Price - The Short Film Fundraiser

A man turns to drugs, sex, and alcohol in order to cope with his partner’s death due to AIDS complications in the '80s. As a consequence, his lover reappears, unable to rest.

For a list of gifts with your donation, please read more down below!

The Story

George returns to the bar where he first met his partner ten years ago on the anniversary of their first date. He finds his old friend, who notices that he isn’t himself. As the night progresses, George unravels as he sees visions of his deceased lover, Tommy, all around the nightclub. He relives memories in the nightclub, in the hospital as Tommy died, and in their home. But is it a memory, a ghost, or hallucinations?

Price explores grief, loss, and coping without tying it up in a pretty bow. We often see circumstances leading up to the loss of a loved one, but we don’t see what happens after. AIDS is an oft-referenced topic in Queer filmmaking, but we only ever see the person coping with the disease - not what happens after that loss. How do you move on? How can you after a piece of you is missing?

Although death is universal, there’s something so specific to these Queer stories that we don’t get to see.

Screenwriter notes:

Current LGBTQ+ representation on screen is one note: the lesbian villian in a power suit, the sassy gay best friend, and queers dying for a cheap emotional payoff. We deserve more. The characters in Price are multidimensional and explore the true underground scene.

In the height of the AIDS crisis came what is called New Queer Cinema. It rejected the idea of the stereotypical American life. Frustration with representation, lack of political response from the authorities, and anger about the death of chosen family struck a nerve and catapulted the LGBTQ+ genre into the mainstream.

Price is inspired by that movement, and we want to revive the genre to a modern audience. We want to show the nuanced emotions that are hidden in codified language. And most importantly, we want to show everyone that death, loss, and longing are universal, even when they are specific to us.

Who are we?

• Chase Lubag - Director, Screenwriter, and Producer

Chase is an openly LGBTQ+ Filipino American and a film student at the University of New Orleans. He has set out to create what he didn't see growing up: characters who are more than just a race or sexuality - characters who are both. Chase's ambition is to foster a sense of community for other queer creators, make content that tells compelling stories, and allow for greater representation for the LGBTQ+ community overall in a world waking up to all the possibilities. After working on multiple projects since 2007, the opportunity presented itself to make the content he wanted to see. And here we are.

• Bishop Olson - Producer

Bishop is a loudly fat, queer, nonbinary babe. Worlds collided when Bishop and Chase met while working on Viola Davis and McKenna Grace's Troop Zero. As a first generation immigrant and LGBTQ+ Bishop understands the importance of on screen representation that is multidimensional. They have worked in film, specifically production for several years garnering the title of Associate Producer for a docu-follow series airing on Fox. Bishop's motivation for this project is to honor the the queer folks lost to the AIDS epidemic and spark hope for LGBTQ+ youth by seeing someone who looks like them on screen.

• Barry Cunningham - Cinematographer

Originally a Youngstown, Ohio native, Barry Cunningham moved to New Orleans in 2014 and received his Master's degree in Film at the University of New Orleans in the Spring of 2020. During his education at the University of New Orleans, he has worked on the camera crews of numerous student productions, mainly as camera operator and cinematographer. He was hired by the Panavision New Orleans branch in 2017 and has recently been promoted to the role of camera service technician.

• Margaret Broach - First Assistant Director

Mainly working as an assistant director on several short films (Ashley Hundson’s Sanctuary, Tracy Norwood’s Releasing Eurydice), Margaret Broach has also worked as a production assistant for films such as Terminator Genisys, SyFy Network’s Night of the Wild, and as an art intern for Dead Birds and NCIS: New Orleans Season 2. Margaret's dark comedy short, Down to the Last, won several awards during its festival circuit in the US and Canada.

Where is your dollar going?

Every penny raised is used for production costs and to pay our amazing crew from New Orleans. Our crew is from here; our venues and vendors are from here. Every cent supports local filmmakers, businesses, and livelihoods.

Our budget of $16,000 covers our venue rentals, catered meals, crew wages, and equipment rentals in physical production. We also included our post-production and film festival entry fees. We can provide you with a breakdown of our budget upon your request if you want to see for yourselves!

All donations - whatever size - are hugely appreciated. Share our page with others to help spread the word! Thank you for supporting queer filmmakers - especially during Pride Month!

How can you help? And how can we make it worth your while?

As an incentive, we have some gifts for you! Make sure you reach out to us when you contribute so we can ship these items to you!

• If you contribute $15:

You get social media bragging rights! We’ll announce your name (if you chose to disclose this) on all of our social media pages.

• If you contribute $25:

Pull out your denim jacket and sew this bad boy on. The Price limited edition embroidered patch was designed by Chase Lubag and assistant producer Daniel Nicholson. The local artist we have to thank for the embroidery is Claire from Apparel Enthusiast. You'll also get the shout-out!

• If you contribute $55:

Receive a limited edition embroidered Price hanky. Not sure what the hanky code is all about? No worries! We'll also be sending you the zine "Yes I'm Flagging, Queer Flagging 101"by Archie Bongiovanni. You also get a limited edition patch!

• If you contribute $125:

You’re part of the crew! you'll receive an embroidered patch, an embroidered hanky, the zine "Yes I'm Flagging, Queer Flagging 101"by Archie Bongiovanni, and a "Special Thanks" credit! And, of course, members of the crew get exclusive looks at the film as it is being cut, fine tuned, and developed. You'll also be invited to a private screening in New Orleans, LA!

• If you contribute $1000+:

Welcome aboard, Producer! In addition to a producer credit (that will be featured on our IMDb), you'll have the chance to have extensive conversations with Chase and company about Price . We'll enjoy a dinner and have a grand ole time. You'll also gain every incentive listed above! Like the picture above? That's at Seed in New Orleans - one of the many choices in the city!

Our commitment to safety with COVID-19

We will be shooting in July, and we are making sure social distance measures will be followed and adhered to. All crew and cast will be provided with PPE and comply with CDC and industry standard guidelines. A COVID-19 Compliance Officer will be on set to hold us accountable!

Thank you for taking the time to support our film and for supporting queer filmmakers - especially during Pride Month!