Mindy & Martin’s Melee
The award-winning short script “Mindy & Martin’s Melee” is a raucous comedy that shines a light on envy, jealousy, obsession and that weird no man’s land of competition among friends.
It follows Mindy, a resentful and covetous bridesmaid, and her counterpart, Martin, a jealous groomsman, who, minutes before the wedding of their best friends, are about to blow the roof off the event for very different reasons.
While our two protagonists are losing their minds, their friends (and frenemies) try to both put out the fire and stoke the flames, culminating in an uproarious finale when their simmering resentments and passions boil over, igniting a powder keg of accusations, declarations and revelations.
With aspects of “Bridesmaids” and “The Hangover,” we intend to highlight the hilarity in the fragility of our egos and how we can reclaim our self-confidence, our self-esteem … and ourselves.
Logline
A bridesmaid and a best man derail a wedding when their simmering resentments and passions boil over, igniting a powder keg of accusations, declarations and revelations.
Funding
The funds we raise will go toward the church location (we found the perfect place in North Hollywood), the cast and the crew, including director of photography, sound operator, assistant camera, assistant director, production assistants, wardrobe (tuxes and dresses), makeup/hair to make everyone look fabulous, post-production editing, sound design and music, and craft services. Good food helps us work 10-hour days!
Additional Information
Harker wrote this as a short called “Mindy’s Meltdown,” focusing on the bridesmaids, and it had such a warm reception that he decided to write a counterpart focusing on the groomsmen. Once “Martin’s Meltdown” was completed, it called out for a third act, bringing both groups together. And thus “Mindy & Martin’s Melee” was born. It has since been a quarterfinalist in the Filmmatic Comedy Screenplay Awards, placed in the Top 25 of the Roadmap Shorts Competition, and won Best Short Script at the We Make Movies International Film Festival.
Harker had known Jane for a few years and had met Max recently and he asked if they’d like to help bring the story to life. It takes place in one location and has no grand special effects, so it can be shot for a fairly small budget. They were on board, so they scouted locations in Hollywood, Toluca Lake, and North Hollywood, found the ideal church, and will cast some of the best actors in LA to bring the wacky characters to life.
And then they intend to sweep the festival circuit and claim their Oscars in 2026!
Thank You
Thanks so much for your support! A wedding is nothing without guests. We cheers you!
Harker Jones is the author of the acclaimed, award-winning novel “Until September” and nine screenplays, revealing truths through humor and horror. His short thrillers “Cole & Colette” and “One-Hit Wonder” have been accepted into more than 60 film festivals combined, garnering several awards. His first children’s book, “Violet’s Pretty Purple Playground,” and his second novel, a thriller titled “Never Have I Ever,” are due to be printed in 2024. A published poet, he was managing editor of “Out” magazine for seven years and is a member of both the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and Mensa. He loves cats and carbs and would like to be a one-hit wonder but would settle for being killed in a slasher movie.
Maximilian Schmidt is an award-winning writer, director, and editor known for his compelling short films in the horror and dark comedy genres, many of which have earned accolades at film festivals. He has a unique talent for portraying the messy, often misunderstood aspects of humanity, giving voice to the “freaks” and outsiders with authenticity and empathy. Maximilian’s work not only entertains but also sparks conversation, as he seeks to use his films as a mirror to society and culture, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths.
Jane Petrov is co-owner of SkyTown Entertainment, a full-service video production company based in LA and New York. She heads up the Los Angeles office and is an award-winning producer. Films include: One-Hit Wonder, En Suite, What Future, The Fairy Princess, Finding a Match and Opposites Attract; and the comedy series The Four Letter Word. She is also an actor and writer and is thrilled to be working on a comedy by Harker Jones.
Happy Halloween to all you lovely contributors to our campaign! Hope your holiday is better than a zombie wedding. Though some of you might like that.
Harker, Jane and Max
You helped us get to our first level of fundraising at 30%!
We are so grateful for your contributions and support. Raising money for indie filmmaking is not easy, especially during an election year, but that won’t stop us. “Mindy & Martin’s Melee” is moving forward.
We already have an incredible director of photography, Walter Diaz, attached to our comedy, as well as a beautiful church location in North Hollywood for our 3-day shoot. Preliminary casting has begun and we are meeting with production and wardrobe designers who can work with a small budget to create the look and feel of a big production.
We’ll be broadening our fundraising outreach and activities that may include a few entertaining short videos for social media, a film festival night (introducing our production team and some of the work we’ve done) and another crowdfunding effort. Maybe a bake sale? Your ideas are welcome! And you will be kept posted on our behind-the-scenes efforts. It takes a village. Or at least a circus!
(We’ll be disseminating the incentives soon!)
With gratitude,
Harker Jones
Maximillian Schmidt
Jane Petrov
Walter Diaz
Hey, we’re almost a quarter of the way to our goal! Thanks to all of you who have contributed. Thought it would be good to mark this milestone before the weekend really kicks in. If you could, please send the link out on your socials so we can get the word out. This is a special one! Thanks for all you have done!!
SupportOurStory.com/MMM
