Safe in My Skin is writer/director Dylan Rizzo's forthcoming graduate thesis film, to be shot in upstate New York in September 2024, and New York City in October 2024. 

This film is interested in trying to dissect memory and masculinity. How does our perception of the past and memories change as we get older, and how do they aid us in the process of growth? Through facing his memories, Mikey is able to grieve, and learn to begin forgiving his friend, and himself. How does one unlearn the traditional, and often harmful, ideals of American masculinity that are taught to young boys? Often manliness is associated with wielding power, strength and being emotionally impenetrable, except for anger. These are obviously impossible and dangerous pillars to live by. And where do Asian American boys fit into this view of what it means to be an American man? This project will question what it means to be American, and to portray an Asian American experience that is often not represented in the media.

By partnering with Fractured Atlas for our crowdfunding we have ensured that all of your contributions can be tax deductible.

Our budget is expected to be around $25,000. We need your help to raise $10,000. The MFA program Dylan is a part of is contributing $10,000 which is a massive first step towards our reaching our budget goal. The remaining budgetary needs will be self-funded by Dylan and the production team, as well as private donors.

The money we raise will help us pay for:

Transportation: $1,500. As the production company and crew is based in New York, we will be transporting the equipment and a crew of 15 to upstate New York. This money will go towards renting a cargo truck for the gear & passenger van for the duration of the shoot.

Lodging: $1,500. We will be providing lodging for a cast and crew of 20 in upstate New York for three days.

Food: $4,000. For cast and crew of 20 people to eat three meals a day for six days.

Color Grading: $1,000. 

Sound Editing: $2,000.

Dylan Rizzo (Writer/Director) is a filmmaker and photographer based in New York City. He is currently pursuing his MFA in directing at Brooklyn College’s Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema. His work draws from his experiences as a native New Yorker and Chinese - Italian American. Last year he completed a 18 min short film titled “One Day I’ll Open My Fist”, shot on location in NYC’s Chinatown on 16mm film. It is currently being submitted to festivals.

Leo Zhang (Cinematographer) is a cinematographer, director and music composer based in NYC. Born in Beijing, Leo has over seventeen years of experience with photography and visual arts, working in both the indie film and commercial worlds. His films have been featured in numerous festivals incl. Palm Springs, Cannes, Mallorca and Slamdance. Leo is currently obtaining his MFA from NYU Tisch

Jason Gotlieb (Producer/1AD) is a producer, AD, and screenwriter based in New York City. He has produced award winning shorts, written features and pilots, and is currently pursuing his MFA in screenwriting from Brooklyn College. Before film school he worked as a computer programmer. Jason loves to cook and finds story inspiration while traveling on his bike and Amtrak.

Elise Raven (Casting Director) is a French-American casting director, scout & casting associate based in NYC.  Some notable clients she's worked with in collaboration with the agency Casting Double include Nike, Samsung, Skims, Savage X Fenty, Ebay, Sephora, as well as numerous film and TV productions for Netflix, Apple TV, HULU, A24, El Deseo, and NEON.

Manuela Romero (Producer/Casting Assistant) is a theater and film maker from Bogotá, Colombia based in New York City. She got a BFA in Drama and a BA in Political Science from New York University and is currently pursuing an MFA in Film Directing at Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema.

Hannah Schulman (Producer) is an emerging producer, director and writer based in New York City.  She’s produced numerous award winning short films as well as music videos for Maya Hawke, Palehound, MICHELLE and more. When not working on set she practices ceramics at her Brooklyn studio.

Abyn Reabe (Producer) grew up in Falmouth, Maine and is currently pursuing an MFA in cinema arts from Brooklyn College's Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema.

Sam Jang-Milsten (Producer) is a producer based in Brooklyn, New York. He is pursuing a MS in Production of Cinematic Arts from Brooklyn College. Sam doesn't limit his producing to the medium of film, and often finds himself organizing and hosting dinner parties around New York City.