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On Passover night, Ezra attempts to convince his Jewish family that his new boyfriend,
Brian, is Jewish by hiding Brian’s Mormon heritage.
Statement of Purpose
Ever since I was young, there are two things my parents have told me never to do: never become a vegan and never marry someone who isn’t Jewish. I am always reminded of this: “Sam, when are you going to find a nice Jewish person to date?” “Sam, I want grandkids.” “Sam, go to Hillel and meet someone Jewish already!” If I ever brought home someone who wasn’t Jewish—say, a Mormon—I’m pretty sure my parents’ heads would explode, which would be both terrifying... and hilarious.
Few films are set during Jewish holidays, especially Passover. Sure, everyone knows the story of Moses—that’s nothing new. But every year, without fail, someone I know asks me, “What exactly happens during Passover?” And every year, I try to explain why it’s my favorite holiday. For me, Passover is pure joy. I can’t think of a single time I’ve celebrated it with my family without laughing so hard I’ve cried. My goal with “Jewish Moms Scare Me” is to share that joy (and chaos) with people who’ve never experienced a Passover celebration.
Although “Jewish Moms Scare Me” focuses on Jewish families, introducing your significant other to your parents is a universally nerve-racking rite of passage. Knowing that the person you’re dating has that one trait your parents will despise. Maybe they’re the wrong race, the wrong gender, the wrong occupation, the wrong religion, the wrong personality, or even the wrong hair color. The first impression your partner makes with your parents must be perfect, no matter what.
Comedies are a great way to tell a story. When your audience is laughing and having fun with a film, they’re actively engaging. Without even realizing it, they’re learning about your world, your culture, and your experiences. Passover itself is not a comedic holiday, but the people you spend it with will make you fall out of your chair laughing every year without fail.
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS to "Jewish Moms Scare The Crap Out of Me" are 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE. The California State University Northridge Foundation is a CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION 501 (C)(3) PUBLIC BENEFIT CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
Your contributions will help our crew raise the money needed to support our film!
The money will go directly to all of these necessities:
Locations: Contributions will help secure distinctive, well-suited locations, enhancing the film’s authenticity and visual impact.
Cast Compensation: Funding will enable us to fairly compensate the talented SAG-AFTRA actors whose dedication and hard work are bringing this project to life.
Rentals: Donations will help us rent professional cameras, lighting, sound equipment, and other essential gear, ensuring the film achieves top-tier visual and audio quality.
Art Department: Donations will fund wardrobe, props, and set design, ensuring every visual element aligns seamlessly with the film’s theme—an essential factor in enhancing its overall production value.
Catering & Craft Services: A portion of the funding will ensure the cast and crew stay fueled with meals and refreshments during long shoot days because a well-fed team is a focused, driven, and high-performing one.
Contingency Fund: A small portion will be reserved for unforeseen expenses or emergencies, helping keep the production on track and within budget.
Post Production: Your support will fund the post-production process, including video editing, color grading, visual effects, and sound design, ensuring a polished and immersive final product.
Marketing and Distribution: Donations will support the promotion of the film through festival submissions, trailers, and social media campaigns, helping it reach and engage a wide audience.
Our Crew!
Writer/Director: Sam Markson
Producer: Alex Ringier
Producer: Katherine Dunn
Producer: Darren Chin
Associate Producer: Angel Gonzalez
1st Assistant Director: Bree Santa Cruz
Script supervisor: Nick Capobianco
Director of Photography: Emilia Rivers
1st Assistant Camera: Patrick Shartzer
Second Assistant Camera: Hayley Easterling
Production Designer: Cynthia Wortmann-Tenorio
Costume Designer: Sophia Calcagno
Art Director: Aidan Evenas
Gaffer: Aika Taguchi
Key Grip: Cirrus Fuller
Boom Operator: Sam Price
Sound Mixer: Nathan McMackin
Editor: Allison Potter
Editor: Spencer Goldfarb
DIT/PR & Marketing: JeongEun Choi
Director's Final Thoughts
With the growing antisemitism in our nation today, I want this film to simply be a breath of fresh air. When people watch a movie or television show, they want an escape from reality. People want to see the world in another person’s shoes for just a moment, even if that is the loudest, most chaotic dinner party imaginable. This film is very personal to me because many of the characters are based on my real-life family. All the crew I asked to be a part of this team are people I have worked with previously at CSUN. They’re not just collaborators—they’re some of the most talented filmmakers I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I trust them completely to help me bring this story to life and create the best version of this script possible.
Make sure to follow us to stay in the loop on our production journey and gain access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content!
Instagram: @jewish_moms_scare_me_film
Link to Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewish_moms_scare_me_film?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
If you would like to contact us, here is our Producer's contact information:
Producer, Alex Ringier: Alexander.ringier.977@my.csun.edu
Producer, Katherine Dunn: Katherinedunnproductions@gmail.com
Producer, Darren Chin: Darren.chin.43@gmail.com
