Woody McClain is stepping behind the camera for the first time, and he’s bringing his community with him every step of the way. The Power Book II: Ghost star has launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance his debut romantic comedy, inviting fans to not just watch but actively shape the film’s creation.
His yet-to-be-titled rom-com follows a disgraced podcaster who discovers a stack of anonymous love letters. As he uses them to reinvent himself as a soulful commentator on heartbreak, he unknowingly falls for the very woman who penned them—forcing both to confront questions of identity, intimacy, and authenticity in a culture where everything is content.
Building With, Not For, the Audience
What sets this project apart is McClain’s grassroots approach. Long before launching his Kickstarter, he opened up the process to fans—asking for writing recommendations, announcing Emmy-nominated screenwriter Rasheena Nash as his collaborator, and hosting live streams to update backers in real time. In one of those streams, McClain revealed a major coup: comedian and actor Lil Rel Howery (Get Out, Free Guy) will direct the project.
“This campaign has always been about building something new together: a fan-backed, community-powered model for making movies,” McClain and his team wrote on Instagram when announcing Howery’s involvement. “And that includes creating opportunities for rising filmmakers.”
By choosing transparency over traditional studio secrecy, McClain is reframing the filmmaking journey as a collective win. Supporters aren’t just donors—they’re early collaborators, voting on everything from the film’s title (current favorites include Ghostwritten Love and Where You Find Me) to its direction.
A Team With Credentials
Behind McClain and Nash is a seasoned production team: Jenna Cavelle, former VP at Disney’s 20th Digital Studio and producer of Young. Wild. Free.; and executive producer Taz Askew, a cultural curator whose credits span You Got Served to collaborations with Jhené Aiko and Anderson .Paak.
Together, the team is working toward a budget of under $1 million, with Kickstarter serving as the foundation. The campaign launched with a $50,000 goal to cover legal and production infrastructure. Each stretch goal unlocks not just upgrades to the film’s quality—like additional shoot days and music rights—but also triggers matching private equity from pre-committed partners, scaling the potential budget up to $1 million.
Fans Already Showing Up
The strategy is working. With 20 days still remaining in the campaign, McClain has raised more than $65,000, powered by both his personal following and his growing online creative community. The steady engagement reflects McClain’s consistency—posting daily updates and involving fans long before the Kickstarter even went live.
“Have you ever wanted to see how a movie is made or even be a part of one? Now’s your chance,” McClain wrote to supporters.
A New Path for Black Creators
McClain’s model—transparent, fan-powered, and culture-driven—signals a new wave of possibilities for Black creators navigating Hollywood’s gatekeepers. By putting fans in the driver’s seat, he’s showing that independent projects can build visibility, financing, and community without waiting for a major studio to say yes.
For McClain, the rom-com isn’t just about reclaiming softer, more nuanced roles—it’s about building a blueprint. And for his audience, it’s an invitation to help write that blueprint in real time.
The Kickstarter campaign for Woody McClain’s romantic comedy is live now, click here to learn more.