AN INDEPENDENT SHORT FILM IN PRE-PRODUCTION

One stupid lighter.

After pizza, Noah and Hannah are walking downtown when a guy starts accusing Noah of stealing his lighter. He follows them down the block and won't drop it.

Casting & crew What's the film about?
Or help us make it through GoFundMe
A light-blue BIC lighter resting on a textured hoodie under blue-green light
THE WHOLE DAMN PROBLEM.
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY NATHANIEL ROBERTSA DARK COMEDY THRILLER INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY
KITSAP COUNTY, WASHINGTONSHOOTING JANUARY 2027OLYMPIC COLLEGE SENIOR THESIS
01THE FILM

THE STUFF NOAH NOTICES

The night
keeps going.

Noah can find something interesting in just about anything. Hannah knows him well enough to tease him and keep them moving.

The guy outside the bar takes this stupid argument seriously enough to pull a gun.

They get away, and Hannah can still make Noah laugh while he's shaking. By morning, he's still sitting outside instead of sleeping.

DARK COMEDY / THRILLER / SHORT FILM
Street musician playing guitar at night
THE WALKNoah keeps getting distracted by everything downtown.
Neon Open sign outside a dark bar
THE CORNERThen someone decides a lighter is worth threatening a stranger over.
Ashtray crowded with cigarette butts
AFTERWARDThe couch inside stays untouched.
02GET INVOLVED

Get in
on it.

We're shooting in Kitsap County in January. Noah is cast, we've got a crew coming together, and we're still filling the other roles.

This is an independent student production. Specific schedules, compensation, meals, and travel arrangements will be discussed before anyone commits.

NOTICE 01 / BEHIND THE CAMERAAPPLICATION FORM

CREW
WANTED.

We're bringing together student and local filmmakers. Tell us what you do, what you've worked on, and where you'd like to help.

Crew application
NOTICE 02 / IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAAPPLICATION FORM

CASTING
CALL.

Noah is cast. We're looking at the remaining speaking roles and background parts. This form is the first step, not an audition. We'll contact selected actors about reads and next steps.

Casting application

Own a business? Have a location or something we could use? We're also looking for help with spaces, meals, and production supplies.

Email the production
03FROM THE DIRECTOR

The joke
wasn't the
whole story.

I first told the story behind Lighter onstage the same week it happened to me. I've probably told it dozens of times since, mostly leaning into how ridiculous the whole situation was.

I knew how dangerous it had been, but the humor was easier to talk about. When I started turning it into a film, I found myself thinking about the fear I hadn't really explored and how much of it stayed with me afterward.

NATHANIEL ROBERTS WRITER / DIRECTOR
04MAKING LIGHTER

The plan,
so far.

There's a locked script, a lined copy of it, a shot list, and pages of overheads. Those are my starting points. The crew and actual locations will shape what we do with them.

LOCKED
THE SCRIPT

Ten scenes. Locked in October. Not every little decision about how to shoot them is made yet.

01
IN HAND
CAMERA & BLOCKING

Shot list and overheads are done. Anthony and I will change what needs changing once we're standing in the locations.

02
STILL ON THE LIST
LOCATIONS & LOGISTICS

We still have places to lock down and practical things to work out before January.

03

I want everyone to feel like they had a real hand in making Lighter. — Nathaniel

05HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN

Let's get this
thing made.

We're fortunate to have cameras, lighting, and other equipment available through Olympic College. But there are still things that cost money.

Our GoFundMe helps with feeding the cast and crew, location costs, safety arrangements, and finishing the film. If you can't donate, sharing it helps too.

Support Lighter on GoFundMe

Donations are processed on GoFundMe, not on this website.

06WHO'S MAKING IT

The people
making Lighter.

WRITER / DIRECTORNathaniel Roberts
PRODUCERAidan J. Alamo
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHYAnthony Rivers
FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTORNiobe Lee

SOMETHING TO ASK US?

Film questions, location leads, collaborations, and other production inquiries are welcome.

Email the production