KICKSTARTER

Hey everybody, my name is Kevin Avery. I’m a stand up comedian and writer, and I’m working on my latest short film, a comedy called Thugs, The Musical.

“Wait a minute, Kevin…Thugs? Musicals? What is this movie even about?” Glad you asked, Fictitious Person I Just Made Up. Thugs, The Musical is about Michael Gardner, a mediocre, slightly delusional, and very “non-urban” black actor in Hollywood who, after years of auditioning but not being considered “black enough” to be cast in any of the roles that his fellow black actors have been getting - the Gangsta, the fast-talking Sidekick, the one doomed Black Guy at the party in the horror movie - decides to write, direct, and star in his own theater production – an epically bad play called Thugs, The Musical – to show Hollywood (and the world) that he, too, can “act black”.

The film, shot as a faux documentary, chronicles the making of the play, from rehearsals through its disastrous opening week, and spotlights a well meaning, but horribly inept cast performing musical numbers like “Who’s That Keepin’ It Real?”, “Drive-By” and “Oh No She Di-in’t” in what may possibly be the worst musical ever conceived.

“Yeah, but Kevin, why is this film such a big deal for you?” Thanks again, Fictitious Guy. I’ll tell you: Instead of shooting this guerilla-style with no budget, like my previous shorts, we’re actually bringing in a full crew and cast and doing it all grown up-like. I’ve even managed to get some big-time, fancy actors like David Alan Grier (Chocolate News, In Living Color), Margaret Cho (Drop Dead Diva), Rachel True (Half & Half, The Craft), and Prodigal Sunn from the Wu Tang Clan, along with actor/comedians Baron Vaughn (Fairly Legal) and W. Kamau Bell (Comedy Central) to appear in the film. On top of that, Liam Sullivan, the director/creator of the very funny and very popular Shoes and Let Me Borrow That Top music videos, will be directing!

“Okay, that does sound pretty hilarious, but why in the world should I donate?” Calm down, Fake Guy In My Head - there are lots of reasons. Aside from the coolness of bringing this project to the light of day, there are all these fun, kickass, and neat-o gifts you can get for donating. Just check out the column on the right...

Besides, aren’t you just a little bit curious to see what a thuggish, gangsta-lookin’ dude singing Broadway-style tunes looks like? Me too!

If I reach my goal by the deadline, my project will be funded, you will get stuff, this movie will get made, and all will be right in the world. If I do not reach my goal, I will get nothing, and you won’t be charged anything, but you will also not receive any of the sweet-ass prizes mentioned above, and I will be forced to go to plan B: making sweaters for cats to fund this film. I don’t even own any yarn; it’ll be a disaster.

Thank you for checking out my Kickstarter project and for any support you can give! And if you can, please spread the word about this project or send this link to your friends, lovers, enemies and anyone who loves getting stuff!