SuperZero
by Brandon Hall
SuperZero
by Brandon Hall
When a 35 year-old schlub tries to kill himself by leaping from the roof of a skyscraper only to land unharmed, he is forced to embrace his role as an invincible superhero in order to protect the ones he loves, but also to get his best friend to shut up about being a superhero duo, already.
When a 35 year-old schlub tries to kill himself by leaping from the roof of a skyscraper only to land unharmed, he is forced to embrace his role as an invincible superhero in order to protect the ones he loves, but also to get his best friend to shut up about being a superhero duo, already.
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Story
About The Project
I'm telling the story of Derek Dolor and Leon deLeon because it's the greatest story ever told about a schlubby IT Manager who tries to kill himself only to discover that he can't, and now has to be a superhero instead. I know it's a story as old as time, and you might think "God, not another IT Manager tries to kill himself turns into a superhero story," but I promise that you have never seen anything quite like this before. Our superhero wears a picnic blanket for a cape. And a mask made out of duct tape. And that's just a couple of the many new twists we're bringing to this old tale. Something you should know about me is that I have a deep seeded love of bad movies. You know the kind I'm talking about. Over the top, absurd premise, terrible dialogue, groan-worthy one-liners, yet still somehow oddly and wonderfully engaging. In particular, I love action movies that don't take themselves too seriously, or seriously at all. Con-Air. Point Break. Roadhouse. Pretty much anything with Patrick Swayze or Nick Cage. Now, SuperZero is not going to qualify as a "bad movie/series." It's dialogue is intentionally funny, as opposed to unintentionally so. It's incredibly self-aware, in fact, often parodyzing bad action films. It's also not an out and out action genre series. It has a good amount of action, but that's the bread around the mundane meat of a guy who would really like to do without the whole "great power equals great responsibility" bit. Who wants responsibility?
Yet the series is intrinsically bound by my cinematic loves. Imagine if Michael Bay were to direct an episode of The Office! That's the kind of thing we're trying to do with SuperZero. It's big and bold, the world around Derek completely over the top, while Derek, himself, looks on incredulously. Sure, he's the one with invincibility, but everyone else has just gone completely crazy!
Everything about this project is big. From the sets, to the jokes, to the music, to the main character. We're talking Alaska big, here. (Sorry, puny Texas.) I really hope and believe that this is the kind of story that will keep you coming back for more. It's like a bag of salty potato chips - irresistible, and there's probably something in them somewhere that's good for you. Starch is important, right?
In all sincerity, I can't think of anything quite like this project. I'm even a little shocked, myself, by the fertile soil this premise has created. We just keep coming up with funny idea after funny idea - twists and characters and plots. I've never been more excited about a story I managed to invent myself. I hope it's as much fun to watch as it has been to create.
Incentives
$1
Karma and crap-tons of gratitude. You're the best! Seriously thank you and we love you and good things are coming your way. I'ma give you a shoutout on Facebook, too, for what it's worth.$20
Private video link to Leon throwing bricks at the writers. At the heart of SuperZero is the deep desire to make everyone laugh. And nothing incites laughter like violence! Just kidding! Or am I? It's a dark world we live in. I'm not gonna sugar coat it for you. I'm sorry, did this get too real?$30
Superhero wake up call from Derek or Leon. There are days when we don’t feel super. Use this call to get you going the right way. Just...no jumping off buildings, k? Unless you're a B.A.S.E. jumper. In which case, Geronimo!
$50
Your choice of any or all of the above. Plus, a big THANK YOU in the credits. AND a video link to a table read of the entire first season!
$75
Any and all of the above plus...Brandon will fly around his bedroom in a cape singing your name. What he's wearing besides the cape is yet to be determined. Self explanatory reward.
$90
We will record and send you a personalized, behind the scenes video from set. We can also send prank videos. Or take requests. We'll work with you. We'll make it exactly as uncomfortable as you desire!
$100
Get a henchman named after you. Episode 3 features a lineup of absurd, cliched henchmen/women...henchpeople. The sociopath, the cannibal, the dominatrix, the flamingo dancer, the clown, the suit. We promise to come up with a fitting, nonsensical hench-name that you will be able to use until the end of your days. "Brad The Snaggle Toothed Fungus Fister" "Jessica The Leather Bound Booktress of Bedlam" Think of the possibilities! Marvel at your dopple-henchperson on screen!
$125
Come be an extra on set! We'd love to hang out with you and get you on camera. Look, I don't want to say anything about the cast here, but suffice it to say, we could use a good looking person like yourself.
$150
You're a hero! You know what you need? You need a costume! I'm gonna make you a duct tape and shoestring mask just like Derek's. Wear it everywhere your heroics are called for. Mowing the lawn. Picking up the kids. PTA meetings. Asking for a raise. Of course, if you're wearing the mask when you walk into your boss's office, you won't even have to ask. BOOM.
$175
That's it! You're officially in an episode with lines and everything. We'll put you on the call sheet, give you a call time - don't be late! - send you straight to hair and makeup, and rush you to set. You're no extra. You're a day player. Soak. It. Up.
$200
Brandon or another writer of your choosing will come be your hypeman at an event. You will be the baddest mother in that joint, by god. Prepare to be hyped! Flava Flav ain't got nothing on me!
$350
The Hero’s Call - Brandon will cook you dinner. Brandon’s diet basically makes him a superhero. The elimination of everything not healthy has brought his system to within an inch of perfection. Consider this meal your second step to becoming a superhero as well. (First step is the mask. Third step is the booze.)
$500
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER - you're invited to set, the wrap party, the premiere party, karaoke at Ian's. Really, whatever the SuperZero team does, you get the invite. You're an Associate Producer. It's in the credits and everything.
$1,000
You've just signed on as an Executive Producer – We call you, we talk, you make some decisions that go into the show. You hear that? The show is yours! Sort of. But your voice will be heard! Want Derek to leap from the Hindenburg? Done! Want Leon to sword fight with Inigo Montoya? Done! We will hear all of those suggestions! And your name will appear on a card at the end of each episode as an Executive Producer. Bad. Ass.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$1
Karma and crap-tons of gratitude. You're the best! Seriously thank you and we love you and good things are coming your way. I'ma give you a shoutout on Facebook, too, for what it's worth.$20
Private video link to Leon throwing bricks at the writers. At the heart of SuperZero is the deep desire to make everyone laugh. And nothing incites laughter like violence! Just kidding! Or am I? It's a dark world we live in. I'm not gonna sugar coat it for you. I'm sorry, did this get too real?$30
Superhero wake up call from Derek or Leon. There are days when we don’t feel super. Use this call to get you going the right way. Just...no jumping off buildings, k? Unless you're a B.A.S.E. jumper. In which case, Geronimo!
$50
Your choice of any or all of the above. Plus, a big THANK YOU in the credits. AND a video link to a table read of the entire first season!
$75
Any and all of the above plus...Brandon will fly around his bedroom in a cape singing your name. What he's wearing besides the cape is yet to be determined. Self explanatory reward.
$90
We will record and send you a personalized, behind the scenes video from set. We can also send prank videos. Or take requests. We'll work with you. We'll make it exactly as uncomfortable as you desire!
$100
Get a henchman named after you. Episode 3 features a lineup of absurd, cliched henchmen/women...henchpeople. The sociopath, the cannibal, the dominatrix, the flamingo dancer, the clown, the suit. We promise to come up with a fitting, nonsensical hench-name that you will be able to use until the end of your days. "Brad The Snaggle Toothed Fungus Fister" "Jessica The Leather Bound Booktress of Bedlam" Think of the possibilities! Marvel at your dopple-henchperson on screen!
$125
Come be an extra on set! We'd love to hang out with you and get you on camera. Look, I don't want to say anything about the cast here, but suffice it to say, we could use a good looking person like yourself.
$150
You're a hero! You know what you need? You need a costume! I'm gonna make you a duct tape and shoestring mask just like Derek's. Wear it everywhere your heroics are called for. Mowing the lawn. Picking up the kids. PTA meetings. Asking for a raise. Of course, if you're wearing the mask when you walk into your boss's office, you won't even have to ask. BOOM.
$175
That's it! You're officially in an episode with lines and everything. We'll put you on the call sheet, give you a call time - don't be late! - send you straight to hair and makeup, and rush you to set. You're no extra. You're a day player. Soak. It. Up.
$200
Brandon or another writer of your choosing will come be your hypeman at an event. You will be the baddest mother in that joint, by god. Prepare to be hyped! Flava Flav ain't got nothing on me!
$350
The Hero’s Call - Brandon will cook you dinner. Brandon’s diet basically makes him a superhero. The elimination of everything not healthy has brought his system to within an inch of perfection. Consider this meal your second step to becoming a superhero as well. (First step is the mask. Third step is the booze.)
$500
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER - you're invited to set, the wrap party, the premiere party, karaoke at Ian's. Really, whatever the SuperZero team does, you get the invite. You're an Associate Producer. It's in the credits and everything.
$1,000
You've just signed on as an Executive Producer – We call you, we talk, you make some decisions that go into the show. You hear that? The show is yours! Sort of. But your voice will be heard! Want Derek to leap from the Hindenburg? Done! Want Leon to sword fight with Inigo Montoya? Done! We will hear all of those suggestions! And your name will appear on a card at the end of each episode as an Executive Producer. Bad. Ass.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Brandon Hall - Creator, Show-Runner, Director - Brandon Hall was born in Iowa and raised in central Pennsylvania. He studied Film and English and graduated with honors from the University of Michigan. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles and by the age of 24, was an Associate Producer for the feature film, Linewatch. Over the years he has become a bit of a renaissance man, writing, directing, producing, editing, ADing, and acting in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials. His screenplays and films have been featured in festivals around the country and have won numerous awards. His essays and cultural criticism have appeared in Slate, The Black Maria, AudioVole, and CC2K. He's currently pursuing his MFA at the University of Southern California.
Mitch Yapko - Producer - Born in the bitter wastelands of the Far East (commonly known as Queens, NY) and schooled at Boston University, it wasn't until his cross-country trek to the West (inspired by Lewis and Clark and Mel Brooks) that he discovered his true passion: directing. After his first film directing experience (with co-director Allen Rueckert), he was hooked. Realizing that directing and producing were what he loved and what he was passionate about, and what he was actually quite good at, he's spent the better part of the past decade constantly learning, continuously moving forward, and always remembering to have fun. And creating some pretty cool stuff along the way. One of his most recent short films, SMILF, which he produced, won the Jury Prize at Sundance earlier this year.
Ian McClellan - Writer, Associate Producer - Michael Fassbender said in an interview for his independent comedy movie Frank: "...when people laugh they open up so they're more willing to go somewhere." Ian considers himself to be somewhat of a SuperZero, himself -- sometimes a hero, sometimes a loser, unfortunately not as funny, but he does what he can. He got his start in filmmaking on the 2012 Sundance-winning and Academy-Award-nominated film, Beasts of the Southern Wild the documentary, The Battle of AmfAR, about AIDS research, for Academy-Award winning directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. He's currently pursuing his MFA in Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California.
Jessy Leigh - Writer - Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Jessy attended The Ohio State University and the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts before moving to Los Angeles where she has excelled as a writer and actress, helming films like Letters to R, which won an Audience Award at the Local Muscle Film Festival in Portland, Maine, Goodbye, Ohio, and, most recently, her own superhero tale, Super Forked. Jessy is all about that superhero life. She's also very much about dinosaurs and Andy Samberg.
Arbel Kodesh - Writer - Arbel didn't send me a bio. Even after asking for one multiple times. He went to Stanford as an undergrad and just graduated from USC with an MFA in Writing for Screen and Television. Dude is mad funny. But not so timely with the email responses.
John Blakeslee - Writer - John has been competing with Arbel throughout the process regarding who can be the most negligent. They are currently tied. John is also an extremely funny writer currently pursuing his MFA in Writing for Screen and Television at USC. Like Arbel, he neglected to send me his bio. He's relatively young, depending on your age. To a ten year old, he would be quite old, indeed. He's about 5'7 or 5'8. Blond hair. That's about all I got.
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