WELCOME!
Welcome to the fundraising page for Chapman University’s Dodge College senior thesis film: The Condition of Elliot Crooks
MEET THE KEY CREW:
Director & Co-Writer: Heath Dunbar
Producer: Macy Friday
Writer: Zane Likosky
Director of Photography: Athul Obla
Production Designer: Genna Urban
Editor: Aidan Lee
Sound Designer: Riley Hirsch
…and an extensive team of filmmakers and artists passionate about bringing this world to life.
THE STORY:
Bruised and drunk in the back of an Uber, Elliot Crooks attempts to recount and piece together all the years leading up to this moment: growing up in his estranged father's California estate that stands as a grotesque symbol of inherited wealth; living in the shadow of his SoundCloud-rapper-turned-business-mogul brother, Tyler; falling helplessly for Mikey, the only girl who ever made him feel truly seen; and battling a mysterious, humiliating post-COVID “condition” that no doctor will validate.
Across one chaotic night, Elliot crashes through family mythology, political nonsense, and his own relentless need to matter. This all comes to a head when he makes one terrible decision that pushes him out of the world he knows and forces him to face who he actually is.
It’s a satire, a tragedy, and a portrait of a young man who has no idea who he’s supposed to become.
A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM:
This film grew out of conversations about the absurdity of ambition in our current economic climate, the pressure to “be someone” before you even know who you are, and the strange social and emotional landscape of suburban America.
The Condition of Elliot Crooks blends dark comedy and satire with messy, real emotion.
Elliot, while deeply flawed, is someone we think many young people will relate to. He isn’t always self-aware, and he isn’t necessarily a redeemable figure, but in a way that feels honest to the moment we’re living in. We’re growing up in a time that feels overstimulating and uncertain, where the world keeps shifting faster than anyone can process. The noise of politics, technology, money, and ambition bleeds into everyday life in ways that are hard to escape. It’s really easy to lose your sense of direction.
That’s why this story matters to us. The Condition of Elliot Crooks reflects the pressure and confusion young people feel when trying to make meaning out of chaos, and the ways one can drift into delusion without even noticing. It’s about trying to understand yourself while the world keeps pulling at your attention and identity. We hope audiences, especially young ones, will see a version of themselves in that struggle.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Every contribution, big or small, is fuel. Your support directly helps us with:
- Locations across Orange County that shape Elliot’s vast, surreal world
- Crew meals for our incredible team
- Production design & props that bring the “Crooks universe” to life
- Equipment, lighting, and safety resources needed to execute our most ambitious sequences
- Post-production costs to ensure the film is ready for festivals
Student films only happen because people believe in them. Your donation helps us create a story that’s worth sharing with audiences both in and beyond Dodge.
NOT ABLE TO DONATE? THAT’S OKAY!
Sharing our GoFundMe link, posting about the project, or telling a friend is still helpful. Independent filmmaking thrives on community, and we’re grateful for yours.
THANK YOU, REALLY.
We cannot possibly thank you enough for supporting emerging filmmakers and the future of film, despite it being such an uncertain time for our industry. It's people like you who bring us closer to making our dreams a reality, and keep us motivated as we take on the biggest project of our time at Chapman. The Condition of Elliot Crooks is our chance to leave film school with a story that means something, both to us, and hopefully, to the people who watch it.
We’re also a team that takes our work seriously. Every project we’ve made both in and out of school has been an exercise in pushing past what’s expected and finding ways to make our ideas feel bigger than our resources. We put in the hours, we stay curious, and we fight for every detail. Any support we receive goes directly toward expanding the scale and vision of this film. We’re truly committed to using every dollar to its fullest potential.
If you’d like to learn more or chat about the project, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love the chance to share more about this world we are creating.
DISCLAIMER:
No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.
LET'S STAY CONNECTED:
For production updates & behind the scenes content, check out our film’s Instagram!
@elliotcrooksthesis
Thank you to Wesley Cunningham for editing our fundraising video!