Behind the Campaign: What We've Built So Far with About That Time

What the Numbers Don’t Tell You

How a 15% Campaign Became a 100% Movement in Motion

When people see a crowdfunding campaign sitting at 15%, they make assumptions.

But numbers don’t always tell the whole story. They don’t show the housing donors who’ve opened their homes. They don’t capture the industry partners who said yes before the credits even rolled. They don’t measure belief — or community — or the kind of creative momentum that can’t be faked.

Since launching our campaign for About That Time, we’ve watched something bigger unfold. A movement. A shift. A fire that’s still building.

Industry Support Secured

We’ve officially partnered with Hollyland, a company leading the way in making professional filmmaking tools accessible and affordable — especially through wireless audio and video transmission systems trusted by indie creators and growing studios alike.

Their support includes production gear, co-branded content, and behind-the-scenes amplification — a signal that our work isn’t just artistically sound, but technically aligned with where the industry is headed: more access, more autonomy, more stories told on our terms.

Community Partnerships in Motion

This film is happening because people are showing up — not just with donations, but with real-world support. So far:

• Donors have covered housing for several cast and crew members during production

• Production gear has been donated or discounted by supporters who believe in the vision

• Filming locations have been contributed, including private homes, businesses, and community spaces

• Local restaurants and small businesses are stepping up with meal support, goods, and sponsorship

• And we’ve locked in an exciting collaboration with Tones of Melanin, one of the fastest-growing HBCU lifestyle brands in the country

Real-World Reach

Our sponsored post with Official Black Wall Street reached an audience of over 1 million, generating 900+ likes and 270+ shares.

Across all platforms, we’ve grown our social audience and reached over 10,000 people — many of them organically, through shares, reposts, and grassroots energy.

We were also proud to appear at this year’s Virginia Black Film Festival, where we connected with industry leaders and creators aligned with our mission — including potential future collaborators.

And with campaign partnerships like BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) and Black Film Space as our fiscal sponsor, we’re proving this story matters both onscreen and off.

The Crew Is Here. The Work Is Happening.

We’ve officially locked principal photography for a 16 Day shoot (July 12– August 9), and assembled an all-star team of local crew, artists, and collaborators from across Virginia and beyond. Many of them are working below their usual rates, not because they have to — but because they believe in what we’re building.

This campaign has helped us bring them on board, secure critical resources, and make sure this story — one born from our culture, for our people — is made with care and excellence.

A Thank You That’s Bigger Than Words

To the 60+ backers who’ve already supported About That Time: You didn’t just donate. You joined a movement.

This film will get made. And when it does, your fingerprints will be all over it — in every frame, every laugh, every moment of healing and joy that makes its way from the cookout to the screen.

What We Still Need

This film is happening — but to make it happen well, we’re still looking for partners who can help close key production gaps:

Production-Scale Support

We’re actively seeking in-kind support or sponsorship for:

• Housing for traveling cast and crew

• A trailer or RV for wardrobe, hair, and makeup on off-grid locations

• A generator

• Camera & gear rentals

• Canopies, tables, and chairs for outdoor basecamps

• Lunch or breakfast sponsorships for cast/crew meals during filming

• Financial support to help pay our local cast & crew fairly for their time and talent

• Cargo van

  
  

Supplies & Set Essentials

We’re also accepting select in-kind donations of essential supplies that help keep production running smoothly — including:

• Printer ink, fans, batteries, and trash bags

• Paper goods, pens, markers, binders

• Cleaning wipes, safety cones, furniture pads

How to Help

If you're able to sponsor one of these items — or want to make a larger tax-deductible contribution — you can donate directly through our campaign givebutter.com/aboutthattime, or email us at info@kickphase.com to coordinate in-kind support.

This is a community-built film. And every partnership gets us closer to the finish line — together.

What’s Next?

Here’s what’s coming down the pipeline:

• Lock remaining key crew roles

• Secure remaining production gear and resources

• Reach our Phase 1 crowdfunding goal of $40,000

• Begin principal photography July 12–August 9

We still have work to do. But the foundation is real. The heat is building. And this thing is already bigger than us.

Let’s keep going.