#crowdfunding - The Gift
In a parallel universe, where time seems to stand still, our film follows a young girl named Iris, as she battles with insecurities and bullying. On the cusp of teenagehood, Iris discovers a darker side of herself, all under the watchful eye of a crow who she befriends.
Interview with Writer/Director Jacintha Charles
Congratulations! Why do you want to make your film?
Thank you! The 3 of us (writers) graduated from film school last year and we have always admired each other's work. We knew we wanted to work together after graduation and saw the opportunity to write a great story that would blend our different perspectives and styles to create a visually unique piece.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
A few reasons. Mental health and bullying are very important topics around the world and we wanted to highlight these issues. The film is set in a parallel universe where time stands still so visually we hope to make a stunning piece, with the Northern Californian Redwoods as the backdrop. And of course, this film is spearheaded by 3 female writer/filmmakers of diverse backgrounds (American, English and Singaporean) handling a genre of fantasy. Not many people get to say that.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We think most people have gone through some form of bullying or have dealt with an unhealthy mental state at some point in their lives. In our film, we explore these themes through the eyes of a child who is seeking solace and comfort while trying to escape the reality she faces. People will find their means of escape in various ways. Our character finds hers in her friendship with a crow who morphs into a human.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Our script has gone through a few rewrites but we have always kept the primary focus on the friendship between the characters. We did however, expand on the emotional connection between the both of them.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People who have read the script loved the story and the unexpected ending.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Some has and we have made some tweaks and changes here and there, which have actually helped with the story, including working on the emotional connection between the two main characters.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We hope that this will be a good publicity tool for the film and, hopefully, will also help us with our crowdfunding efforts on Seed and Spark.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Possibly festival directors and distributors. We would love for the film to travel to as many places as it can.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We want to challenge people with a thought-provoking piece. We aren't here to sell a PSA but if we can push people to talk about issues, the cause and effects, and changes that should be made, whilst also entertaining them, then we feel we may have done something relatively worthy.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What and how do we teach our children about acceptance of different individuals and their uniqueness?
Would you like to add anything else?
We hope that the film will speak for itself.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We, the three creators/co-writers of the film, are currently putting all our creative efforts into this project, to which we are all truly dedicated!
Interview: October 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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The Gift
In a parallel universe, where time seems to stand still, our film follows a young girl named Iris, as she battles with insecurities and bullying. On the cusp of teenagehood, Iris discovers a darker side of herself, all under the watchful eye of a crow who she befriends.
Length: Approx. 10 mins
Director: Jacintha Charles
Producer: Lisa Yadao, Jeremiah Birnbaum, Miikka Skaffari
Writer: Jacintha Charles, Emma Scully and Kendra Goff
About the writer, director and producer:
Writer/Director: Jacintha Charles
San Francisco-based Singaporean director, writer and actor, whose short films have played at various film festivals and been awarded grants by the Singapore Film Commission.
Writer/DP: Kendra Goff
Northern Californian filmmaker, currently living in Santa Cruz, whose first short film, The Cardboard Escape, was officially selected in the 2014 Petaluma International Film Festival.
Writer/Production Designer: Emma Scully
British filmmaker, currently based in SF, with qualifications from the University of Nottingham and Film School SF. Credits include feature and short films, TV and music videos.
Producer: Lisa Yadao
Producer, and co-founder of Paper Tongue Productions. Credits include short films, web series and commercials for Scary Cow, Hypno Bedhead, Lipshtick Pictures, FWD Stance and Square.
Producer: Jeremiah Birnbaum
Director of Film School SF and Co-Founder and President of Fog City Pictures, whose feature credits include producing and directing the award-winning Torn (2013).
Executive Producer: Miikka Skaffari
Finnish producer and photographer who contributes to Getty Images and various publications. He has produced films such as "Betrayed", "The Night Shift" and award-winning short "The Dance".
Key cast: Cassandra Lyback, Sierra Murphy
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Film festival directors, distributors, journalists
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiftshortfilm2017
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegiftshortfilm/
Funders: Currently in the middle of a crowdfunding campaign, via Seed and Spark
Made in association with: Fog City Pictures
More info:
https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/the-gift#story