MEDIOCRACY, what if music were forbidden ?

After financing half of my second short film Mediocracy, shot in Los Angeles, without any grants or institutional support, I am reaching out for your support to give it the visibility it deserves! Hello everyone, my name is Jordan, and I’m in my thirties. I grew up in the 93, specifically in Rosny-sous-Bois, with a passion for cinema and music. I earned a master's degree in "Management and Marketing of Creative Industries" in Paris and then worked in the music industry with French artists who have international careers. In 2017, I moved to California, where I learned the trade of producing by co-founding the production company Couscous (James Blake, Quavo, J.I.D, Lolo Zouai, Mereba, Brodinski). I returned to Paris in 2020 and officially began my directing career after writing my first award-winning short film, "Hypernormality." After three experiences in writing and directing music videos to refine my narrative approach, I decided to take on a colossal challenge: to make my second short film in Los Angeles. MEDIOCRACY... Mediocracy" is a thirteen-minute immersive audiovisual experience that depicts a dystopian world where access to culture is controlled by a government entity and music is strictly prohibited. A prohibition agent, John, will question his beliefs as he and his colleague prepare to arrest two teenagers who have committed the unforgivable act of listening to a song together. This film was shot over two days in Los Angeles in April 2024 with a crew of about thirty people. Written and directed by myself, it was produced by Ben Narich through Purple Cactus Productions, founded by Maria Prieto, Sara Eklund and Lily Darragh Harty. The soundtrack features music by Nömak, Ipon, and Yves Nord (Uptempo). The official release of the short film is scheduled for 2025. ...OR HOW TO MAKE A SHORT MOVIE (IN LOS ANGELES). How does one transition from an invented story to cinematic reality? What are the keys to success for surpassing oneself and bringing your wildest narratives to life? How do you finance projects that are sometimes deemed "too" ambitious? Step by step, I will cover in a book and during a masterclass the aspects of creating a short film, from writing to the end of post-production: casting, rehearsals, art direction that determines location and costume choices, shooting, editing, the soundtrack… all the way to the crucial moment of the premiere. As both a manifesto for creation filled with anecdotes and a guide for aspiring directors, I would like to share my experience through a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes of cinema between Paris and Los Angeles. THE REWARDS It was important for us to thank you in proportion to your support. This project is built with you, and regardless of the amount of your donation, my team and I are deeply grateful. At a minimum, we will add your name to the "special thanks" section in the film's credits, as you have literally contributed to the film. You are now part of the team and will receive a temporary private link allowing you to watch the film before its official release. With the maximum contribution, and with a bit of luck, you could win a trip for two to Paris (or Los Angeles)* to join us for the premiere of "Mediocracy" in Hollywood in Fall 2024. We've also prepared plenty of other elements that will be both useful and enjoyable for you. *Raffle among participants who contributed to the campaign by obtaining a "Lacrimosa" or "Mediocracy" pack, departing from Paris (or Los Angeles only, depending on your geographical location) with a limit of 700 euros per ticket. The book and masterclass "Mediocracy, or How to Make Your Short Film (in Los Angeles)" A few months ago, I realized that something crucial was missing in my journey as a director: sharing my professional and personal experiences with a creative community. Since then, I have decided to organize masterclass sessions that welcome participants from all backgrounds to learn the craft of directing through my past projects. These meetings combine theory, behind-the-scenes secrets, and shooting anecdotes. The book will condense all the theoretical information shared and will include exclusive elements such as excerpts from the original script, storyboard pages, on-set photos, and other surprises. In addition to being informative and entertaining, this book will tastefully adorn your coffee table. Pocket-sized, elegant, practical, and sturdy with dimensions of 115x175mm; Color cover with a glossy finish; 60 pages with text and illustrations; High-quality printing. Mediocracy Soundtrack CD Before being pressed on vinyl and while waiting for its release on streaming platforms, you will have the chance to listen to the film's original soundtrack exclusively on this Mediocracy audio disc. Mozart - Lacrimosa (Nömak remix) Bing Crosby - Pennies from Heaven (Yves Nord dark orchestra rework) Ipon x Zzero - Mediocracy Mediocracy "Hoodie" x Appartmentbauer Limited serie Unisex Screenprinting by INFAMOUS Oversize fit 100% coton 460 gms Mediocracy "Teeshirt" x Appartmentbauer Limited serie Unisex Screenprinting by INFAMOUS Oversize fit 100% coton 240 gms Poster of the film by Appartmentbauer 40x60cm format Game rules for the raffle to win the trip in Paris (or Los Angeles).

THE TEAM It was essential for me to assemble a multicultural and complementary team. On one side, I sought French talents for their expertise in auteur cinema, which was crucial for Mediocracy. On the other hand, I wanted to collaborate with Americans, as we filmed on location, and I enjoy working with local talent. Moreover, they taught me so much, and after often sharing my admiration for them with my French collaborators, I wanted them to experience it firsthand. After many efforts and calls, my producers Ben and Maria, based in Los Angeles, and I successfully brought together the ideal team for this project. Actor Sayyid El Alami (Oussekine, Messiah, La Pampa), who has recently shone at several international festivals with his leading roles, possesses a pure talent that enhances every film he participates in. It is an honor to have him with us to embody the role of Paul. Nemi Brooks, who truly captivated me during our casting session in Los Angeles, felt like a natural choice. From her first audition, her precision was striking, and her professionalism pushed her to continually exceed expectations to deliver the best performance possible. Deezo and Sunee, two rappers from the Californian scene, paradoxically took on the roles of prohibition agents in this dystopian world I aimed to portray, where all forms of music are eradicated. Audrey Forrester was so impressive that she prompted me to rewrite part of the script—something that takes a lot to achieve. Nicolas Aguilar, our cinematographer, is experiencing a meteoric rise due to his talent behind the camera. He has worked on several successful Hollywood films, including Killers of the Flower Moon (as part of the B team), alongside the great Rodrigo Prieto, with whom he collaborated on his directorial debut, Pedro Páramo. The list of talents involved is extensive, and I invite you to discover the full credits upon the project's release to pay tribute to everyone who accepted to accompany me in realizing this project that, on paper, seemed impossible.