ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
50 years after Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered, the show continues to serve as a flashpoint for a new generation seeking identity and recognition, one pair of fishnets at a time. Kenny Starling’s new drag theater in rural Wyoming embodies Rocky Horror’s message of freedom of expression and sexual liberty.
SYNOPSIS
The Rocky Horror Picture Show opened up the door to sexual liberty and personal expression for multitudes of people throughout the world in the ’70s and ’80s, and most notably, for the queer community. Since then, there have been great strides in LGBTQIA+ visibility, support and national legislative wins.
But 50 years after Rocky Horror first shocked and delighted audiences, and now during the worst era for LGBTQIA+ rights in modern history, Frank-n-Furter and his cohorts are needed more than ever. Lights up on Rock Springs, Wyoming—a dusty little boomtown in the most conservative of red states—where 25-year old Kenny Starling has just opened the first drag and queer theater company in town.
Their inaugural production—a shadow cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show—and Kenny’s mission is to bring queer visibility, diversity and acceptance to the high desert plains of Wyoming. TIME WARP follows Kenny and his cast of characters of all ages, races, sizes and identity on their journeys of self-discovery and growing community bonds as they face the challenges of a City Council fight trying to shut them down, a mass shooting on the eve of Trans Remembrance Day in a neighboring state, the growing nationwide call to ban trans and drag rights and even simply, walking in high heels and a super-tight corset.
Wyoming’s motto as the “Equality State” has missed the mark over the last century, but the Starling Company might be the way to get things back on track, at least inside the Broadway Theater in this small windy city. This documentary is a celebration of queer joy and community. “Ultimately, it’s not political. It’s our existence”, says Kenny. The stakes have never been higher for the queer community and especially, queer youth. As Frank-n-Furter sings… “Don’t dream it, be it.”
PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature
DIRECTOR Allison Berg
PRODUCER Allison Berg, Jen Chaiken, Susan Margolin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Billy Porter, Josh Gad, Submarine Deluxe, Jen Rainin, Lisa Kleiner Chanoff
Advisor Kevin Jennings, CEO - Lambda Legal
The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for independent filmmakers. TFC’s federal tax ID number is 32-0295081. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Support a TFC Fiscal Sponsorship Project
Please help support this project with a tax deductible contribution. The “donate” button below will take you to PayPal, but a PayPal account is not required to make a donation. You can check out 2 ways:
- Use your PayPal account
- Check out as a guest by selecting “Donate with a Debit or Credit Card” (no PayPal account is required)
Transaction Fee
Please consider covering the PayPal transaction fee by selecting the “I’d like to add to my donation to help offset the cost of processing” box on the next page. This will ensure your intended full donation amount will be received for the project.
Alternate Donation Payment Methods
If you prefer to donate by check, Zelle, ACH, or wire transfer, please email us for instructions.
Stock Donations
TFC accepts stock donations. By donating stock that has appreciated for more than a year, you are giving 20% more than if you sold the stock and then made a cash donation, since you will not pay capital gains taxes on the donated stock. Learn more here.
Please email us for instructions to donate stock to a fiscally sponsored project.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Donations
A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is like a charitable investment account for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations. TFC accepts DAF donations and is on file with most major DAF companies. Provide your DAF TFC’s Tax ID: 32-0295081. If we are already on file with your DAF company, they will process the donation.
If TFC is not already on file with your DAF company, please email us for instructions.
Tax Receipts
In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts for your charitable gift are issued for the amount The Film Collaborative receives after payment processor fees are deducted. The Film Collaborative emails tax receipts in PDF format within 30 days of your online donation. The “receipt” that is immediately sent to you from PayPal after you donate is just a payment receipt, not the tax receipt.
Matching Donations
Many companies have matching gift programs and can help you double your donation to a project of your choosing. Sometimes these programs will match a donation up to a year after it was originally made! Check with your employer—if they have a matching gift program, they will provide you with instructions.
End of Year Giving
November, December, and January are big giving months each year. Donors top up their annual giving in November and December. January is a new fiscal year, and some donors start their giving for the next fiscal year early. Some donors even give at the end of the year and again in January since these donations fall into different fiscal years.
Donors tend to make their large year-end donation decisions before the holidays start. In 2024, that means before December 20. TFC can accept donations by wire, ACH, and Zelle until 5:00pm Eastern Time on December 31. Online donations by credit or debit card can be made until 11:59pm Pacific Time on December 31.