Support an Ocean City Short Film

PEER, a film by Marlon Wallace



ABOUT THE PROJECT
Our team is Marlon Wallace (Writer/Director), BL. Strang-Moya (Producer), Danielle S. Mooney (Producer), and Eric Walter (Cinematographer). Our plan is to produce Ocean City Maryland's first short film that is a BIPOC-focused LGBTQ+ romance story. This film will not only promote representation, but also provide a small yet viable economic opportunity for audio/video production professionals in the region. A majority of our funding will go towards paying for our predominantly local cast and crew, as these opportunities can be few and far between in the region.

LOG LINE: Harold, who is afraid of water, vacations in Ocean City where he falls in love with Arthur, lifeguard in the beach patrol.

'Weekend' (2011) meets 'Pose' (2018)

or, 'Moonlight' (2016) meets 'The Tree of Life' (2011)

SYNOPSIS: Harold (Harry), a college student, faces his final year before graduating and becoming a "grown-up." He is still shy and reserved with several phobias. One of which is aqua phobia or "fear of the water," which has prevented him from visiting any beach despite having lived on the east coast for most of his life. These fears have prevented him from advancing socially in many ways. His best friend, a more out-going, Latina named Maritza who has overcome body issues hopes to get Harry out his shell. For their summer vacation, she takes him to Ocean City, Maryland. Arthur (Artie) is a lifeguard with the Ocean City Beach Patrol. When he is not doing that, he tries to make a living on the water, whether it is on fishing boats or charter boats. He is the son of a waterman and notes the lack of African-Americans in the greater fishing and crabbing industry now. He wants to promote having more Black people on the water. In addition to his attraction to Harry, Artie also feels compelled to help him overcome this aqua phobia. Given that Artie is the opposite, Artie could be called aqua-philic.

HOOK: It's rare to see a same-sex romance, especially between two men of color, be told in an area that's somewhat conservative. Seeing two young queer Black men expressing their attraction and love out in the open and on the streets of Ocean City will be powerful for people who feel under-represented and hopefully just enlightening to anyone else. Through these minority men, we'll experience the sights and sounds of Ocean City through their eyes. The centerpiece will be the boardwalk scenery, showing off the beautiful view of the beach and the ocean. In a small way, the film will also bring together the idea of a tourist embracing a long-time OC resident, showing how the two types co-mingle.


DIRECTOR STATEMENT

The Ocean City Film Festival was a huge inspiration. The organizer has been encouraging local talent to make films in Ocean City or the greater Delmarva area. The enthusiasm from OCFF has finally activated a passion in me, which I haven't pursued in nearly 20 years.

What I love is that OCFF also encourages stories about or from people of color, BIPOC, as well as stories about gender or sexual minorities. It opened me to tell a story about two young queer Black men falling in love, a story that is lacking, certainly in the mainstream media.



DONATION PERKS

The following perks are available for donating to our campaign.

$1-49: Name mentioned in a weekly thank-you video to donors. Digital copy of the film upon public release.

$50-99: Name mentioned in a weekly thank-you video to donors. Digital copy of the film upon public release. Raffle ticket to win 2022 OCFF all-access pass (10 drawings). Movie poster in mail.

$100-149: Name mentioned in a weekly thank-you video to donors. Digital copy of the film upon public release. Raffle ticket to win 2022 OCFF all-access pass (10 drawings). Movie poster in mail. Special thanks in credits.


Donations exceeding $150 will be processed as sponsorships and may require a contractual agreement.



SPONSORSHIP TIERS

Sponsor-level donors will be contacted for contractual agreement.

·       Basic: $150 or more – Donor gets a social media shout-out. Donor is listed in special thanks section of film credits and proprietary digital link to the film upon its completion. Donor also receives movie poster in mail. (THIS TIER IS LIMITED TO 30 DONORS)

·       Intermediate: $500 or more – Donor receives two admission passes to the film’s premiere, and previously mentioned tier perks. Donor also receives cast/crew signed movie poster. (THIS TIER IS LIMITED TO 10 DONORS)

·       Elite: $1,500 or more – Name or logo (if business) included in the actual film. Credit in the film as executive producer as well as previously mentioned tier perks. (THIS TIER IS LIMITED TO 3 DONORS)



CONTACT
[email redacted]
Instagram.com/peerShortFilm
Facebook.com/PeerShortFilm