About this project
They're back...and they're in trouble...again! It's THAT time of the month...Yep!...It's April...prom! But any old dress...just...won't...do. This Fall, Sarah and Brenda are on a mission that can only be described as...OMG SQUARED!
"Nothing But Besties: The Prom Dress" is the follow up to the 2010 award winning dark comedy short "Nothing But Besties". When Sarah and Brenda, two Beverly Hills High School BFFs, break into Paris Hilton's house to "borrow" prom dresses, they come to find that, in the real world, entitlement isn't a given and silver spoons don't get you very far. Avoiding the po-po (the police in Sarah and Brenda's world), suffering a set back from a "wanna-be" boyfriend and coping with the most disastrous bit of information of the evening, Sarah and Brenda must put their differences aside and work together to come out of the night scratch free. OMG! Totes poss!
"Nothing But Besties" was a 2010 winner of Best Screenplay (Matt Ryan) and Best Actress (Nichole Otero) at the 10th Annual Duke City Shootout. It has gone on to win at the 2011 Best Shorts Competition, become a 2nd Round Finalist at the 2011 Dances With Films Independent Film Festival and a Quarter-Finalist in the 2011 Fade In Awards. The screenplay was an Official Selection of the 2011 Beverly Hills Film Festival.
“Nothing But Besties: The Prom Dress” is a short film project I plan on shooting over four days in October 2011. It is the follow up to the original “Nothing But Besties”, which originated as a one act play in 2009 and was shot as a short film in 2010. From the moment I first put the words down on page on the original “Besties” I fell in love with these characters. To see them grow and live the many adventures with them that I have has been a very gratifying experience. The more I continue to explore through these two characters and their journeys, the more I discover their world and their actions, the more I learn about our world and my life. It’s funny to say such a thing, learning through two fictional self-involved Beverly Hills High School BFFs, but they are an expression of myself. OMG! Am I really and self-involved Beverly Hills High School girl?!
In addition to a professional cast and crew, I intend to hire youth interested in filmmaking from underserved communities through a local non-profit organization I work for as department head assistants and production assistants in order to give them real world, on set experience.
While several individuals have given me a good start with their contributions as seed money, I still need your generous support to raise the $15,000 needed to make this professional level production an actuality. The film will be shot over four nights in October under a Screen Actor's Guild Short Film Agreement with a cast and crew of 15 paid individuals and a few youth volunteers. Every little bit counts, and 100% of the contributions will go directly into the production of the short--$10 will pay for a dedicated cast or crew member's meal for one day; $50 will cover the cost of one hour of editing; $100 will cover the cost per day of a talented and dedicated cast or crew member's labor; $150 will cover the cost of copies for scripts and call sheets for the entire shoot; $250 will cover the cost of the location for one day; $300 will cover the cost of the cinematographer and his equipment for one day; $350 will cover the cost of general liability insurance for one day; $1000 will cover the cost of the grip and electrical truck for the entire four night shoot; and $1500 will secure state-of -the-art facilities at Universal Studios to complete the sound editing on the film.
It is my intention to package both shorts with the feature screenplay in an effort to draw interest for the feature version of "Nothing But Besties". What is the feature version about? Well, listen to Jefferson Starship's "Good Heart" and that should give you an idea!
Please take the time to visit the website before making your decision to pledge!
Click here for the teaser trailer.
FAQ
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The role of "Brenda" will be played by Nina Harada, the original "Brenda" from the World Premiere stage version, directed by Matt Ryan.
BIO:
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Nina first studied acting at Theatricum Botanicum in high school, leading her to study theater with the Atlantic Theater Co. at NYU. She then moved to the Bay Area and continued acting while obtaining her BA in English from UC Berkeley.Upon graduation she trained at A.C.T. and joined PianoFight Theater Co., voted by SF Weekly as the Best Up-and-Coming Theater Company. After theater in SF ("Lysistrata," "La Casa de Bernarda Alba," SF Comedy Fest), she moved back to LA, where, in addition to acting, she heads up the LA branch of PianoFight, producing, directing and acting in new work out of Theater Asylum. She is a company member of Theater of NOTE, most recently seen in "Skeleton Stories".
She just finished filming a new SAG Web Series “Ruth and Lori” and an indie feature "Spooks”. She produced successful World Premiere stage comedy "Slumpbuster", directed by Matt Ryan. When she is not acting, writing or producing she is directing high school theater in Calabasas. www.NinaHarada.com
________________________________The role of "Sarah" is scheduled to be reprised by Caitlin Ribbans. She was most recently seen in The Disney Channel film "Lemonade Mouth". (Bio coming soon)
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"Nothing But Besties" was originally written as a one act for the stage. It had its World Premiere in 2010 as part of the nation's largest audience judged play writing competition, PianoFight Production's ShortLived Play Writing Competition.
From there, it was adapted into a short screenplay and produced in the Summer of 2010 by the Digital Filmmaking Institute as part of the 10th annual Duke City Shootout in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
"Nothing But Besties" follows the adventures of two privileged Beverly Hills High School BFFs as they maneuver through what they think is a life that should come to them on a silver platter. In truth, these girls are their own worst enemies, but somehow they manage to avoid the damage they leave in their wake.
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Line Producer / 1st AD - William Folger (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1647865/)
William Folger has been working as a video producer and director over 6 years as President and CEO of Industree Entertainment, Inc., with several years working below-the-line in the entertainment industry before that. He has produced and executive produced various scripted web series and short films and has produced and directed approximately 150 webisodes and several live concert video performances for the music industry. Artists William has worked with and for include: Amy Winehouse, Lil Wayne, Tori Amos, Blue October, Nelly, Alter Bridge, Vanessa Carlton, Jessie J, Kanye West, Estelle, John Legend, B.o.B., Obituary, Morbid Angel, Death Angel, and many, many more. William has video production, A&R, and executive level contacts at Universal Motown, Universal Republic, Warner Bros. Australia, Warner Music Group, Atlantic Records, Hasbro, Scion, and many other labels and corporations. www.youtube.com/industreeent
Costume Designer - Liz Dickson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4061817/)
(Bio Coming Soon)
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
6
Backers
$275
pledged of $15,000 goal
Funding Canceled
Funding for this project was canceled by the project creator on August 23, 2011.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
BITCHIN'! All those who pledge a minimum of $25 will receive a signed “Thank You” note from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, as well as a "Special Thanks" credit 1/2 the size of the cast in the end titles and a "Special Thanks" credit on IMDb!
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
TOTALLY BITCHIN'! All those who invest a minimum of $50 will receive ONE FREE DVD copy with a signed “Thank You” note from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, as well as a "Special Thanks" credit 1/2 the size of the cast in the end titles and a "Special Thanks" credit on IMDb!
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
EXTREMELY BITCHIN'! All those who pledge a minimum of $100 will receive ONE FREE DVD copy with a signed “Thank You” note from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, a Scrapbook of the shoot, as well as a "Special Thanks" credit 1/2 the size of the cast in the end titles and a "Special Thanks" credit on IMDb!!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
BEYOND EXTREMELY BITCHIN'! All those who pledge a minimum of $250 will receive ONE FREE DVD copy with a signed “Thank You” note from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, a Scrapbook of the shoot, as well as a "Special Thanks" credit equal to the size of the cast in the end titles and a "Special Thanks" credit on IMDb!!
Pledge $350 or more Pledge $350 or more
OUT OF THIS WORLD! All those who pledge a minimum of $350 will receive ONE FREE DVD copy with a signed “Thank You” note from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, a Scrapbook of the shoot, an autographed copy of the screenplay, an official movie poster, as well as a "Special Thanks" credit equal to the size of the cast in the end titles and a "Special Thanks" credit on IMDb!!
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
MIND BLOWING OUT OF THIS WORLD! All those who pledge a minimum of $500 will receive ONE FREE DVD copy with a signed “Thank You” note from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, a Scrapbook of the shoot, an autographed copy of the screenplay, an autographed official movie poster, as well as a "Special Thanks" credit equal to the size of the cast in the end titles and a "Special Thanks" credit on IMDb!!
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
A CLOSET FULL OF GIVENCY! All those who pledge a minimum of $1000 will receive ONE FREE DVD copy with a personalized video “Thank You” from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, a Scrapbook of the shoot, an autographed copy of the screenplay, an autographed official movie poster, as well as a "Special Thanks" credit equal to the size of the cast on an individual card in the end titles and a "Special Thanks" credit on IMDb!!
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
OMG!! All those who pledge a minimum of $1500 will receive ONE FREE DVD copy with a personalized video “Thank You” from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, a Scrapbook of the shoot, an autographed copy of the screenplay, an autographed official movie poster, as well as a "Associate Producer" (in lieu of a "Special Thanks") credit equal to the size of the cast on both the film and on IMDb!! (Please note, credits are in name only).
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
OMG SQAURED!! All those who pledge a minimum of $2500 will receive ONE FREE DVD copy with a personalized video “Thank You” from the director and cast, a “Prom Invitation” you can proudly display on the wall or throw in the keepsake album, a Scrapbook of the shoot, an autographed copy of the screenplay, an autographed official movie poster, as well as an "Executive Producer" (in lieu of a "Special Thanks") credit equal to the size of the cast on both the film and on IMDb!! (Please note, credits are in name only).
Project By
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Writer/Director Matt Ryan has spent almost 15 years in the entertainment industry, having worked in every aspect--from management to development to production to acting, writing, directing and producing film and theater.
A veteran improv and sketch comedy performer (and writer), Matt has studied at both The Groundlings LA and the Upright Citizens Brigade. His directorial credits include Laundry and Bourbon, Lone Star, Tales of an Unsettled City: Revelations, Slumpbuster and the original sketch comedy series Waiting for Lorne Michaels (which he also created and wrote).
In the summer of 2010 he directed his original short "Nothing But Besties" as part of the 10th Annual Duke City Shootout, where it garnered awards for Best Screenplay and Best Actress. The screenplay, has gone on to become an Official Selection of the Beverly Hills Film Festival and, the film, a winner in the Best Shorts Competition.
An actor in over two dozen stage productions, his resume includes such well received performances as “Mortimer Brewster” in Arsenic and Old Lace, “Jonathan Harker” in Steven Dietz’s Dracula (where he met Producer William Folger), “Michael Lundeen” in Phil Olson’s original comedy A Nice Family Gathering, and "Peter Marriott" in The Sound of Murder (which he also produced).
His favorite shows are LOST, Seinfeld, Welcome Back Kotter, Good Times, Cheers and Wings. His favorite color is blue.
