INTRO

Hey there! I'm Rachael Kuecher, a Brooklyn-based screenwriter and filmmaker who wrote and will direct The Stress of IT!. The above photo is me with my incredibly talented producers, Atiya Taylor (left) and Taylor Harris-Butler (right).

My producing team and I have set up an Indiegogo campaign to help us cover the cost of production (budget breakdown below).

We have set up this alternative fundraising page so businesses and individuals can donate and receive a tax receipt!

Please read below to learn more about our film and mission. You can also learn more about the artists on our team at our website, www.thestressofit.com.

MISSION STATEMENT

Hookup culture and dating have become increasingly challenging as they have become more accessible. But maybe everyone wouldn’t be quite so distressed if we openly discussed these topics instead of marking them as too taboo to broach. 

So, what happens when two people who thought their one-night stand would stay just that—one night—are unexpectedly forced back together to confront an obstacle neither saw coming?

This summery, punchy film explores the less sexy sides of hookups and dating that everyone keeps glossing.

THE STORY

After Lia (Renée Harrison) realizes she may be pregnant, she hunts down Jason (Malachi Beasley), her one-night- stand to level the playing field. Only for them to discover together, there’s a nationwide recall on pregnancy tests. 

The Stress of IT!  is intimate, gritty, and charming. It is an ode to the complexities of human connection and raises the question, "What obligations do we have to someone we're casually intimate with?"

CASTING

Renée Harrison (The CW’s All American: Homecoming) stars as Lia.

Malachi Beasley (Netflix’s Untitled Kathryn Bigelow White House Thriller) stars as Jason.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

After working as a PA in the industry for a year, I was confronted with a reality that almost deterred me from filmmaking: community and artistry rarely coincide.

However, my last project as a PA—Sing Sing (2024)—showed me that filmmaking can be done with care and dignity while uplifting every member of your team.

That energy has been and will continue to be upheld in making this film. Almost all sets have a pay hierarchy, and in independent projects, some roles become deprioritized and go un-paid.

However, if I've learned anything, it's that every member of your team is essential and their contribution invaluable.

That is why our film will be modeled after Sing Sing's pay equity model.  It is imperative that I not only compensate every artist but do so equally.

ARTISTIC APPROACH

Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing and Sean Baker's Tangerine inspired our film's aesthetic and tone. 

Our DP, Jake Vriezelaar, will merge hand-held tracking shots to highlight the grand chaos of Lia and Jason's adventure with intimate close-ups to highlight moments of reprieve. 

To highlight Flatbush's fullness and encapsulate the community's vibrancy during the summer, we will combine natural lighting and sound and create an original score with a local hip-hop collective - Good Lives Crew. 

SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS + THE FLATBUSH COMMUNITY

Since I moved to Brooklyn almost six years ago, I have lived only in Flatbush. As I settled in and established relationships with my neighbors and the owners of spaces I frequented often—local restaurants, laundromats, hardware stores, and delis—I became comforted by this community that has supported its people and families for generations.  

It’s been an honor to live here, and truthfully, having never lived anywhere else in the city, it only feels right to make this neighborhood the backdrop of our story. 

Throughout the different production phases, we will work with local artists and vendors to continue the cycle of generosity and provide the support Flatbush has shown me and the people who have always called it home. 

BUDGET BREAKDOWN 

The goal for our Indiegogo Campaign is $30,000. 

•31.37% Cast & Crew Pay. *Although we are proud to run on pay equity, our daily rate is lower than standard film and commercial rates.

•14.48% Panavision Camera Equipment + Insurance (COI), Lighting Gear + Misc. Equipment

•13.6% Marketing *To stand out, we must advertise strategically. To help gain traction, we've crafted a podcast series and other gorilla-style marketing tactics to broaden our audience and financial supporters.

•13.1% Contingency Plan  *Unforeseen expenses: Film production is unpredictable. Things can go wrong, from bad weather delaying shoots to equipment malfunctions. These funds will cover all unexpected costs and keep us from derailing the production schedule or exceeding budget.

•3.32% Catering and Craft *We will be catering from Flatbush restaurants

•2.81% Transportation

•2.81% Location Fees

•2.81% Grant and Festival Submission Fees

•1.11% Wardrobe and Art

TIMELINE

Pre-Production | April - May 2025

•Locking locations, assembling crew, and setting schedules.

Production | June 2025

•Principal Photography begins in Brooklyn, NY.

Post-Production | July - December 2025.

•Scoring, mixing, color grading, and picture lock.

Festival Submissions | March - September 2026.

•Targeting top festivals, including Tribeca, SXSW, Sundance, Newfest and more.

PERKS

You can see our perk levels on our Indiegogo page. Our producing team will ensure that whatever you donate through this platform receives the corresponding perk!

MORE WAYS YOU CAN HELP IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO CONTRIBUTE

•Follow and interact with our social media posts. Instagram + TikTok + Youtube: @tsoi_film

•Send us an email <[email protected]> if you have alternative ways to support us!