Bryar County

Denver, Colorado | Film Short

Drama, LGBTQ

Cruz Frankie Garcia

1 Campaigns | Colorado, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $6,575 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

53 supporters | followers

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Help us share a new perspective on rural America that complicates what it means to be queer in an already isolated culture where roots grow deep. This film sheds a light on what it means to be different in a place you were born to be a part of.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

We are a diverse group of film students based in Colorado dedicated to unpacking the complex issues of identity and culture in our art. This is not a love story, nor a coming out story. It's a queer story from an unheard perspective that deconstructs the struggle between culture and identity.

The Story

 

Clint is a young man that fits perfectly into his small, rural hometown. With the exception of a secret; he is gay. But does being gay have to mean that he doesn't belong? This is the question that is swirling in Clint's mind. 

Clint has another secret; his friend Billy. Billy is a nonbinary person living in Clint's hometown in the beginning stages of discovering his own gender identity. He is a mentor for Clint as he navigates his own choices around what makes him different. Billy's wisdom is something that Clint has come to rely on. His only beacon of perspective and like-ness.  Despite being cultural outcasts in their own ways, Clint must keep their friendship a secret per Billy's advice - best not to associate with anyone who might jeopardize the perfectness of Clint's life and safety. Their secret friendship has helped Clint find inner-acceptance. But acceptance is not the same as peace, and Clint is left to find his own direction when Billy abruptly moves out of town without notice.

 

 

While our above the line production team will be donating their time to complete this film as a thesis projet, this film will provide PAID opportunities for our actors. Your contribution will also go to locations, allowing us to lock down the set entirely and remain in compliance with state and federal COVID-19 rescritions in addition to our even more strict production policy (more on that below). 

Your contributions will help feed cast and crew on shoot days (this is a massive help and a big part of a smooth, successful operation) as well as some equipment costs and digital assets for post-production. The third largest portion of our budget will go to locations which are imperative for both the story and for crew safety. Fortunately, most of our equipment rentals are covered by the University of Colorado Denver. Finally, after the completion of the film, we will be submitting Bryar County to domestic and international film festivals so it can be shown to audiences everywhere and help take our film careers into the real-world post-graduation!

 

 

Our team is following a strict, minimal-contact policy throughout each phase of the production process. Our sets are strictly limited to six people on set at any given time. That's six people regardless of role or level of connection to the production. Our locations will be locked down completely with the help of our incredible producers, and our crew will be taking on the jobs of multiple other crew members. This is going to take a lot of work to reduce our crew and your contribution is a crucial part of making this film happen safely. Our crew is committed to:

-A limit of six crew members and talent allowed on set per shoot day

-Regular health screenings, COVID-19 testing, and daily temperature checks

-Actively monitoring proper social distancing

-Face coverings worn by everyone except the on-camera talent while cameras are rolling

-Production locations, props, and equipment are thoroughly and regularly sanitized 

 

 

 

Yes! You can help us gain extra perks by FOLLOWING this page. We will unlock extra support for FREE once we reach 250 followers. You can also share this project on social media! 

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I'm helping to raise money for an independent film titled Bryar County and I need your help! Even a small donation would help in reaching the $8,200 goal. With a donation of $10, you'll be able to provide beautiful locations, cast, and shooting costs. Read more about this film and it's campaign by following this link: https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/bryar-county

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Talent Costs

Costs $3,000

We plan to pay our actors for their talent, effort, and more importantly, their time.

Catering

Costs $1,800

A well fed crew is a happy crew.

Locations

Costs $1,400

Help ensure we get the best possible locations that fit for Bryar County.

Camera Gear

Costs $1,500

We need special filters to nail that special inviting vintage look as well as a mount for car shots.

Film Festivals

Costs $500

We'll be able to submit to many LGBTQ+ festivals and get our short film seen.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

Our crew is made up of a diverse set of individuals, with many unique talents and viewpoints to bring to Bryar County.

Our director, Anthony Battaglia, is an aspiring writer/director. Directing has been his passion for a long time and he’s thrilled to have been able to make several films he’s proud of, including some that have been shown at film festivals. Bryar County is going to be his biggest challenge yet and he’s ready to get to work!

Director of Photography, Writer, and Executive Producer Mason Weston is from a small town (population 700) in rural southern Missouri. After completing a year of Missouri State University’s Digital Film Production program, he relocated to Denver where he has spent 6 years serving the community in AmeriCorps and various nonprofits while studying filmmaking. Mason’s desire to pursue cinematography comes from his love of telling stories, photography, and sculpting with light.

One of our production designers, Charlie Gandarias, is a filmmaker specializing in cinematography and lighting design from Pozuelo de Alaracon, Spain. He is a currently a senior at the University of Colorado, Denver in the film and television production program. Charlie is a lover of all stories and he is incredibly excited to be working on such an amazing film with a great crew.

Born in New York and raised in Colorado, our Producer and second production designer, Caitlin Bassolino, is currently working towards her Bachelor’s degree at University of Colorado Denver in Film and Television Production where her interests pull her in various directions, including editing, directing, sound design, special effects makeup, and more. She is the director of the short Liminal, a selection of the Denver Silent Film Fest 2019, as well as the editor and production designer for Koselig (Noun/Verb), winner of the Best Young Filmmaker Award at Prague International Indie Film Festival. Caitlin's also an enthusiastic illustrator and award-winning painter; her fondness for the principles and fundamentals of art remains present in her work today, whether on a canvas or on a screen. Her favorite work focuses on socio-political and environmental issues, and her dream job is to edit nature documentaries. Caitlin’s other passions outside film include cooking, gardening, hiking, and rock-climbing.

Our 1st AD and Producer, Cruz Frankie Garcia, is a Screenwriter, Director, artist and published author who has worked on more than 10 short films/productions in Colorado. His films have made it into multiple festivals, even winning third and second place in audience choice awards. He is currently pursuing a degree in Film & Television a CU Denver and is working towards a future in the film industry as a screenwriter. He is a major horror fanatic, often taking inspiration from the mundane and turning it on its head. He believes diversity and collabortion bring the best out of any project!

Our editor, Jazmine DiGiorgio, an aspiring film editor and is currently in her senior year at the University of Colorado, Denver. She has always been fascinated with film and every project she has worked on has helped her grow as a person and as an editor. She believes that the joy of editing is not only in the cut itself -- it is the attention to the smallest and most significant of details that can be woven together that captivates and moves the audience.

Our location manager, Joana Gomez, is a Colorado native and currently attends CU Denver for a bachelor's in film and television. Her main goal is to become a producer and help make more films like Bryar County.

 

Current Team

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