Help Us Fund Our Short Film: "The Riddle"

Hi all! We're ecstatic to see you here - and eager to have you as a part of our film-making process. Here's a little bit of information about our short film, The Riddle, before we go any further.

 

"THE RIDDLE" CREW:

As students under SUNY Oswego's Cinema and Screen Studies department, we welcome you to our crew, including Brendan Lentini as director, Galo Montesdeoca as director of photography, Jason Weiss as gaffer, Cole White as editor, Miles Weber as audio editor, Devin Farrell as composer, Nicholas Sweet, Kat Winchek, and Adam Jadwin-Gavin as actors, and Julia Browne and Kely Christmas as assistant directors. Though the film came into fruition for a location-based film-making class, we were all inspired and excited to push this further into a film that embraces the beautiful cityscape of Oswego, New York, while all the way uplifting and encouraging the local businesses that sustain it.

 

Director Brendan Lentini is also a 1st Place Winner for the 2021 Fresh Fest Film Festival ("Neighbors"), 2021 Genre Film Festival ("Mortal Combat: Master vs. Mobster"), and 2020 PANIC Film Festival ("Al Dente"), as well as winning Best Screenplay, Best Directing, and more for each win. Neighbors can be watched below.

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

The Riddle is a coming-of-age comedy-drama short film about three friends (around the ages of 16 to 19) who venture into their hometown in an attempt to solve a complicated riddle. Throughout the film, intellectually awkward Michael, Catholic, arrogant Cat, and quiet, agnostic Jay attempt to use their backgrounds, beliefs, and knowledge to step closer to the solution. In the end, the film is about self-acceptance (and self-confidence), religion, intellectuality, individuality, and friendships (toxic and not) and what all of these things could mean concerning the world around us.

 

Its' playful but dark, mirroring the tone of movies such as The Goonies (1985), Garden State (2004), and The Breakfast Club (1985) - if it were a mystery-adventure film. Culminating to a 13 to 14 minute short, it should thread on the line of dramedy and mystery.

 

 

 

 

OUR MISSION:

We aim to push boundaries, so it'll be a major project untethered to just one genre. The film will also show how "good" beliefs and ideologies can still be easily distorted. While religion and knowledge are a public force for good, they are often wielded by those who carry corrupt values and distort them. At the same time, we are interested in encouraging the exploration and engagement of community; in fact, the characters' journeys are only possible because of the historical spaces around them, such as a church, library, and abandoned house.

 

 

 

 

HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED:

We will be using the funds to acquire props, wardrobe (if needed), as well as ensuring that the production quality remains excellent. Food and gas will be additional expenses!

 

 

 

 

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MEANS:

We'll be able to raise enough money to aid with filming and perfecting the process! However, we'll also be able to create and release a film that challenges the normalities of community, ideology, friendship, and identity - all thanks to you!

 

 

 

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT INCLUDES:

Special credit! You'll get recognition at the end of our film in the credit sequence! Don't doubt our ability to remember and list names. We're quite the team, you and I!

 

WORK CITED:

Brick. Directed by Rian Johnson, Bergman Lustig Productions, 2005.

Garden State. Directed by Zach Braff, Camelot Pictures, Jersey Films, Double Features Film, 2004.

The Goonies. Directed by Richard Donner, Amblin Entertainment, 1985.

It. Directed by Andy Muschietti, New Line Pictures, RatPac Entertainment, Lin Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment, KatzSmith Productions, 2017.