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To Be Me... The Web Series

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A web series about a transgender life.

We're excited to bring you this project with Emmy Award winner Kim Estes, transgender writer Corey Rae, and award winning producers Daan Jansen and Amanda Dash. Your support is greatly appreciated!

THE PROJECT

With our writing team and an amazing group of LGBTQIA+ contributors, we’re creating a scripted drama in the form of a web series to tell the tale of a young, mid-western African American who struggles with their gender identity. After five years away, they return home to their father who is trying to reconnect with his son. Played by a trans activist along with Emmy Award winning actor Kim Estes on board to play the father figure, we’re ready to shed light on the subject of gender identity.

As TV producers in today’s society, we feel it’s not only our duty to cover the subjects that aren’t shown enough in mainstream media, but to tell stories that truly reflect the lives of our friends. Through this project, if we open even one mind or educate just one person, we will have done our jobs.
 
THE LOGISTICS

Though all production members are voluntarily involved, we're looking to raise $5,000 to contribute to all production costs, including but not limited to travel costs, locations and equipment rentals, and postproduction. Anything you could contribute will help us make this project come to life, and anything we raise that is not used will go straight back to the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically through The Garden of Peace Project, Michael Battle’s organization. Production will start in Pittsburgh at the end of November 2018.
 
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out at [email redacted]. We would be honored to have you be a part of this journey. There’s a lot of work to be done, but we truly believe this is the way to start.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

ABOUT THE TEAM

Daan Jansen (Executive Producer/Writer) is originally from South Africa and moved to Missouri on a swimming scholarship when he was eighteen. After receiving his Master’s in producing and screenwriting, Daan created an award winning series called Show-Me Chefs, which has won two regional Emmy Awards and was also nominated for a College Emmy Award along with many others. Daan has created many other works, including films like Counting to 1000, Missed Take and Dead on Time. Daan moved to Los Angeles and has worked for MGM, Spike TV, and Disney. He is now a Segment Producer on ABC’s number one show, The Bachelor, and is a member of the Television Academy and BAFTA Newcomers Program. 

Amanda Dash (Executive Producer/Writer) is originally from Pittsburgh, and moved to New York City at the age of sixteen with a full scholarship to dance at The Joffrey Ballet. After graduating high school, she decided to get her bachelor’s degree from a small liberal arts school in New York City. There, she worked at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, MTV, and Entertainment Tonight, as well as on Broadway assisting musical theatre legend Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie) and Broadway producer Carolyn Rossi Copeland. Amanda made her move to Los Angeles to work on ABC’s number one show, The Bachelor, and is now a Casting Producer on the franchise. 

Kim Estes (Actor) is a Los Angeles Native who recently received the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series “Dicks.” He has appeared in widely recognized shows such as I'm Dyin' Up Here, Brooklyn 99, Hot Wet American Summer 10 Years Later, Pitch, The Real O’Neals, Secrets and Lies, Fresh off the Boat, State of Affairs, Pretty Little Liars, The Matador, The Fosters, NCIS, How I Met Your Mother, Private Practice, and many more. Kim has starred in many films including Underdog, Playing Beethoven, Crossroad, Not 4 Sale and Each Other, Volcano Girl, Free Denmark, and The Birthday Gift. In addition, he has appeared in the films Five Hour Friends, Viral, Breathing Room, the 400 and Save Me.

Corey Rae (Writer) is a transgender activist, entertainer, model, public speaker, and writer who helps break social stigmas surrounding transgender women. Although born in California, she lived in New Jersey and New York for 17 years, and embarked on a one-way trip back home to LA in early 2017. Corey showcases her journey as a transgender woman through her writing, which illustrates her life experiences, as well shares the stories of other positive and unique LGBTQ+ members. She has a strong academic and personal knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community. Knowing that she became her own dream come true, Corey has her sights set on making a monumental difference for the transgender community.

Arisce Wanzer (Contributor) is a transgender American model and actress currently residing in Hollywood, California. She is best known for her spread in Vogue Germany and Opening Ceremony video campaign. She was on Oxygen Network’s STRUT, and executive producer of her own series, FishTank, for Amazon with Isis King. She has walked in Miami Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, Latin Fashion Week, and L.A. Fashion Week. Her acting roles include sharing a scene opposite Oscar winner Mo'nique in the feature film Interwoven as well as playing a secretary in the pilot for the new series [Un]Afraid.
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Donations 

  • Andie Gilmore
    • $50 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Amanda Dash
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA

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