Bathtub: A Short Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
An everywoman twenty-something wallows in her grief after a breakup, trying her best to figure out her next steps.
Bathtub: A Short Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,975 for development. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
24 supporters | followers
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An everywoman twenty-something wallows in her grief after a breakup, trying her best to figure out her next steps.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ellie has lost all hope after her recent breakup and moves through the stages of grief in attempt to cope. Drowning in her own discomfort while soaking in her bathtub, it seems that no effort she makes can bring her head above water. But when Ellie finally gets back what she wants, she finds it might not be what she needs.
Bathtub: A Short Film is a shameless portrayal of the straw-grasping we attempt in order to move on. What seems insignificant to the world can feel like everything to you, and regaining a sense of normalcy feels out of reach. But you trudge on to find yourself again amongst the rubble. And if you’re lucky, you won’t regret the things that led you to break in the first place.
Ellie is kind, funny, adventurous, and charismatic, but so much of herself has been lost in a spiraling depression. We see Ellie as a shell of who she once was, only with pieces of her true self creeping in.
Running mascara from bathtub steam, hair in messy buns or rollers, irreverent t-shirts and undies — this is the version we catch of her.
We wrote the script for Bathtub: A Short Film in under two hours. The story flowed out of us like water, as both of us have had the misfortune of experiencing a whirlwind romance followed by terrible heartbreak. But Ellie wasn't just a mirror of us - we saw ourselves in her. She became her own entity that carried herself through the story of Bathtub. And we hope that the audience can see themselves in her, too.
Ellie’s bedroom shows elements of who she once was before she fell apart. She is whimsical, colorful, and her bedroom reflects that. Although her room is still warm, it is incredibly messy and disruptive. Her bathroom mirrors her bedroom style: very colorful but also kind of a disaster.
The natural sunlight and moonlight seep into both the bathroom and bedroom, and we begin with cooler tones, slowly shifting as Ellie warms up to change. By the final scene, it will lean very warm/golden to reflect Ellie’s new perspective.
We would like to also explore artistic elements, focusing on unique, glistening lighting techniques and diving into the water with underwater gear. This will help capture the whimsical, impulsive tone of our film.
Bathtub: A Short Film is in pre-production, and we are currently securing cast, crew, and locations.
Your support will help drive the film into production!
Production Timeline:
Rehearsals/Meetings: March-April 2026
Filming: Beginning of May in Los Angeles
Post-Production: May-July 2026
Film Festivals: August 2026 & onwards
Working on Bathtub is such a joy in our lives, but we need some help getting Ellie off the page and onto the screen. Every dollar donated will go straight into the renting of equipment, feeding our cast and crew, and other production expenses listed on our Wishlist.
We would so appreciate you sharing the link to our fundraising page with your friends, coworkers, relatives, and anyone else who you think would like to support small filmmakers.
But if donating isn't in the cards, we would love if you followed our journey on Instagram @bathtubshortfilm.
After all, we wrote BASF as a screenplay instead of a diary entry so the world could see Ellie in action. We love you all <3
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Script Copyrights
Costs $100
So people don't commit intellectual property theft
Hair & Makeup
Costs $100
We want to keep our beautiful Ellie looking her best, even when she is at her worst.
Tech People
Costs $250
To give you the best experience watching BASF, we need a sound mixer, photographer, and others who aren't willing to do this for free :)
Locations
Costs $600
Not *every* scene is in a bathtub...
Catering & Crafty
Costs $600
Feeding the amazing cast and crew of Bathtub: A Short Film. And they deserve the finest of cuisine.
Production Design
Costs $200
So Ellie's space can reflect her personality. Goodwill haul to come
Wardrobe
Costs $100
two words. tee. shirts.
Gear Rentals
Costs $1,000
Cameras are so expensive, it's not even funny.
DIT Hard Drives
Costs $300
So we don't lose all of our hard work because our computer crashes when we download the dailies
Music Licensing
Costs $500
You'll see ;)
Festival Submissions
Costs $500
So we're not the only ones who ever get to see Bathtub: A Short Film
Production Insurance
Costs $400
Bureaucracy. Simple as that.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Samantha Michele hails from Columbus, Ohio and moved to Los Angeles two years ago, leaving behind her career in healthcare to transition into film. She began her work in entertainment in the art department for shows like The Voice and Beast Games, but has transferred her focus to the writing and production of both short and feature-length films. Although this is her first time directing, she has been telling people what to do her whole life.
Emma Claire Brewer is a filmmaker and actor originally from Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up performing in community theater before moving to Los Angeles at eighteen to pursue a career in film. Since then, she has been writing, acting in commercials, and appearing in short films while continuing to develop her own projects.
Liberty Thomas is a Los Angeles-based Producer who grew up in Kansas City, MO and graduated from Columbia College Chicago. Recently, she produced This Is Not My Mail, which is currently in the film festival run. Additionally, she line-produced Red Rectangle (2023), an Official Selection of Indie Short Fest 2024, alongside Cinema Inclusion's film, Rhythmic Exercise with Priadi (2024), which was an official selection at NFFTY 2025.
A Mexican-born cinematographer based in Los Angeles, Angel Gutierrez studied in his hometown, Phoenix, AZ, at Grand Canyon University. He is known for his cinematography on Breathe (2023), a best short nominee at LA Shorts International Film Festival, Espressoly Yours (2025), screener at Movie Screenwriter Club at Gardena Cinema & Audience Award Winner at 48 Hour Film LA, and This Is Not My Mail (2026), which is currently in the festival circuit.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ellie has lost all hope after her recent breakup and moves through the stages of grief in attempt to cope. Drowning in her own discomfort while soaking in her bathtub, it seems that no effort she makes can bring her head above water. But when Ellie finally gets back what she wants, she finds it might not be what she needs.
Bathtub: A Short Film is a shameless portrayal of the straw-grasping we attempt in order to move on. What seems insignificant to the world can feel like everything to you, and regaining a sense of normalcy feels out of reach. But you trudge on to find yourself again amongst the rubble. And if you’re lucky, you won’t regret the things that led you to break in the first place.
Ellie is kind, funny, adventurous, and charismatic, but so much of herself has been lost in a spiraling depression. We see Ellie as a shell of who she once was, only with pieces of her true self creeping in.
Running mascara from bathtub steam, hair in messy buns or rollers, irreverent t-shirts and undies — this is the version we catch of her.
We wrote the script for Bathtub: A Short Film in under two hours. The story flowed out of us like water, as both of us have had the misfortune of experiencing a whirlwind romance followed by terrible heartbreak. But Ellie wasn't just a mirror of us - we saw ourselves in her. She became her own entity that carried herself through the story of Bathtub. And we hope that the audience can see themselves in her, too.
Ellie’s bedroom shows elements of who she once was before she fell apart. She is whimsical, colorful, and her bedroom reflects that. Although her room is still warm, it is incredibly messy and disruptive. Her bathroom mirrors her bedroom style: very colorful but also kind of a disaster.
The natural sunlight and moonlight seep into both the bathroom and bedroom, and we begin with cooler tones, slowly shifting as Ellie warms up to change. By the final scene, it will lean very warm/golden to reflect Ellie’s new perspective.
We would like to also explore artistic elements, focusing on unique, glistening lighting techniques and diving into the water with underwater gear. This will help capture the whimsical, impulsive tone of our film.
Bathtub: A Short Film is in pre-production, and we are currently securing cast, crew, and locations.
Your support will help drive the film into production!
Production Timeline:
Rehearsals/Meetings: March-April 2026
Filming: Beginning of May in Los Angeles
Post-Production: May-July 2026
Film Festivals: August 2026 & onwards
Working on Bathtub is such a joy in our lives, but we need some help getting Ellie off the page and onto the screen. Every dollar donated will go straight into the renting of equipment, feeding our cast and crew, and other production expenses listed on our Wishlist.
We would so appreciate you sharing the link to our fundraising page with your friends, coworkers, relatives, and anyone else who you think would like to support small filmmakers.
But if donating isn't in the cards, we would love if you followed our journey on Instagram @bathtubshortfilm.
After all, we wrote BASF as a screenplay instead of a diary entry so the world could see Ellie in action. We love you all <3
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Script Copyrights
Costs $100
So people don't commit intellectual property theft
Hair & Makeup
Costs $100
We want to keep our beautiful Ellie looking her best, even when she is at her worst.
Tech People
Costs $250
To give you the best experience watching BASF, we need a sound mixer, photographer, and others who aren't willing to do this for free :)
Locations
Costs $600
Not *every* scene is in a bathtub...
Catering & Crafty
Costs $600
Feeding the amazing cast and crew of Bathtub: A Short Film. And they deserve the finest of cuisine.
Production Design
Costs $200
So Ellie's space can reflect her personality. Goodwill haul to come
Wardrobe
Costs $100
two words. tee. shirts.
Gear Rentals
Costs $1,000
Cameras are so expensive, it's not even funny.
DIT Hard Drives
Costs $300
So we don't lose all of our hard work because our computer crashes when we download the dailies
Music Licensing
Costs $500
You'll see ;)
Festival Submissions
Costs $500
So we're not the only ones who ever get to see Bathtub: A Short Film
Production Insurance
Costs $400
Bureaucracy. Simple as that.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Samantha Michele hails from Columbus, Ohio and moved to Los Angeles two years ago, leaving behind her career in healthcare to transition into film. She began her work in entertainment in the art department for shows like The Voice and Beast Games, but has transferred her focus to the writing and production of both short and feature-length films. Although this is her first time directing, she has been telling people what to do her whole life.
Emma Claire Brewer is a filmmaker and actor originally from Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up performing in community theater before moving to Los Angeles at eighteen to pursue a career in film. Since then, she has been writing, acting in commercials, and appearing in short films while continuing to develop her own projects.
Liberty Thomas is a Los Angeles-based Producer who grew up in Kansas City, MO and graduated from Columbia College Chicago. Recently, she produced This Is Not My Mail, which is currently in the film festival run. Additionally, she line-produced Red Rectangle (2023), an Official Selection of Indie Short Fest 2024, alongside Cinema Inclusion's film, Rhythmic Exercise with Priadi (2024), which was an official selection at NFFTY 2025.
A Mexican-born cinematographer based in Los Angeles, Angel Gutierrez studied in his hometown, Phoenix, AZ, at Grand Canyon University. He is known for his cinematography on Breathe (2023), a best short nominee at LA Shorts International Film Festival, Espressoly Yours (2025), screener at Movie Screenwriter Club at Gardena Cinema & Audience Award Winner at 48 Hour Film LA, and This Is Not My Mail (2026), which is currently in the festival circuit.