T E L E V I S E D

An essential coming-of-age thriller told through the eyes of two student journalists on graduation day

“We are the generation that will turn the world upside down”
— David Hogg (Parkland survivor, activist)

Revolutionary spirit,

realist story

Televised captures the urgency of our moment through the defiance of two students. Inspired by real events in a suburban Philadelphia high school newsroom, this film channels a grounded, emotional realism—and delivers a jolt of hope in an age of disillusionment.

It’s a Gen Z political thriller set in a high school media program — but its impact reaches far beyond the classroom. It’s about manipulation, control, and the critical role of journalism in reclaiming the narrative.

THE STORY

It’s a modern All the President’s Men in a high school newsroom — with the sharpness of The Social Network and the urgency and heat of Do the Right Thing.

When the final assignment becomes the front line

In the days leading up to graduation, two student journalists—August and Jas—are tasked with creating a tribute video for their school’s charismatic principal. It’s supposed to be simple. Safe. A celebration of tradition.

But as they dig deeper, they uncover a decades-long cover-up involving the school’s most powerful leaders—and realize the truth has been buried to protect something far more dangerous—even violent. What begins as a video project becomes a test of everything they believe in.

August wants to keep his head down and graduate. Jas has stayed quiet long enough. Together, they’re forced to confront what scares them most: not just the system—but their own fear of standing up to it.

With cameras rolling and censorship closing in, they hijack the school’s final broadcast—risking their futures, their families, and their safety to expose what the world was never meant to see.

Story themes mirror our real world state

Truth vs. Control
In a world of spin and silence, who decides what gets seen — and what gets erased?

Youth Resistance
The next generation isn’t waiting to be told what’s worth fighting for.

Censorship & Fascism
When institutions protect comfort over reality, dangerous ideas take root.

The Power of Media
Who owns the narrative, and what happens when students take the broadcast into their own hands?

“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity… That is how civilizations heal.”

— Toni Morrison

THE STYLE AND TONE

Poetic realism—a raw lens on power, truth, and control.

Televised is crafted to feel like a truth barely captured before it disappears—chaotic when it needs to be, hushed when it matters most. The story moves like a real-time broadcast unraveling, using handheld movement, natural light, and in-world footage to keep the audience inside the tension.

When the momentum slows, we land in the quiet—where light, silence, and framing speak louder than words.

NOTABLE STYLE INFLUENCES: The Insider (1999), Whiplash (2014), Birdman (2014)

OUR TARGET AUDIENCES

  • GEN Z: For the generation tired of superheroes—and hungry for the real kind.

    We’re making this for those who want heroes who look like them: scared, flawed, but still brave. You’ve grown up watching power used to control. Now you want to see it challenged—by real people with cameras, not capes.

    • 70% of Gen Z believe it’s important for entertainment to address social and political issues. (Pew Research, 2022)

    • 76% say they’ve taken some form of action (protest, petition, post) around causes they care about. (DoSomething Strategic, 2021)

    • 58% say they trust people like them more than traditional institutions. (Edelman Trust Barometer, 2023)

  • MILLENIALS: Raised on hope, aged into skepticism. Still searching for something real.

    We’re making this for those who believed in hope and progress, only to be met with gridlock and collapse. You’ve seen the system glitch up close—and still believe stories can be a form of resistance.

    • 88% say they’re more likely to support brands (and films) that take a stand on issues they care about. (Edelman, 2023)

    • Millennials drive 30% of total U.S. streaming hours. (Nielsen, 2022)

    • 2 in 3 feel disillusioned by politics but still engage in issue-based action (e.g. voting, donating, organizing). (Pew, 2021)

  • GEN X: Original rebels who know silence is a choice

    We’re making this for those who challenged authority before it was trending—and now see a new generation facing the same rot in shinier packaging. You recognize the fight, and what it costs to stay quiet.

    • 60% of Gen X say they’re concerned about censorship and political influence in schools. (Pew, 2022)

    • They spend more time consuming news media daily than any other generation. (Statista, 2023)

    • 49% say they are likely to support indie films with strong political or cultural relevance. (Nielsen Fan Insights, 2023)

  • PARENTS + EDUCATORS: The ones trying to protect their kids from the fight—and realizing they can’t.

    We’re making this for those who’ve watched classrooms become battlegrounds, who’ve shielded young people from headlines they can’t unsee. You know the cost of silence and believe truth is something worth passing down.

    • 76% of parents say they’re concerned about misinformation in schools. (NPR/Ipsos, 2022)

    • 85% of K–12 educators say they believe students should learn about power, bias, and censorship. (EdWeek, 2023)

    • 71% of parents say they want more content that sparks conversation with their kids about real issues. (Common Sense Media, 2022)

THE TEAM TO MAKE IT REAL

TIM VIOLA
Writer | DIrector

Award-winning filmmaker and founder of Consurgo Films whose 15-year career spans narrative and brand storytelling and his short film, Americano, is available now on Apple TV.

Tim’s work has premiered in LA, NY and Philadelphia at Dances With Films, New York International Shorts, and First Glance. In addition to film, Tim’s led digital strategy for brands including Deloitte, Chase, and Campbell’s, and currently manages a $3 million in-house creative agency.

TELEVISED is his first feature and most personal project to date — a cinematic reckoning with the systems he once stayed silent within.

KRIS MENDOZA, PGA
Producer

Two-time Emmy® Award-winning producer and the founder of Maestro Filmworks, a Philadelphia-based production company dedicated to championing underrepresented voices in film.

A graduate of both NYU and The Wharton School, Kris brings a unique blend of creative and business expertise to every project. His work has screened at Tribeca and the Philadelphia Film Festival, and he serves on the board of Big Picture Alliance, supporting youth media education across the city.

As a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA), Kris is committed to creating powerful, purpose-driven stories that resonate.

Consurgo Films Narrative and Music Video Reel

Maestro Filmworks Commercial Reel

DISTRIBUTION + MARKETING STRATEGY

We’re not waiting for permission with an outdated independent film pipeline.

Televised is a film for the audience. We want to embrace its own DNA and challenge old ideas of distribution. Select festival premieres, if impactful, could be considered, but our preferred release strategy is designed to feel like a truly independent movement. From the very first screening, we’re creating the sense that this isn’t something you scroll past — it’s something you show up for.

We’ve designed every phase to drive visibility, urgency, and long-tail value.

Limited Theatrical Window (Event-Driven Buzz)

    • 15–20 markets: NYC, Philly, Chicago, LA, Atlanta, Austin

    • Limited run via AMC, Regal, and indie cinema partner

    • Select cast + crew Q&A events in anchor cities

    • Day-and-date schedule: theatrical screenings + pre-digital buzz

    • Geo-targeted social ad buys for each screening market (IG/Meta/TikTok)

    • Influencer-hosted watch parties + story takeovers

    • Custom teaser cuts for each region (local pride + urgency)

    • Limited city-specific ticket giveaways via youth orgs + activist coalitions

    • Attendees leave with zines, QR posters, or branded tokens

    • Online storefront w/ fulfillment partner (Shopify or integrated D2C)

    • Design merch as storyworld artifacts (VHS cases, old ID badges, leaked files)

    • IG Reels + TikToks of fans unboxing, burning Loxley posters (IYKYK), remixing drops

TVOD Digital Release

    • Available on Apple, Amazon

    • Premium window ($9.99–$14.99), followed by price drop

    • Platform-agnostic links in all social campaigns

    • Captures audiences who heard about theatrical but couldn’t attend

    • NovatownTV character-run accounts (Instagram + TikTok) drop in-world teasers

    • Partner with Gen Z content creators to react, remix, and challenge the film’s themes

    • Creator toolkits: BTS, memes, quote cards, “leaked” scenes

    • Activate Discord & Reddit to drive conversation threads

Educational & Institutional Licensing

    • Licensing to high schools, universities, orgs (via Kanopy EDU, GOOD DOCS, or direct)

    • Classroom rights, campus screening kits, and event Q&A options

    • DEI and media literacy focus; tied to curriculum standards

    • Outreach through education partners, PTAs, youth nonprofits

    • Teacher toolkits, lesson plans, and social-emotional learning material

    • Regional pilot campaigns with testimonials from educators and students

International Expansion + SVOD Digital (Longtail)

  • INTERNATIONAL DISTRO

    • Festival placements → foreign sales agents

    • Streamer licensing: Netflix Global, Topic, MUBI, etc.

    • Activist-driven pop-up screenings in UK, Germany, France, Brazil

    SVOD LICENSING

    • Secure a flat-fee or revenue-sharing license with platforms like Netflix, MUBI, Topic, or Hulu

    • Prioritize non-exclusive licensing for flexibility unless deal terms are significant

    • Explore territory-based deals (e.g. Topic U.S., MUBI Global)

  • INTERNATIONAL ADS

    • Localized subtitles and cultural intros (student journalist context per region)

    • Partnerships with anti-censorship orgs, press freedom coalitions

    • In-language press and Q&As with local thought leaders

    SVOD ADS

    • Relaunch with a “Now Streaming” campaign using press quotes, influencer posts, and final teaser content

    • Retarget TVOD + theatrical audiences with paid ads and email blasts

    • Activate partner orgs and schools to amplify visibility on release day

COMPARIABLES

  • BLUE RUIN

    Director: Jeremy Saulnier
    2025 Adjusted Budget: ~$620K | Box Office: ~$993K

    Distribution: Cannes → acquired by RADiUS-TWC → limited theatrical + VOD

    Minimalist revenge thriller by a then-unknown director. Built critical acclaim through precise craft and mood. TELEVISED shares its lean production model, genre intensity, and strategic rollout (theatrical + digital blend).

  • BRICK

    Director: Rian Johnson
    2025 Adjusted Budget: ~$760K | Box Office: ~$4M

    Distribution: Sundance award-winner → distributed by Focus Features

    A genre-bending mystery set in high school, made on a shoestring. Brick’s bold narrative voice and student-centered world mirror TELEVISED’s own high-stakes teen thriller. Both are built to become cult favorites with real legs.

  • NAPOLEAN DYNAMITE

    Director: Jared Hess
    2025 Adjusted Budget: ~$672K | Box Office: ~$46M

    Distribution: Sundance → Fox Searchlight → expanded theatrical with youth-driven campaign

    A socially awkward teen’s world, told in a totally original tone — built viral success through Gen Z–style weirdness before Gen Z was a thing. Like TELEVISED, it captured a youth perspective outside the mainstream and leveraged it to huge return.

INVITATION TO INVEST AND PARTNER

Tim and Kris are seeking not just an investor, but someone who believes in the story—in our mission with the film. We’re seeking a partner to enable this project to take shape and ensure it reaches our audiences.

Funding Streams

  • We’re offering investors participation in the backend profits of the film.

    • Equity-based return model

    • Recoup-first or waterfall terms available

    • Multiple investment tiers open (starting at $50K)

    • $150K and above earns Executive Producer title

  • We plan to shoot in Pennsylvania, a state offering up to 25% in film tax credits.

    • Credit can be sold or applied to reduce costs

    • Estimated $125K–$250K value depending on final budget

    • Funds will be reinvested directly into production and post

Target Budget

$500k - $1M

We’ve designed TELEVISED for maximum creative control, fair pay for cast and crew and deep commercial reach. This budget covers not just the production, but the distribution machine to ensure the film is seen.

Production Roadmap

    • Script locked

    • Director, Producer and EP attached

    • Budget & distribution model mapped

    • Raise $500k production budget to greenlight

    • Attach cast and topline crew

    • Pre-Pro: Lock locations, permits, schedule, production crew

    • Pro: Shoot (18–21 day schedule)

    • Post Pro: Edit, Picture lock, Sound mix, Score

    • Secure final $500K for distribution + advertising

    • Limited theatrical push

    • Influencer & grassroots campaign

    • Merch line + digital launch

Funding Allocation

    • Principal Cast & Crew (w/ benefits + payroll) — $150,000

    • Equipment, Gear, and Rentals — $60,000

    • Locations, Permits, and Set Operations — $40,000

    • Post-Production (edit, color, sound, score) — $100,000

    • Production Insurance, Travel, Contingency — $25,000

    • Name Talent (1–2 known actors) — $75,000

    • Legal Services (contracts, rights clearance) — $20,000

    • Payroll Services & Accounting — $15,000

    • Union Fees (SAG-AFTRA compliance) — $15,000

    • Digital Marketing & Influencer Activation — $100,000

    • Theatrical Rollout (AMC, Regal, Indie Events) — $125,000

    • Publicity & PR Campaign (Press, Podcasts, Coverage) — $75,000

    • Website, Trailer, Social & Behind-the-Scenes — $50,000

    • Merch Line + Pay-It-Forward Platform — $50,000

    • Educational & Community Outreach (schools, orgs, toolkits) — $50,000

    • Livestream Premiere Event & Tour Support — $50,000

Revenue Projections

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