"A Friend" depicts the life of a depressed college student, questioning how to define her existence when living in isolation. Through this film I aim to uncover the dark sides of mental health that are usually underrepresented or lack a proper dialogue.
"A Friend" depicts the life of a depressed college student, questioning how to define her existence when living in isolation. Through this film I aim to uncover the dark sides of mental health that are usually underrepresented or lack a proper dialogue.
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Story
Mission Statement
I have gathered a crew of primarily female filmmakers in order to promote female inclusion and de-stigmatize the gender inequalities that dominate the film industry. Furthermore, I aim to create a safe space for my female actors who are engaging in very sensitive and personal subject matters.About The Project
The story follows the life of Page, a young college-student struggling to define her identity. She has cut herself off from the world and now wonders whether someone can exist when they live in isolation. She recounts her day to a friend in hopes of finding some semblance of existence, but her efforts prove much more difficult than desired as her friend brings her deeper into her fears of disappearing.
My story functions on my interest with the subconscious self. Depression can feel like a separate entity from yourself, a voice in your head that tells you lies about yourself, a voice that I believe everyone deals with to some extent. I have always been a fan of David Fincher’s Fight Club, particularly interested in this concept of having your inner-self come alive and infiltrate your reality.
I found that an episode of the Netflix Original Bojack Horseman, a favorite show of mine, continued to influence my interest in one’s subconscious voice, where his actions are dictated by a self-deprecating voice in his head that tells him he’s not good enough, and yet he can’t help but let it control him. My story personifies this voice in order to understand the heaviness and addictiveness of depression.
My cinematographer and I envision the film to have the following visual aeshetic:
Mommy (2014)
Meadowland (2015)
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972) Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
Fish Tank (2009)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Your donations will be going towards the general yet essential elements of production from catering for the hard-working cast and crew to special equipment needed to achieve the ideal aesthetic.
Makeup
‘A Friend’ deals with difficult subject matters including self-harm. I wanted to include all aspects that can come with a young person dealing with depression, and thus, the scars on her body are a major part of Page’s make-up. Her scars play a major role in the development of Page’s character, and your donations help to make this effect as realistic as possible.Set Design
The story calls for specific props that require safety precautions. For this reason, we require special equipment that guarantees safety to all on set, especially the actors who will be engaging with these props.
I would like to express a big thank you to my incredible crew. It’s been amazing working with such dedicated and passion students. A special thank you to my main ladies, Sarah Lucente (Co-Producer), Angelica Cucueco (Co-Producer), Lu Robinson (Assitant Director), and Lucie Plasse (Director of Photography). Without these wonderful women, this project would not be possible. And, of course, a very special thank you to you all, the wonderful benefactors of this project. It’s your support and donations that allow me and my crew to make this film to its fullest potential. ‘A Friend’ is a big passion project of mine - not only is the story very personal, but this will be my first film as director. This experience would not be possible without your donations and I’m so grateful and humbled by all of the support. Thank you so much for helping me make this film a reality!
Incentives
$10
Thank You Credit
Let us show you our gratitude in the credits section of the film!
$20
Shout Out!
Get a fun shout out from a crew member on our instagram page.
$50
Dear friend,
A personal letter written by the director thanking you for your contribution.
$100
Be our friend
Let us help you feel part of this journey by sending you a copy of the screenplay, behind the scenes photos from the set and virtual love (via instagram shout out).
$250
All of the above + A Friend
Receive a thank you credit, a copy of the screenplay, a letter from the director and an HD download of "A Friend" (the film, silly).
$1,000
Producer Credit
Receive credit as an executive producer.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Thank You Credit
Let us show you our gratitude in the credits section of the film!
$20
Shout Out!
Get a fun shout out from a crew member on our instagram page.
$50
Dear friend,
A personal letter written by the director thanking you for your contribution.
$100
Be our friend
Let us help you feel part of this journey by sending you a copy of the screenplay, behind the scenes photos from the set and virtual love (via instagram shout out).
$250
All of the above + A Friend
Receive a thank you credit, a copy of the screenplay, a letter from the director and an HD download of "A Friend" (the film, silly).
$1,000
Producer Credit
Receive credit as an executive producer.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Alex Schein
Director
Hi! I'm Alex, the writer and director of 'A Friend'. I'm a senior computer science and film double major at Wesleyan University. In my free time, I like to spend time with friends, play movie trivia and crosswords, make spotify playlists and dote on my cutie dog, Martini. I spent the last two summers working at New York-based production companies, where I gained a particular interest in editing. With experience in computer science, editing felt like a way to integrate my tech-background with filmmaking. I have always found a beauty in filmmaking where an audience can be emotionally impacted by a film without even noticing, but it is, in fact, multiple elements of production that are all working together to create an emotional experience. It’s for this reason that I finds such an interest in filmmaking, and particularly directing - taking part in this process that ultimately creates a single piece of powerful work.
Angelica Cucueco
Co-Producer
My name is Angelica Cucueco. I'm a Sophomore at Wesleyan University. I have worked on 2 film theses in my freshman year and was a production assistant. Currently, I am working as an assistant camera for two other theses and somehow became a producer for Alex's thesis (#blessed). I am is stoked to be working with this crew and PUMPED to see the finished outcome. I work with co-producer Sarah. Together we cop food, put up this seed&spark campaign, organize folders, location scout and do anything head honcho Alex tells us to do. I love movies and I love doing film things!!!
Sarah Lucente
Co-Producer
I’m Sarah Lucente, co-producer of this project. I am incredibly excited to be working alongside so many incredible women and a few great guys, and to help tell a story that illuminates a stigmatized and ignored part of our culture and of college life. I am so passionate about this script, this project, and film in general. I’m hoping to be a filmmaker myself some day soon, and this project is a huge inspiration for me.
Lu Robinson
Assistant Director
My name is Lucia Robinson and I am a sophomore at Wesleyan University. I am on track to be a film major as well as pursuing certificates in social, cultural, and critical theory and writing. I wrote, produced and directed a film for my senior thesis in high school and PA'd on three senior thesis films my freshman year here at Wesleyan. Since then I have learned an incredible amount about being on sets and am excited to continue gaining more knowledge about films and filmmaking.
Lucie Plasse
Director of Photography
Lucie is a French-American junior Film major at Wesleyan. An aspiring cinematographer obsessed with lines and symmetry, she started doing photography at the age of 13 at which point her main source of inspiration were high-end Vogue-like fashion shoots and ads which she tried to imitate using her 10 year old brother Noah as her model/ eternal muse. In her spare time, Lucie loves to travel, watch French stand-up comedy, obsess over Film Noir and German Expressionist aesthetics, staying up all night for existential conversations with her housemates, doing super fun photoshoots with her friends, as well as encouraging other women to consider doing work behind the camera!!!
Within the last year, Lucie has worked as an Assistant Camera on Ali Arminio’s Digital Thesis film « After Abby » and on several student projects as a DP. This semester marks her very first time lensing a senior film thesis, which is she is doing for Gustavo Sanabria's 16mm thesis “Pacuri", as well as for Alex Schein’s Digital thesis « A Friend » - a project she is personally extremely fond of, and super excited to be working on with a passionate director such as Alex, as well as with an incredibly talented mostly female-identifying crew!!
Stefano Castro
First Assistant Camera
Hey Everyone! My name is Stefano Castro and I am currently a Sophomore here at Wesleyan University (woot!). I am a 19 year old Colombian-American from New Jersey. As a perspective film major, I have to say that I love film more than anything. But if I’m being completely honest with you, sneakers will always be my true love.
Hugo Yu
Gaffer
I’m Hugo. My Chinese name is Hang. I often use different names depending on my mood, so please bear me with that.
“To expect nothing, to depend on nothing, and to ask for nothing.”
Forrest Sassaman
Key Grip
Forrest is a Wesleyan Sophomore pursuing film. Before Wes, he served for 6 years in the Air Force as a Cryptologic Language Analyst. Forrest’s interests in film started young making LEGO movies in his basement. After high school he began interning at a small professional theater as an actor eventually moving to the upper west side of New York City for a brief period. While on active duty, he became engrossed in photography which naturally developed his interest in filmmaking. After experimenting with short films, making a comedy series for his Air Force Unit, as well as other short small business promotions, he decided to leave the military in pursuit of making a living in film.
Sofia Zur
Costume Designer
My name is Sofia Navarrete Zur, I am a senior Anthropology and Psychology double major and Film minor. Some of my favorite activities here at Wesleyan are dancing salsa with Caliente (and on the weekends), playing piano and jamming with friends, screenwriting, and working on thesis projects both friends' and my own. Art and design have always been a large part of my life, I like to gain inspiration from my daily surroundings and carry out creative projects with inspired and inspiring people!
Stephanie Okun
Assistant to Costume
Stephanie Okun is a freshman at Wesleyan who comes from New York. She mainly did theater in high school but dabbled in film and is really excited to work on A Friend!
Valerie Balog
Makeup Artist
Valerie Balog is a Junior Neuroscience and Science in Society double major who works in the O’Neil Lab. She enjoys embroidering, playing the violin, designing womenswear clothing and accessories, and worshipping Pat McGrath.
Rebecca Foster
Mixer
Hi my name is Rebecca! I am a senior film and psychology major at Wesleyan. I have worked on several film thesis sets in the past as sound mixer and AC. This semester, I am so excited to be the sound mixer for 'A Friend'.
Anna Yeo
Boom
Anna Yeo is a sophomore at Wesleyan University and is a prospective economics and film double major. She worked on one senior thesis her freshman year, and she's super excited to be working on Alex's!
Russel Root
Production Assistant
My name is Russell Root. I am from California, and I am a freshman and a prospective film major. I enjoy watching and making films, and I hope to be an active part of Wesleyan's film community.
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