"PLAY" A Short Film
Donation protected
About the Film
“PLAY” is a short film that chronicles a week in the life of a non-binary sex worker, Syd, who has been contracted to be a live-in domme for their client, Natalie.
Through a series of elaborate roleplaying sessions, the two grow closer over the course of their week together, gradually blurring the lines between what is work and what is play.
While this film revolves around a sex worker and their client, there are no hardcore or graphic sex scenes in the short itself. Rather, the story we’re telling is about what is being asked of sex workers on an emotional level and the catharsis that they help their clients experience through frank discussions of - and engagement with - their deepest desires.
Why This Film? Why Now?
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March of this year, many who found themselves out of work have turned to sex work on the internet to make ends meet - most notably on sites such as OnlyFans and AVN Stars. While the popularity and notoriety of these sites has exploded in recent months, revealing just how financially insecure many young people are in this country, there is still a - frankly ridiculous – stigma attached to engaging in sex work on the internet.
Despite the proliferation and popularity of porn sites and broadening cultural attitudes toward sexual expression and representation, people are still being fired from their jobs as mechanics and teachers because they sell adult content or engage in sex work over the internet in their off-hours. Meanwhile, major stars like Bella Thorne can make 2 million dollars on a site like OnlyFans through dubious means and false advertising – actively hurting creators who rely on their income from such sites to make a living – while being free from the risk of scandal or shame simply because of who they are and the means at their disposal (read: privilege).
We hope that through this film we can help to remove the stigma associated with sex work and tell a story that does not end in tragedy or shame, but rather on a note of healing and openness. As artists, we believe in the power of storytelling to make people feel seen and challenge the pre-conceived notions that many have around this type of work.
We have been in communication with sex workers and kink educators throughout the scripting and pre-production process to ensure that our film is as authentic and empathetic as we can possibly make it. Some members of our production crew are former/practicing sex workers as well. Should we exceed our fundraising goal, we intend to make a contribution to Lysistrata - an activist co-op and emergency fund that supports marginalized sex workers across the US.
How Can You Help?
Having worked professionally in the film industry in a variety of roles over many years, we and nearly everyone we know has been unable to secure work since the pandemic began, drastically limiting our resources. After asking many favors and being creative with the resources at our disposal, we have arrived at a proposed budget of $20,000 dollars for this production. Your contribution will go towards paying and feeding crew members, equipment rentals, and other production expenses.
The Budget
So here’s how it all breaks down:
$8,000 will be going toward our actors and crew. Given the shutdown of nearly every film and show currently in production, many of our crew members have been out of work for months and we feel it is important, especially now, to pay them a fair wage for their time and effort.
$7,000 will be allocated for camera rentals and equipment. This means renting a camera body, lenses, lighting kits, c-stands, cables, as well as location fees for our main setting - pictured above - basically everything we need to make sure this film looks as professional and striking as we can make it.
$2,000 for production insurance. It’s standard, every production should have it, and it always costs more than you’d think.
$1,200 for transportation expenses and making sure that our crew is adequately fed during production.
$1,800 for unexpected costs that may arise throughout production. No matter how carefully you may plan, something always comes up. Whether it’s a transportation vehicle shutting down or a set getting flooded overnight, there are always unexpected expenses and various unknowns that often prove costly for any production.
Much of this money will be going toward PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and cleaning supplies to make sure that we rigorously adhere to every guideline put forth with regards to Covid compliance to keep our crew safe. We will also have a Covid Compliance Officer on set to make sure everyone is being safe and responsible.
About Us:
Writer/Director - Alex Hacker
Alex got his start in television as a casting intern in his late teens and spent some time during college working as an intern for Killer Films. Upon graduating from Bard College in 2016, Alex went on to work as a development assistant for Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci, and Wren Arthur's Olive Productions, where he assisted producers throughout many stages of development and production. During this time, Alex wrote and produced a number of short films for Ideal Glass Studios and Akytom Films. Upon leaving Olive in late 2018, he began working as the assistant to Director/Writer Derek Cianfrance, from whom he got a masterclass in directing throughout all stages of production on the HBO Limited Series "I Know This Much Is True", which aired in May of this year.
DP/Producer - Hil Steadman
Hil Steadman is a New York City based experimental filmmaker and photographer. A graduate of Bard College, she studied 16mm film with the late Peter Hutton as well as photography with Larry Fink. Her work combines political and social commentary with rhythmic imagery and arresting compositions. In the last few years she has been working steadily in New York City as a DP/AC on narrative short films, commercials, music videos, and the occasional documentary.
Producer - Tom Marin
Born and raised in NYC, Tom has performed in over 20 theatrical/film productions and spent the past decade focused on producing original work from behind the scenes – including but not limited to stage, digital media, TV, and film. Since graduating from Cornell University with a major in Performing & Media Arts and a minor in Business Management, Tom has worked with entertainers such as Jim Gaffigan, John Mulaney, and Desus & Mero. Currently, he helps lead marketing/design production efforts for Shake Shack, where he has produced over 50 photo/video/animation shoots since mid-2019.
Assistant Director/ Co-producer - Tristan Reginato
While attending School of Visual arts for college Tristan discovered his affinity for filmmaking. He shot music videos with Princess Nokia, Band Beau, and Rapper Chapman . Tristan has also collaborated on various short films with local New York creatives. Since then he has worked internationally in Tokyo and Berlin with Maiko Endo on Kuichisan and Technology and with Verena Von Zobolitz on Flashfire. Most recently, he has been producing & directing short films and music videos around New York City and is in the midst of starting his own production company with some of his fellow collaborators from “PLAY.”
Rewards
Should you feel passionate enough about this project to donate, or are just feeling especially generous, we've lined up a few rewards should you do so.
$1 to $20 –- Our undying gratitude and admiration. Plus we’ll talk you up to your crush.
$25 to $50 –- We will send you a private link to the short on Vimeo as soon as the film is finished.
$100+ -- A “Special Thanks” in the credits, as well as all previous benefits.
$250+ -- You will receive a limited edition book featuring all 100+ storyboards for the film, as well as a copy of the script. Includes all previous benefits.
$500+ -- An Associate Producer credit and an invitation to a private outdoor screening of the film (once it is safe to do so). Includes all previous benefits.
$1,000+ -- A Producer credit on the film. Includes as all previous benefits.
$2500+ -- An Executive Producer credit on the film, plus a private dinner with cast and crew members. Includes all previous benefits.
NOTE: We understand that there are far more urgent fundraisers on this platform for those who have fallen ill, been put out of work, or are in need of shelter. We urge you to donate to those campaigns. But if you are dead-set on supporting the freelance professionals that make up much of the film industry right now.
“PLAY” is a short film that chronicles a week in the life of a non-binary sex worker, Syd, who has been contracted to be a live-in domme for their client, Natalie.
Through a series of elaborate roleplaying sessions, the two grow closer over the course of their week together, gradually blurring the lines between what is work and what is play.
While this film revolves around a sex worker and their client, there are no hardcore or graphic sex scenes in the short itself. Rather, the story we’re telling is about what is being asked of sex workers on an emotional level and the catharsis that they help their clients experience through frank discussions of - and engagement with - their deepest desires.
Why This Film? Why Now?
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March of this year, many who found themselves out of work have turned to sex work on the internet to make ends meet - most notably on sites such as OnlyFans and AVN Stars. While the popularity and notoriety of these sites has exploded in recent months, revealing just how financially insecure many young people are in this country, there is still a - frankly ridiculous – stigma attached to engaging in sex work on the internet.
Despite the proliferation and popularity of porn sites and broadening cultural attitudes toward sexual expression and representation, people are still being fired from their jobs as mechanics and teachers because they sell adult content or engage in sex work over the internet in their off-hours. Meanwhile, major stars like Bella Thorne can make 2 million dollars on a site like OnlyFans through dubious means and false advertising – actively hurting creators who rely on their income from such sites to make a living – while being free from the risk of scandal or shame simply because of who they are and the means at their disposal (read: privilege).
We hope that through this film we can help to remove the stigma associated with sex work and tell a story that does not end in tragedy or shame, but rather on a note of healing and openness. As artists, we believe in the power of storytelling to make people feel seen and challenge the pre-conceived notions that many have around this type of work.
We have been in communication with sex workers and kink educators throughout the scripting and pre-production process to ensure that our film is as authentic and empathetic as we can possibly make it. Some members of our production crew are former/practicing sex workers as well. Should we exceed our fundraising goal, we intend to make a contribution to Lysistrata - an activist co-op and emergency fund that supports marginalized sex workers across the US.
How Can You Help?
Having worked professionally in the film industry in a variety of roles over many years, we and nearly everyone we know has been unable to secure work since the pandemic began, drastically limiting our resources. After asking many favors and being creative with the resources at our disposal, we have arrived at a proposed budget of $20,000 dollars for this production. Your contribution will go towards paying and feeding crew members, equipment rentals, and other production expenses.
The Budget
So here’s how it all breaks down:
$8,000 will be going toward our actors and crew. Given the shutdown of nearly every film and show currently in production, many of our crew members have been out of work for months and we feel it is important, especially now, to pay them a fair wage for their time and effort.
$7,000 will be allocated for camera rentals and equipment. This means renting a camera body, lenses, lighting kits, c-stands, cables, as well as location fees for our main setting - pictured above - basically everything we need to make sure this film looks as professional and striking as we can make it.
$2,000 for production insurance. It’s standard, every production should have it, and it always costs more than you’d think.
$1,200 for transportation expenses and making sure that our crew is adequately fed during production.
$1,800 for unexpected costs that may arise throughout production. No matter how carefully you may plan, something always comes up. Whether it’s a transportation vehicle shutting down or a set getting flooded overnight, there are always unexpected expenses and various unknowns that often prove costly for any production.
Much of this money will be going toward PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and cleaning supplies to make sure that we rigorously adhere to every guideline put forth with regards to Covid compliance to keep our crew safe. We will also have a Covid Compliance Officer on set to make sure everyone is being safe and responsible.
About Us:
Writer/Director - Alex Hacker
Alex got his start in television as a casting intern in his late teens and spent some time during college working as an intern for Killer Films. Upon graduating from Bard College in 2016, Alex went on to work as a development assistant for Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci, and Wren Arthur's Olive Productions, where he assisted producers throughout many stages of development and production. During this time, Alex wrote and produced a number of short films for Ideal Glass Studios and Akytom Films. Upon leaving Olive in late 2018, he began working as the assistant to Director/Writer Derek Cianfrance, from whom he got a masterclass in directing throughout all stages of production on the HBO Limited Series "I Know This Much Is True", which aired in May of this year.
DP/Producer - Hil Steadman
Hil Steadman is a New York City based experimental filmmaker and photographer. A graduate of Bard College, she studied 16mm film with the late Peter Hutton as well as photography with Larry Fink. Her work combines political and social commentary with rhythmic imagery and arresting compositions. In the last few years she has been working steadily in New York City as a DP/AC on narrative short films, commercials, music videos, and the occasional documentary.
Producer - Tom Marin
Born and raised in NYC, Tom has performed in over 20 theatrical/film productions and spent the past decade focused on producing original work from behind the scenes – including but not limited to stage, digital media, TV, and film. Since graduating from Cornell University with a major in Performing & Media Arts and a minor in Business Management, Tom has worked with entertainers such as Jim Gaffigan, John Mulaney, and Desus & Mero. Currently, he helps lead marketing/design production efforts for Shake Shack, where he has produced over 50 photo/video/animation shoots since mid-2019.
Assistant Director/ Co-producer - Tristan Reginato
While attending School of Visual arts for college Tristan discovered his affinity for filmmaking. He shot music videos with Princess Nokia, Band Beau, and Rapper Chapman . Tristan has also collaborated on various short films with local New York creatives. Since then he has worked internationally in Tokyo and Berlin with Maiko Endo on Kuichisan and Technology and with Verena Von Zobolitz on Flashfire. Most recently, he has been producing & directing short films and music videos around New York City and is in the midst of starting his own production company with some of his fellow collaborators from “PLAY.”
Rewards
Should you feel passionate enough about this project to donate, or are just feeling especially generous, we've lined up a few rewards should you do so.
$1 to $20 –- Our undying gratitude and admiration. Plus we’ll talk you up to your crush.
$25 to $50 –- We will send you a private link to the short on Vimeo as soon as the film is finished.
$100+ -- A “Special Thanks” in the credits, as well as all previous benefits.
$250+ -- You will receive a limited edition book featuring all 100+ storyboards for the film, as well as a copy of the script. Includes all previous benefits.
$500+ -- An Associate Producer credit and an invitation to a private outdoor screening of the film (once it is safe to do so). Includes all previous benefits.
$1,000+ -- A Producer credit on the film. Includes as all previous benefits.
$2500+ -- An Executive Producer credit on the film, plus a private dinner with cast and crew members. Includes all previous benefits.
NOTE: We understand that there are far more urgent fundraisers on this platform for those who have fallen ill, been put out of work, or are in need of shelter. We urge you to donate to those campaigns. But if you are dead-set on supporting the freelance professionals that make up much of the film industry right now.
Organizer
Alexander Hacker
Organizer
New York, NY