Rudy Production Funding

Hi! My name is E.J. NiBlack-Gray, I'm a Chicago-based Filmmaker & Director and I am currently in the final stages of pre-production for, "Rudy," a supernatural short film.

"Rudy" is a short film that takes us on a journey into the world of Afro-surrealism. People of color have a unique perspective on how we move in the world. It's an experience that can be creative, euphoric, and/or filled with joy, but it can also be quite horrifying. This short is intended to illustrate the ways in which these experiences can transport viewers to find strength & self-realization in the midst of some of their darkest moments.

"Rudy" is a chilling short, on par with Atlanta (FX ) and Black Mirror (Netflix), a creative piece that provides us with the bits of reality that we need, and the moments of weirdness that we crave.

Rudy is a young driven artist who thought his new job would bring him the happiness and fulfillment he longed for. We meet Rudy as he’s packing his car for a long drive to see his mother. As he lets his mom know he’s on the way, Rudy admits to the hardship he’s been going through and believes life isn’t meant for him anymore. After driving for some time on the road, Rudy stops at a gas station that has an unsettling air to it. Ultimately, by his own manifestations, Rudy not only finds himself in a life-or-death situation but also comes to realize that he is his own hero.

SETTING

Below are some visuals that demonstrate the imagery and tone of the film.

Now, before getting into the details of how you can donate and help a few filmmakers out & have the opportunity to get BIG producer credits...I'd like to tell you about the success of my first project.

My latest work consists of a 30min pilot I directed called, "The Come Up", written by Justin Burns. "The Come Up" is about 3 Chicago high schoolers who use Slam Poetry to navigate their increasingly complicated lives. The pilot has won several outstanding awards and has been selected in numerous festivals across the world such as the 2021 Series Fest, 2021 Catalyst, 2021 Women of The Lens, and more. The pilot was also recently screened as a finalist piece for the 2023 XL Film Festival which is committed to supporting Black narratives and producing content for Black upcoming filmmakers like myself.

 I express all this to say, that your donation will be put into quality material produced by professional indie filmmakers who like myself, also have experience in the professional world of Film & Television. When I'm not working on my own creative adventures, I am doing assistant work for executive producers under Warner Bros. & MGM+.

Check out our trailer for "The Come Up" here: The Come Up

"The Come Up" was produced under Missed Turn Productions & "Rudy" is our latest endeavor.

Let me introduce you to some of our lovely team!

| “Rudy” Writer & Director |

 E.J. NiBlack-Gray is a Chicago-based filmmaker. She is a Director whose primary focus is on bringing hidden conversations to light in order to create and communicate a wider range of representation in story telling to validate the experience of others' truth. A prolific and thoughtful innovator who promotes humanity in her work and has developed a meticulous eye for artistic composition. Her keen eye & network television experience has given her the exposure to lead a production as well as provided her the opportunity to create work that has been observed and selected for festivals which has earned her several awards & international recognition. E.J. creates films as a vehicle for audiences to explore and experience the many different , and ever-winding paths of imaginative and historical storytelling.

| “Rudy” Executive Producer |

LaTaryion Perry aka LT has been a Sag-AFTRA actor since 2018 and has been an industry-standard AD (Assistant Director) as well as a Producer for the past 5 years. LT is a sought-after producer and director. He has been hired to work for multiple networks and production companies such as Showtime, Comedy Central, HBO Max, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Fox, and the list continues.

| “Rudy” Associate Producer |

Imanne Mondane is a director, writer, producer, and actress in the film and television industry. She has written and created various television series, prepped and packaged for pitching, and directed her own project in addition to producing various projects, editing stories, and curating her creativity in the entertainment industry. Mondane has an unrelenting passion for storytelling and hopes to be a source of light and an agent of impactful change in the industry and beyond.

|“Rudy” Associate Producer |

Kimani Whitsey-Gully is a Chicago and Detroit-based screenwriter, producer, and photographer. Kimani’s biggest aim is to create bodies of work that inspire people to create for themselves, embolden creators of color, and bring more images of POC that reflect the diversity of our culture on screen and print. After graduating from Purdue University with a Multidisciplinary Engineering degree and a Film & Video Studies Minor, Kimani was accepted into Cinespace’s Cinecares Foundation Internship Program, where she was placed in various departments on set, leading her to PA and AD around the city of Chicago on several projects. Most recently, Kimani has worked as Co-Writer/Producer for Aman, a crime/drama feature, and Producer for a short, Store Run. She became a Spring 2022 ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch Semifinalist with her pitch for her most recent pilot, “Burning Sage”. Kimani's next career goals include acquiring representation, writing for tv, and producing indie projects under her film production company, Doing Nicely Productions

FUNDING

Making quality work is expensive! We want to assure you that your donations will contribute to the vital necessities of creating this project. Your donation will help us with:

1. Equipment Rentals - For a visually captivating piece such as this one, we typically need to rent specialized equipment that is commonly used on professional productions. We'll be renting equipment that mirrors the visual quality of shows like Atlanta (FX), Euphoria (MAX), Black Mirror (Netflix) & The Last of Us (MAX).

2. Paying Cast & Crew - It is extremely important to our team that we honor the talent and dedication our cast and crew will be putting forth. Your donation will go towards fairly compensating their work ethic and artistry.

3. Locations - In order to create this film, we need funding for where our story takes place in order to stay true to the eerie atmosphere of the narrative.

4. Sound & VFX - Donations will but utilized to strengthen the important use of visual effects and sound to bring the authenticity of the narrative to the forefront.

5. Festivals - With your help, not only will we be able to create a polished finished product but, with donations we'll also be able to submit this piece to festivals such as Sundance, SXSW, and the American Black Film Festival that will ultimately provide a platform for our creativity to be viewed and honored.

GRATITUDE  

Once you donate, no matter the amount, your name will automatically be a part of our credits as a Donator! If you are an aspiring Producer, this is a great opportunity to receive Producer credits!

Donate $700 or more you will receive a shared screen Producer credit as well as one screening ticket.

Donate $1200 or more you receive a solo screen Producer credit as well as one screening ticket.

Donate $3000 or more you will be able to have creative input & an Executive Producer single credit screen.

Thank you so much for taking the time to view our campaign! Any amount you can donate helps us get closer to our goal & if you're unable to donate, please share our campaign with others. We acknowledge that times are challenging due to the ongoing strike within the Film & Television industry. During this downtime, we are taking the opportunity to explore ourselves as artists and continue to define our voice within the indie film world!