Short Summary

Hello my name is James Somerton. I’m a YouTuber, marketing expert, and film school grad. I’m also gay. Surprise. And I’m starting a production company, Telos Pictures, that will produce short films, feature films, and series that focus on LGBTQ characters and stories, written and produced by LGBTQ people. 

We’ve got multiple projects already in development. Such as:

Miss Adventure:
A feature film about a young drag queen and his conservative sister on a road trip from Nowheresville, USA to California where they both think all their dreams will come true.

LIVE! Wake.
A comedy-drama about a family dealing with the upcoming assisted suicide of a beloved mother. Upcoming as in… within two hours. The film takes place in real time as everyone says their goodbyes, long simmering family drama boils over, and awkward situations abound. All surrounded by hilarious characters doing their best to keep things light hearted. You know, like most family gatherings. And did we mention the god son slept with the doctor?

The Creeping Normal:
A horror feature film about a gay college student who becomes the accidental hostage of a serial killer. He keeps himself alive by becoming a sort of councillor, or even friend, to his captor. Eventually becoming something more? 

She Comes At Night:
A six episode mini-series that tells the story of Joey, a young lesbian who, after a traumatic event leaves most of her friends dead, seeks revenge on the people who killed them.

The Final Girl:
A horror short film. Several years after surviving a slasher movie-style massacre, Tessa Collins’ life is finally going back to normal. No more paparazzi. No more reporters. No more prying eyes. Just a book deal, and some peace and quiet. Through flashbacks we see the horrifying truth behind “The Backwoods Butcher”, and how Tessa might just be setting up a sequel.

The Vampyre:
A short film modern adaptation of John Palidori’s The Vampyre. A newcomer to life as a gay man becomes enthralled by a powerfully seductive younger man. But what does this alluring devil demand in return?

I want to thank you so much for your interest in this project. I think together we can help increase the amount of quality LGBTQ representation on the big and small screen. 
 

What We Need & What You Get

The funds from this campaign will go to producing multiple short films which we’ll then use as a proof of concept for investors, production companies, and government grants to try to raise the more substantial funds required for the feature films and series. 

Since I’ve been working in video production for some time I already have all of the equipment needed for the productions including cinema camera, lighting, and audio equipment. The funding will, for the most part, go toward paying actors a living wage for appearing in the films, as well as any production costs incurred such as travel and insurance.

If we don’t reach our total goal, all funds will still go toward producing the initial short films, just maybe producing fewer, or rewriting the projects to involve fewer actors. If we raise more than intended we will focus all extra funds on a web-series.
 

Other Ways You Can Help

If you’re unable to pledge monetarily, nothing helps more than sharing this campaign with people you think might be interested!