Joke’s on You (aka JOY) is a love letter to the Dallas comedy scene. Maya, a blundering 30-something professional, discovers her comedic superpowers and takes the stand-up world by storm. Along the way she encounters love and heartbreak, but if you think either one will stop her, then … joke’s on you.
Read below for more information about our journey and the project. Or you can also check out:
And while you’re here, please check out the video that Bil Arscott, our Director of Photography, made of our creative team (above).
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A Conversation with Winn LaRue and Michelle Redding
JOY Executive Producers and Co-writers
Winn: JOY started in 2021 with a dream. I don’t know if it was pandemic trauma, withdrawal from not being able to perform stand-up, or a bad burrito, but the dream felt so real. I dreamed I was browsing Netflix and I saw “Joke’s on You” featured on the front page. I connected with the characters of Maya, Sam, and Gerry, and the emotional choices they made. When I woke up, I tried to find the movie on Netflix and Hulu, but had no luck. I was confused and a bit sad when I realized it had all been a dream. How did it end? I had to make it real! Michelle : That’s where I came in! Winn : I’d written down everything I could remember in my dream journal and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I thought if anyone could give me advice on bringing my idea to life, it was you - my good friend and former improv partner, who’d just finished writing a novel. Michelle: In July 2022 I was in Hawaii celebrating my parents’ 50th anniversary when I got a text from you, asking if we could talk. I thought someone had died! Instead you told me all about your dream and I instantly connected with it. I utilized my improv training and replied, “YES, AND … I’d love to write it with you!” Winn: And I responded like the professional stand-up I was with “NO, but…I’ll think about it.” Stand-up comedy is an individual art and I’d gotten used to writing and working alone. I didn’t think I wanted a partner. Then I realized that you and I are so different, but that’s what JOY needed: yin and yang. Someone funny who could also ground me, someone who could organize my ADHD thoughts… Michelle: Someone who knew Excel. As I like to say - there’s nothing a bottle of rose and a skillfully crafted spreadsheet can’t fix. You called and asked if I was still interested. WAS I? Yes AND…when do we start? The next month you flew from New York to Texas and we locked ourselves in a cabin for a weekend to write our first scene together. Which was actually the last scene in the film. Despite all of the new people we’ve brought into the project with us and all of the script overhauls, that first scene we wrote has remained nearly unchanged. It’s a testament to the magic we create when we write together. Winn: The rest, as they say, was history. Michelle: You mean HERstory. Winn : Oh, Michelle. You and your puns.
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“Joke’s on You” started life as a romantic comedy about a comedienne. The story resonated with us, because as experienced comics we felt that none of the shows or movies about comedy had gotten it right: the infinite repetitions, the late night open mics, the endless dick jokes… However, the more we wrote the more our characters revealed to us what we needed to write about. Though we wanted to pay homage to the rom-coms of the 80s and 90s that we grew up on, we discovered that we weren’t writing a rom-com. We were telling the story of a strong woman succeeding in a male-dominated field without having to sacrifice her dreams to get there. While writing, we spent a lot of time discussing the various types of female relationships. We wanted to show women supporting each other, even in a competitive environment. We also wanted show through Maya’s love interest, Sam, that men can be allies to strong women without losing themselves. We also spent a lot of time figuring out who Gerry, Maya’s rival, was. It was important that he not be a cartoon caricature of a villain, but that the audience understand his own journey and insecurities that led him to treat Maya poorly. We soon realized that we were telling a story about Dallas - Fort Worth, the metroplex that launched both of our comedy careers. Dallas has a thriving comedy and arts scene, not that you’d be able to tell by watching movies.(Dallas is more than cowboys, The Cowboys, and who shot JR …promise!) As we wrote Dallas itself became its own character and we grew excited to showcase the venues and local comedy scene for a larger audience. In the twelve years since we started performing comedy in Dallas, we’ve performed at venues around town and made connections with local theaters. We’ve already arranged to film on location at several local venues and we can’t wait to show our city off. So why “Joke’s on You”? It’s a story for anyone who wants to watch:
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| We appreciate any assistance you can offer and we’re excited to offer a variety of perks to say thank you.
P.S. Winn would like you to know that if we raise enough, we may have a live horse in the film … gotta rep Texas. All rewards photos below are from our second script-read through, courtesy of Thomas Garza Photography. We were fortunate to hold our read-through at Four Day Weekend Theater in Dallas, a local comedy power house and future filming location for JOY. |  |
Perks
What’s that? Just feeling like throwing some money at an awesome film without filling a landfill? Here’s the reward for you. And by that…no reward. You choose the amount, from $2 to, well, sky’s the limit.
No matter how much you are able to give, we truly appreciate you.
We need a one word suggestion…
In the grand tradition of improv we’ll ask you for a word or phrase and then write you something funny. Wanna know what we’ll write? Too bad, because we don’t know yet either. It’ll be a joke or a (short) song or a limerick or … well, just buy this reward and find out already.
We’ll send you a hand-written note professing our undying gratitude for your generosity and include a limited edition, sold-only-from-us JOY Bringer sticker. That’s right - your very own mementos for your scrapbook… or Stanley Cup.
(Stanley Cup not included - those are almost as expensive as movies, y’all.)
A handwritten card and a sticker isn’t enough for you? Well, don’t fret because we got your back. Here’s a handwritten note, a sticker AND a button. BOOM!
“Joke’s on You” co-writers Winn LaRue and Michelle Redding will be at your disposal for 1 hour to help you punch up your own writing. Stand-up set, comedy sketch, your kid’s history homework? We’ll give you tips and tricks to make it funnier. (We just can’t guarantee your kid will pass after we’ve rewritten history…)
It’s in the bag… your very own JOY Bringer tote bag, that is. Plus we’ll throw in the sticker, button, and handwritten note from those other tiers. It’s a JOY-ful goody bag, straight from our hearts to your home.
See your name in lights - or at least in digital film at the end of the movie. We’ll include you in our Special Thanks section of the credits and on IMDB.
Lights, camera, action! It’s your chance to be a star. You can be an extra in JOY when we film. Or for the camera shy, you can be our guest and hang out with us while we film. Plus you’ll get a special thanks in the film’s credits and IMDB.
You’re responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses. We will do the best we can to find a filming date that you are able to attend, but there will be no refunds if you’re unable to be available during filming or otherwise unable to redeem the reward.
Be a VIP for a day on set. You’ll shadow our director and see how the magic is made and even have a chance to help out (if you’d like). We’ll give you some special swag as a thank you and a Production Assistant credit on the film.
You’re responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses. We will do the best we can to find a filming date that you are able to attend, but there will be no refunds if you’re unable to be available during filming or otherwise unable to redeem the reward.
We will include your company’s logo in the credits of the film and on our website as an official corporate sponsor of “Joke’s on You.”
If you don’t have a company and still want to be an official sponsor, we will list your name big and bold with the official sponsors.
- 0 claimed
- 1 remaining
You’ll get your name or corporate logo listed as an official sponsor of “Joke’s on You” in the credits and the movie. We’ll invite you to the set to hobnob with the cast and crew of the movie. And… [drumroll]… we’ll work with you to name a character in the film. The character is planned to be in multiple scenes, so it should not be in danger of being an editing room casualty. (So make the name a good one…)
Joke’s on You creative team does have veto power should any names not fit the vibe of the film or pass legal trademark challenges. You’re responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses. We will do the best we can to find a filming date that you are able to attend, but there will be no refunds if you’re unable to be available during filming or otherwise unable to redeem the reward.
Campaigns
Creative Team
Back row (left to right): Winn, Nicole, Bil, Maria; Front: Michelle
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Bil Arscott
Director of Photography
The Owner and President of C-47 Films, Bil has a long history of working in motion pictures, video, still photography, and advertising. His clients have included HBO, Showtime, Saturday Night Live, and The Late Show with Conan O’Brien.
A multifaceted filmmaker, Bill has a BFA in Filmmaking and a minor in Studio Art from Stephen F. Austin State University. He’s skilled in producing, directing, acting, writing, cinematography, lighting and post-production.
Nicole Hodges
Line Producer and 1st AD
Nicole is an award winning and passionate filmmaker. She is 1st VP of SAGAFTRA DFW and on the Board of Directors for Women in Film Dallas. Nicole has studied comedy at UNC School of the Arts, Second City Los Angeles and Dallas Comedy House.
She has been featured on Comedy Central’s ‘Important Things with Demtri Martin and IFC’s ‘The Birthday Boys’. She has worked with comedy legends Bob Odenkirk, H Jon Benjamin, Todd Barry and is excited to put Joke’s On You on the comedy gold map!
Winn LaRue
Executive Producer and Co-Writer
Winn has performed improv, sketch, and stand-up in Texas and New York since 2012. She has done voiceovers in English and Spanish and appeared in TV, films, and podcasts. Winn is a graduate of Dallas Comedy House, Four Day Weekend, The Upright Citizen’s Brigade, and Second City Conservatory.
Winn performed stand-up at notable NYC venues, including Caroline’s on Broadway and Dangerfield’s, and produced variety shows at Don’t Tell Mama’s. She currently teaches improv at Four Day Weekend Dallas.
Michelle Redding
Executive Producer and Co-Writer
Michelle has written and performed improv, sketch, and stand-up around Dallas-Ft. Worth for over a dozen years. She is a graduate of Second City’s Conservatory, Dallas Comedy House’s improv program and Stomping Ground Comedy Theater’s writing program. She was a writer on ”Tech Tock: A Sketch Review,” which was nominated for Broadway World Dallas’ ” Best Original Script.”
Michelle has twenty-three years of corporate leadership experience in finance, marketing, and risk management.
Maria Schachter
Director
Maria has over a decade of experience acting in films, TV, advertising, and theater. For the last five years she has also produced, written, and directed a variety of projects, including pilot episodes and short films.
Her short film, “La venganza de la flamenca” was selected to be produced by Madrid Film Institute and was nominated for “Best Short Film” at MadFest 2023. Her music video “Earth Mother” won “ Best Production Design” at The Apex Film Festivalin 2020.
How Can I Help?
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Show us the moneyIt’s expensive to make a feature film. Really, really expensive - but we can’t wait to get started. Any bit helps - it really, really does. But you already knew that. After all, you’re on our crowdfunding page. We’re asking for $10,000 but that’s really a drop in the bucket. We’re talking to investors and have other fundraising plans and this enables us to have seed money to make all those other things happen. (If you happen to be an investor or know one, send them our way: jokesonyoumovie@gmail.com.) We’ve come up with a variety of rewards to hopefully to encourage you to open your wallets and give generously. Really, really generously. See our rewards and perks for the list of things you can buy and experience. |  |
Show us the Love
Along with that whole money thing, we’d love your likes and follows. Plus, we want to let as many people know about developments with our movie as possible… especially you!
| JOY Instagram | JOY Facebook | Joy X (fka Twitter) |
Show us the Shares
Share the JOY! If you like us, tell your friends, relatives, neighbors, dog sitters, people waiting in line at the grocery store (you get the idea) about our crowdfundr.
If you don’t like us, tell your enemies. Really, we’re not picky.*
*But we do love you and think you’re special. Thank you.
What’s that? Just feeling like throwing some money at an awesome film without filling a landfill? Here’s the reward for you. And by that…no reward. You choose the amount, from $2 to, well, sky’s the limit.
No matter how much you are able to give, we truly appreciate you.
We need a one word suggestion…
In the grand tradition of improv we’ll ask you for a word or phrase and then write you something funny. Wanna know what we’ll write? Too bad, because we don’t know yet either. It’ll be a joke or a (short) song or a limerick or … well, just buy this reward and find out already.
We’ll send you a hand-written note professing our undying gratitude for your generosity and include a limited edition, sold-only-from-us JOY Bringer sticker. That’s right - your very own mementos for your scrapbook… or Stanley Cup.
(Stanley Cup not included - those are almost as expensive as movies, y’all.)
A handwritten card and a sticker isn’t enough for you? Well, don’t fret because we got your back. Here’s a handwritten note, a sticker AND a button. BOOM!
“Joke’s on You” co-writers Winn LaRue and Michelle Redding will be at your disposal for 1 hour to help you punch up your own writing. Stand-up set, comedy sketch, your kid’s history homework? We’ll give you tips and tricks to make it funnier. (We just can’t guarantee your kid will pass after we’ve rewritten history…)
It’s in the bag… your very own JOY Bringer tote bag, that is. Plus we’ll throw in the sticker, button, and handwritten note from those other tiers. It’s a JOY-ful goody bag, straight from our hearts to your home.
See your name in lights - or at least in digital film at the end of the movie. We’ll include you in our Special Thanks section of the credits and on IMDB.
Lights, camera, action! It’s your chance to be a star. You can be an extra in JOY when we film. Or for the camera shy, you can be our guest and hang out with us while we film. Plus you’ll get a special thanks in the film’s credits and IMDB.
You’re responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses. We will do the best we can to find a filming date that you are able to attend, but there will be no refunds if you’re unable to be available during filming or otherwise unable to redeem the reward.
Be a VIP for a day on set. You’ll shadow our director and see how the magic is made and even have a chance to help out (if you’d like). We’ll give you some special swag as a thank you and a Production Assistant credit on the film.
You’re responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses. We will do the best we can to find a filming date that you are able to attend, but there will be no refunds if you’re unable to be available during filming or otherwise unable to redeem the reward.
We will include your company’s logo in the credits of the film and on our website as an official corporate sponsor of “Joke’s on You.”
If you don’t have a company and still want to be an official sponsor, we will list your name big and bold with the official sponsors.
- 0 claimed
- 1 remaining
You’ll get your name or corporate logo listed as an official sponsor of “Joke’s on You” in the credits and the movie. We’ll invite you to the set to hobnob with the cast and crew of the movie. And… [drumroll]… we’ll work with you to name a character in the film. The character is planned to be in multiple scenes, so it should not be in danger of being an editing room casualty. (So make the name a good one…)
Joke’s on You creative team does have veto power should any names not fit the vibe of the film or pass legal trademark challenges. You’re responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses. We will do the best we can to find a filming date that you are able to attend, but there will be no refunds if you’re unable to be available during filming or otherwise unable to redeem the reward.
