Follow 6th grade Emma in her quest to uncover the secrets behind the BIRDS and the BEES.
Project Description
Hey, I'm Audrey Jones. I have written a short film where I play a 12 year old girl named Emma.
Emma goes to Middle School. Recently Emma has noticed that there are some things going on. Weird things. Like, boys – they used to be just stupid and silly, but now . . . ah, they are passing notes to her in the middle of class. Ummmm . . . how to respond? What box to check ("yes", "no" or "maybe")?
So, Emma has lots of questions – about – you guessed it:
And THAT is the subject of my coming of age short comedic film.
Follow me – as Emma – a normal volleyball-playing, math-hating, Netflix-streaming 6th grader, in my quest to uncover the secrets behind the birds and the bees.
There is Sara, her BFF; her older sister, Janine (and the boyfriend, Kirk).
Emma even tries her science teacher, Mrs. Staussenhagen (really?? no 6th grader should have to say that last name). And (as a last resort) she seeks answers from her mom and dad . . .plus a few others.
Spoiler Alert: It is really hard to get a straight answer from ANYONE about this subject matter.
Well, there are a lot of reasons. First of all, it will be fun. It's cool to write a story and create a character. It's also fun to work with a group of people to make a story come to life.
I'm also going to learn a lot about writing a script, producing and editing a film and – gulp – working within a budget to get a project done. My mom says these are all good life lessons (particularly that last one).
We may try to submit the film to some festivals as well. It will also make really great "demo reel" for me and the other local actors that are featured in the film – casting directors love a good demo.
Maybe I'll write and produce more short films -- even make a career out of it.
Who knows where this might lead.
With all that being said -- here is another question:
We are trying to raise $6,000 to cover production costs and expenses. Here is how we think our expenses will break down:
We hope to be able to get by without paying any location fees and right now we are not planning on paying any of our actors. We wish we could, so we will use any extra funds we raise that way.
Thanks everyone! I hope you join us to discover all about
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Here are some FAQs about THE BIRDS AND THE BEES:
WHEN will this happen?
We plan to film in Raleigh NC in mid-October (during a school break). Of course, that could change if someone gets a "real (i.e., paying gig)" or other conflicts arise. But that’s the current plan and we definitely will do it this year. As soon as we can.
WHY use iFundWomen to host this campaign?
We chose iFundWomen because – well, duh – because we are women! And iFW has a really unique "pay-it-forward" model. iFW directly reinvests 20% of its profits into active campaigns on the iFW platform. They also offer additional services like crowdfunding coaching, marketing advice and video production to help you succeed.
iFundWomen has also just launched a program targeting women-led companies here in the Raleigh-Durham area. http://beta.ifundwomen.com/raleigh The Birds and the Bees campaign is the FIRST to launch in the iFW Raleigh-Durham cohort.
WHO is on my team?
Director and Co-Writer -- Estes Tarver.
Fans of "Under the Dome" may recognize Estes as the pig farmer who got electrified under a tractor in Season 2 -- I am happy to report that he is alive and well. Estes (aka "Mr. Taco" and "Mr. Moonlight") is the Artistic Director at Moonlight Stage Company in Raleigh. And he's been my acting coach for a really long time. Estes has tons of experience in front of and behind the camera (see his IMBD page) – his most recent full length feature film CHANGEOVER has won tons of film festival awards. He helped me write the script and is going to direct and help me edit the film.
Crowdfunding Campaign Coordinator and Co-Producer – Benji Jones
Benji's my mom. She's also an actress but works as a lawyer as her "day job." Benji advises start-ups and small business on a lot of legal issues they face – she knows a ton about investment crowdfunding – which is a lot like what I am doing on iFundWomen, but just more regulated (or at least that's what Mom says).
Co-Producer – Gene Jones
Gene is my dad. He's also a lawyer here in Raleigh. He does tons to support me and my brother, Alex, in everything we try to do in life.
Crowdfunding Coach – Karen Cahn
Karen is my crowdfunding coach. She's really cool – but her business is cooler. She runs iFundWomen.com. iFundWomen is a new crowdfunding platform for women-led startups and small businesses. Their mission is: To close the funding gap for female entrepreneurs so they can get their businesses off the ground.
WHO else is involved?
Stay tuned and I will introduce more of our CAST and CREW!
(It could also include YOU if you pick the right perk!)
Thanks everyone! I hope you join us to discover all about
Congrats! You are officially my true friend because you took the time to contribute to my campaign.
Hey friend! I will shout you out on social media as BIRDSnBEES supporter to thank you for your generosity.
Awesome! We will put your name in the credits to thank you for your support!
You get your name in the credits and we will send you a digital copy of the film.
You will get your name in the credits and a digital copy, but also get access to a rough cut of the bloopers and behind the scenes footage.
In addition to the BEE-hind the Scenes perks -- you or your favorite tween can be an extra (non-speaking role) in the film. (Must be local to Raleigh NC, we cannot pay for travel -- sorry!) LIMITED TO FIRST 20 TAKERS. MIDDLE SCHOOL TALENT PREFERRED (unless you want to play the custodial engineer)
In addition to the BEE-hind the Scenes perks, you send us your biggest "question about life" and Emma and her friends, family and teachers will improv an answer in our credits.
We will feature your name, or business, in some juicy "gossip" -- don't worry, this is a PG film and you will look like the coolest girl EVER! ONE SPOT ONLY!
You get all of the BEE-hind the Scenes stuff but are also featured as one of our Co-Producers.
You get all of the BEE-hind the Scenes stuff but are also featured as the BIRDSnBEES EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. You can also pick any one of the extra's under BEE A Star, Ask the BIRDSnBEES or BEE The "IT" Girl. ONLY ONE SPOT
Rewards
Congrats! You are officially my true friend because you took the time to contribute to my campaign.
Hey friend! I will shout you out on social media as BIRDSnBEES supporter to thank you for your generosity.
Awesome! We will put your name in the credits to thank you for your support!
You get your name in the credits and we will send you a digital copy of the film.
You will get your name in the credits and a digital copy, but also get access to a rough cut of the bloopers and behind the scenes footage.
In addition to the BEE-hind the Scenes perks -- you or your favorite tween can be an extra (non-speaking role) in the film. (Must be local to Raleigh NC, we cannot pay for travel -- sorry!) LIMITED TO FIRST 20 TAKERS. MIDDLE SCHOOL TALENT PREFERRED (unless you want to play the custodial engineer)
In addition to the BEE-hind the Scenes perks, you send us your biggest "question about life" and Emma and her friends, family and teachers will improv an answer in our credits.
We will feature your name, or business, in some juicy "gossip" -- don't worry, this is a PG film and you will look like the coolest girl EVER! ONE SPOT ONLY!
You get all of the BEE-hind the Scenes stuff but are also featured as one of our Co-Producers.
You get all of the BEE-hind the Scenes stuff but are also featured as the BIRDSnBEES EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. You can also pick any one of the extra's under BEE A Star, Ask the BIRDSnBEES or BEE The "IT" Girl. ONLY ONE SPOT