I'll Take It Neat [Student Short Film] by Richard Prasedyoko

I'll Take It Neat [Student Short Film]

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$1,285 raised

26% of $5,000 goal

15 contributions

6 Days running

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By Richard Prasedyoko

Personal campaign Keep it all Austin, TX, US Report

I'll Take It Neat lookbook

When the lead bartender of a Japanese restaurant is thrown in front of an immigration crisis, he must choose between the relationship he has with Elizabeth, the dishwasher, or his upcoming promotion.

Why I'll Take It Neat matters

“We are more divided than ever before. The immigration crisis this country is going through is something that hits so close to home to millions of people. The story of Gabriel, and Elizabeth is just a small happenstance in this broad sea of destruction.

As an immigrant, and the son of immigrants too. I feel deeply connected, disturbed to the events happening across the nation. For me, film is the ultimate way for self-expression. I hope this story makes people think, and even more importantly, brings people together.”

– Homero Aybar

Risks & Challenges

As with any student production, our biggest challenge is working within a limited budget. We’re aiming to make I'll Take It Neat look and sound like a professional film—without the luxury of a professional budget. Using our team’s collective experience, we've carefully prioritized our needs and built a lean but realistic budgset of $5,000, just enough to cover essential equipment, production design, food, and festival fees.

We’re committed to getting the most out of every dollar by borrowing gear where we can, calling in favors, and keeping our shoot efficient. Your support helps bridge the gap between what we can do and what we want this film to be.

Your money will go towards:

1. Equipment Rentals (21.1%)

To achieve the cinematic quality and emotional tone we envision for I' ll Take It Neat, a significant portion of our budget will go toward professional camera equipment. We’ll be borrowing the Sony FX6 from the school, a full-frame cinema camera known for its rich color science and dynamic range—perfect for capturing the intimate, personal tone of this story. With it, we'll rent to pair it with the Zeiss Nano lens kit, we'll be able to create striking visuals with character, depth, and emotion. This setup will help elevate the look of the film.

2. Crafty (21.2%)

As a student-led production, we’re operating on a limited budget and unfortunately aren’t able to offer full financial compensation to our hardworking cast and crew. To show our appreciation and keep everyone energized on long shoot days, a portion of our budget will go toward crafty (snacks) and daily lunches. While we are grateful for Sazan Ramen to have provided us with daily lunch, we still want to provide as much as we can as good food means good morale—and this is one small way we can take care of the amazing team helping bring I' ll Take It Neat to life.

4. Production design (21.1%)

To bring the world of I' ll Take It Neat to life, we're also investing in thoughtful and intentional production design. This includes set dressing, props, wardrobe, and anything that will reflect the emotional distance and tension between our characters.

5. Post-production (10.6%)

Before we enter festivals, we want to ensure that I' ll Take It Neat will look and sound as professional to compete. We want to invest in coloring, sound editing, and music composition—any cost that may come after production ends.

6. Festival entries (10.6%)

Once I' ll Take It Neat is complete, we want to give it the best possible chance to be seen. Your contribution also counts to help us share the film with a wider audience. We plan to submit to student showcases, regional festivals, and national short film competitions—all platforms that can help launch the careers of our cast and crew.

7. Insurance & Legal (10.6%)
As we are filming with rental equipments and outside of the school's property, we want to be as insured and safe as possible. We'll have insurance to cover the cost of (knock on wood) damages to the rentals and location that we'll have.

8. Contingency (4.8%)

Who We Are

Homero Aybar (Writer/Director) is a Spanish filmmaker and international student at Texas State University, where he has been mentored by numerous industry-proven professors, including Annie Silverstein. With their help, he has told stories that focus on the immigration experience. His bilingual background makes his aim accurate to tell stories that are important to him; I’ll Take it Neat is one of them.

Richard Prasedyoko (Producer) is an Indonesian-American filmmaker and musician who specializes in the logistics of cross-cultural storytelling. A Texas State alum, Richard has steered narrative projects like Lechon, Warung Texas, and Igualito A Mi Apa—projects that specifically spotlight the immigrant experience. As a producer, Dad’s Weekend, a capstone he produced, premiered at the San Antonio Film Festival. Whether he’s securing a difficult location or overseeing a creative vision, Richard’s dual background in film and music ensures every project he touches has a distinct, empathetic rhythm.

Mercedes Salazar (Cinematographer) is a cinematographer and recent graduate based in Austin, TX. She has worked on countless projects, but specializes in short narratives, such as the most recent: “Bird & Boy,” “The Golden Child,” and “Office Break.” She is excited to help bring this film to life.