Help Bring LIGHTER to the Screen

A few years ago, some guy pulled a gun on me because he thought I stole his lighter.

I first told that story onstage the same week it happened. At the time, I leaned pretty heavily into how ridiculous the whole situation was. I've probably told it dozens of times since, and I've gotten plenty of laughs out of it.

But when I started turning it into a short film, I found myself thinking more about the parts I usually skipped over. I knew how dangerous it had been, but the humor was always easier to talk about. It's one thing to get laughs telling people about almost getting killed over a lighter. It's another thing to explain what it actually felt like.

That's where Lighter comes from.

So what's LIGHTER about?

Lighter is a gritty dark comedy thriller about two best friends, Noah and Hannah, who are walking downtown after getting pizza.

Noah's enjoying himself, taking in all the weird little things happening around them, while Hannah's about ready to go home. Then a stranger starts accusing Noah of stealing his lighter.

The whole thing is ridiculous, right up until the guy presses a gun against Noah's chest.

But the film isn't just about the confrontation. It's about what happens afterward.

Noah and Hannah get away, but Noah can't seem to settle down. Even after Hannah gives him somewhere safe to spend the night, he ends up sitting outside for hours, smoking, messing around with lighters, and trying to wrap his head around what just happened.

I want people to laugh at how absurd the situation is, but I also want them to understand why Noah can't just laugh it off.

A little about me and the film

I've been performing stand-up comedy around Olympia since I was 16. I started studying filmmaking at South Puget Sound Community College before continuing at Olympic College in Bremerton, where I'm now working toward my Bachelor's in Filmmaking.

Making Lighter feels like bringing those two parts of my life together.

I've spent months writing and rewriting the screenplay, planning shots, drawing overheads, and figuring out how I want everything to look and feel. I've also been putting together a crew of student and local filmmakers who are bringing their own experience and ideas to the project.

My producer, Aidan Alamo, and I are currently preparing for four shooting days in Kitsap County in late January 2027. We're still working on securing locations, filling a few remaining cast and crew positions, and getting everything ready for production.

I'm really excited about the people helping me make this film, and I want them to have the resources they need to do their best work.

What are we raising money for?

Our initial fundraising goal is $1,800.

We're fortunate to have access to cameras, lighting equipment, and other resources through Olympic College, which takes a huge amount of pressure off our budget. But there are still expenses that the school's resources can't cover.

Some of our biggest priorities are:

- Cast and crew meals: Keeping everybody fed and taken care of during our four shooting days.

- Safety: Hiring a qualified armorer and making sure we have the proper arrangements in place to film the confrontation safely.

- Locations and permits: Covering any location fees, permits, and other expenses involved in filming around Kitsap County.

- Production expenses: Props, wardrobe, set dressing, transportation, and other things we'll need to bring the film to life.

We're still finalizing the production budget, and we'll keep sharing updates as those costs become clearer.

What if we raise more than $1,800?

I'd honestly love to raise more than our initial goal.

I don't want to just get this film shot and call it good. I want to make something that looks, sounds, and most importantly feels the way I've been imagining it.

Any additional money would first help cover the remaining production expenses. After that, I'd love to put more into post-production, especially sound editing and mixing, color grading, music, and getting the finished film out into the world.

The sound is particularly important to me. Some of my favorite moments in the screenplay are the quieter ones where Noah is just sitting there, smoking, clicking his lighters, and trying to calm down. I want those moments to have just as much attention as the confrontation itself.

We're aiming to finish the film in June 2027, and afterward I'd love to submit it to film festivals and find opportunities to screen it for audiences.

How can you help?

If you're able to donate, any amount would genuinely mean a lot to me. Whether it's $5, $20, $100, or whatever you're comfortable contributing, it all helps us get closer to making this film.

And if you can't donate, sharing the fundraiser helps too. Maybe you know somebody who loves dark comedies, somebody who works in film, or somebody who's interested in supporting local artists.

We're also looking for local businesses and individuals who might be willing to help out with food, supplies, locations, or other production needs.

I'm even working on putting together a stand-up comedy fundraiser, which feels pretty fitting considering this whole thing started as a story I was telling onstage.

I'll continue sharing updates and real behind-the-scenes photos as we get closer to filming.

I've been telling this story for years, and getting the chance to finally turn it into a film means a lot to me.

Thank you to everybody who's already donated, shared the fundraiser, or helped me get this far. I really appreciate it.