Support Seahorses Mate For Life Senior Thesis Film

Hello everyone!

My name is Melissa Romberg, and I am currently working on my senior thesis for Syracuse University titled Seahorses Mate For Life.

I have been at Syracuse for the past three years. I have earned awards such as the Chancellor's Scholarship, the Orange Distinction Award, and the Invest in Success Scholarship, which was granted to me for making the Dean's List my first semester. I maintain a 3.9 GPA.

This past spring I was in Prague, Czechia learning how to shoot on 35mm film, and I directed and produced a 7-minute short titled Den Hněvu (Day of Wrath) that is currently on its festival run. This semester, I am producing three senior thesis films aside from my own. And I am hoping to spend my final semester in Los Angeles interning for a literary agency.

About Seahorses Mate For Life

The story follows Sophie, a nine-year-old girl, who has built a relationship with her future step-brother, Lucas. When Sophie's dad unexpectedly wakes Sophie in the middle of the night, she must navigate the confusion the night brings and find her missing stuffed animal seahorse.

This film is critical to my development as a filmmaker and human being as the film represents an aspect of divorce that is often not explored in films: step-siblings. Growing up, Step-Brothers and Clueless - up until Cher started dating Paul Rudd - were my only frame of reference for seeing my family on screen. While I do love these movies, I have always felt the need to expand on the narrative of step sibling and found family relationships to reflect on some of the lessons I have learned.

With Seahorses Mate For Life, I want to explore the lesson of choosing family. Children of divorced parents are exposed to one another and - on a surface level - don't necessarily get to choose. However, the act of opening oneself up to another gives them the reins to choose and build relationships on their own terms.

Even as I get older, choosing to be a part of a relationship with my siblings is an everyday task as we're all over the United States. But they've been in my life since I was a baby, and they sacrificed a lot of their younger years in order to help my parents raise me. This film is an ode to them, my blood brother, Derek, and to my parents for always trying their best.

What the Funds Go Towards

Part of my education in creating my senior thesis is understanding all elements of making a film. This includes auditioning talent; retaining crew members; scouting locations; writing the script; rehearsing and shooting the film; and helping to fund the cost of the production. This is where you come in as investors!

Production Design. Production Design. Production Design. The most important aspect of this film is telling the story of the family through production design. The film will be shot at an Airbnb, so it’s important that the audience believe these people live in this house.

Actors. In addition to paying the actors, funds will cover housing, food, and transportation. This film could not happen without the help of actors to embody the characters, so making their stay as comfortable as possible is my absolute priority.

Crew. My Syracuse Crew will be fed breakfast and lunch every day, so I need funds to provide them with well-balanced meals and snacks.

Equipment. While I am able to borrow most of the equipment from Syracuse, there are elements of the film that need special materials. The film largely takes place at night, but we plan to shoot during the day. My Director of Photography and I are planning on covering the windows of the house we're shooting in with aluminum foil and duvetyne. This will be extremely beneficial to the crew members, who have classes on Monday mornings and would benefit from 8 hours of sleep at reasonable hours.

What You Get In Return

I am working to raise $5,000, and recognize that is a LOT of money, especially for a college student. I am trying to keep this easy and affordable, so I’ve set up a GoFundMe, and can also accept donations through Venmo.

I appreciate any help you can provide, and as part of the Seahorses Mate for Life family, I am offering commemorative items in exchange for your generous donation:

$25: Your name will be added to the credits.

$50: The above, and receive special behind-the-scenes footage from Seahorses Mate for Life.

$75: All of the above, and special access to the Seahorses Mate for Life playlist created by the crew.

$100: All of the above, and receive a custom postcard from the set.

$250: All of the above, and I will make you a custom friendship bracelet.

$500: All of the above, and special merch from the Seahorses Mate for Life set.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about my project!

Here are some of my past productions:

Den Hnêvu (Day Of Wrath)

Daydream

Old Friends: The Unofficial Simon & Garfunkel Documentary