“ Cut! Cut! Cut! is a raw, electric, and emotionally explosive expression of what it means to be an artist wrestling with identity, ego, imposter syndrome, and the deep ache to be seen and taken seriously. It’s got this magnetic push-pull between absurdity and profound truth—like a collision of Uncut Gems and Frances Ha with a splash of Boogie Nights and The Bear in its chaotic yet poetic dialogue.”

Words from the director, Austin Carlisle:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to make a movie. To help contribute to the loitering groups talking amongst themselves outside of a movie theater after a midnight release, inspiring others to show that it is possible no matter how daunting, scary or big the idea is.

I remember ruining at least 2 copies of “Jurassic Park” on VHS as a kid, being glued to the screen for a 70mm screening of “2001: a space odyssey” for my first viewing, to at 30 years of age still feeling the terror of the shark in “Jaws”. Movies are timeless, their messages strong, and they’re f***ing fun.

That’s what our idea is about. The fun of a movie being with your friends who all want the same thing: a film. Just like us. But just like real life, we dive deeper and lean into what it really takes- what scarifies one has to REALLY make, in order to get what they want in life. Whether it be a movie made or a goal.

For the last year, since Malik wrote this script and let me read it, I knew I wanted to help with this project because much like these characters, Malik and I have been trying to make a film for years. This is our time now and with your help, we can not only achieve our goal of making a funny, real, and intense short film; but we can also inspire the many many others that just need a little push, or are too scared to go for it.

Bet it all on black.

Thank you.

-Austin Carlisle

Words from the writer, Malik Moonsammy:

Hello. Hope this message finds you well. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to make films. I don’t think I could go a single day without quoting a movie. I don’t think there has ever been a problem I couldn’t figure out without watching a film. If I’m feeling lost and stuck in a rut at the job I hate I can put on clerks and immediately see myself in Dante and for better or worse, Randall. If I’m feeling heartbroken, eternal sunshine on the spotless mind. Depressed? Good will hunting. In need of hope? Children of Men. The theater is more than a safe space for me, it’s a sanctuary. A place I come to mediate, to pray, and to worship. Even though I started writing scripts before I hit the double digits, I have had imposter syndrome for just as long. As much as I love films, as much as I’m fascinated by the industry, mesmerized by all the steps that go into making films, I never thought anything that I can pen can touch the likes of P.T.A., Charlie Kaufman, Park Chan-Wook, Gulzar, John Singleton,etc. So the years went by and by and I continued to write script after script and every once in a while over blue moons I would share one of these scripts with a colleague named Carlisle. They then would share one of their greatest works yet and we would gas each other up. With the temporary wind in our sails we would come awake with such enthusiasm and temporary confidence that we couldn’t wait another second to make our movies and we would stay in this heightened sense of self until the obstacles started presenting themselves one after another. Time and time again, we would almost reach the promised land only to have heaven’s gate slam shut in our face . When i wrote Cut! Cut! Cut! I had just moved back to Florida after 2 and a half years in New York. The house I was staying in caught on fire after only 2 months of being there. I felt like I failed at everything I set out to do and was moving backwards and backwards every day. I was in a dark state of mind and everything I was going through came out on the page. It’s no exaggeration that this script saved my life. We have had this film in pre-production for a while now. In order to take the next step we need to lock in the next location to shoot. In order to do this, we need to come up with at least $3500. We are asking for $5000 to properly pay all the talent that has been involved up to this point, to lock in the shooting location, and to fund the premiere party in both Orlando and New York. Please if you can find it in your heart to donate any amount, I would be so grateful. I have never had more faith in not only this script but the patient crew that is attached to this. Please let me do right by them and give me my shot to make my mark in this messed up industry. Thank you

-Malik Moonsammy