Follow the beaten path or the one less traveled? Life presents us many opportunities to explore this question, but every person’s journey towards a more authentic self is different. Our latest set of crowdfunding picks each depict a unique perspective on finding and standing up for one’s own truth in the midst of competing expectations.
A coming of age short inspired by the life of creator Carly Usdin, “Muscle Memory” features a queer Latina protagonist who copes with a recent obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis by performing magic tricks. “Lorene’s Gotta Boogie,” focuses on a young woman finding herself, too. The short film is about a first-generation Filipina American woman with an obsession for dancing to soul music — much to her immigrant parents’ dismay.
“Unstuck” is a comedic web series — penned by two 20-somethings in Dallas — about a young college grad’s discouraging career prospects. Also a web series, “Quiero” is a “live your best life” talk show and podcast that features interviews with a diverse group of Latinx interviewees.
Finally, “Personhood” examines what happens when women’s truths and needs are ignored. At a time when 38 states across the country have laws that protect the rights of fetuses with little regard for the person bearing the child, “Personhood” asks the question: “Should the state have the power to police pregnant women?”
Here is our latest round of women-created and women-centric crowdfunding picks.
“Muscle Memory” (Short) — Written and Directed by Carly Usdin
In the midst of a college student’s normal period of self-discovery, the main character in Carly Usdin’s “Muscle Memory,” to be played by actress Victoria Ortiz, is challenged by an obsessive compulsive disorder diagnosis and an unrequited crush on her dorm-mate. So she turns to learning and performing magic tricks as a way to cope.
Inspired by films including “Adventureland,” “Sleight,” “Empire Records,” “But I’m a Cheerleader,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and “Scott Pilgrim vs The World,” Usdin is making “Muscle Memory” as part of the American Film Institute’s esteemed Directing Workshop for Women.
Find out how to support the project on Thunderclap.
“Unstuck” (Web Series) — Created and Written by Tézya Jackson and Farren Jackson
Unable to score positions in their respective fields after graduating college, two young women find themselves in unfulfilling call center jobs. A comedy web series from two writers based in Dallas, Texas, “Unstuck” follows Katrina, who struggles to remain hopeful about following her dreams while working at a mind-numbing job that nevertheless pays the bills.
Issa’s Rae’s “Insecure” aside, workplace comedies featuring Black women leads are rare, and this series has the potential to offer a much-needed glimpse into the professional side of Black women’s lives.
Support “Unstuck” on Kickstarter.
“Quiero” (Web Series) — Created by Priscila Garcia-Jacquier
“Quiero” is 25-year-old creator Priscila Garcia-Jacquier’s Latinx-centric answer to Oprah’s “Super Soul Sunday.” By engaging a diverse group of Latinx public figures in thoughtful dialogue, the 10-episode series seeks to inspire its audience to “unapologetically carve out spaces for their ambitions to thrive.”
According to the show’s Kickstarter page, its interview lineup is slated to include “your favorite Latinx actors, National Medal of Arts recipients, Academy Award winning writers, comedians, Influential Dreamers, Emmy winners, and groundbreaking executives.”
You can contribute to “Quiero’s” campaign via Kickstarter.
“Personhood” (Documentary) — Directed by Jo Ardinger
The growing criminalization of pregnant women in America is the subject of this shocking documentary. With interview subjects from around the country, “Personhood” details the disturbing trend that is giving rights to fetuses while “effectively turn[ing] pregnant women in to second-class citizens.”
In these politically charged times “Personhood” shows that a “Handmaid’s Tale”-esque society isn’t as far in the dystopian future as one would like to think. At the same time, however, the documentary offers up the hope that knowledge is power.
You can learn more about “Personhood” and help fund the project on WomenYouShouldFund.com.
“Lorene’s Gotta Boogie” (Short) — Written by Chantal Maurice
“Lorene’s Gotta Boogie” is a fun, light-hearted take on the importance of pursuing your dreams. Set in 1978, Lorene’s Filipino immigrant parents came to Los Angeles seeking better opportunities for their family, but Lorene would sooner be a back-up dancer for Rick James than earn a biochemistry degree.
With this project, actress and filmmaker Chantal Maurice “wanted to create something that could bridge people together” by offering a Filipina woman character’s unique pursuit of “The American Dream.” Now more than ever we need stories that put immigrants and women of color front and center in the narrative and the larger American landscape. This short has the potential to do just that.
Contribute to “Lorene’s Gotta Boogie’s” campaign on Seed&Spark.
To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to womenandhollywoodinterns@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
