Short Film Fundraiser - "Living Image - TORI"

We are Ithaca College film students fundraising for our Senior Thesis film, which will be screened in the State Theatre of Ithaca.

Title:

(ENG) LIVING IMAGE - TORI

(JPN) IKIRU GAZOU - TORI - 生きる画像 - トリ

Definition of "Living Image"

Still camera, open frame, and slow-motion choreographed dance of characters and objects.

Statement of Purpose

The fantasy/romance/thriller story concerns TORI, a young person, who is swept in a moving photograph of his own existential loneliness as he struggles to find a way to hide from it. A spiritual experience in a nightmare reminds him that innocence, insecurity, and jealousy turned into bitter sympathy are the measurements for understanding himself.

Artist Statement

All characters’ movements are performed via dance and posings. Existing iconic photographs and paintings inspire the shots. To make the images, we are developing movements choreographed by professional dancers to imitate the poses in portraits from Japanese and Western still photographs that inspire us.

The Living Image is a film concept based on a dream. Unifying still photography, music, 3D animation, and dance, we aim for a new level of visual storytelling.

The storyboards were drawn by a talented student storyboard artist, Elias Elliot.

Concept art was drawn by the director, Masaki Mitsuhashi.

CGI concept art was developed by the 3D animation artist & VFX Supervisor, Jared Soto.

Current Production Timeline

We are in the post-production process.

Shooting dates

March 4th, 5th, 25th, and 26th; April 1st, 2nd.

Budget

The funds will cover transport costs, catering, props, costumes, location rentals, animation, and festival applications.

We are actively striving toward inclusion, equity, and diversity in the making of this film. This is why we are working with a diverse, international cast and crew representative of multiple faiths, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read this and for any donation you are able to provide. Even $1 goes a long way in making our dream film which we have been preparing for three years become a reality.

Executive crew:

Director, Writer, Producer: Masaki Mitsuhashi

Director of Photography, Producer: Petar Odazhiev

Producer, Casting Director: Sierra Bonn

Producer, Production Manager: Ariana Gonzalez

Animator & VFX Supervisor: Jared Soto

Cast:

Tori: Jared Jefferson

Couple #1: Kylie Schultz

Couple #2: Jessica Brock

Saru: Llorenz Meliton