A Film by Vandy Price
A coming-of-age teen comedy set in 2004 — one day, one small town, and the wall-to-wall soundtrack of the last era before social media changed everything.
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A Film by Vandy Price
A coming-of-age teen comedy set in 2004 — one day, one small town, and the wall-to-wall soundtrack of the last era before social media changed everything.
Our proof of concept captures a key scene while demonstrating the film's tonal balance — laugh-out-loud humor grounded in genuine emotion and 2004 nostalgia.
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Music featured for creative purposes only. All rights belong to their respective owners.
"The adventures of high school students on the first Friday of school in August 2004."
Set during the opening days of a 2004 school year in a small Southern town, Where You Want To Be follows an ensemble cast of high schoolers navigating friendships, rivalries, first loves, and the uncertain future — all soundtracked by the era's defining music.
In the tradition of Dazed and Confused and American Graffiti, the film weaves together multiple storylines across a single, unforgettable day, capturing the humor, heartbreak, and bittersweet freedom of adolescence.
2004 — the last golden age before smartphones and social media. Flip phones, burned CDs, AIM away messages, and parking lot hangouts. A world where being present was the only option.
Comedy-first with genuine emotional depth. Laugh-out-loud ensemble moments balanced with honest coming-of-age beats — the formula that made Superbad, Booksmart, and Lady Bird both critical and commercial successes.
59 characters. 27 locations. 28 licensed songs. An ambitious, music-heavy ensemble piece that captures the full spectrum of the high school experience.
Written and directed by Vandy Price with producer Luke Irvin. Currently in production on the proof of concept and actively building the production team and financing structure.
Coming-of-age comedies have a proven track record at the box office, consistently delivering strong returns on mid-range budgets. Lady Bird proved extremely profitable for A24 nearly a decade ago on a $10M budget, grossing $79M worldwide — nearly 8x its cost. Where You Want To Be brings that same scale to today's market with a fully licensed soundtrack as its commercial engine.
One budget, built from detailed department-level analysis: $10M all-in, with full music clearance protected as a core line item — not an aspiration, not a fallback tier. For reference, Lady Bird was made for $10M nearly a decade ago; this budget reflects that same scale in today's market, carrying a fully licensed period soundtrack.
| Department | Allocation | % of Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Music Licensing & Supervision Core Commitment | $2,000,000 | 20% |
| Cast (Talent) | $1,500,000 | 15% |
| Above the Line (Writer / Director / Producers) | $1,100,000 | 11% |
| Art & Wardrobe (2004 Period Design) | $750,000 | 7.5% |
| Post-Production | $700,000 | 7% |
| Locations & Transport | $600,000 | 6% |
| Production Department | $550,000 | 5.5% |
| Camera Department | $475,000 | 4.75% |
| Grip & Electric | $400,000 | 4% |
| Equipment Rental | $275,000 | 2.75% |
| Craft Services & Catering | $225,000 | 2.25% |
| Insurance / Legal / Permits | $175,000 | 1.75% |
| Sound | $150,000 | 1.5% |
| Hair & Makeup | $150,000 | 1.5% |
| Contingency | $950,000 | 9.5% |
| Total Production Budget | $10,000,000 | 100% |
Production will be based in Arkansas, qualifying for the state's 20% rebate on qualified in-state spend. At a $10M budget, that rebate can return up to $2M — meaningfully reducing net exposure and accelerating the path to profitability. Right-to-work state crew rates provide additional cost advantages of 15–25% below major market pricing, which is part of how this budget delivers studio-level production value.
An ensemble of 59 characters spanning the full high school experience — from emo skaters to ROTC cadets, cheerleaders to lunch ladies. Lead roles are being cast strategically, targeting recognizable attachments that anchor a $10M package.
The soundtrack is not set dressing — it is the film. 28 period-authentic songs spanning emo, pop-punk, hip-hop, and country are written into the script scene by scene, and the budget carries $2M to clear them in full. That commitment is non-negotiable: it is what separates Where You Want To Be from every coming-of-age film that settles for sound-alikes, and it is why the film can deliver the same needle-drop power that defined Dazed and Confused and Superbad.
Hear the music that defines the world of Where You Want To Be — every song from the script, curated in order.
Open in Spotify ↗$2M is protected in the budget for music — 20% of the total, second to no other department. The playlist is the pitch: press play, and you're in 2004.
Currently a two-person core team actively building toward a full production crew of 60+ members, with department heads hired to studio-quality standards.
Original screenplay. Brings authentic perspective on the 2004 small-town experience and a clear vision for tonal balance between comedy and heart.
Production management, financing, and logistics. Building the business infrastructure and investor relationships to bring this vision to life.
Director of Photography, 1st AD, Production Designer, Costume Designer, Sound Mixer, and Music Supervisor — positions that directly impact production quality.
A multi-path approach targeting festival premieres, sales representation, and theatrical/VOD distribution through established independent distributors.
Targeting premiere at Sundance, SXSW, or Tribeca — festivals with strong track records for launching coming-of-age films. Festival premiere creates buzz and attracts distribution offers.
Engaging a sales agent post-festival to manage domestic and international distribution deals, maximizing revenue across all windows and territories.
Targeting distribution through companies like A24, NEON, IFC Films, Magnolia Pictures, or Roadside Attractions — proven homes for quality indie films.
Strong soundtrack potential for album release. Product placement opportunities with period-authentic brands. Streaming platform acquisition as secondary market.
The foundation of every great film is on the page. The full screenplay for Where You Want To Be is available to producers, investors, and industry partners on request — reach out and we'll send a watermarked copy directly.
Request the ScriptButton not opening your email app? Reach us at whereyouwanttobemovie@gmail.com with the subject "Script Request"
We're raising $10M to make Where You Want To Be at the scale the story demands — full music clearance, meaningful cast, and studio-level craft. The genre has a proven commercial track record, and this film has the script, the soundtrack, and the cultural moment to deliver.
Start a Conversation or email us directly at whereyouwanttobemovie@gmail.com