Private Project

Wind-Ups

It's never too late to not grow up.

A tight-knit friend group of lovable weirdos navigate the joys and dramas of young adulthood against the candy-coated chaos of a struggling independent toy store in Austin, Texas.

  • Adam Protextor
    Director
    Getting Along (Theater), Dropping Evil (2012)
  • Stephanie Thoreson
    Writer
    Getting Along (Theater), Fishbowl (Theater), UCB Lloyd Team (Theater)
  • Ashlee Pryor-Pitluk
    Writer
  • Nathan Sowell
    Writer
  • Devon Coleman
    Writer
    MST3K
  • Adam Protextor
    Producer
  • Stephanie Thoreson
    Producer
  • Yamina Khouane
    Key Cast
    "Sam"
    Call Me Brother, Lucky Doug
  • Kenah Benefield
    Key Cast
    "Marcus"
    Call Me Brother, War of the Worlds (Theater)
  • Adam Protextor
    Key Cast
    "Adam"
    Bigfoot: The Musical (Theater), The Midnight Marquee
  • Stephanie Thoreson
    Key Cast
    "Ellie"
    Scare Package, Good Feels on Wheels, I've Got Issues
  • Ryan Darbonne
    Key Cast
    "Ryan"
    Castlevania: Nocturne
  • Haley Alea Erickson
    Key Cast
    "Alyssa"
    Call Me Mommy, Mustang Island
  • Laura De La Fuente
    Key Cast
    "Liz Behan"
    CBS Sketch Showcase,
  • Project Type:
    Television
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama, Sitcom, Workplace, Single-Cam, Ensemble
  • Runtime:
    28 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 26, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Adam Protextor

Adam Protextor is a filmmaker, rapper, host, and huge movie fan. An Iowa to Austin to LA transplant, he's performed at Edinburgh Fringe Fest, Out of Bounds, Sound on Sound Fest, and Fun Fun Fun Fest, and was also the co-founder of the award-winning Austin Mic Exchange (2012-2017), Austin’s longest-running weekly hip hop event. He's one half of the independent production house Baby Lion Studios, where he produces live comedy and video, including the original sitcom "Wind-Ups". Now based in Los Angeles, he brand manages at Shout Studios, regularly hosts live events, and performs comedy at UCB in between releasing albums and collecting VHS.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Wind-Ups is my story, but it’s also the story of the people I love the most in this world. When I was 22, I graduated into a recession with an arts degree, moved to Austin, TX, and got a seasonal job wrapping gifts at a local toy store called Toy Joy. What I didn’t know then was that the next four years would be the most formative, adventure-filled years of my life. The people that I met working there are, nearly 15 years later, still my best friends in the entire world and the most talented people I’ve ever met. I watched us all grow together; drinking PBR on porch hangs, playing music in dive bars, making mistakes in love, and all the while genuinely trying our best to make art, be kind, and have fun. The store wasn’t just a job either – it was a hangout spot, a meet-up point, a nexus and safe space that cultivated every joyful and creative instinct within us. It allowed us to grow while playing, and when it ultimately went out of business, we all knew we’d never get that time back ever again. It was a special place that represents everything beautiful, meaningful, and painful about my 20s, and I want to share that sincere bittersweet love with the world. As Samantha says, “We do sell joy here, after all.”