304: A Short Film
Donation protected
We're making a short film!!! We start filming in February. Please help us get it started and through the finish line!
A BIT ABOUT THE STORY
The film is about a traveling auditor who suffers from depression and social anxiety (as well as the occupational hazards of fatigue and insomnia). She chooses to close herself off from the rest of the world and seeks comfort in a transient lifestyle. Those comforts of a solitary routine are tested when she is forced to care for an injured stray dog during an audit in San Francisco, which in turn forces her to open up to being loved back.
I was inspired to write this story because I wanted to bring a voice to what seems to be such a silent battle. That being said, this story itself is not about depression or mental illness, but rather the human being living with it. It's a peek into this character's life as she deals with a new audit in a new city, a mother who won't stop checking in on her, and then this dog that forces her out of her comfort zone. And because the story is more about the person, my hope is that anyone can find something in her they can relate to, either completely or on some small level.
THE CAST AND CREW
My dear friend Sana Sepehri will be lending her talents to us as the main character, and we've found an adorable schnauzer named Kompis to portray our dog. We also have an amazing crew who comes from various backgrounds and disciplines, each one passionate about the art and craft of storytelling. Along with writing and producing, I plan to direct it. Vatsala Goel is our Director of Photography and Michelle Sampior is Co-Producer. Cassandra Dreher, Rena Yamamoto, Lisa Tesler, An Yu, Gloria Martinez and Agata Kamler round out the rest of the team so far. We're still in the process of fully crewing up, but if you can't already tell, we're aiming for an all-female crew!
WHERE THIS FILM WILL GO
We hope to submit it to several national and international film festivals, with our eyes on Tribeca Film Festival, NBC Shorts Festival, AFI Film Festival, and Sundance, to name a few. Additionally, we'd like to make it available for streaming online.
WHAT YOUR FUNDS WILL DO
I originally planned to fund this film on my own, but the costs are already mounting, and we could REALLY use your help and support. I'm very very fortunate that my fellow storytellers will be working on this with me sans pay. However, there are still plenty of costs associated with making this film. Among them, locking down several locations for 2-4 days; talent fees (because dog actors don't work for free); equipment and insurance; city permits and potentially Muni handlers; craft services; music composition and licensing; post-production; and art work and production design. As a funder, we'll keep you updated on our progress and where you can watch the final product. Any amount you can give will make a difference and is greatly appreciated. And if you feel so inclined, please spread the word about this project -- thanks in advance for your support!
Here are some special perks for our supporters:
$1 or more -- Digital High-Five and sincere thanks. Note: the digital high-five will be sent to you via text.
$25 or more -- Special Thanks in the credits of the film.
$100 or more -- Special Thanks + film swag (poster, T-shirt, other fun stuff).
$250 or more -- Special Thanks, film swag + admission to our private screening.
$500 or more -- All of the above + walk-on role in the film (IMDB, here we come!).
$1000 or more -- All of the above + Associate Producer credit (dang, check YOU out!).
$2500 or more -- All of the perks at the $500 level + Executive Producer credit (street cred and bragging rights!).
A BIT ABOUT THE STORY
The film is about a traveling auditor who suffers from depression and social anxiety (as well as the occupational hazards of fatigue and insomnia). She chooses to close herself off from the rest of the world and seeks comfort in a transient lifestyle. Those comforts of a solitary routine are tested when she is forced to care for an injured stray dog during an audit in San Francisco, which in turn forces her to open up to being loved back.
I was inspired to write this story because I wanted to bring a voice to what seems to be such a silent battle. That being said, this story itself is not about depression or mental illness, but rather the human being living with it. It's a peek into this character's life as she deals with a new audit in a new city, a mother who won't stop checking in on her, and then this dog that forces her out of her comfort zone. And because the story is more about the person, my hope is that anyone can find something in her they can relate to, either completely or on some small level.
THE CAST AND CREW
My dear friend Sana Sepehri will be lending her talents to us as the main character, and we've found an adorable schnauzer named Kompis to portray our dog. We also have an amazing crew who comes from various backgrounds and disciplines, each one passionate about the art and craft of storytelling. Along with writing and producing, I plan to direct it. Vatsala Goel is our Director of Photography and Michelle Sampior is Co-Producer. Cassandra Dreher, Rena Yamamoto, Lisa Tesler, An Yu, Gloria Martinez and Agata Kamler round out the rest of the team so far. We're still in the process of fully crewing up, but if you can't already tell, we're aiming for an all-female crew!
WHERE THIS FILM WILL GO
We hope to submit it to several national and international film festivals, with our eyes on Tribeca Film Festival, NBC Shorts Festival, AFI Film Festival, and Sundance, to name a few. Additionally, we'd like to make it available for streaming online.
WHAT YOUR FUNDS WILL DO
I originally planned to fund this film on my own, but the costs are already mounting, and we could REALLY use your help and support. I'm very very fortunate that my fellow storytellers will be working on this with me sans pay. However, there are still plenty of costs associated with making this film. Among them, locking down several locations for 2-4 days; talent fees (because dog actors don't work for free); equipment and insurance; city permits and potentially Muni handlers; craft services; music composition and licensing; post-production; and art work and production design. As a funder, we'll keep you updated on our progress and where you can watch the final product. Any amount you can give will make a difference and is greatly appreciated. And if you feel so inclined, please spread the word about this project -- thanks in advance for your support!
Here are some special perks for our supporters:
$1 or more -- Digital High-Five and sincere thanks. Note: the digital high-five will be sent to you via text.
$25 or more -- Special Thanks in the credits of the film.
$100 or more -- Special Thanks + film swag (poster, T-shirt, other fun stuff).
$250 or more -- Special Thanks, film swag + admission to our private screening.
$500 or more -- All of the above + walk-on role in the film (IMDB, here we come!).
$1000 or more -- All of the above + Associate Producer credit (dang, check YOU out!).
$2500 or more -- All of the perks at the $500 level + Executive Producer credit (street cred and bragging rights!).
Organizer
Lisa Yadao
Organizer
San Francisco, CA