BY THE LAKE
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
By the Lake is a gritty drama that amplifies the war of addiction - the battle to get clean and the battle to stay clean. It follows two addicts from different sides of the track, who meet during their one day of overlap at a rehab center, and change each other's trajectories forever.
BY THE LAKE
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $14,780 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
188 supporters | followers
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By the Lake is a gritty drama that amplifies the war of addiction - the battle to get clean and the battle to stay clean. It follows two addicts from different sides of the track, who meet during their one day of overlap at a rehab center, and change each other's trajectories forever.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When an addict from Appalachia forms an unlikely bond with a city outsider in rehab,
each must decide whether to continue the life they left behind, or take a leap into the unknown: sobriety.
Our film is a raw, dark, unflinching exploration of the reality of addiction. Our film opens with LUCE (Black, they/them) as they sneak into an abandoned warehouse with their "it's complicated," MILES (he/him) for some fun: heroin. As Luce shoots up, we shift to...
An Appalachian house miles away where REINA (White, she/her) is snorting coke off a line as her boyfriend, JACOB (white, he/him) dances in the background. The two pop a cocktail of pills until REINA's mother, RITA (white, she/her), finds them.
The next day, Rita takes Reina to a local rehab center run by TAMMY (she/her). There, Reina is assigned a room with Luce, who is on their last day of rehab. The two form an unlikely bond that will alter each others lives forever.
As a director, I am excited to bring this piece to life with dark, cool, raw images that parallel the tone of the disease we are talking about. Our scenes will be filled with shadows, a representation of the dark cloud of temptation and relapse always threatening the sober.
Our short takes place in three distinct worlds: Luce's World (an abandoned warehouse in the city), Reina's World (her mother's home in Appalachia), and a Rehab center in between. We will be creating 3 distinct color schemes for the three worlds that show Reina and Luce meeting in the middle.
We will be shooting at a gritty warehouse in Atlanta as well as a private lake house in the middle of the woods in Stone Mountain, contrasting locations that highlight the broad spread of addiction.
OUR WAREHOUSE
This fantastic industrial complex will be the shooting location for our city scenes with Luce. It provides the perfect gritty feel to match the feelings of guilt, shame and secrecy that can come with drug use. It also is the perfect environment for Luce, who is a character relegated on the outskirts of society as a BIPOC, genderqueer person with a heroin addiction.
OUR REHAB CENTER
We have a wonderful film location in Stone Mountain, GA that will act as our rehab center as well as Appalachian home. The property features 19 acres of woods, a private lake, and three properties that can be used for various set-ups.
I wrote this story with a goal to tell an authentic story about addiction; one that confronts its ugly bits – overdose, withdrawal, relapse – to raise awareness for the struggle of addiction and build empathy for those fighting it. It is my hope this film will remind us of our common humanity, our common struggle, and our common bond.
Addiction affects all groups regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or region, and it was important for me to uplift the people struggling with addiction that are often excluded from the conversation - the BIPOC, the queer, the rural.
As a black, queer person, I wanted to write a nuanced depiction of a BIPOC person struggling with addition that did not build off stereotype. And similarly, I wanted create a parallel, multifaceted character from a another group that is also commonly misrepresented and overlooked – Appalachians.. After backpacking 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 2020, I have become a regular visitor to the region, connecting with members of its community and swapping heartfelt experiences with them. I have grown to love the melodic nature of regional dialect, and the unique perspective of the people who call the region home. I wanted to make sure that in writing Appalachian characters, I was not contributing to stereotype, but bringing an authentic and nuanced perspective to life on screen. To do so, I began to study Smoky Mountain English, interview Appalachians, and visit Appalachian rehab centers along with my co-producer, and developed the script over the course of a year.
While a lot of work and care has gone into the authenticity of characters, this is not a story that centers any single identity. This goal was not to create a story about race, or gender, or sexuality, but rather create a conversation about addiction in which all those identities are represented, one that reflects the real world.
REINA
SABLE WILLIAMS
Late 20s, White, cis-woman using she/her pronouns. An Appalachian mix of unpolished naïveté and charming stubbornness. Reina knows what she wants and how to get it. And what she wants is oxy.
LUCE
ANISSA MATLOCK
Early 30s, Black, GNC or nonbinary, queer person using they/them pronouns. Luce is an outsider with an armor of cynicism and dry-wit. protecting a tender hard. They just want to make it through their last day of rehab, without running into their ex.
RITA
LISA SHATTERLY BOYD
Early-40s to early-50s, White, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. Reina’s mother. A mama bear who has seen her share of pain and will do anything to protect her cub. She has never gone further than the county next door, and speaks in a thick Appalachian accent to prove it.
TAMMY
SARAFINA KING
Early-40s to early-60s, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. Runs the tight ship at New Horizons Rehab Center. Realistic, pragmatic, and efficient, she won't let one bad apple spoil the bunch.
JACOB
KELLEN BOYLE
Mid-20s to early-30s, cis-man, uses he/him pronouns. Desperate for connection and eager to please, Jacob wants to be "treated like a man" by his girlfriend, REINA, and will do whatever she asks to stay around.
MILES
LEE OSORIO
Mid-30s to early-40s, cis-man, uses he/him pronouns. Luce’s “it’s complicated” crush from their past life. The kind of guy that has always been bailed out when trouble comes his way. Always down for the good times, would pass on the hard times, and would hard pass on therapy.
LEXI
DOMINIQUE WILSON
Mid-20s to early-30s, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. Hot trouble. Lexi loves when people love her. She would probably refer to herself as “hot shit” and treats rehab like it's summer camp, getting herself into messy queer triangles along the way.
AMBER
CHARIS JEFFERS
Mid-20s to early-30s, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. A baby-gay, who follows Lexi around like a puppy dog.
JENN
LISETTE RESILLE
30s to 40s, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. A rehab worker who performs intake.
We need a budget of $13,750 to fund production of our film. To collect any donations, we must raise 80% of our budget on Seed & Spark within 30 days. Here is what a $13,750 will afford us:
- Paying our Cast, including 7 principle roles and background talent
- Paying our Crew, including Director of Photography, Production Designers, Sound Mixer, Fight & Intimacy Coordinator, Assistant Director, Gaffer, Production Assistants, Hair & Makeup Artists (at indie rates)
- Buying Production Design Elements, including set dressing, props, wardrobe;
- Donating a portion of proceeds to the in- and out-patient Appalachian rehab centers where we conducted research.
At 16,500, we will be able to fund post-production including:
- Hiring an Editor
- Hiring a Sound Mixer
- Hiring a Colorist
At $19,500, we will be able to fund Festival Submissions so that our film can be seen in a town near you!
At $23,500, we will be able to pay our cast and crew industry-standard rates.
At $25,000, we will be able to buy additional production design elements, have a “buffer fund” for unexpected expenses, hire a composer for post-production, and submit to more festivals.
Summer, 2020 – Alex backpacks 500 miles of the Appalachian trail over 50 days. She stops in towns, connects with locals, and discovers a love of the Appalachian mountains and their surrounding mountain towns.
November, 2021 – Alex returns to the Appalachian region for a 9-day, solo writing retreat and backpacking trip.
November, 2022 – Alex and Sable birth the idea for By the Lake.
December, 2022 – Alex begins writing By the Lake while on Christmas vacation in a mountain town in Northwest Georgia.
January, 2023 – Sable and Alex travel to Appalachia for a 2-day working retreat. Alex shows Sable some of her old stomping grounds. They brainstorm the script and build an outline; Alex writes the four scenes.
February, 2023 – Sable and Alex conduct interviews with professionals from 2 Appalachian rehab centers, and drive up to do an in-person visit at another Appalachian rehab center in Northeast Georgia.
June, 2023 – Alex finishes first Act.
November 2023 – Alex finishes final act of By the Lake after directing her first shot, Jeudi.
December, 2023 – February, 2024 - Pre-Production is underway...
- Alex completes the first draft of By the Lake.
- Alex and Sable secure shooting locations and conduct interviews about the project.
- Message From Vega officially comes on as production partners with Dauphin Noir.
- Jen Wagner signs on as Director of Photography.
- Paige Blackcloud signs on as Photographer/Gaffer.
- Jessica Bennett signs on as Intimacy Coordinator/Fight Choreographer.
- Jordan Blair Brown signs on as Casting Director.
- By the Lake promo shoot with the team from Message from Vega.
March, 2024 - Pre-Production continues...
- Casting for By the Lake.
- Amer-Marie Woods signs on as Assistant Director/Producer.
- Shooting set for March 30-April 7.
- Leah Marie Puffenberger signs on as Sound Mixer.
- Bex Karnofski signs on as Production Designer.
- Celeste Sample signs on as Asst. Production Designer.
- Anna Scalzi signs on as Script Supervisor.
- 5 PA's hired.
March 30-31 - Production begins!
1. Join our team by making a pledge on this page. You'll receive some cool incentives and our utmost gratitude;
2. Follow/Subscribe to our campaign on Seed & Spark for updates on our progress. More followers qualifies us for Seed & Spark support packages;
3. Follow us on Instagram @dauphinnoirfilms;
4. Share our page with any friends and family :)
THANK YOU!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
THE TALENT: Our actors
Costs $1,500
The recent strike affected a lot of actors and although we are not able to pay SAG rates, we do want to offer our talent compensation!
THE CREW: Behind the scenes heroes
Costs $5,275
This includes on-set creatives: DP, Assistant Director, Sound Mixer, Production Designer, Intimacy & Fight Choreographer, HMU, PAs, etc.
THE POST-OP: Our post-production team
Costs $2,750
This includes some of the most important elements: Editor, Colorist, Sound Mixer, Graphic Designer.
THE LOCAL TOUCH: Pre-Production creatives that will help us tell and authentic story
Costs $550
This segment pays for an Appalachian Dialect Coach/Consultant and local ATL casting director for scouting our talent.
THE FUEL: Feed our team
Costs $2,600
Sponsor food for pre-production meetings, 3 days of filming with 20+ cast and crew members.
THE SCENE: Props, furniture and set decor
Costs $800
Help us bring the rehab center to life with props, furniture, and set decor.
THE DRIVE: Travel and housing for out-of-town creatives
Costs $250
This will help cover travel costs for out-of-town team members.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Alex Dauphin | Director, Writer, Executive Producer
Alex Dauphin is a Haitian-American director, writer and actor based in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Dauphin creates art that emboldens empathy by uplifting the under-heard stories of the intersectionally marginalized – specifically those of the queer, immigrant, and African-diaspora.
By the Lake is the second short film with Dauphin as writer-director, following the 2024 bilingual short – Jeudi, about a queer French-American couple who must navigate an argument in both of their languages.
Dauphin has served on the directing teams and performed in regional theatres across the country including Alliance Theatre in Atlanta; Steppenwolf Theatre, Writers Theatre, and Remy Bummpo Theatre in Chicago; TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, AR; and others. Her Television credits include Dynasty (The CW), Ordinary Joe (ABC), Die Hart 2 (ROKU), MacGyver, Chicago Med (NBC), and Long Slow Exhale (BET).
As a filmmaker, Dauphin's credits include co-writing the 2023 short film, Some Days, which premiered at Outfest: Atlanta; writing and producing the 2020 experimental documentary short film, My Black, which provides an intimate look at what it means to be both Haitian-American and Black in America with a combination of poetry and family interviews; and creating the docuseries, That is Racism, in which a diverse group of Black Americans discussed their unique experiences with racism from micro-aggressions to macro-transgressions.
Dauphin is a graduate of Princeton University, where she concentrated in Politics and African-American Studies.
Sable Williams | Actress, Executive Producer
Sable Williams is an Atlanta actress who joins this exciting filmmaking journey as a producer and actress, playing the role of Reina.
Sable is a quirky free-spirit who will forever be a student of life. Sable lived in Los Angeles, studying improv at Upright Citizens Bridgade. Based in Atlanta now, she remains bicoastal (LA/Atlanta/NY).
With a background in movement based theater, Sable finds that her character expansion lives in exploring physicality and continues to train her instrument. Sable has studied movement at the Margolis Method Training Center (New York), Patsy Rodenburg with Ensemble Theater Company (New York), Vernal and Sere Theater (Atlanta), Actors Collective (Atlanta) and has a background in Latin dance.
Sable attended Arizona State University, obtaining degrees in Nursing and Theater (Acting concentration). While attending ASU, Sable co-directed, wrote, and performed a solo piece entitled Re: Recovery, Resilience, Restore, a strictly experimental movement and multimedia production that explored the positive effects of creativity on mental health through her research/volunteering at a recovery center.
Creating stories that are true, honest and shed light on those fighting for mental wellness is how Sable believes art truly creates impact. Sable is very excited to bring the breath and pulse to Reina. With her medical background, she has landed her roles on TV/Film including New Amsterdam (NBC) and Echoes (Netflix). She's also a doula and sound bath practitioner.
Amer-Marie Woods | 1st Assistant Director, Producer
Amer-Marie Woods (she/her) is an actress, writer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Ga and bi-costal to Los Angeles, Ca. She is passionate about storytelling and creating dynamic content that amplifies the voices of marginalized communities. Specifically, healing narratives that have impacted the relationship between her community and the world in which they exist. Amer loves a collaborative environment that not only allows her to use her voice but allows her to be a conduit to the voices of others. She has a special place in her heart for the indie community in Atlanta and champions the creators who have supported her journey thus far. Amer spends many hours studying with Vernal and Sere Theater developing a movement practice that is the base for her style of acting. When Amer is not in front of the camera, you can find her wearing many hats behind the camera to include, script supervisor, producer, assistant director, and unit production manager.
Jen Wagner | Director of Photography
Jen Wagner is a cinematographer and co-founder of the Message From Vega production company. She is a US Army veteran of five years and is based out of Augusta, GA. Jen's work focuses on narrative cinematography and above all - making enjoyable art on and off set.
Paige Blackcloud | Gaffer, Photographer
Paige Blackcloud is a Native American on-camera and VO actress based out of Augusta, GA. She grew up in California and served four years in the US Army. Paige strives to bring her unique perspective and experiences to the Message From Vega production company, which she owns and co-founded, to give opportunities to those without.
Anna Scalzi | Script Supervisor
Anna Scalzi is a multicultural script supervisor, editor, writer, and producer, of Cuban and Italian descent. She graduated with a MFA in Film and TV in Atlanta, at the Savannah College of Art & Design. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Art and Science in Electronic Media: Communications.
While Anna loves to learn the different aspects and departments in Film and TV, her passion is video editing and script supervising. She has a great eye for attention to details, organized, and with her editing background, can spot any potential error in continuity that may arise. Anna has developed, scripted, supervised, and taken on different crew positions on diverse projects ranging from documentary, music video, branded films, commercials, and narratives.
Leah Marie Puffenberger | Sound Mixer
Leah Marie Puffenberger has dedicated her life to the sonic world. She began her career in music at a young age, learning how to market and manager her own band in high school. She performed nationally around the USA and studied vocals under Ebony Childs at Jan Smith Studios for eight years. She began her undergraduate studies as a music performance major then had a shift of interest to audio engineering. She moved to London in 2013 and Graduated from SAE (School of Audio Engineering) Institute of London in 2015.
Upon her return to Atlanta, she interned under multi-platinum music producing/ writing/ mixing team Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount at ZK Productions where she furthered her knowledge in music production. After a year and a half interning with ZK Productions, Leah Marie landing a job at Crawford Media, a post production sound studio in Atlanta where her love for post production sound grew.
In 2017, she began developing LMP Productions where she was able to bridge the gap of sound for films, music production, and artist development: A multi-functional platform for sound needs.
Celeste Paige | Art Director
Celeste Paige (she/her) is an Interior & Production Designer, Mixed Media Artist, & Researcher. With a B.S. in Psychology, a M.F.A. in Interior Design, 8 years as an Air Force Medic, this Decatur native brings a multifaceted prescriptive to every scope of a project. The intention always being rooted in an intuitively holistic approach for creating spaces of healing and growth. Spaces for life and stories to thrive.
Bex Karnofski | Production Designer
Bex Karnofski (she/they) has worked in the design world for 15+ years doing everything from graphic design, to art direction, to production design. Bex has done full set design and production for several short films as well as many commercial projects. She loves the challenge and possibility of art direction and design...there is always something to learn. Through her life experiences, she hopes to bring an inquisitive spirit, an attention to detail, and a good sense of humor to her work.
'
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When an addict from Appalachia forms an unlikely bond with a city outsider in rehab,
each must decide whether to continue the life they left behind, or take a leap into the unknown: sobriety.
Our film is a raw, dark, unflinching exploration of the reality of addiction. Our film opens with LUCE (Black, they/them) as they sneak into an abandoned warehouse with their "it's complicated," MILES (he/him) for some fun: heroin. As Luce shoots up, we shift to...
An Appalachian house miles away where REINA (White, she/her) is snorting coke off a line as her boyfriend, JACOB (white, he/him) dances in the background. The two pop a cocktail of pills until REINA's mother, RITA (white, she/her), finds them.
The next day, Rita takes Reina to a local rehab center run by TAMMY (she/her). There, Reina is assigned a room with Luce, who is on their last day of rehab. The two form an unlikely bond that will alter each others lives forever.
As a director, I am excited to bring this piece to life with dark, cool, raw images that parallel the tone of the disease we are talking about. Our scenes will be filled with shadows, a representation of the dark cloud of temptation and relapse always threatening the sober.
Our short takes place in three distinct worlds: Luce's World (an abandoned warehouse in the city), Reina's World (her mother's home in Appalachia), and a Rehab center in between. We will be creating 3 distinct color schemes for the three worlds that show Reina and Luce meeting in the middle.
We will be shooting at a gritty warehouse in Atlanta as well as a private lake house in the middle of the woods in Stone Mountain, contrasting locations that highlight the broad spread of addiction.
OUR WAREHOUSE
This fantastic industrial complex will be the shooting location for our city scenes with Luce. It provides the perfect gritty feel to match the feelings of guilt, shame and secrecy that can come with drug use. It also is the perfect environment for Luce, who is a character relegated on the outskirts of society as a BIPOC, genderqueer person with a heroin addiction.
OUR REHAB CENTER
We have a wonderful film location in Stone Mountain, GA that will act as our rehab center as well as Appalachian home. The property features 19 acres of woods, a private lake, and three properties that can be used for various set-ups.
I wrote this story with a goal to tell an authentic story about addiction; one that confronts its ugly bits – overdose, withdrawal, relapse – to raise awareness for the struggle of addiction and build empathy for those fighting it. It is my hope this film will remind us of our common humanity, our common struggle, and our common bond.
Addiction affects all groups regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or region, and it was important for me to uplift the people struggling with addiction that are often excluded from the conversation - the BIPOC, the queer, the rural.
As a black, queer person, I wanted to write a nuanced depiction of a BIPOC person struggling with addition that did not build off stereotype. And similarly, I wanted create a parallel, multifaceted character from a another group that is also commonly misrepresented and overlooked – Appalachians.. After backpacking 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 2020, I have become a regular visitor to the region, connecting with members of its community and swapping heartfelt experiences with them. I have grown to love the melodic nature of regional dialect, and the unique perspective of the people who call the region home. I wanted to make sure that in writing Appalachian characters, I was not contributing to stereotype, but bringing an authentic and nuanced perspective to life on screen. To do so, I began to study Smoky Mountain English, interview Appalachians, and visit Appalachian rehab centers along with my co-producer, and developed the script over the course of a year.
While a lot of work and care has gone into the authenticity of characters, this is not a story that centers any single identity. This goal was not to create a story about race, or gender, or sexuality, but rather create a conversation about addiction in which all those identities are represented, one that reflects the real world.
REINA
SABLE WILLIAMS
Late 20s, White, cis-woman using she/her pronouns. An Appalachian mix of unpolished naïveté and charming stubbornness. Reina knows what she wants and how to get it. And what she wants is oxy.
LUCE
ANISSA MATLOCK
Early 30s, Black, GNC or nonbinary, queer person using they/them pronouns. Luce is an outsider with an armor of cynicism and dry-wit. protecting a tender hard. They just want to make it through their last day of rehab, without running into their ex.
RITA
LISA SHATTERLY BOYD
Early-40s to early-50s, White, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. Reina’s mother. A mama bear who has seen her share of pain and will do anything to protect her cub. She has never gone further than the county next door, and speaks in a thick Appalachian accent to prove it.
TAMMY
SARAFINA KING
Early-40s to early-60s, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. Runs the tight ship at New Horizons Rehab Center. Realistic, pragmatic, and efficient, she won't let one bad apple spoil the bunch.
JACOB
KELLEN BOYLE
Mid-20s to early-30s, cis-man, uses he/him pronouns. Desperate for connection and eager to please, Jacob wants to be "treated like a man" by his girlfriend, REINA, and will do whatever she asks to stay around.
MILES
LEE OSORIO
Mid-30s to early-40s, cis-man, uses he/him pronouns. Luce’s “it’s complicated” crush from their past life. The kind of guy that has always been bailed out when trouble comes his way. Always down for the good times, would pass on the hard times, and would hard pass on therapy.
LEXI
DOMINIQUE WILSON
Mid-20s to early-30s, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. Hot trouble. Lexi loves when people love her. She would probably refer to herself as “hot shit” and treats rehab like it's summer camp, getting herself into messy queer triangles along the way.
AMBER
CHARIS JEFFERS
Mid-20s to early-30s, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. A baby-gay, who follows Lexi around like a puppy dog.
JENN
LISETTE RESILLE
30s to 40s, cis-woman, uses she/her pronouns. A rehab worker who performs intake.
We need a budget of $13,750 to fund production of our film. To collect any donations, we must raise 80% of our budget on Seed & Spark within 30 days. Here is what a $13,750 will afford us:
- Paying our Cast, including 7 principle roles and background talent
- Paying our Crew, including Director of Photography, Production Designers, Sound Mixer, Fight & Intimacy Coordinator, Assistant Director, Gaffer, Production Assistants, Hair & Makeup Artists (at indie rates)
- Buying Production Design Elements, including set dressing, props, wardrobe;
- Donating a portion of proceeds to the in- and out-patient Appalachian rehab centers where we conducted research.
At 16,500, we will be able to fund post-production including:
- Hiring an Editor
- Hiring a Sound Mixer
- Hiring a Colorist
At $19,500, we will be able to fund Festival Submissions so that our film can be seen in a town near you!
At $23,500, we will be able to pay our cast and crew industry-standard rates.
At $25,000, we will be able to buy additional production design elements, have a “buffer fund” for unexpected expenses, hire a composer for post-production, and submit to more festivals.
Summer, 2020 – Alex backpacks 500 miles of the Appalachian trail over 50 days. She stops in towns, connects with locals, and discovers a love of the Appalachian mountains and their surrounding mountain towns.
November, 2021 – Alex returns to the Appalachian region for a 9-day, solo writing retreat and backpacking trip.
November, 2022 – Alex and Sable birth the idea for By the Lake.
December, 2022 – Alex begins writing By the Lake while on Christmas vacation in a mountain town in Northwest Georgia.
January, 2023 – Sable and Alex travel to Appalachia for a 2-day working retreat. Alex shows Sable some of her old stomping grounds. They brainstorm the script and build an outline; Alex writes the four scenes.
February, 2023 – Sable and Alex conduct interviews with professionals from 2 Appalachian rehab centers, and drive up to do an in-person visit at another Appalachian rehab center in Northeast Georgia.
June, 2023 – Alex finishes first Act.
November 2023 – Alex finishes final act of By the Lake after directing her first shot, Jeudi.
December, 2023 – February, 2024 - Pre-Production is underway...
- Alex completes the first draft of By the Lake.
- Alex and Sable secure shooting locations and conduct interviews about the project.
- Message From Vega officially comes on as production partners with Dauphin Noir.
- Jen Wagner signs on as Director of Photography.
- Paige Blackcloud signs on as Photographer/Gaffer.
- Jessica Bennett signs on as Intimacy Coordinator/Fight Choreographer.
- Jordan Blair Brown signs on as Casting Director.
- By the Lake promo shoot with the team from Message from Vega.
March, 2024 - Pre-Production continues...
- Casting for By the Lake.
- Amer-Marie Woods signs on as Assistant Director/Producer.
- Shooting set for March 30-April 7.
- Leah Marie Puffenberger signs on as Sound Mixer.
- Bex Karnofski signs on as Production Designer.
- Celeste Sample signs on as Asst. Production Designer.
- Anna Scalzi signs on as Script Supervisor.
- 5 PA's hired.
March 30-31 - Production begins!
1. Join our team by making a pledge on this page. You'll receive some cool incentives and our utmost gratitude;
2. Follow/Subscribe to our campaign on Seed & Spark for updates on our progress. More followers qualifies us for Seed & Spark support packages;
3. Follow us on Instagram @dauphinnoirfilms;
4. Share our page with any friends and family :)
THANK YOU!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
THE TALENT: Our actors
Costs $1,500
The recent strike affected a lot of actors and although we are not able to pay SAG rates, we do want to offer our talent compensation!
THE CREW: Behind the scenes heroes
Costs $5,275
This includes on-set creatives: DP, Assistant Director, Sound Mixer, Production Designer, Intimacy & Fight Choreographer, HMU, PAs, etc.
THE POST-OP: Our post-production team
Costs $2,750
This includes some of the most important elements: Editor, Colorist, Sound Mixer, Graphic Designer.
THE LOCAL TOUCH: Pre-Production creatives that will help us tell and authentic story
Costs $550
This segment pays for an Appalachian Dialect Coach/Consultant and local ATL casting director for scouting our talent.
THE FUEL: Feed our team
Costs $2,600
Sponsor food for pre-production meetings, 3 days of filming with 20+ cast and crew members.
THE SCENE: Props, furniture and set decor
Costs $800
Help us bring the rehab center to life with props, furniture, and set decor.
THE DRIVE: Travel and housing for out-of-town creatives
Costs $250
This will help cover travel costs for out-of-town team members.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Alex Dauphin | Director, Writer, Executive Producer
Alex Dauphin is a Haitian-American director, writer and actor based in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Dauphin creates art that emboldens empathy by uplifting the under-heard stories of the intersectionally marginalized – specifically those of the queer, immigrant, and African-diaspora.
By the Lake is the second short film with Dauphin as writer-director, following the 2024 bilingual short – Jeudi, about a queer French-American couple who must navigate an argument in both of their languages.
Dauphin has served on the directing teams and performed in regional theatres across the country including Alliance Theatre in Atlanta; Steppenwolf Theatre, Writers Theatre, and Remy Bummpo Theatre in Chicago; TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, AR; and others. Her Television credits include Dynasty (The CW), Ordinary Joe (ABC), Die Hart 2 (ROKU), MacGyver, Chicago Med (NBC), and Long Slow Exhale (BET).
As a filmmaker, Dauphin's credits include co-writing the 2023 short film, Some Days, which premiered at Outfest: Atlanta; writing and producing the 2020 experimental documentary short film, My Black, which provides an intimate look at what it means to be both Haitian-American and Black in America with a combination of poetry and family interviews; and creating the docuseries, That is Racism, in which a diverse group of Black Americans discussed their unique experiences with racism from micro-aggressions to macro-transgressions.
Dauphin is a graduate of Princeton University, where she concentrated in Politics and African-American Studies.
Sable Williams | Actress, Executive Producer
Sable Williams is an Atlanta actress who joins this exciting filmmaking journey as a producer and actress, playing the role of Reina.
Sable is a quirky free-spirit who will forever be a student of life. Sable lived in Los Angeles, studying improv at Upright Citizens Bridgade. Based in Atlanta now, she remains bicoastal (LA/Atlanta/NY).
With a background in movement based theater, Sable finds that her character expansion lives in exploring physicality and continues to train her instrument. Sable has studied movement at the Margolis Method Training Center (New York), Patsy Rodenburg with Ensemble Theater Company (New York), Vernal and Sere Theater (Atlanta), Actors Collective (Atlanta) and has a background in Latin dance.
Sable attended Arizona State University, obtaining degrees in Nursing and Theater (Acting concentration). While attending ASU, Sable co-directed, wrote, and performed a solo piece entitled Re: Recovery, Resilience, Restore, a strictly experimental movement and multimedia production that explored the positive effects of creativity on mental health through her research/volunteering at a recovery center.
Creating stories that are true, honest and shed light on those fighting for mental wellness is how Sable believes art truly creates impact. Sable is very excited to bring the breath and pulse to Reina. With her medical background, she has landed her roles on TV/Film including New Amsterdam (NBC) and Echoes (Netflix). She's also a doula and sound bath practitioner.
Amer-Marie Woods | 1st Assistant Director, Producer
Amer-Marie Woods (she/her) is an actress, writer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Ga and bi-costal to Los Angeles, Ca. She is passionate about storytelling and creating dynamic content that amplifies the voices of marginalized communities. Specifically, healing narratives that have impacted the relationship between her community and the world in which they exist. Amer loves a collaborative environment that not only allows her to use her voice but allows her to be a conduit to the voices of others. She has a special place in her heart for the indie community in Atlanta and champions the creators who have supported her journey thus far. Amer spends many hours studying with Vernal and Sere Theater developing a movement practice that is the base for her style of acting. When Amer is not in front of the camera, you can find her wearing many hats behind the camera to include, script supervisor, producer, assistant director, and unit production manager.
Jen Wagner | Director of Photography
Jen Wagner is a cinematographer and co-founder of the Message From Vega production company. She is a US Army veteran of five years and is based out of Augusta, GA. Jen's work focuses on narrative cinematography and above all - making enjoyable art on and off set.
Paige Blackcloud | Gaffer, Photographer
Paige Blackcloud is a Native American on-camera and VO actress based out of Augusta, GA. She grew up in California and served four years in the US Army. Paige strives to bring her unique perspective and experiences to the Message From Vega production company, which she owns and co-founded, to give opportunities to those without.
Anna Scalzi | Script Supervisor
Anna Scalzi is a multicultural script supervisor, editor, writer, and producer, of Cuban and Italian descent. She graduated with a MFA in Film and TV in Atlanta, at the Savannah College of Art & Design. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Art and Science in Electronic Media: Communications.
While Anna loves to learn the different aspects and departments in Film and TV, her passion is video editing and script supervising. She has a great eye for attention to details, organized, and with her editing background, can spot any potential error in continuity that may arise. Anna has developed, scripted, supervised, and taken on different crew positions on diverse projects ranging from documentary, music video, branded films, commercials, and narratives.
Leah Marie Puffenberger | Sound Mixer
Leah Marie Puffenberger has dedicated her life to the sonic world. She began her career in music at a young age, learning how to market and manager her own band in high school. She performed nationally around the USA and studied vocals under Ebony Childs at Jan Smith Studios for eight years. She began her undergraduate studies as a music performance major then had a shift of interest to audio engineering. She moved to London in 2013 and Graduated from SAE (School of Audio Engineering) Institute of London in 2015.
Upon her return to Atlanta, she interned under multi-platinum music producing/ writing/ mixing team Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount at ZK Productions where she furthered her knowledge in music production. After a year and a half interning with ZK Productions, Leah Marie landing a job at Crawford Media, a post production sound studio in Atlanta where her love for post production sound grew.
In 2017, she began developing LMP Productions where she was able to bridge the gap of sound for films, music production, and artist development: A multi-functional platform for sound needs.
Celeste Paige | Art Director
Celeste Paige (she/her) is an Interior & Production Designer, Mixed Media Artist, & Researcher. With a B.S. in Psychology, a M.F.A. in Interior Design, 8 years as an Air Force Medic, this Decatur native brings a multifaceted prescriptive to every scope of a project. The intention always being rooted in an intuitively holistic approach for creating spaces of healing and growth. Spaces for life and stories to thrive.
Bex Karnofski | Production Designer
Bex Karnofski (she/they) has worked in the design world for 15+ years doing everything from graphic design, to art direction, to production design. Bex has done full set design and production for several short films as well as many commercial projects. She loves the challenge and possibility of art direction and design...there is always something to learn. Through her life experiences, she hopes to bring an inquisitive spirit, an attention to detail, and a good sense of humor to her work.
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