Saccharine Nightmare: A Short Film

ABOUT THE FILM

Mason is a 20-something college graduate grief stricken by his failed attempts at romantic love. He attends a Valentine’s Day party with his best friend Cheryl in hopes of reuniting with his long-time crush, Harvey. Missing his presence and questioning the existence of love, he gets intoxicated unbeknownst to the consequences that are soon to follow.

A LOVE LETTER TO LOVE

I am Lawrence Marquez, writer and director of Saccharine Nightmare. When I first wrote the script, I intended it to focus on romantic love to inspire hopeless romantics like me. I grew up on examples of love in both the fiction I consumed and my own reality (none of which were good). After experiencing rejection and recognizing the existence of platonic love, I found a new meaning to the film basing it on all forms of love. The film is an exploration on the values of Valentine's Day, the discomfort of unrequited love, and answering the question, "what is love?"

INTRODUCING OUR TEAM

I would not have the confidence to direct and show this story to an audience if it were not for my friends, making up my entire team. They are my core inspiration for making film, as it is a love letter to those willing to watch and listen, my friends, and a reminder to myself that we are all surrounded by love.

Laura Gueta - Executive Producer

Laura Gueta is a local East Los Angeles filmmaker who is finishing her last year at California State University Long Beach. She studies film, specializing in production management and minoring in sociology. Her artistic career started when Laura began acting in community theater as a young kid and later went on to obtain a role as a child actor in an original theater play, Yo, La Puta (2010). She continued acting throughout high school, and much of her theater work focused on Boyle Height's Invest in Youth Campaign. Her love for performing eventually led Laura to the film world, with film production captivating her attention. During her time as a film student, Laura has had the opportunity to produce two student films and was the 1st AD for "The First Step," a short film that took part in the 2023 Disability Film Challenge. As someone passionate about social justice, equality, and equity, Laura aims to make the film industry more inclusive and open the door for more disadvantaged groups to tell their stories.

Ana Mendoza - Producer

Ana Mendoza is a talented Mexican filmmaker with a strong passion for the art of storytelling. Currently pursuing studies in Film & Electronic Arts at California State University Long Beach, Ana specializes in Production Management and Broadcast Production tracks. Alongside her cinematic endeavors, Ana is deeply committed to promoting women in film and empowering their voices. She finds great joy in immersing herself in novels and frequently indulges in the movie theater experience. Through her work, Ana aspires to make a significant impact by sharing diverse narratives and creating a more inclusive film industry.

Bryssa Padua - Producer

Bryssa Gabrielle Padua, emerged from a lower-class immigrant household, instilling resilience and a passion for storytelling. Currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Film and Electronic Arts at CSULB, Bryssa has actively engaged in various film roles, from producing to gripping. Her main drive is to uplift women of color and tell minority stories from an authentic perspective. Through her academic journey and hands-on experience, Bryssa aims to contribute to a diverse cinematic landscape.

Aiswarya Devi - Cinematographer

Aiswarya Devi is a South Indian American film student from Northern California. Starting her final year at California State University Long Beach, Aiswarya specializes in Documentary Filmmaking and minors in Marketing. She dedicates most of her weekends to work on the as many sets as she can which has allowed her gain experience as a Director, Co-Producer, Production Designer, Camera Operator, 1st AC, Camera PA, G&E Swing, Sound Mixer, Boom Operator, as well as Hair and Makeup Artist. As one of the few Indian American students in the film program at CSULB, Aiswarya hopes to use visual storytelling to create stories that speak on underrepresented communities such as the Indian American perspective. She is also deeply passionate about the involvement of more women and LGTBTQ+ representation in the film industry. Growing up in a household filled with women, Aiswarya has found a deep admiration for the women's perspective of life and hopes to convey that in her films. In her time as a filmmaker, Aiswarya hopes to uplift women and POC communities to make the film industry a much more diverse and open environment where people feel comforted, included, and seen.

Mia Molina - 1st Assistant Director

Mia Molina is a first-generation college student studying Film and Electronic Arts with a minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She is a 4th year student and set to graduate in Spring of 2024. At CSULB, Mia was profoundly influenced by the feminist perspective they gained through their Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program. This academic background became the cornerstone of their filmmaking philosphy, inspiring them to create films that address gender and sexuality issues, challenging societal norms, and promoting inclusivity. In addition to their studies, Mia recognized the importance of mastering the role of a producer in the world of filmmaking. They delved into courses and internships that provided them with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and oversee the production of their films. She gained valuable experience working on a variety of film projects during their time at CSULB, learning how to secure funding, assemble a talented crew, and handle the logistical intricacies of production. They honed their organizational and leadership skills, becoming an essential figure in bringing their creative visions to life.

Julia Nava - Production Designer

Julia Nava is a Latina American film student based in Long Beach, California. She is currently obtaining her Bachelors of Arts in Theory and Practice of Cinema with an emphasis in Screenwriting and holds a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Julia is deeply concerned with feminist issues and proudly identifies as an intersectional feminist. She currently serves as the CSULB Women in Film Association President and is dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices in the film industry. From a young age, Julia developed a deep connection to the immersive qualities of film as well as an intense fascination with the filmmaking process. She has a deep appreciation for filmmakers’ ability to create visual worlds from abstract thoughts and concepts and her favorite part of production is seeing her and her colleagues' ideas come into fruition. Her goal is to obtain an advanced education in Feminist Film and Media Studies and use audiovisual art forms as a means of examining and expressing film through a feminist perspective.

Other Ways to Show Us Love

If you are unable to contribute to our project but want to show support, there is no problem! We would happily appreciate other methods, such as

Thank you so much for checking out our project! For updates and any inquiries contact us through our Instagram, @saccharinenightmare.