistant Director
Jillian Davis is a writer, producer, and comedy enthusiast based in LA. Co-creator of The Pemberley Podcast and webseries A Girl’s Guide to Ghosting, she enjoys content rooted in history and classic novels. Jillian currently works for Frolic Media, where she develops content overbrands and targeted book development for the romance community (and if you didn’t understand any of that, she must be doing a great job!!) Jillian spends most of her time reading books, cyberstalking celebrities, and spacing out.
Bretty McCabe - Boom Operator
Brett has worked in heavy metal music videos, fetish videos, the Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction podcast, and is finally ready to tackle a cooking show.
Zeke Duhon - Production Assistant
Zeke is a musician from Tulsa, Oklahoma. After finding success in the MySpace era of music, he headed out to Nashville and signed with Big Deal Media. He's had many placements on commercial and TV such as Cox communications, Lethal Weapon, and Rizzoli & Isles . He's currently working on a new project under the name Sundogs. He's happy to be helping out with such a strong, funny team!
Special thanks to: Hope Jaymes for your generous contribution !
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A note from Kooky Cookin' creator, Erica Dawson: The smell of dough always gets me. My sister and I spent so many days at our nana’s house; a beautiful Mexican woman who taught me how to make a perfect flour tortilla at age seven. I spent a lot of my childhood picking lemons off her tree, making lemonade and smelling all of the chilis she was growing--everything was always fresh! To this day her garden is the most magical place that exists to me. She taught me how to love my food and how to put love into it. She’d quiz my sister and I on what she taught us, asking “Mijas, what are the three most important ingredients in Mexican cooking?” She was waiting for us to say, “onions, garlic, and tomatoes” ...I answered, “onions, garlic, and LARD!” She laughed at my answer although I was wrong; she knew I was paying attention. That’s what we did. We created the most beautiful meals, laughed, and loved, together. And for someone who had a rocky childhood, her home was my safe haven, filled with the creativity and freedom to embrace myself. Comedy is my other love affair but when I started improv at the Groundlings I found that I didn’t trust myself. A teacher asked me where I did trust myself and I knew it was in the kitchen. On the days I’d bomb and start my spiral of self hatred, I’d go into the kitchen and make a meal, proving to myself that I could trust my creative freedom to play. I always tell people my best improvisation is in the kitchen, and it’s true. Because no matter what kitchen I’m in, my nana is there with me in my heart and head, saying “Yes mija, you can!” I’m so happy to bring my two loves together and my dream is to bring as much love and laughter to your kitchens as my nana did for me.
More About Kooky Cookin':
The concept of the show is a play on traditional TV cooking shows with dated female stereotypes as hosts. Episode style varies, but most will take place in a kitchen where the host Erica, a manic, 50s style housewife, is constantly interrupted by characters, also played by Erica. For example, one of the episodes is a quesadilla rap where the entire episode is done as a 90’s rap/r&b music video. In another, Erica goes on a field trip to the 99c store to show you how to cheaply stock up on dried goods and spices.
The additional characters featured in KOOKY COOKIN’, are representations of everyone’s inner narration, either interrupting or aiding the cooking process. The characters: Eli, Anna, Erica’s Mom and Vegan Fairy; are embodiments of Erica's own thoughts and opinions of her cooking, ranging from judgement to pure excitement over eating when the munchies kick in. These are universal thoughts that can either keep people from cooking or inspire them to; with the help of characterization, Erica puts these voices into perspective while educating and entertaining viewers.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Paying our Crew
Costs $3,450
We couldn't be more grateful for the crew we have. We want to show them that with a paycheck!
Equipment
Costs $1,000
This will cover our camera, sound & lighting equipment, and all of our props!
Production Needs
Costs $550
We'll be able to feed our crew, cover transportation needs and have an equipped production "office!"
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The Kooky Cookin' crew is a team with experiences ranging from film, music videos, sketch, webseries and feature films. Below you'll find more information about the key players bringing Kooky Cookin' to life!
Erica Dawson - Creator | Writer | Executive Producer | Actor
Erica is a Los Angeles based artist performing standup, comedy songs, characters, sketch and more. She trained at CalArts where she received her BFA in acting and continued her studies at the Groundlings. Erica has traveled around the country performing at festivals like Gilda's Laughfest, Dallas Comedy Festival, and SXSW. You might've seen Erica in things like Laugh After Dark (2018) on Amazon Prime, in Netflix's, Ask the Storybots (2018), and on CONAN in the sketch, "Thanos Butt Jeans"(2018).
Abbie Steckler - Director | Editor
Abbie is a writer and director, originally from Norwalk, Connecticut. First things first, Abbie's philosophy about filmmaking is best summed up by none other than the street artist Banksy - "Film is incredibly democratic and accessible, it's probably the best option if you actually want to change the world, not just re-decorate it.” Some of her recent projects include writing, producing, and directing the comedy web series “A Girl’s Guide to Ghosting” (2018) as well a sci-fi short, "Smile" (2018), and many other digital episodes, music videos and comedy sketches in past years. In addition, over the last half year she has been working as an editor for NBC’s digital department. When she’s not theorizing about film’s power to change the world, Abbie can be found going for long runs, wishing she were skiing, practicing her British accent and not sleeping nearly enough.
Megan Stacey - Director of Photography
Megan Stacey is a Los Angeles based cinematographer with a background in feature films, commercials and music videos. She was born and raised in Sacramento where she discovered her passion for technology and film making. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television in Los Angeles, she completed a number of feature films and series as a cinematographer and 2nd unit cinematographer. In 2014 she was awarded the Ian Connor Cinematography Award, which is presented to an individual who exemplifies passion for the power and beauty of the cinematic image. She has also been a mentee of Bill Bennett, ASC since January 2014 and continues to work closely with him on various projects.
Emily Faris - Producer, Bad Birch Media | Hair & Makeup
Emily is a Swedish-American actor, writer and producer dividing her time between Los Angeles and Stockholm. She is currently in post-production with her passion project, mother daughter , together with her producing partner Michaela Fraboni. Emily holds a BFA in Acting from Califorina Institute of The Arts; her recent acting work as an actor includes the role of Frida in the Swedish feature film, Uppsalakidnappningen. If you're in LA, come see her perform every Monday night with The Pack Theater House improv team, Mama Bird. www.emilyfaris.com.
Michaela Fraboni - Producer, Bad Birch Media
Michaela is an LA based actor & producer. She is currently in post-production for her first project with Emily, short film, mother daughter. She has also produced two plays at The Road Theatre Company in Los Angeles; Sunday Morning by Abigail Carney & Through the Eye of a Needle by Jami Brandli. Acting credits include Bunny in short film Childish Things, and Donna in indie feature Creedmoria. She can also be found playing Tabitha in the web series, A Girl’s Guide to Ghosting. Favorite LA stage credit, Mari in Four Chambers by Lisa Kenner Grissom. Michaela received a Broadway World LA nomination for her work in Broken Fences (2016). Michaela can also be found behind the scenes on production teams, working on commercials around Los Angeles!
Jillian Davis - First Assistant Director
Jillian Davis is a writer, producer, and comedy enthusiast based in LA. Co-creator of The Pemberley Podcast and webseries A Girl’s Guide to Ghosting, she enjoys content rooted in history and classic novels. Jillian currently works for Frolic Media, where she develops content overbrands and targeted book development for the romance community (and if you didn’t understand any of that, she must be doing a great job!!) Jillian spends most of her time reading books, cyberstalking celebrities, and spacing out.
Bretty McCabe - Boom Operator
Brett has worked in heavy metal music videos, fetish videos, the Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction podcast, and is finally ready to tackle a cooking show.
Zeke Duhon - Production Assistant
Zeke is a musician from Tulsa, Oklahoma. After finding success in the MySpace era of music, he headed out to Nashville and signed with Big Deal Media. He's had many placements on commercial and TV such as Cox communications, Lethal Weapon, and Rizzoli & Isles . He's currently working on a new project under the name Sundogs. He's happy to be helping out with such a strong, funny team!
Special thanks to: Hope Jaymes for your generous contribution !