Thought-Provoking Comedy ‘The OG Bootcamp’ to Film in Chicago This January

Chicago Filmmaker Zanah Thirus (pictured top left), recognized as one of Diversity in Cannes’ Top Ten Filmmakers of the Decade, is set to challenge societal norms and tickle funny bones with her upcoming indie feature film, The OG Bootcamp. Starring Giovonnie Samuels, known for her roles in Bring it On: All or Nothing and Freedom Writers, this mockumentary-style comedy is poised to make waves in the world of independent cinema.

Scheduled to begin filming in Chicago in January 2024, with a late spring 2024 release date, this microbudget indie feature is a testament to the creativity and innovation that can thrive outside of Hollywood’s glitz and glamour. Chicago writer-Director Zanah Thirus shared her ambitious goals for the film exclusively with SCREEN, saying, “I have two goals for this film: to eradicate the orgasm gap and to show indie filmmakers what’s possible outside of Hollywood.”

The OG Bootcamp takes a hilarious and thought-provoking dive into the world of sexual inequality as it explores the disparities in orgasms between heterosexual men and women. The film centers on an aspiring sexologist who devises a social experiment involving four wives who ambush their husbands into attending an all day sex education bootcamp with the goal of improving their communication and sexual satisfaction.

“One of the most exciting aspects of this project is the ensemble cast of twelve characters!,” Thirus shared with SCREEN. “I’m confident that anyone who watches the film will see a version of themselves, a friend, a partner, family member, or an arch nemesis in one (or more) of the characters.”

Emmy Winner Leads the Producing Team

Produced by Emmy winner Linda Karn (Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine) and DePaul alum Ryan Grundtisch (PGA), The OG Bootcamp embodies the spirit of independent filmmaking, proving that with one location, six days of filming, and a side-splitting script, the possibilities are endless. 

Emmy winner Karn and star Giovonnie Samuels are ready to get to work. “The OG Bootcamp is a script I couldn’t put down once I started reading it,” Karn shared with SCREEN. “A very humorous PSA is the best way I can describe it. Meeting creator Zanah Thirus through my friend Ryan Grunditsch sealed the deal. I am thrilled to be a part of this team and hope the film brings lots of growth and happiness to those who watch it.”

As for the Freedom Writers actor Samuels, “I’m super excited to be a part of this project, not just for the educational purposes of the orgasm gap, but I can really dip my hand into the production side of things! Zanah is a brilliant writer and I’m really happy to bring this character Zoe to life for her.”

At this point, you might be asking yourself, How will Zanah and her team possibly be able to wrap an entire feature in six days? “What’s funny is that six days is the longest I’ve had to film an indie project,” the director shared with SCREEN. “That said, for a narrative feature, filming in one location certainly helps from a timing perspective. We also have 3 days of rehearsals, so the cast will be really familiar with blocking by the time we start filming.”

This project is set to break boundaries, making it a must-watch for those seeking fresh, daring, and socially relevant indie films.

Check back here at SCREEN as this project forges ahead into production in the new year. You can also click right here to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.