I’m Dead, You’re Welcome (fka Expecting Friends Film)

Hey everyone!

Who are we?

J.R. Russell - IMDb

Writer/ Producer/ Actor

From Scrubs and Switched at Birth on ABC, the award-winning Days of Light series, and many other Films and TV Series, J.R. Russell stars as Sam Moorman.

Taissa Zveiter - IMDb

Co-Writer/ Producer/ Actor

From Pam and Tommy on Hulu, 9-1-1 on FOX, The Offer on Paramount+, The Morning Show on AppleTV+ and many other Films and TV Series, Taissa Zveiter stars as Megan Ortiz.

Julia Lopriore - IMDb

Producer/ Actor

With a musical theater background and extensive improv experience from UCB and Groundlings, Julia Lopriore stars as Danica Taylor.

Sandy Eells - IMDb

Producer/ Actor

From Heels on STARZ, Stage V, and the award-winning film Static, Sandy Eells stars as Amanda Bailey.

Our Story:

We are Four Friends who work together. We decided to bring to life a project during these uncertain times in the creative industry.

With the strike impacting so many lives, we decided to continue creating on our own. As independent filmmakers we can support the other labor unions in our industry through this project.

The main reasons for us creating this project are: to have fun, do something we love, and tell a fun story!

The inspiration for the film comes from each of us. And also... some outlandish, out-of-the-box, wild, creative thinking!

We plan on submitting I’m Dead, You’re Welcome to film festivals around the world. We plan to win awards and have fun doing it.

The Story:

I’m Dead, You’re Welcome is a dark comedic short film with the potential to be developed into a Feature Film or TV Series. Our script pulls influences from some great comedic TV Series/Films including Friends, Modern Family, Platonic, Triangle of Sadness, The Newsroom, The Outlaws, The White Lotus, How I Met Your Father, and Vacation Friends.

I’m Dead, You’re Welcome has more reveals than a magic show and is packed with character-driven comedy. The story is about 4 friends coming from their mutual friend's wake. They find themselves dealing with some unexpected news. How will they deal with it... especially on this day of all days?

The characters:

J.R. Russell stars as Sam Moorman: average joe history teacher by day and extreme couponer by night. Ultimately, he wants to be a Pulitzer-winning author, but might have to settle for his slam poetry hobby. He’s very affable and kind, almost to his own fault. His conservative personality seems to mesh well with Amanda’s.

Taissa Zveiter stars as Megan Ortiz: a savvy, smart, and say-it-like-it-is owner of four businesses. She thinks she can do it all. She is pure business and somewhat emotionally detached. Under different circumstances she could be a spy or assassin, but she is trying to learn how to be more caring and empathetic.

Julia Lopriore stars as Danica Taylor: quirky and free-spirited, she is that fun friend that everyone wants. Currently has multiple low-income sources of revenue because she's in between jobs. An extrovert who is proud of her sexuality and wields it accordingly. She may even try and pick up a suitor or two at a funeral.

Sandy Eells stars as Amanda Bailey: very doe-like, innocent, and very trusting. She has a geeky-nerdy side which compliments Sam's. As she dresses conservatively, she could easily look comfortable in a Sunday church service. She is a classic matriarch through and through, which means she has a very sensitive motherly side that can work against her.

The story continued:

The eventual Feature Film or TV Series would see the end of their epic journey and travel backward in time as they meet, fall in love, fight, break up, get back together, and do it all over again. Their intertwined relationship is tested on high heat.

The story is really about what it takes for a close group of friends to become family, especially after loss. How do they navigate life individually and together? What twists and turns await our characters? How do they deal with everything being thrown at them?

Why is this story important?

Simply put, we all travel through life with some kind of group(s) of friends.

How close are they? What do they do for a living? How long have you known them? What shared experience brought you all together?

Like all art, this story is a magnification of life. As individualistic as Life is, it is also a shared experience. How great is it when you have news you cannot wait to share with your friends and family? Or when they share incredible news with you? When you've had a rough day, who do you turn to? Or, when you have had the worst day of your life...who picks you up?

You get our point...

Sometimes Life is gonna Life, but can our story make it more fun? Isn't Life more fun when it's shared?

Why Go Fund Me?

Great question!

Creating a short film costs $$$$!

We want everyone to get paid for their time and work on this project as a lot of people are currently out of work... because... well... people were not getting proper pay for their work.

That being said the breakdown of how the funds will be used is below:

A majority of our funds are going to our crew.

The remaining are going to location, food, equipment, and miscellaneous production costs.

Miscellaneous production costs include pre-production paperwork, production insurance, and film festival submission costs.

In conclusion:

We are so excited to share this project with you and your friends! Thank you for coming on this journey with us whether you donated or not.

If you cannot donate, we completely understand. All we ask in that case is that you please share this with your friends and family.

We hope to be that bright part of your day you look forward to! We're expecting to be your next friends!

Thank you again, everyone!!

I’m Dead, You’re Welcome