Kickstarter

I've loved movies all my life, and I've long wanted to get my feet wet in the world of directing. Unfortunately, there was always a negative voice within me saying that I wouldn't be up to the task – that I wouldn't succeed.

So this summer, I'm telling that voice to pipe the heck down. I have written the short film (and my directoral debut), You're Dead To Me. I am also acting as producer. This short will serve as a learning experience for myself and the many talented people in my crew (all of whom are working pro bono, bless their hearts), and I intend to submit the final product to film festivals.

"SO WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THIS?"

As Judy accuses Tom of being oblivious to the circumstances, he becomes increasingly defensive. Finally, the source of Judy’s annoyance dawns upon Tom. Raising his previously out-of-view left hand, Tom asks...

You'll have to see the film to know what happens next, but the situation (ahem) deteriorates.

"WHAT IS MY CASH GOING TOWARDS, ANYWAY?"

–Equipment Rentals. We want the production value to be as close to top-notch as is humanly (or inhumanly) possible.

–Liability and Rental Insurance. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. That, and it's mandatory to rent equipment and secure locations in LA.

–Securing a Location. I'm shooting at a real coffee shop, so I throw some scratch their way for their generosity / Internet / electricity usage.

–Art Department and Make-Up Materials. I want the zombie effects in this film to look good. Like, Tom Savini good. I got just the man to do it, too (More on cast and crew in a bit).

–Food and Coffee. We're all working for free, and the shoots will be late-night (during the coffee shop's closed hours). Least I can do is ensure that we all have full stomachs and open eyes.

"WHO ALL IS ON THIS COCKAMAMIE PROJECT?"

Dillon is a Los Angeles-based performer who founded A Box of Scraps, a comedy troupe whose YouTube page has received almost a million views.

Cole is a comedienne in UCLA's MFA program for Screenwriting with a strong background in improv and sketch comedy acting.

Max is a longtime photographer and UC Berkeley Film graduate who is currently earning an MFA in Cinematography from Chapman University.

Frank is a VFX makeup artist for the Reign of Terror Haunted House and is an owner of Above The Line Effects, a VFX house in Canoga Park, CA. He has extensive experience in both film and live performance pieces.

Francesca is an artist and photographer living in West LA. She majored in Film at UC Berkeley and has experience storyboarding for independent films and videogames. She can also bench-press 350lbs (I know, I was surprised too).

I'm the dude typing this right now – fourth wall breakage!

"YA GOT ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY?"

I've worked on film sets and in post-production offices, and I'm thrilled to finally have the chance to start putting my own creative visions onscreen. If you can help me out, I'll make sure that your good deed goes rewarded (unlike that jerk who said, "No good deed goes unpunished." The hell was he talking about?)

Thanks for your support. You rock,

Patrick Owens.