Bow
Boston, Massachusetts | Film Short
Drama, Sci-Fi
Bow is a narrative, low sci-fi, and coming of age short film following Cassia Johnson, a prodigy violinist who falls into a coma and must reinvent his identity after waking up 150 in an eco-socialist future.
Green Light
This campaign raised $3,699 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
42 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Bow is a narrative, low sci-fi, and coming of age short film following Cassia Johnson, a prodigy violinist who falls into a coma and must reinvent his identity after waking up 150 in an eco-socialist future.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Cassia Johnson was pushed towards greatness his entire life, to the point where he feels his life has no value beyond his identity as a violinist. After a career-defining concert, Cassia crashes his car, falling into a coma. When he wakes up, 150 years later, he grapples with a lack of purpose, meaning, and love. Here, he begins to form connections and friendships with no strings attached, and rediscovers his childhood love for music without obligation.
It is easier to imagine an end to the world than an end to capitalism”
Fredric Jameson
Perhaps it is also easier to envision the end of ourselves than to envision a change in who we are. Bow is my love letter to who I was as a child, who I am, and who I could become. Cassia Johnson reflects our collective struggle to find purpose in a world without inherent meaning. Without religion or a divine plan, it’s easy for me to say that my singular justification for life is to become a great athlete or try to change the world through storytelling. But I am uncertain of who I will be. We are all uncertain of what will happen in 10 years or 10 minutes. So together we move forward with the hope that we can be many things. That is the story we’re telling with Bow.
This story brings positive energy towards the often bleak outlook on the future, showing people that there is a way forward - together - to make life a beautiful thing for everyone, rather than for a select few. We firmly believe that the discovery of personal identity is inseparable from the notion that the betterment of society means the betterment for the individual.
Bow is a large-scale independent short film, with coast-to-coast production in both Boston and Seattle. Our experienced crew is excited to work towards building this utopian future that frames Cassia’s internal growth.
Cassia Johnson – Cassia sacrificed everything to become a prodigy violinist. His commitment to music began at a young age with a love for the violin, but the expectations of himself, his conductor, and his parents have caused that love to falter. Now, he struggles to find his identity without the violin.
Molly Gibbons – Molly is a confident person who executes her will openly, yet aside from taking care of her grandmother, Amy, she feels somewhat lost in the world and is still searching for her real desire. She’s a nihilist who believes nothing has any cosmic meaning, allowing her to act on her own accord.
Joe Naismith – Joe is a young man who harbors a lot of self-doubt. He believes that he’s worthless without work ethic and discipline as the perspective that "time is money" has been passed along to him by his parents. Like Cassia, he feels that he doesn’t belong in this time.
Amy Gibbons – Amy is Molly’s grandmother and caretaker, channeling her grief for Molly’s parents into beauty through warmth, hospitality, and music. Confined to her home due to mobility issues, Amy chooses to reflect on life without regret, spreading her calm demeanor to the rest of the group.
Bow is in pre-production and enters production for two weeks in early May 2026. We aim to raise $5,000 in our first round of crowdfunding in order to secure our locations, purchase major production design elements, and fund our travel and lodging needs.
During our first production week, we will shoot in Boston to capture all of the present-day scenes. Major location and production design aspects include a full orchestra and the construction of miniatures to accomplish our car crash scene.
Our second week features all of the scenes that take place in the year 2170, with production taking place in Seattle. Achieving our vision of the eco-socialist future where Bow takes place requires resources to be allocated to production design and wardrobe in order to convey the technological and societal advancements of the new world.
All project updates will be shared on our Instagram, @bow_shortfilm! Check out @tarot77productions for our other original projects, and follow the Bow Seed & Spark for project updates.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $700
Secure our locations permits, in both Washington and Massachusetts.
Production Design
Costs $800
Construct the futuristic world and technology of the 2170s through set pieces, miniatures, and hand-sewn Kintsugi-based costumes.
Transportation
Costs $700
Transport our cast and crew around Boston and Seattle.
Live Orchestra and Instruments
Costs $1,000
A live, filmed performance of our original score to open our film.
Craft Services
Costs $300
Feed our hardworking cast and crew.
V.F.X.
Costs $500
A talented VFX department is required to integrate our set pieces into the natural environment.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Beckett Hobbs (Director, Writer, Producer) is an award-winning Jewish Writer-Director, who studies film at Emerson College in Boston. He co-founded Tarot 77 Productions and the Issaquah Film Festival in 2023 with the mission to ease the process for young filmmakers to join the film industry. He is a filmmaking Swiss Army knife, working in all production departments, with his specialty in translating his words into dynamic performances and grounded visuals. Hobbs seeks to promote deep reflection upon ourselves and our communities. He values collaborators who embrace diverse perspectives and creates production environments that encourage artistic contributions from all production members. His projects have been featured at NFFTY, SIFF, Hollywood Shortsfest, CineYouth, and more.
Claire English (Lead Producer) is a junior Visual Media Arts major at Emerson College with a Minor in Art History. A passionate creative and collegiate athlete, she is a hardworking and dedicated young filmmaker. Having worked mainly in positions such as Producer, Co-Producer, Production Designer, and Art Team Hand, English enjoys the process of bringing films to life. She firmly believes that film and media shape modern-day culture and hopes her films work to instill ideologies of acceptance, kindness, and self-actualization.
Henry Shriber (Executive Producer) is a Writer-Director from Issaquah Washington. Henry makes films that explore the human condition, inspired by his exposure to global perspectives. From climbing through the Turkish caves of Cappadocia, to plunging into the ice-cold Puget Sound at scout camp, Henry does not stay comfortable in his artistic process, believing that adventure and risk are key to telling great stories. Through Tarot 77 Productions, Henry has served as Executive Producer on twelve original and diverse short films. Henry’s work has been featured at many film festivals including NFFTY, Seattle International Film Festival, Issaquah Film Festival, Utah Film Festival, Miami Short Film Festival, and All American High School Film Festival.
Logan Sarzalejo (Executive Producer) is a screenwriter and director from Seattle, Washington. His work is driven by a fascination with emotional storytelling and imagination, with a voice rooted in authenticity, whimsy, and character-driven narratives. Drawn to coming-of-age stories, Logan explores themes of family, identity, and resilience, believing collaboration and empathy are essential to telling meaningful stories. Logan’s films have screened at festivals including NFFTY, Independent Shorts Awards, and the Lift Off Global Network. His latest short film, Wake Up, is currently in post-production.
Sofia Belgiovine (Finance Producer) is a senior Media Arts Production major at Emerson College with a minor in Pre-Law. She is interested in pursuing production or management, currently serving as the General Manager of Emerson Independent Video, the largest collegiate video production company in the country. She is excited to tackle a logistically challenging project like Bow, managing multiple production units across the country.
Lowin Farrell (Tech Producer) is a senior Media Arts Production major at Emerson College, specializing in cinematography and commercial work. He is the founder of Studio 508, a production company. He wants to make music videos and advertisements with brands at high level production companies. He currently works as a videographer and photographer for Emerson’s College Radio Station, 88.9 FM WERS, capturing Billboard artists at venues across Boston.
Cadence Bernstein (Locations Producer) is a senior at Emerson College, majoring in Media Arts Production with a minor in Business Studies. During her time at school, she has produced multiple independent and student films, while participating in development programs for Emerson organizations such as Frames Per Second and Emerson Independent Video. Having also interned at Talos Films and Night Owl Productions, Cadence is excited to bring her professional and educational experiences to her work on the production of Bow.
Bianca Gallelli (Associate Producer) is a senior Media Arts Production major at Emerson College. She is interested in pursuing producing, directing, and screenwriting, currently serving as the President of SPEC, Emerson’s only screenwriting club. She has served as a producer and director’s assistant on multiple student sets and independent projects, and is excited to help fuel the cast and crew of Bow.
Jasmine Barrs (Associate Producer) is a filmmaker from Phoenix, Arizona, studying film at Emerson College. As a self-proclaimed film buff, Barrs uses her love of movies to inspire her work as a cinematographer, director, and writer. In her creative endeavors, she is drawn to telling and supporting stories featuring themes of home, identity, and nostalgia.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Cassia Johnson was pushed towards greatness his entire life, to the point where he feels his life has no value beyond his identity as a violinist. After a career-defining concert, Cassia crashes his car, falling into a coma. When he wakes up, 150 years later, he grapples with a lack of purpose, meaning, and love. Here, he begins to form connections and friendships with no strings attached, and rediscovers his childhood love for music without obligation.
It is easier to imagine an end to the world than an end to capitalism”
Fredric Jameson
Perhaps it is also easier to envision the end of ourselves than to envision a change in who we are. Bow is my love letter to who I was as a child, who I am, and who I could become. Cassia Johnson reflects our collective struggle to find purpose in a world without inherent meaning. Without religion or a divine plan, it’s easy for me to say that my singular justification for life is to become a great athlete or try to change the world through storytelling. But I am uncertain of who I will be. We are all uncertain of what will happen in 10 years or 10 minutes. So together we move forward with the hope that we can be many things. That is the story we’re telling with Bow.
This story brings positive energy towards the often bleak outlook on the future, showing people that there is a way forward - together - to make life a beautiful thing for everyone, rather than for a select few. We firmly believe that the discovery of personal identity is inseparable from the notion that the betterment of society means the betterment for the individual.
Bow is a large-scale independent short film, with coast-to-coast production in both Boston and Seattle. Our experienced crew is excited to work towards building this utopian future that frames Cassia’s internal growth.
Cassia Johnson – Cassia sacrificed everything to become a prodigy violinist. His commitment to music began at a young age with a love for the violin, but the expectations of himself, his conductor, and his parents have caused that love to falter. Now, he struggles to find his identity without the violin.
Molly Gibbons – Molly is a confident person who executes her will openly, yet aside from taking care of her grandmother, Amy, she feels somewhat lost in the world and is still searching for her real desire. She’s a nihilist who believes nothing has any cosmic meaning, allowing her to act on her own accord.
Joe Naismith – Joe is a young man who harbors a lot of self-doubt. He believes that he’s worthless without work ethic and discipline as the perspective that "time is money" has been passed along to him by his parents. Like Cassia, he feels that he doesn’t belong in this time.
Amy Gibbons – Amy is Molly’s grandmother and caretaker, channeling her grief for Molly’s parents into beauty through warmth, hospitality, and music. Confined to her home due to mobility issues, Amy chooses to reflect on life without regret, spreading her calm demeanor to the rest of the group.
Bow is in pre-production and enters production for two weeks in early May 2026. We aim to raise $5,000 in our first round of crowdfunding in order to secure our locations, purchase major production design elements, and fund our travel and lodging needs.
During our first production week, we will shoot in Boston to capture all of the present-day scenes. Major location and production design aspects include a full orchestra and the construction of miniatures to accomplish our car crash scene.
Our second week features all of the scenes that take place in the year 2170, with production taking place in Seattle. Achieving our vision of the eco-socialist future where Bow takes place requires resources to be allocated to production design and wardrobe in order to convey the technological and societal advancements of the new world.
All project updates will be shared on our Instagram, @bow_shortfilm! Check out @tarot77productions for our other original projects, and follow the Bow Seed & Spark for project updates.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $700
Secure our locations permits, in both Washington and Massachusetts.
Production Design
Costs $800
Construct the futuristic world and technology of the 2170s through set pieces, miniatures, and hand-sewn Kintsugi-based costumes.
Transportation
Costs $700
Transport our cast and crew around Boston and Seattle.
Live Orchestra and Instruments
Costs $1,000
A live, filmed performance of our original score to open our film.
Craft Services
Costs $300
Feed our hardworking cast and crew.
V.F.X.
Costs $500
A talented VFX department is required to integrate our set pieces into the natural environment.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Beckett Hobbs (Director, Writer, Producer) is an award-winning Jewish Writer-Director, who studies film at Emerson College in Boston. He co-founded Tarot 77 Productions and the Issaquah Film Festival in 2023 with the mission to ease the process for young filmmakers to join the film industry. He is a filmmaking Swiss Army knife, working in all production departments, with his specialty in translating his words into dynamic performances and grounded visuals. Hobbs seeks to promote deep reflection upon ourselves and our communities. He values collaborators who embrace diverse perspectives and creates production environments that encourage artistic contributions from all production members. His projects have been featured at NFFTY, SIFF, Hollywood Shortsfest, CineYouth, and more.
Claire English (Lead Producer) is a junior Visual Media Arts major at Emerson College with a Minor in Art History. A passionate creative and collegiate athlete, she is a hardworking and dedicated young filmmaker. Having worked mainly in positions such as Producer, Co-Producer, Production Designer, and Art Team Hand, English enjoys the process of bringing films to life. She firmly believes that film and media shape modern-day culture and hopes her films work to instill ideologies of acceptance, kindness, and self-actualization.
Henry Shriber (Executive Producer) is a Writer-Director from Issaquah Washington. Henry makes films that explore the human condition, inspired by his exposure to global perspectives. From climbing through the Turkish caves of Cappadocia, to plunging into the ice-cold Puget Sound at scout camp, Henry does not stay comfortable in his artistic process, believing that adventure and risk are key to telling great stories. Through Tarot 77 Productions, Henry has served as Executive Producer on twelve original and diverse short films. Henry’s work has been featured at many film festivals including NFFTY, Seattle International Film Festival, Issaquah Film Festival, Utah Film Festival, Miami Short Film Festival, and All American High School Film Festival.
Logan Sarzalejo (Executive Producer) is a screenwriter and director from Seattle, Washington. His work is driven by a fascination with emotional storytelling and imagination, with a voice rooted in authenticity, whimsy, and character-driven narratives. Drawn to coming-of-age stories, Logan explores themes of family, identity, and resilience, believing collaboration and empathy are essential to telling meaningful stories. Logan’s films have screened at festivals including NFFTY, Independent Shorts Awards, and the Lift Off Global Network. His latest short film, Wake Up, is currently in post-production.
Sofia Belgiovine (Finance Producer) is a senior Media Arts Production major at Emerson College with a minor in Pre-Law. She is interested in pursuing production or management, currently serving as the General Manager of Emerson Independent Video, the largest collegiate video production company in the country. She is excited to tackle a logistically challenging project like Bow, managing multiple production units across the country.
Lowin Farrell (Tech Producer) is a senior Media Arts Production major at Emerson College, specializing in cinematography and commercial work. He is the founder of Studio 508, a production company. He wants to make music videos and advertisements with brands at high level production companies. He currently works as a videographer and photographer for Emerson’s College Radio Station, 88.9 FM WERS, capturing Billboard artists at venues across Boston.
Cadence Bernstein (Locations Producer) is a senior at Emerson College, majoring in Media Arts Production with a minor in Business Studies. During her time at school, she has produced multiple independent and student films, while participating in development programs for Emerson organizations such as Frames Per Second and Emerson Independent Video. Having also interned at Talos Films and Night Owl Productions, Cadence is excited to bring her professional and educational experiences to her work on the production of Bow.
Bianca Gallelli (Associate Producer) is a senior Media Arts Production major at Emerson College. She is interested in pursuing producing, directing, and screenwriting, currently serving as the President of SPEC, Emerson’s only screenwriting club. She has served as a producer and director’s assistant on multiple student sets and independent projects, and is excited to help fuel the cast and crew of Bow.
Jasmine Barrs (Associate Producer) is a filmmaker from Phoenix, Arizona, studying film at Emerson College. As a self-proclaimed film buff, Barrs uses her love of movies to inspire her work as a cinematographer, director, and writer. In her creative endeavors, she is drawn to telling and supporting stories featuring themes of home, identity, and nostalgia.