Support "Rhodey, NY": A Film by Kwame

Director's Bio

Hi, I’m Kwame Alexander, the writer, director and executive producer of "Rhodey, NY." I'm a filmmaker, content creator, and actor with autism who lives in Jamaica, Queens, New York and runs a brand called KlicKNet which started out as blog in 2014. As of today, the brand has expanded across social media through Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Blue Sky.  My directional debut was in 2022 when I wrote a script based on fictional TV show I privately wrote in high school, then a decade later, I brought it to life in a 10-minute short film titled "NickCam." Meant to take place in the same universe as Nickelodeon's iCarly and Victorious, it's a story about on a group of teenagers, led by Nick Cameron, who try to make their web show popular by pranking one of their best friends in a livestream, but the tables turn on them in a very comedic way. NickCam is available to watch on my YouTube channel and has gone on to be officially selected by three film festivals in NYC, including the New York Lift-Off Film Festival and Flight Deck Film Festival, both in 2024. My passion for working in Film and TV has come from growing up watching children's shows on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Kids' WB and PBS Kids, in fact there's another fictional TV show I wrote in High School that I would like to see come to life.

Film Description

"In a spin-off to NickCam, the gang has gone their separate ways after ending their web show and graduating from High School. Fast forward a few years later, some of them now attend college in New York City, where we embark on a new adventure with Nick's best friend: the dimwitted and clumsy ladies' man Rhodey-Bill Wilde, who goes by the nickname "Rhodey B." Living in an apartment with his tech savy and more responsible friend Qristyl Logano, Rhodey B is hyped about breaking into the podcast business, because a video podcast producer has agreed to listen to the pitch he and Qristyl have put together for a new show. But when news break that a serial killer posing a famed producer is on the loose, Rhodey B and Qristyl make the mistake of thinking the person whom they're pitching show to is out for blood, and then attempt to take the law into their own hands. This leads to them thinking they just killed an innocent, which then sets off a hilarious chain of events that are navigated through Rhodey B's cool-but-oddball behavior and Qristyl's smart-but-awkward tactics to stay out of trouble."

Rhodey, NY is not only a spin-off to NickCam, but it's viewed as a dark buddy comedy short film, satirizing certain themes like misinformation, misinterpretation, and anxiety in a comedic tone. People are often misinformed by news they read on the internet, specifically faux news, and without proper evidence of the truth, they draw their own conclusions. The main focus of the film is about two best friends from childhood who get the opportunity-of-a-lifetime, which is now jeopardy due to one big misunderstanding and they constantly stress about what consequences await them if the truth is ever discovered.

The script of the film is inspired by the fourth episode within Season Three of Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SqaurePants, "Nasty Pasty," which first premiered on TV back on March 1, 2002. There are many elements from that episode in this script, but not everything is word-for-word, there are much different actions written by the director to keep it fresh and original, as well as a few pop culture references and themes to make the film feel like it's taking place in NYC. The creatives of this film will feature two actors from NickCam portraying the same roles from before (and are credited as Co-Executive Producers for this new project), a brief cameo from another NickCam cast member, a supporting cast of new characters, and a diverse crew who will help to bring the film to big screen.

Meet the Producers!

Tova Yarbrough (Co-Executive Producer)

Tova Yarbrough is a New Jersey based actor who has starred in student films across Washington, D.C. and New York. In 2022, he had a supporting role in the NYU student film "Till Eye Die," which won three awards for Best Picture, Best Editing, and Best Music at the 2022 ESRA New York End-of-Year Student Film Professional Jury. When starring "NickCam" in 2023, he pulled double duties as Rhodey-Bill Wilde and his twin brother M.J. Wilde, now he returns to the World of NickCam in "Rhodey, NY" as lead actor and co-EP. Additionally, Tova writes and films his own personal skits to help display his more creative side, and depict more of his personality and various archetypes. His biggest dream is having the opportunity to be in an ongoing TV series as the main character.

Betsy Regus (Co-Executive Producer)

Betsy Regus is a New York/New Jersey based actor, writer and director. Not only has she played Qristyl Logano in "NickCam" and will reprise the same role in "Rhodey, NY," her other acting credits include the horror anthology series "Devil's Hour” as well as a supporting role in the Kate Robards-directed short film "Entrée," which is currently in post-production. Her writing and directing credits include "My Date With Kaia," which received an Officially Selection at the 2024 Northeast Film Festival; and the Oniros Film Award winning screenplay "My Lover," which also received an Official Selection at the 2025 Indie Short Fest and is currently in pre-production.

What We Need & What You Get

The goal is to raise between $5,000 and $8,000 over the summer. We intend to do this primarily through crowdfunding and we need everyone's support so that the cameras can begin rolling and production will wrap in September 2025 and just before the fall season weather arrives, as the film is mean to take place during the summertime in New York City.

The funds will go towards compensation to the cast and crew for all their hard work, and also cover for props, meals, transportation, filming locations, equipment rentals, etc. Should anyone choose the any of the perks set up, they will be handsomely rewarded for their donation.

The Impact

We plan to advertise the film throughout social media by creating videos and posters that engage with audiences on digital platforms like YouTube and Instagram. There will be press coverage through the Director's KlicKNet blog to help further reach out to people. The blog was used backed in 2022 to keep people updated on the production of NickCam by posting Crew Calls and posting when and where to auditions for the Cast will be held; this process will be used for the entire production of Rhodey, NY. Should production be completed the first screening of Rhodey, NY will take place a premiere party in NYC before it's eventually submitted to various festivals in NYC, and posted online to YouTube for globally audiences.

Other Ways You Can Help

It’s okay if some people are unable send donations to fund to this film, but there are other ways you can help us out!