At the Bend
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
A tale of connection and courage in a time when we could all use a little more of both, At the Bend follows the story of a young man named Elliot, who, after proposing to his girlfriend, faces a difficult and long-overdue conversation with her father.
At the Bend
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
1 Campaigns | California, United States
39 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$16,550
Goal: $20,000 for production
A tale of connection and courage in a time when we could all use a little more of both, At the Bend follows the story of a young man named Elliot, who, after proposing to his girlfriend, faces a difficult and long-overdue conversation with her father.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
At Infinite Dawn Productions, we tell sories about what it is to be human; the intimate and the emotional; the raw complexity of the individual and the messy beauty of connections between people. In At the Bend, we explore masculinity as a nuanced concept that transcends simple definitions and expectations, navigating how it presents in two very different men raised with contrasting views on what it means to “be a man.”
This film specifically touches on another important topic: environmental preservation. We hope the story speaks to how looking outwards toward mother nature, who holds us warmly and without expectations, is one of the best things we can do to reflect on what’s happening inwards (and the best way we can repay her is to simply respect her).
Elliot and Sophie are a perfect couple, about to get happier when Elliot proposes. The only catch...Sophie's father.
Elliot spends the day fishing with Sophie's emotionally aloof father, in the hopes of winning him over and to ask his permission to marry Sophie. Two people could not be more different but hopefully their mutual love of Sophie can bridge the gap between them.
At the Bend is a simple story about a young man dealing with his difficult soon-to-be father in law, but beyond that, At the Bend becomes a narrative about coming together in spite of clashing identities for the sake of love. It’s a story about what it takes to connect, about reassessing who one is and who they want to be; it’s about accepting our differences and challenging the very definition of masculinity.
At the Bend is written to be simple and shootable without sacrificing beauty or story quality. The dialogue is written raw and silly and sad and honest; extremely true to the humans that inspired these characters. Life is a million feelings and factors all at once playing out in the collection of moments that become our lives. This short is supposed to feel like that.
Gentle and quietly charming, Elliot is a perfect partner. He loves loudly and feels deeply, emotionally in tune with both himself and others. However, Elliot is also privately insecure and covertly stubborn. He’s anything but an open book, resolute in ideology that his friendship and his respect must be earned. Elliot not only struggles to connect with Tod because they complete opposites, but also because he doesn’t care to. Tod has never put in the effort to connect, so why would he? Tod has never given Elliot respect, so why would Elliot respect him? And yet, Elliot’s love for Sophie outweighs his dislike for Tod. He’d do anything for her, even if it means confronting the painful rejection from Tod that he secretly endured a year ago.
Sophie is confident, bold, driven, and exceedingly kind. She’s deeply in love with Elliot; her best friend, her lover, her soulmate. Sophie is a peacemaker and wants everyone in her life to be in harmony. When Elliot admits that he didn’t ask her dad, Tod, for her hand in marriage prior to proposing, she isn’t upset- she doesn’t need Tod’s permission to marry the love of her life, but she thinks that his permission would build a bridge, and make the rest of their lives easier. She wants to marry Elliot and spend her life with him, but she also wants her dad to be a part of their future. She sees the best in Elliot, and encourages him to see himself in the same light, and is saddened by the fact that Tod doesn’t see Elliot the way she sees him. She also understands that Tod is a pretty difficult person, yet she sees the best him as well. Ever the optimist, Sophie retains hope that Tod and Elliot can eventually build a positive relationship.
Tod is old masculinity embodied; tough as nails, emotionally disconnected, very much a “man’s man.” He gets along with horses better than he does with most people, and finds his peace in solitude in nature. He’d never admit he’s lonely and probably can’t even recognize his craving for deeper connections. He doesn’t like looking inward, and he especially dislikes people forcing him to do so. He’s not a particularly warm person, but his love for his only daughter runs incredibly deep. So, when Elliot makes Tod realize that he needs to change his perspective on who she is and what she needs, he’s pushed towards the uncomfortable realization that if he wants to be a part of his daughter’s life, he’s going to need to change how he sees Elliot and how he sees the world.
We are looking to raise around $20K for production! This film takes place in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, where both the director/writer and producer are from. The goal is to employ as many locals as possible but some of our key crew (Director, Producer/AD, and Cinematographer) are coming from the coasts. That means much of the budget is going to go towards flying, housing, and feeding the cast and crew. Much of the rest of the budget goes towards capturing Colorado's natural beauty with an amazing camera and lighting package.
The shoot will take place in prime Colorado fall color season. 4-5 days of shooting, September 26th-30th/October 1st. After wrap, it's time to go into the editing room. Our goal is to have the edit completed by the new year! The beginning of 2027 will be about making it pretty; with sound mixing, music composition, color, and final touches. The film should be completed by March 2027 so it can begin its festival run!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
AIRPLANE FARE
Costs $2,000
We're flying some key members (including the director) to the Colorado Rockies!
FESTIVALS
Costs $1,200
Submitting to festivals isn't free! Plus fun things like posters have to be made!
COLOR
Costs $500
If you didn't know, now you do! The film doesn't pop out looking vibrant and moody and amazing, someone has to do that!
FOOD
Costs $1,250
Feeding the crew is super important! 3 meals a day for the whole shoot! Plus snacks...
MISCELLANEOUS
Costs $1,650
Maybe not the sexiest but still vital! Hard drives, insurance, taxis, cabs, gas, etc.
CAMERA
Costs $3,300
We need a camera to capture the magic! Plus all the things that come with, the full package!
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Costs $900
Making the stuff on screen EXTRA pretty and make the story feel real!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
OUR CREW
(so far)
Trinity Simpson is a NYC-born, Denver-raised screenwriter, actor, and director. Her relationship to the film industry started with screen acting at the age of 13, and she quickly fell in love with cinematic storytelling. In the Fall of 2018, she began her college career at Chapman University’s Dodge School of Film & Media Arts, graduating with a degree in screen writing in the Spring of 2022. Since graduating, Trinity has worked primarily as a writer’s assistant, Development assistant, and an editor for screenplays, assisting established writers with the writing and development of their feature films. She has written a sleuth of original Pilots and Features, along with several short films, but hasn’t gotten the chance to direct until now, side for plays in high school and, more recently, short-form content. She has always wanted to step into the world of directing, and finally bring the visions in her mind’s eye to life. Trinity is unbelievably excited to make her directorial debut with At the Bend.
Kaya Tone was born and raised in the mountains outside of Boulder, CO. She moved to NYC in 2016 to attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts for her BFA in Film & TV with a minor in Religious Studies. During her time there, Tone worked on over thirty short films. Tone wrote and directed her first short film “Creature of the Night” in 2018. Her award winning short film “The Call of Water” from 2021 has gone on to screen at over one-hundred and twenty five festivals around the world. Tone works on various commercial, feature, and TV sets as a camera assistant. Tone continues to write, produce and direct moving content that transports its audience to another world.
Alex Wohlin is an award-winning Brooklyn based cinematographer. Born in New York City, raised in London, Alex came back to the city to study film at NYU Tisch. Since graduating, he’s been working as an electrician in Local 52 Film Union. In the past couple years, Alex has been on Law & Order in the lighting department. He's passionate about narrative filmmaking and strives to create interesting and evocative images when shooting commercials, music videos, and short films.
Siena Tone is a production designer and graphic novelist. She was raised in the small mountain town of Gold Hill, Colorado where the natural world inspired her to tell stories that create magic in the lives of others. She studied Production Design and Costume Design at Emerson College in Boston. She was trained in traditional art techniques while attending Pratt Institute and RISD and has studied under visionary artists, Sally A. Eckert and Philip Jacobson Rubinoff. Tone has worked as part of the art team on several feature films, TV shows, short films, and music videos. Siena also worked as a set decorator and has designed for theater and entertainment including The Box Soho and Torture Garden in London, UK. Along with her lifelong collaborator and sister, Kaya Tone, Siena hopes to bring conscious content to the world. She currently lives and works in London, UK.
Linden Schaible is a Denver-born and raised textile enthusiast and entrepreneur. Her passion for textiles began during COVID, when she spent her time “treasure hunting” at thrift stores between creating custom college loungewear and upcycling for running her business, CraftyLinden. After graduating from Denison University, she returned to Denver to pursue a career in both digital and physical arts. Linden is very passionate about educating others on natural fabrics, sustainable shopping, clothing history, and branding. Today, she manages digital media for fine jewelry and real estate clients while continuing to shop and create for CraftyLinden. She is excited to merge her love of clothing and curation to express a sense of place, bringing a piece of her hometown, Denver, into every design element of the film, all sourced locally within Colorado.
Logan Simpson is a post-production audio engineer and editor based out of New York City. After growing up in Colorado, he moved to New York to attend NYU’s Music Technology program with a focus on audio engineering for music, film, and television. Over the course of his time at NYU, he worked on hundreds songs and spent two summers working at Sony Music’s Battery Studios as a music producer and engineer. During this time, he also developed a passion for audio post-production and sound design. Over the last two years, Logan has engineered and edited numerous advertisements and short films. Graduating in Spring of 2026, Logan is currently a freelance engineer with clientele in the worlds of music, film, and TV.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
At Infinite Dawn Productions, we tell sories about what it is to be human; the intimate and the emotional; the raw complexity of the individual and the messy beauty of connections between people. In At the Bend, we explore masculinity as a nuanced concept that transcends simple definitions and expectations, navigating how it presents in two very different men raised with contrasting views on what it means to “be a man.”
This film specifically touches on another important topic: environmental preservation. We hope the story speaks to how looking outwards toward mother nature, who holds us warmly and without expectations, is one of the best things we can do to reflect on what’s happening inwards (and the best way we can repay her is to simply respect her).
Elliot and Sophie are a perfect couple, about to get happier when Elliot proposes. The only catch...Sophie's father.
Elliot spends the day fishing with Sophie's emotionally aloof father, in the hopes of winning him over and to ask his permission to marry Sophie. Two people could not be more different but hopefully their mutual love of Sophie can bridge the gap between them.
At the Bend is a simple story about a young man dealing with his difficult soon-to-be father in law, but beyond that, At the Bend becomes a narrative about coming together in spite of clashing identities for the sake of love. It’s a story about what it takes to connect, about reassessing who one is and who they want to be; it’s about accepting our differences and challenging the very definition of masculinity.
At the Bend is written to be simple and shootable without sacrificing beauty or story quality. The dialogue is written raw and silly and sad and honest; extremely true to the humans that inspired these characters. Life is a million feelings and factors all at once playing out in the collection of moments that become our lives. This short is supposed to feel like that.
Gentle and quietly charming, Elliot is a perfect partner. He loves loudly and feels deeply, emotionally in tune with both himself and others. However, Elliot is also privately insecure and covertly stubborn. He’s anything but an open book, resolute in ideology that his friendship and his respect must be earned. Elliot not only struggles to connect with Tod because they complete opposites, but also because he doesn’t care to. Tod has never put in the effort to connect, so why would he? Tod has never given Elliot respect, so why would Elliot respect him? And yet, Elliot’s love for Sophie outweighs his dislike for Tod. He’d do anything for her, even if it means confronting the painful rejection from Tod that he secretly endured a year ago.
Sophie is confident, bold, driven, and exceedingly kind. She’s deeply in love with Elliot; her best friend, her lover, her soulmate. Sophie is a peacemaker and wants everyone in her life to be in harmony. When Elliot admits that he didn’t ask her dad, Tod, for her hand in marriage prior to proposing, she isn’t upset- she doesn’t need Tod’s permission to marry the love of her life, but she thinks that his permission would build a bridge, and make the rest of their lives easier. She wants to marry Elliot and spend her life with him, but she also wants her dad to be a part of their future. She sees the best in Elliot, and encourages him to see himself in the same light, and is saddened by the fact that Tod doesn’t see Elliot the way she sees him. She also understands that Tod is a pretty difficult person, yet she sees the best him as well. Ever the optimist, Sophie retains hope that Tod and Elliot can eventually build a positive relationship.
Tod is old masculinity embodied; tough as nails, emotionally disconnected, very much a “man’s man.” He gets along with horses better than he does with most people, and finds his peace in solitude in nature. He’d never admit he’s lonely and probably can’t even recognize his craving for deeper connections. He doesn’t like looking inward, and he especially dislikes people forcing him to do so. He’s not a particularly warm person, but his love for his only daughter runs incredibly deep. So, when Elliot makes Tod realize that he needs to change his perspective on who she is and what she needs, he’s pushed towards the uncomfortable realization that if he wants to be a part of his daughter’s life, he’s going to need to change how he sees Elliot and how he sees the world.
We are looking to raise around $20K for production! This film takes place in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, where both the director/writer and producer are from. The goal is to employ as many locals as possible but some of our key crew (Director, Producer/AD, and Cinematographer) are coming from the coasts. That means much of the budget is going to go towards flying, housing, and feeding the cast and crew. Much of the rest of the budget goes towards capturing Colorado's natural beauty with an amazing camera and lighting package.
The shoot will take place in prime Colorado fall color season. 4-5 days of shooting, September 26th-30th/October 1st. After wrap, it's time to go into the editing room. Our goal is to have the edit completed by the new year! The beginning of 2027 will be about making it pretty; with sound mixing, music composition, color, and final touches. The film should be completed by March 2027 so it can begin its festival run!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
AIRPLANE FARE
Costs $2,000
We're flying some key members (including the director) to the Colorado Rockies!
FESTIVALS
Costs $1,200
Submitting to festivals isn't free! Plus fun things like posters have to be made!
COLOR
Costs $500
If you didn't know, now you do! The film doesn't pop out looking vibrant and moody and amazing, someone has to do that!
FOOD
Costs $1,250
Feeding the crew is super important! 3 meals a day for the whole shoot! Plus snacks...
MISCELLANEOUS
Costs $1,650
Maybe not the sexiest but still vital! Hard drives, insurance, taxis, cabs, gas, etc.
CAMERA
Costs $3,300
We need a camera to capture the magic! Plus all the things that come with, the full package!
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Costs $900
Making the stuff on screen EXTRA pretty and make the story feel real!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
OUR CREW
(so far)
Trinity Simpson is a NYC-born, Denver-raised screenwriter, actor, and director. Her relationship to the film industry started with screen acting at the age of 13, and she quickly fell in love with cinematic storytelling. In the Fall of 2018, she began her college career at Chapman University’s Dodge School of Film & Media Arts, graduating with a degree in screen writing in the Spring of 2022. Since graduating, Trinity has worked primarily as a writer’s assistant, Development assistant, and an editor for screenplays, assisting established writers with the writing and development of their feature films. She has written a sleuth of original Pilots and Features, along with several short films, but hasn’t gotten the chance to direct until now, side for plays in high school and, more recently, short-form content. She has always wanted to step into the world of directing, and finally bring the visions in her mind’s eye to life. Trinity is unbelievably excited to make her directorial debut with At the Bend.
Kaya Tone was born and raised in the mountains outside of Boulder, CO. She moved to NYC in 2016 to attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts for her BFA in Film & TV with a minor in Religious Studies. During her time there, Tone worked on over thirty short films. Tone wrote and directed her first short film “Creature of the Night” in 2018. Her award winning short film “The Call of Water” from 2021 has gone on to screen at over one-hundred and twenty five festivals around the world. Tone works on various commercial, feature, and TV sets as a camera assistant. Tone continues to write, produce and direct moving content that transports its audience to another world.
Alex Wohlin is an award-winning Brooklyn based cinematographer. Born in New York City, raised in London, Alex came back to the city to study film at NYU Tisch. Since graduating, he’s been working as an electrician in Local 52 Film Union. In the past couple years, Alex has been on Law & Order in the lighting department. He's passionate about narrative filmmaking and strives to create interesting and evocative images when shooting commercials, music videos, and short films.
Siena Tone is a production designer and graphic novelist. She was raised in the small mountain town of Gold Hill, Colorado where the natural world inspired her to tell stories that create magic in the lives of others. She studied Production Design and Costume Design at Emerson College in Boston. She was trained in traditional art techniques while attending Pratt Institute and RISD and has studied under visionary artists, Sally A. Eckert and Philip Jacobson Rubinoff. Tone has worked as part of the art team on several feature films, TV shows, short films, and music videos. Siena also worked as a set decorator and has designed for theater and entertainment including The Box Soho and Torture Garden in London, UK. Along with her lifelong collaborator and sister, Kaya Tone, Siena hopes to bring conscious content to the world. She currently lives and works in London, UK.
Linden Schaible is a Denver-born and raised textile enthusiast and entrepreneur. Her passion for textiles began during COVID, when she spent her time “treasure hunting” at thrift stores between creating custom college loungewear and upcycling for running her business, CraftyLinden. After graduating from Denison University, she returned to Denver to pursue a career in both digital and physical arts. Linden is very passionate about educating others on natural fabrics, sustainable shopping, clothing history, and branding. Today, she manages digital media for fine jewelry and real estate clients while continuing to shop and create for CraftyLinden. She is excited to merge her love of clothing and curation to express a sense of place, bringing a piece of her hometown, Denver, into every design element of the film, all sourced locally within Colorado.
Logan Simpson is a post-production audio engineer and editor based out of New York City. After growing up in Colorado, he moved to New York to attend NYU’s Music Technology program with a focus on audio engineering for music, film, and television. Over the course of his time at NYU, he worked on hundreds songs and spent two summers working at Sony Music’s Battery Studios as a music producer and engineer. During this time, he also developed a passion for audio post-production and sound design. Over the last two years, Logan has engineered and edited numerous advertisements and short films. Graduating in Spring of 2026, Logan is currently a freelance engineer with clientele in the worlds of music, film, and TV.