My name is Michael Fadugbagbe, a Nigerian-American artist and filmmaker from Jamaica, Queens and writer-director of WATERBOY.

This film began 6 years ago in the state of Massachusetts. It was my first year at Deerfield Academy, a New England boarding school, and my parents had forbade me from playing with the football team.

I became their waterboy.

Deerfield was my first time outside of a strict family. We only listened to Gospel, Bluegrass, and African praise music.

Away from Queens, filling water and collecting jerseys, I inadvertently developed a love of music.

Cold Deerfield winters brought about interest in the strategy of sport, the power of movement, and the distance between order and chaos.

Michael Fadugbagbe, age 11, before practice

Last fall we successfully crowdfunded over $1,500 for production, it was given generously and spent prudently. We're asking for help again.

Costs like finishing and festival fees are producing a financial mountain.

We have to raise $2500 to conquer the mountain.

Festival fees limit access to first-generation and working class filmmakers like myself, and those I graduated with.

I know we are in turbulent times.

I know we are in trying times.

I believe art creates our future.

Thank you for taking the time to read, donate, and share.

Peace

Script Synopsis:

One day before playing the best team in their Conference, the worst high school football team in the state of Connecticut must choose between the brutish strategy of their coach or the chaotic one of their waterboy.

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.

Crew:

Director, Writer: Michael Fadugbagbe

Director of Photography: Spencer Turner

Executive Producer: Lia Franklin

Producers: Olivia Berger, Michael Fadugbagbe

Assistant Director: Liz Pace

1st Assistant Camera: Tracy Wu

2nd Assistant Camera: Muhammad Abdur-Rahman

Gaffer: Pelumi Sokunbi

Script Supervisor: Reese Chahal

Casting: Georgia Reed-Stamm

Associate Producers: Candice Walker, Theo Baldwin-Edwards

Production Design: Sanaa Mia

Production Assistant: Isidor Marcus