PayDay Student Short Film Production - Funds

Introduction: What we are raising funds for?

Hi there, my name is Elliott. I'am a Sheffield-based filmmaker who's currently studying for a BA Honours Film Degree at Sheffield Hallam University and the Producer of the short film production "PayDay"

We are currently attempting to raise funds for our final-year short film production, "PayDay," which is a part of our BA Honours Film Degree. These funds will go towards expenses such as locations we use within our film, travel and food expenses for our actors, and any leftover funds will go towards any props we may need for the film, as well as festival entries for the film.

One of the locations we would need funds for is a vintage clothing store where our lead character, Emily, works. We are also planning to film in a food shop where our main character Emily, shops. £100 will go to the staff in each location.

With these locations being businesses and stores we want to guarantee that none of these places go out of pocket, the funds will be used and given to the staff who stay behind after hours when we film so they are paid for the time they stayed behind. And, whilst we are not allowed to pay our actors as per university guidelines, we would still like to cover their transport fees and provide them with food on set to make sure they are as comfortable as possible while making our film.

Why is this important to us:

It is important to have these facilities as we want to create the best working environment on set for our cast and crew as well as to be able to pay staff in filming locations fairly for their time, we also want to make the film itself the best it can be as we believe it as a strong message in it's core and the story of Emily will connect and resonate with all types of audiences.

Film Overview & Synopsis:

Tone: COMEDIC, SURREAL, SUSPENSEFUL.

Payday is a surreal dark comedy-drama, which deals with contemporary themes and issues such as work explanation, late-stage capitalism, and the desire to be validated as a young adult. The film follows the story of “Emily” a 22-year-old post-graduate living in Yorkshire who's trying to find her feet in the world after leaving education.

To support herself she works full-time at a clothing retail store in the city, she is underpaid and overworked, and as a tool, the film shows this through documenting the the highs and lows of the monthly cycle from one PayDay to the next.

Struggling to make ends and the fear of losing her home Emily is forced to go to the most extreme measures to service in this brutal and unforgiving world.

Themes:

“THE MORALITY OF INDIVIDUALS”

Throughout the film, we will see how the system that these characters live under affects their moral compass and influences their decision-making. From greedy capitalists profiting off of more vulnerable people to the protagonist potentially being tempted to succumb to the pressure of the dog-eat-dog world she lives in, we see an exploration of these themes that makes the audience reflect on their reality and morals.

“THE PROBLEMS OF CAPITALISM”

Authoritarian, selfish bosses, greedy, ruthless landlords and overworked, underpaid, exploited workers are driven to the point of exhaustion by a system that seems to be only out to get them.

Proof of Concept Film:

In October last year, we wrapped a successful three-day shoot for our Proof of Concept film "Hi Mum" which tested out the Concept and idea of our main film in a short period of time, we hope this proof of concept gives you any idea of what we are planning to create tone and mood wise.

Proof of Concept film