Learn more about our project’s current status — and how you can get involved — on our fiscal sponsor NYFA’s website:
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#LIKES4LUCAS
An independent TV Pilot that explores the redemption of a fictional YouTube star, Lucas Skyler. Currently in production, #Likes4Lucas will serve as proof-of-concept for an eight-episode series.
#Likes4Lucas is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts.
#Likes4Lucas is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
WHAT'S UP WOGGLERS!
One year after the suicide of YouTube star Lucas Skyler, he livestreams into his own memorial service. Is this just another publicity stunt, a call for help, or...? Lucas insists that he jumped—but when he returns to NYC, ominous “Dead or Alive” videos appear on his TikTok and bigger questions arise. Who’s posting, who jumped and why? And when our online behavior outlives us, is there hope for redemption?
Why Is This Important?
Today’s teens spend more time with Big Tech than with schools, parents and peers. Even worse, according to the Surgeon General AND the American Psychological Association, a mounting body of research shows that young people’s mental health suffers in direct relation to increased use of social media. And this is no accident: Big Tech is intentional. Platforms target young people with addictive content; personalized algorithms keep them online; business models encourage polarization. When young female users join TikTok, content about eating disorders and self-harm appears. When studies confirm that features like “infinite scroll” are clinically harmful—especially for those aged ten-to-fifteen—Big Tech fights back.
#Likes4Lucas is about our need for human contact, happiness, fulfillment—and how confrontation with truth can help us balance technological breakthroughs with emotional growth. Our goal is to help at-risk teens break negative patterns and rebuild self-respect.
Already Completed
[with the support of seed money plus a New York State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Grant]
Plus:
We've already raised $46,200 out of a total goal of $93,414.
Our Current Goal
$47,214 ~ to complete production of the #Likes4Lucas pilot.
Your donation through NYFA — our official fiscal sponsor — will be fully tax-deductible.
Looking Ahead
Once funding is in place, we expect to complete #Likes4Lucas pilot production post-production, social media promotion and festival submissions—ideally by the summer of 2025.
We also hope to add an Impact Producer to our team: someone whose expertise will help us bridge the intersection of technology, social media and mental health. Someone who shares our desire to illustrate risks, improve the status quo. Someone who will maximize outreach and impact.
Along with film festival screenings, we plan to bring #Likes4Lucas to In-School Presentations, Mental Health Conferences and Big-Tech Colloquia: events designed to spark conversations, raise awareness and inspire healthier habits. To open minds and save lives.
Our Ultimate Goal
To turn compelling peer-to-peer storytelling into entertainment for all.
To inspire discussions across generations.
To reach those who need help.
To surprise all concerned with a strong dose of candor.
Plus laughter.
WATCH: Our 5-minute L4L Teaser & Director’s Statement.
READ: Below for more info on the series, including: research, audience consideration, intended impact, and more.
CONTACT: Our email to request additional info: scripts, pitch deck, episodic breakdown, budget, festival plans, research and more.
FOLLOW: Our instagram account for production updates.
SUPPORT: Visit our fiscal sponsor’s project page to donate.
#Likes4Lucas
A sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts,
made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts
with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Charming, energetic, self-deprecating — but with an edge — Lucas Skyler was a rising star in the YouTube community … until he jumped off the GW Bridge.