Our very own Robert Butler III is back with about with another epic project! He and his company Burning Ashes announced the launch of its latest crowdfunding campaign for Urban Luxury, a six-part anthology miniseries that delves into the commodification of Black culture through a twisted, surreal lens.
Exploring “The Culture” Through a Dark Mirror
Urban Luxury offers a satirical and profound exploration of hyperconsumerism in a post-capitalist world. Each episode in the miniseries unpacks society’s obsession with Black cultural representation, highlighting the commodification of key cultural pillars such as fashion, sneakers, trading cards, comics, music collaborations, and fine art. While not every story leans into thriller or horror territory, all episodes promise to reveal uncomfortable truths about these relationships.
Inspired by Butler’s time at an e-commerce company marketing high-end “urban luxury” products, Butler’s experiences shaped the miniseries’ focus on six consumer markets that resonated with younger, multicultural audiences. Unlike other goods that immediately depreciate in value, these six categories are seen as investments—a phenomenon Butler finds both fascinating and unnerving.
“How did something as rebellious and revolutionary as underground street culture become the face of high-end lifestyle?” Butler asks. These thought-provoking questions drive the vision for Urban Luxury.
A Sneak Peek at the First Two Episodes
The campaign aims to raise $20,000 to shoot the first two episodes back-to-back:
- Urban Space Cowboy
A once-renowned comic book artist battling writer’s block encounters an imaginary friend. This satirical comedy blends the introspective tone of American Fiction with elements of magical surrealism. - PSA 10
An immunocompromised man risks his life to obtain a rare basketball card at the mall. This paranoid thriller draws stylistic inspiration from Uncut Gems and Clockers.
About Burning Ashes Productions
Burning Ashes Productions is an independent media company amplifying diverse voices through genre storytelling. Founded by Robert Butler III, the company is no stranger to crowdfunding success, with its Indiegogo-funded short film Time Stamp winning awards and its support for the Seed & Spark campaign of Cardboard Castles.
In 2023, Burning Ashes released In the Static, a thriller written by Dani Fernandez, and The Comic Shop, a proof of concept comedy starring Cheyenne Ewulu.
Support the Campaign
The Urban Luxury crowdfunding campaign launched on October 23, 2024, on Indiegogo and will run until December 22, 2024. The production team is seeking $20,000—$5,000 for “Urban Space Cowboy” and $15,000 for “PSA 10.”
Contributors can visit the campaign page at https://igg.me/at/UrbanLuxury/x/15235794#/ to donate. For those unable to contribute financially, the team encourages spreading the word to help amplify the project’s reach.
Urban Luxury promises to deliver a unique blend of satirical storytelling and cultural critique, offering a fresh perspective on the commodification of “the culture.” With its bold vision and diverse team, the series has the potential to leave a lasting impact on genre filmmaking.
Help bring this project to life!