THE CHAIWALA: (A Columbia University (Studio292) Short Film)
Donation protected
SYNOPSIS: As the chai shop in the area closes its doors, Tariq walks in hoping to grab one last pot of tea from The Chaiwala. And as the chai brews, so do Tariq’s ideas about coming to America, family, and what to take away from his last pot of chai crafted by the hands of The Chaiwala...
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
The Characters...
The Chaiwala:
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: (Late 30s - 50s). Rounder, shabby, sporting an apron + cap over a polo, jeans and sneakers.
ARC: The Chaiwala is a deliberately mysterious figure - even his name isn’t known. The Chaiwala is there to serve you (Tariq/The audience). And so, his character explores the man behind the counter as it’s never explicitly clear whether the closing of the chai shop is his choice (He chooses to preserve chai in its traditional form) or out of circumstance (The world has adapted this tradition into consumerism)...
Tariq:
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: (17 - Early 20s). Dressed in a hoodie, cargos and sneakers...
ARC: Tariq is born and raised in America - he knows little about his ethnic origin, his family’s journey here and his cultural, linguistic and religious background. Tariq embodies the typical archetype of an aware/confident young man. As he picks up a pot of chai on an errand by his mother, Tariq is exposed to the fact that though he knows his country (America), he doesn’t even truly know about himself (His cultural practice, identity, name etc.)...
EST. TIMELINE...
Pre Production (Complete Script, Cast/Crew Assembly, Equipment/Prop Rental, Blocking, Location Scouting + Food/Drink Arrangements): Nov. 30th (Saturday).
Production: Dec. 6th - 8th (Two 6 Hour shoots OR one 12 Hour shoot).
Post Production (Promotional Tools, Editing, Scoring etc.): Jan. 17th...
SCREENPLAY (EXTRACT)...
INT. CHAI SHOP - EARLY MORNING.
A middle aged man in a baseball cap and apron wipes down the counter aggressively in the dimly lit hours of the morning. Around him, cardboard boxes fill what would’ve been seats as the radio/speaker next to him quietly whispers shades of Babylon Breeze by the Sada Trio. Knocking is suddenly heard from the door, next to an inward facing “OPEN” sign.
The young man at the door is TARIQ, sporting typical college attire. THE CHAIWALA glares at him through the window.
THE CHAIWALA
Closed.
TARIQ
It’s for my mother.
THE CHAIWALA has a fatigued empathy on his face, moving to open the door.
THE CHAIWALA (Poking his head out the door).
Eh… ?
TARIQ
My mother ? My mom loves your tea.
…
TARIQ
Please.
THE CHAIWALA signals a head motion, inviting TARIQ in. TARIQ walks in slowly, scanning what used to be a familiar location. He sits down in one of the few chairs without a cardboard box on it as THE CHAIWALA moves back behind the counter.
THE CHAIWALA
Karak ?
TARIQ
Yes please. A pot… If that’s okay.
THE CHAIWALA then grabs a pot from underneath the counter, concentrating on it briefly. He grabs two tea bags, sugar, spices and a spoon, beginning to tinker away at his creation. He’s done this thousands of times.
THE CHAIWALA
You’re in school ?
TARIQ
Yeah, yeah.
THE CHAIWALA
What’re you doing ?
TARIQ
Sociology, maybe ?
THE CHAIWALA (Confused).
What is this ?
TARIQ
Oh it’s like, what makes the world work, you know ? It’s economics, some politics, social class stuff…
THE CHAIWALA subtly rolls his eyes - exerting a small sigh.
TARIQ
I don’t know, maybe that, maybe Middle Eastern Studies ?
THE CHAIWALA
Middle Eastern Study…
…
THE CHAIWALA
What’s your name ?
TARIQ
Tariq...
TARIQ pronounces his name “Tar - eek”. THE CHAIWALA lets out a little laugh.
TARIQ (Humored).
Wait what ? What ?
THE CHAIWALA (Mimicking Tariq’s pronunciation of his name).
“Tar - eek” in Middle Eastern Studies. You don’t have a Middle Eastern Studies at home ?
TARIQ
Aah - it’s kinda different you know ?
THE CHAIWALA
What will they teach you ? You will pay the school and say “Hello! My name is “Tar - eek”. Please teach me to say my name.”
TARIQ (Laughing nervously).
What ? My name’s Tariq.
THE CHAIWALA
Yes. Here this is your name, in this country, in this place. Home has a different name for you and a different meaning behind the name. Maybe this is what they teach you…
THE CHAIWALA now stops mimicking TARIQ’s pronunciation of his own name; he says it the Arabic way.
THE CHAIWALA
Tariq...
WHY DO WE NEED FUNDING ?
This is a student short film being produced by students at Columbia University. This is a NOT FOR PROFIT film. Any financial contribution we receive will go toward covering production costs, including camera equipment, food for the crew, and compensating the talent (The actor that will play The Chaiwala)... We are asking for YOUR help to bring our vision to life, to tell this story effectively and impactfully.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU ?
Contribute to this project for an opportunity to support the student art/film community!! Anyone who donates will see their name in the credits and receive early access to view the film, as well as a custom - made "THE CHAIWALA" print!!
CAN'T DONATE ? You can still help us out by spreading the word about this campaign and our film with anyone/everyone!! Tell your friends, family, and coworkers, (also the random people in the subway station about)The Chaiwala!! Follow our Instagram to stay updated about the film, as we head into production very soon!!
SOCIALS...
INSTAGRAM: @thechaiwala.film
ABOUT THE TEAM (So far...)
- PRODUCTION HOUSE: Columbia University: Studio292.
- DIRECTOR/WRITER/ACTOR (TARIQ): RAYAN is currently a Sophmore at Columbia University (Columbia College) and an aspiring director, writer, actor, and musician. RAYAN's previous projects include:
IN FILM...
- Short Film: Call Me A Friend. (2023).
Role: Director, Writer, Editor, Composer/Scorer. Submitted to the CUFP Festival.
- Short Film: Possession. (2022).
Role: Assistant Director/Director of Photography.
Filmed at/with a grant from UCLA.
- Documentary: Dystopia. (2021).
Role: Director, Writer, Editor.
Documentary produced in the midst of the Covid - 19 Global Pandemic. Received an “Honorable Mention” by Sharjah Film Platform.
- Short Film: Moe. (2019).
Role: Director, Writer, Editor.
Received an “Honorable Mention” by Sharjah Film Platform.
IN MUSIC...
- Composition/Single Track: The Beginning. (Released: Dec. 30th 2022).
Role: Writer, Arranger, Producer, Performer.
Published on all streaming platforms.
- Composition/Single Track: To See Her. (Composed for Eliot Smith Dance’s touring show “Human”/May 2023).
Role: Performer. Composed by Adam Johnson.
- Composition/Album: Crossroads. (Released: Dec. 8th 2023).
Role: Writer, Arranger, Producer, Performer.
Original ten track concept album. Published on all streaming platforms.
- Composition/Single Track: Alive (Alt. Version). (Released: Feb. 23rd 2024).
Role: Writer, Producer, Performer.
Original track/re - arrangement of Track 7 on “Crossroads”. Collaboration with a band (Crasys). Published on all streaming platforms.
IN THEATER/MUSICAL THEATER...
On - Stage Acting Experience... Snow White (Dwarf/2018), West Side Story (Tony/2019), MacBeth (MacBeth/2020), Beauty & The Beast (The Beast/2022), Emil & The Detectives (Mr. Snow/2022), Lemon Water (Original Musical (Will/2023)), Late Nite (Original Sketch Comedy (Agent Barker of “Dog With An Alt/Right Blog”/2023)), CMTS’ Footloose (Ren McCormack/2024).
IN DIRECTING/WRITING...
- Musical Theater: The 130th Annual Varsity Show (Columbia University). (Performed: April 26th - 28th 2024).
Role: Assistant Director.
- Play: Left. (Performed: Feb. 2020 & Apr. 2022 (Reworked)).
Role: Director, Writer.
- Play: Journey To The Moon. (Performed: Apr. 2020).
Role: Director, Writer, Actor.
- Creative Writing (Competitions):
Emirates Literature Festival (2019 - 2021). Second Place in 2020 for And Then We All Cried.
- PRODUCERS: Liz Fields, Julia Tyck.
((Other members of the team are still in the process of being selected)).
Organizer
RAYAN ALI
Organizer
New York, NY