# Katie's Mom

A sexy reimagining of “The Graduate” told from a female point of view. 

## Elevator pitch
The company was formed in order to produce this film.

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/the.dropout
- Entity ID: wefunder:company:73414
- Last updated: 2026-06-12T05:00:27Z
- Generated at: 2026-06-13T01:26:47Z

## Quick facts
- Director/writer has created content for Lionsgate, Hallmark, Google, 20th Century Fox, and more.
- Script placed in top 5% of Academy Nicholl Screenplay entries in 2019 and 2020 out of 15,000 others.
- Award-winning team with proven track record, who has won awards at Oscar-qualifying film festivals.
- Davi Santos, of CBS' "Tell Me a Story," is attached to play the romantic love interest.
- Diverse cast and crew. Juicy lead role for an actress in her late 40s/early 50s.
- We have relationships with distributors and festivals, so we'll find a home for our finished film.
- Growing appetite for sexually provocative content from a female perspective, proven by "Bridgerton."
- To support female filmmakers. In 2020, only 16% of films were directed by women.

## Active fundraises
- wefunder:fundraise:39480: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)
- wefunder:fundraise:43476: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)

## Story
A divorcee's beloved holiday celebration with her adult children derails when she falls for her daughter's charming new boyfriend. An R-rated, sex positive comedy influenced by “The Graduate,” but told from the perspective of a protagonist inspired by Mrs. Robinson. Set in Pasadena, California.Do Audiences Want to See Women Behaving Badly?Classic comedies often feature difficult men misbehaving. Jack Nicholson, Bill Murray, and Seth Rogen have all played flawed but lovable romantic heroes. But can an audience empathize with a woman who makes the ultimate betrayal, a mother who sleeps with her daughter's boyfriend? We say, the answer is resoundingly yes! As women who have at times engaged in relationships with the wrong men and struggled to break free, we know the war between desire and common sense—or as we like to call it, the battle between the head, the heart, and the vagina—is ripe for drama and teeming with comedy. As Americans retreated to their living rooms over the past year, and date night moved to the couch, high-quality entertainment has never been so paramount to our survival as a species. Audiences have shown that they are hungry for content from new voices, a chance to laugh, and a sexy storyline that explores the limits breached by human desire.Our WorkWe started working in entertainment in the mid 2000s, cutting our teeth creating short form content. We’ve collaborated with Oscar winners such as Rob Fried (and his Hallmark owned company, Feeln), renowned filmmakers like Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”) for his Google premium channel, and Tony-award winners. Collectively, we’ve been on hundreds of film sets and our work has played in over 100 festivals, including the Oscar-qualifying Rhode Island International, Clermont-Ferrand International and Cleveland International film festivals, as well as the Sao Paulo International, Sante Fe, Nashville International and LA Shorts International festivals, among many others. We’ve won many awards, including multiple Telly Awards, Programmer’s Award (Cleveland International Film Festival), Jury Award (Rhode Island International Film Festival), Audience Award (Bleedfest) and Founder’s Award (ReelAbilites Film Festival NY). Through our experience in the last fifteen years, we’ve gained invaluable boots on the ground knowledge of filmmaking, fattened our Rolodexes with talented filmmakers, and toured the world showing audiences our films. Now We're Embarking on Our Next Feature Film...Why Now? In 2020, the Academy of Motion Pictures announced new standards for films to be eligible in the Best Picture category. These initiatives are driving the awards categories toward more representation and inclusion. Hollywood is finally demanding more diverse voices. Streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix and HBO Max are providing a place for edgier content to live, after, or even instead of, a theatrical release. And the appetite for provocative content is growing.We have seen strong indications that female audiences are desperately seeking scenes showing romance and sexuality, like those featured in our film, based on the success of the steamy Netflix show "Bridgerton," which focuses on its female characters’ sexual agency, and has over 82 million viewers.  As the technology of filmmaking continues to advance, high-quality films can be made at much lower budget levels.State of the BusinessThere has never been a better time for female-centered films. This year, the Academy upended their own history by nominating two women for Best Director and two movies directed by women for Best Picture. These films already made history at The Golden Globes, which awarded Best Picture and Best Director to Chloe Zhao for "Nomadland," a film starring a female lead over 60. "Promising Young Woman," a dark comedy directed by Emerald Fennell got four Golden Globe nominations and five Oscar nods. And Regina King gained recognition in the Globes for her directorial debut, "One Night In Miami," highlighting the growing appetite for diversity on screen. This is all evidence that audiences are hungry for content made by and for women, and that Hollywood tastemakers are finally catching up to speed.With more women behind the camera, the female gaze has come into focus.  On the small screen, "Bridgerton" is the number one show in Netflix history. "Bad Moms," a modestly budgeted studio film, grossed $183M worldwide and spawned the sequel "Bad Moms Christmas." In the world of independent films, "Yes, God, Yes," the freshman feature from Karen Maine, explored the sexuality of a Catholic high school junior. The independently produced film premiered at SXSW to much acclaim, receiving a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is now available on Netflix. And films starring women make money. According to the LA Times, "there's a strong correlation between female-led films and box office success." A study conducted by the advocacy group Times Up in conjunction with the talent agency, CAA, examined the 350 top-grossing U.S. films released from 2014 through 2017, found that films with female leads outperformed male-led ones in worldwide box office averages. The proof is in the numbers!Timeline Late Summer/Fall 2021 -- Principal PhotographyLate 2021 -- Post-Production2022 -- Film Festival Run 2022-23 -- Distribution & Release DistributionThe reception for indie films has never been better. Sundance Film Festival had another landmark year in film sales. Over half the films were purchased for distribution, with the independent feature "CODA" breaking acquisition records when it sold to Apple + for $25 million. Since 2020 had little studio or independent film production, there is a void in the market that will need to be filled by new content.Top-tier festivals are actively seeking content that celebrates diversity. Our female focused film, produced by an all-female creative team, is exactly the kind of movie that will appeal to film festivals—particularly Tribeca, Cannes, South By Southwest, Berlin, and Sundance. "The Dropout" shoot is scheduled to be completed by late 2021, just in time for the 2022 festival circuit. We hope our film festival strategy will gain us recognition, build our audience, and attract distributors. We plan to leverage our current relationships with film sales agents and distributors to sell our film. There are more and more marketing opportunities available to female filmmakers such as Cherry Picks, which aggregates film reviews for female film critics, a “Film Directed by Women” category on Netflix and the ReFrame Stamp, which demonstrates success in gender balance by hiring female-identifying people in key areas of production.Our ProgressIn preparation for our late summer/fall 2021 production timeline, we are meeting with and gathering our key creatives. We are also using our vast networks to connect with actors that bring momentum and the perfect vibe for the role. There is a key location that plays an important role in the film and we have already begun looking for the perfect spot.Use of Funds As independent filmmakers, we’re accustomed to making our dollar stretch and are adept at using limited funds to elevate the cinematic world of our story. We have shaped the script to fit an independent budget, limiting our cast size and locations. Our production will be nimble yet high quality, so that our budget makes the most impact on the big screen.A Note from the ProducersAfter a year of hardship and isolation, a new era of independent filmmaking has arrived. We know that audiences are looking for an escape through movies that are funny, passionate, and heart-warming, and we are determined to satiate those desires. "The Dropout" has been called daring and provocative, but also inherently commercial by one of the project’s mentors, the comedy writer/director Luke Greenfield. The timing to make a film with a small cast and limited locations has never been better. And due to the derth of independent films shooting now, it has an excellent chance of standing out in next year’s festival season. We have spent years refining our story, directing scenes from the script in front of a collective of filmmakers in Los Angeles, building our social media presence, and recently started a podcast that discusses sexuality in cinema. We believe this is the perfect time to bring this intimate story into being. With the proliferation of streaming options, the gates have been flung open, allowing for a new kind of independent filmmaker to emerge. Our team has years of proven experience in writing, directing, acting, marketing, and harnessing resources to create scintillating content. By investing in our all-female team, you are taking a step to elevate women’s voices. But contributing to something important doesn’t have to be boring. We are making a movie that’s sexy, hilarious, a little cringey at times, and ultimately life affirming. In Closing This is your chance to invest in a film filled with laugh out loud moments, passionate sex, characters who make big mistakes, and ultimately find their way to redemption and new beginnings. Our all female creative team is committed to seeing our movie become a staple in romantic(ish) comedies. "The Graduate,"  still resonates more than fifty years after its premiere. And we hope that the taboos broken in "The Dropout" will spark discussion for many years to come.Join the party! Come for a drink. Stay for a laugh.

## FAQ
1. **Congratulations on your success here so far! There is so much to like. Can you say more about how the script has been received by independent evaluations, since that seems to be central in distinguishing independent movies that are eventually successful? Also, it seems as thou...**
   - Thanks so much for your investment and your kind words about the project! My answers to your excellent question are below. -- Regarding script coverage, your question inspired us to post a campaign update that includes some of the incredible feedback we got from notable contests such as The Launch’s Screenwriting Competition and the Austin Film Festival. Some highlights from The Launch include a glowing assessment of our protagonist: “Nancy is a wonderfully nuanced character whom audiences wi...
2. **Do you have a cast set, if so whom please ? Also a lead music score artist ?**
   - Hi Seth, Thank you for your questions! We are very excited by our cast so far: Davi Santos is attached to play Alex, the lead romantic role, and Colin Bates is attached to play Eli, the son of the film's protagonist. Davi starred on CBS’s “Tell Me A Story” and also will star in the network's upcoming series “Good Sam." Colin has appeared on TV shows like “Mayans, M.C.” and “The Blacklist,” and he will be starring in the upcoming Broadway musical “Girl From the North Country.” More casting att...
3. **Hi! Interested in investing in this film, however just wanted to know what is the estimated total development/production budget?**
   - Thanks for your interest and question, Peter. Our minimum budget is $135,000, and the budget could go up to $450,000 maximum. More funds means we can hire more recognizable cast and add production value to things like equipment, locations and post production.
4. **how did you come so far? We are desperate trying to raise..... https://wefunder.com/searching.for.yoo.feature.film/edit**
   - We are very grateful to have had a successful campaign so far and have been blessed with a great group of investors. If you have specific questions, please feel free to reach out directly to us (our email is on our website) and best of luck on your campaign!
5. **Hi .Very interesting. can you please share what is the production budget. Since the film production funds are going to dilute only us assuming you wont raise the entire film budget and need more investors. . its important to understand that. .**
   - Hi Ben, Thank you for your interest! The maximum production budget is $450,000. Please let me know if you have any more questions and feel free to send any directly to us at thedropoutfeaturefilm@gmail.com.

## Team
- Tyrrell Shaffner (Writer/Director/Producer)
- Meryl Branch-McTiernan (Writer/Producer)
- Milan Chakraborty (Executive Producer)
- Daniel Martens (Editor )
- Kara Sullivan (Casting Director)
- Cassandra Jones (Co-Producer)

## Recent posts
- First Katie's Mom Distribution Sent (2026-01-23T15:33:43Z)
- Katie's Mom on the Roku Channel (2024-12-03T18:19:18Z)
- Featured in Playgirl + Available to Stream (2024-10-10T16:30:51Z)
- We Have Distribution! (2024-08-12T18:00:17Z)
- Catch us at Woods Hole Film Fest! (2024-06-12T14:46:23Z)
- Katie's Mom at EFM + New Trailer! (2024-02-16T14:35:57Z)
- Year End Updates! (2023-12-12T19:26:43Z)
- "Katie's Mom" Hits NYC (2023-11-10T15:49:10Z)
- "Katie's Mom" Wins Best Feature at HPIFF (2023-10-10T21:41:20Z)
- Katie's Mom at Highland Park Indie Film Fest (2023-09-26T22:25:13Z)
- Last Day to Vote for Katie's Mom Funding! (2023-07-31T15:53:12Z)
- Katie's Mom Wins Big + Vote for Funding (2023-07-25T15:33:27Z)
- Katie's Mom Premiere and After Party (2023-06-26T23:17:37Z)
- Trailer Drop! (2023-06-12T17:23:56Z)
- Katies Mom Premiere in Hollywood! (2023-06-02T17:06:47Z)

## Q&A
- Q: Hi Tyrrell and Meryl, I just increased my own investment given the incredibly positive update. I was excited about this project from the beginning, and humbled to become your Lead Investor. As I've followed things closely and enjoyed our conversations I've grown even more impressed. As an investor I see everything in the update you just sent as wonderful news, and as a fan of you two I think it is quite exciting and well-deserved!
  - A: Thank you, Alan! We appreciate you so much!
- Q: Congratulations on your success here so far! There is so much to like. Can you say more about how the script has been received by independent evaluations, since that seems to be central in distinguishing independent movies that are eventually successful? Also, it seems as though films can do really well financially right now even if not widely released in theatres. Can you say more about this shift in the industry? Finally, who would you say is your target audience? Thanks!
  - A: Thanks so much for your investment and your kind words about the project! My answers to your excellent question are below. -- Regarding script coverage, your question inspired us to post a campaign update that includes some of the incredible feedback we got from notable contests such as The Launch’s Screenwriting Competition and the Austin Film Festival. Some highlights from The Launch include a glowing assessment of our protagonist: “Nancy is a wonderfully nuanced character whom audiences will have an easy time relating to. She’s a woman who always tries to do her best, and while she often falls short (because she’s human), she never stops trying.” And AFF said, “This is a fun, sexy script. A modern day screwball if there ever was one. I think the modernized elements like a diverse cast and current relationship dynamics mixed with a throwback genre will help to create a palpable sense of joy in audiences.” You can read more on the updates page :) -- Regarding distribution, the past year has been a time of upheaval in Hollywood. Films are now being released in theaters and VOD at the same time, and in some cases, like Universal's “Trolls World Tour,” VOD sales actually dwarfed theatrical receipts (the film made $100 million in VOD sales, more than the original “Trolls” movie made in 5 months of theatrical box office.) Netflix bought “Malcolm and Marie,” an intimate drama, for $30 million last year and offered a brief theatrical window followed by streaming on its service. On an indie scale, the distributor Kino Lorber launched a VOD platform called Kino Marque that garnered $864,000 over a roughly 6-week window in 2020 for 8 titles. These distribution developments are promising for indie filmmakers and offer viable means to make money beyond often expensive theatrical runs. A film like “The Dropout” can be savored at home with a glass of wine just as much as experiencing the film with a crowded theater to enjoy its raunchiest moments. We’re poised to take advantage of these exciting disruptions occurring in the industry, especially considering our film will be made at a low cost compared to other independent films. -- “The Dropout” depicts an affair between an older woman and a younger man, and our core target audience is Gen X women, who have the most disposable income of any group according to Pew Research Center. But we believe the film has an even broader appeal. The filmmakers are Millennial-aged women who deeply understand the pull of a sexual affair with someone who is wrong for them. A May-December romance also appeals to men, with “MILF" appearing on Porn Hub’s top search terms year after year! And the supporting lead characters are diverse and Gen Z-aged, giving “The Dropout” the potential to be a four quadrant film. “The Dropout” also rides a recent wave of complicated women ruling our screens. Recently, Disney’s “Cruella,” and HBO’s “Mare of Easttown” and “Hacks” depict women who would be described as unlikable--or even villains--in the past, but who are now beloved heroines of their own stories (and queens at the box office and via streaming alike!) We believe a modern day Mrs. Robinson is owed her due and we look forward to exploring her complexities on the big and small screen!
- Q: You should be able to change the name on Wefunder from The Dropout to Katie’s Mom. I invested in another film on Wefunder that started out being called Coming Together. But then changed the name to THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM .
  - A: Hi Benjamin, Thanks for bringing that possibility to our attention. We just changed it! All best, Meryl
- Q: Hi .Very interesting. can you please share what is the production budget. Since the film production funds are going to dilute only us assuming you wont raise the entire film budget and need more investors. . its important to understand that. .
  - A: Hi Ben, Thank you for your interest! The maximum production budget is $450,000. Please let me know if you have any more questions and feel free to send any directly to us at thedropoutfeaturefilm@gmail.com.
- Q: how did you come so far? We are desperate trying to raise..... https://wefunder.com/searching.for.yoo.feature.film/edit
  - A: We are very grateful to have had a successful campaign so far and have been blessed with a great group of investors. If you have specific questions, please feel free to reach out directly to us (our email is on our website) and best of luck on your campaign!
- Q: Hi! Interested in investing in this film, however just wanted to know what is the estimated total development/production budget?
  - A: Thanks for your interest and question, Peter. Our minimum budget is $135,000, and the budget could go up to $450,000 maximum. More funds means we can hire more recognizable cast and add production value to things like equipment, locations and post production.
- Q: Do you have a cast set, if so whom please ? Also a lead music score artist ?
  - A: Hi Seth, Thank you for your questions! We are very excited by our cast so far: Davi Santos is attached to play Alex, the lead romantic role, and Colin Bates is attached to play Eli, the son of the film's protagonist. Davi starred on CBS’s “Tell Me A Story” and also will star in the network's upcoming series “Good Sam." Colin has appeared on TV shows like “Mayans, M.C.” and “The Blacklist,” and he will be starring in the upcoming Broadway musical “Girl From the North Country.” More casting attachments will be announced as we work with our casting director to cast the film. We have not yet attached a composer for the film’s score. I've worked with many talented composers over the years in the industry and I'm confident that we will get an amazing artist for this important role.