Help Shelby and Scott Survive in LA
Donation protected
I'm Scott A. Vancil, an autistic, schizoaffective, and disabled actor, writer, and director with over 16 disabilities and chronic conditions including Tourette's Syndrome (with Coprolalia, Copropraxia, and Coprographia), OCD, ADHD, C-PTSD, HNPP (Hereditary Neuropathy with Pressure Palsies), Essential Tremors, Disk Bulges in my Spine, Narrowing of the nerves in my spine, Damage to the language centers, possibly from an old stroke, and Osteoarthritis in my hips. I also currently have a mysterious illness with many overwhelming symptoms including: Dizziness; Pressure in the front of my head; pain in all my limbs and back; Worsening Aphasia; memory problems like forgetting large chunks of time, my fiancee's name, my cat's name, and my name; fatigue; blurry vision and eye pain; Major muscle spasms all day and night; muscle stiffness; digestive issues with stool; balance issues; mood issues; pain in my abdomen; Jaundiced, bloodshot eyes; and Essential Tremors worsening.
I've been seeing doctors for the last two years, and it's been a slow process, but it might be something Autoimmune. It could be MS or Parkinson's among other issues. We're probably a long way off from a diagnosis. All of my conditions together are overwhelming and prevent me from getting a typical 9-5 job. I was on EDD California State Disability for a year, but it's run out. I applied for SSI Disability in November 2021, and I've been denied three times, but now I am waiting for a hearing to receive it, but it's a fight for the bare minimum. The maximum SSI payment per month is not enough to live off of even if I get it. I would like to work doing my art instead of relying on government payments. I get overwhelmed working with people. Occasionally I get a background extra gig, but can only handle one per week, if that, due to my severe anxiety and tired body.
Shelby is trying to find work (as am I) but is currently on Unemployment. We are on food stamps, so that is at least getting us food, and I had a temporary acting job. After that I applied for unemployment, but I'm waiting to hear back.
We can't rely on our family for help, as they are struggling too.
I'm trying to put my second feature film together and will be seeking a fiscal sponsorship through Film Independent and then crowdfunding part of it on Seed & Spark. We will need to raise about three million through the entire process, as we are shooting on film. But with that project we would be able to pay ourselves for the year.
What I'm looking for before that is just enough to pay our rent and bills and get some basic equipment as well as the fees to become a member of Film Independent and apply for sponsorship. In order to do this I also need a new computer, as my laptop from 2011 is failing.
We are asking for 27,000 to pay for everything. That includes credit card debt and bills and rent for two month's time.
I just signed with a Talent Manager for disabled talent, GAMUT Management and I'm trying to find acting work that way as well.
Shelby has a new acting agent and is still looking for production work, preferably as a writer's PA.
Anything you can give would really help us out. We don't want to give up on the dream of making it in LA, and we don't currently have the money to move back to Kansas/Missouri, even if we wanted to. We have been here since 2018 and survived a pandemic here.
Please help us stay in LA for a little while longer until we can get a foothold.
Thank you!
-Scott A. Vancil and Shelby Weimer
Organizer
Scott Vancil
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
