Help Caitlin Fund Her Thesis Film!

My thesis film is about an FBI agent who grew up in the Mafia scene goes on an act of revenge during one night of poker with her Uncle. The story revolves around Lola, a Newark-based agent facing the consequences of her father’s sins as she tries to bust the most infamous mob case from the inside out. After her father's disappearance, Lola had to either follow a path she was born into or forge her own way through the streets of 1970's New Jersey. Rather than being a pawn in someone else criminal organization, she chose to work for the government. Now, she only has one night. One dinner with her Uncle standing between her and what she wants. She soon uncovers secrets that should’ve stayed buried. 

Family is how you first identify yourself in this world. How does that shape who you become? How does one build their own path outside of familial expectations? Do the sins of the father determine the child's fate? When sides form, how thick are the blood ties? 
 
 In the summer of 1976, Sylvia Elizabeth Mathis paved the way for future black women leaders by being the first African-American FBI agent. As you can imagine she faced a long road of challenges and opposition, but she persevered. Not many know about her story or the fact that the FBI workforce has displayed little increase since then. On the record today, the percentage of female minority agents in the FBI is only 25.5% While gender equality has improved since Sylvia's days, there is a critical need for law enforcement to hire people who look like their communities. Many girls don't know their options for their futures because all they are shown in the media is either stereotypical or undermining them. Lola is our start to showcasing new avenues for young girls to see themselves in a new light. The next generation is showing an increase in open-mindedness and self-awareness. The idea of what a woman can or cannot do is expanding and this story will help to remind others how diverse women(especially black women) can be.   





After March 2020, COVID-19 challenged all of us at the Los Angeles Film School to reestablish the way we collaborate, connect and maneuver our way through life and the industry we are trying to break into. In our studies, in-person and hands-on learning are crucial. Faculty and students had to adapt together to deal with the cards that we were dealt. With things like virtual learning and even Zoom graduation ceremonies, we all continued to support and motivate one another. Our dreams of filmmaking and creating our stories became an uphill battle that we still had to climb. Our determination lead to creating more resources for COVID safety precautions that have allowed us to still push through these battles in a safe and new way. With our community here at LAFS, students have grown as filmmakers by thinking of unique and creative solutions for their thesis projects. Many of us have met through Zoom meetings and COVID safe sets which has made us appreciative of the communication avenues we do have. 

 


Tenacity, adaptation, and drive can only take you so far. New stories and opportunities can lead to changes in how we think and what we absorb in the media. With your generous donation, you can help bring this film "LOLA" to life. 

The goal is to raise $4,425 for this project. This would account for the following things:

- Authentic wardrobes and props

- Locations and their many specifics to portray the time period just right

- Applicable COVID-19 safety equipment and supplies

- Craft service for crew and cast

- Studio teacher for a minor actor(supporting the next generation!)

- Post-production editing and mixing

- Fees for the rights to a song produced and recorded in the '70s

- Festival submission fees and promotional items

Through these troubling times, anything contributed will be gratefully appreciated. Even spreading the word makes a difference. We are at the pinnacle of a lot of things and the silver lining is we were forced to stop and reflect. There is a shift in the air that is undeniable. It is a duty for creatives to take this into account and help others in the way we know best. Through art! But we must be safe in doing so.  Thank you again for taking the time here! 

All the best,
Caitlin Flanagan