Caffeine Dependency
Kent, Ohio | Film Short
Romantic Comedy, Drama
Milo and Grace are bonded through their love of morning coffee and each other. Milo, relies entirely on Grace for his caffeine needs. Grace wants to have the energy to do things for herself. As this dynamic grows, the structure and integrity of their relationship, and their coffee mugs, is tested.
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This campaign raised $835 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Milo and Grace are bonded through their love of morning coffee and each other. Milo, relies entirely on Grace for his caffeine needs. Grace wants to have the energy to do things for herself. As this dynamic grows, the structure and integrity of their relationship, and their coffee mugs, is tested.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Caffeine Dependency explores the impact of a co-dependent relationship on a young couple and the toll it takes on their individual identities. We have chosen to examine this dynamic through allegory. The characters' making and serving of their morning coffee to each other is a physical representation of how they love each other and themselves.
After many mornings discussing what their next project should be about over coffee, Stella and Jessie felt like they were stuck. None of their ideas seemed to resonate with them in the way they were hoping. As they got to know each other, they began to bond over their similar experiences in previous relationships and the struggles they faced centering around independence and being reliant on a partner. Many sips later, the idea for Caffeine Dependency was born.
"I have a very personal connection with this story as I have been in a very similar relationship dynamic. I have been able to use writing this story as a way to process the ways my dependency at the time was impacting my partner when we were together. I feel this type of relationship is very common, but not often seen represented in media. I need to share this story and explore the effects of having a co-dependent relationship. I hope to inspire healthy growth to couples who may be experiencing similar situations.” - Jessie Sines.
"Co-dependency is something that I have experienced in a romantic relationship, without really understanding that was what it was. It was an incredibly difficult journey to navigate, but I grew so much from it. During that time, I wish I had seen a story that accurately represented co-dependency, as I may have been able to find comfort or understanding sooner. I'm so lucky to be able to now tell this story, along with Jessie's help, especially because we have both had similar experiences. I think this lends itself well to our project's creation." - Stella Marino.
Jessie Sines and Stella Marino are a creative pair, both currently studying Digital Media Production at Kent State University.
They may be students, but are storytellers at heart.
photo: @shotbyannaxella
Jessie Sines has worked as a videographer for numerous different sports over the past three years. He has taken what technical skills he has honed, as well as his love for narrative film, to create Caffeine Dependency, his second short film. Stella Marino is the current director of The Female Filmmakers' Initiative at Kent State and regularly produces student short films. When not writing scripts or leading the organization, she can be found working on sets locally. Both have aspirations to tell impactful stories through their craft and hope to continue to make films they are passionate about after graduation. More information about Stella and Jessie can be found on their respective websites.
Milk, sugar, and a dash of cash...
Since the end of November 2024, the pair have been hard at work brewing Caffeine Dependency. When not in class, they can be found writing (and re-writing) their script, having endless discussions about how their characters should interact, researching the perfect visual style to aid their film, and working out all the typical pre-production elements like the budget, pitch deck, script breakdown, etc.
With the end of pre-production fast approaching, the filmmakers are now looking for funding to support the production and post-production processes. If you choose to help us along, you will be assisting with:
- Providing lunches and snacks to our working cast and crew
- Helping us secure our locations for filming
- Aiding the production design team in sourcing decorations for our set
- Covering our ability to apply to film festivals
- The cost of props and costumes
- Reimbursing cast and crew for the cost of travel to set
If we can surpass our original goal of $1000, our stretch goals include paying our actors and crew to ensure they can get compensated for their work, as well as helping us afford to submit to more film festivals.
To find out more about our project, you can take a look at our website or Instagram, as well as our pitch deck.
We cannot wait to bring this story to life, and we hope you will consider helping us along in that process. We look forward to sharing this film with you. Thank you for reading!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $300
We may rent a location to help create the best possible environment and feeling for our story.
Props
Costs $50
Most props will be thrifted or bought second hand.
Lunches/Craft Services
Costs $300
Keeping our cast and crew well fed and happy during filming is the most important use of our budget.
Set Design
Costs $50
Finding unique ways to make the set feel more personal and lived in. Most will come from the dollar store or thrift store.
Transportation
Costs $100
We hope to reimburse our cast and crew for the gas required to drive to set. We also plan on organizing carpools to help with this cost.
Film Festivals
Costs $200
Distribution for our finished short film is a big goal for us. Covering the costs of submissions is a necessary part of that.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
This creative team has been involved in a variety of college and professional productions. Jessie Sines has made his way as a sports videographer and editor and is thrilled to be directing his second short film. Stella spends her time as the leader of the Female Filmmakers’ Initiative at Kent State, and works on sets locally. This is their first project together, and they look forward to collaborating again in the future.
You can find more of their work on their portfolio websites linked below:
https://jsines6.myportfolio.com/
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Caffeine Dependency explores the impact of a co-dependent relationship on a young couple and the toll it takes on their individual identities. We have chosen to examine this dynamic through allegory. The characters' making and serving of their morning coffee to each other is a physical representation of how they love each other and themselves.
After many mornings discussing what their next project should be about over coffee, Stella and Jessie felt like they were stuck. None of their ideas seemed to resonate with them in the way they were hoping. As they got to know each other, they began to bond over their similar experiences in previous relationships and the struggles they faced centering around independence and being reliant on a partner. Many sips later, the idea for Caffeine Dependency was born.
"I have a very personal connection with this story as I have been in a very similar relationship dynamic. I have been able to use writing this story as a way to process the ways my dependency at the time was impacting my partner when we were together. I feel this type of relationship is very common, but not often seen represented in media. I need to share this story and explore the effects of having a co-dependent relationship. I hope to inspire healthy growth to couples who may be experiencing similar situations.” - Jessie Sines.
"Co-dependency is something that I have experienced in a romantic relationship, without really understanding that was what it was. It was an incredibly difficult journey to navigate, but I grew so much from it. During that time, I wish I had seen a story that accurately represented co-dependency, as I may have been able to find comfort or understanding sooner. I'm so lucky to be able to now tell this story, along with Jessie's help, especially because we have both had similar experiences. I think this lends itself well to our project's creation." - Stella Marino.
Jessie Sines and Stella Marino are a creative pair, both currently studying Digital Media Production at Kent State University.
They may be students, but are storytellers at heart.
photo: @shotbyannaxella
Jessie Sines has worked as a videographer for numerous different sports over the past three years. He has taken what technical skills he has honed, as well as his love for narrative film, to create Caffeine Dependency, his second short film. Stella Marino is the current director of The Female Filmmakers' Initiative at Kent State and regularly produces student short films. When not writing scripts or leading the organization, she can be found working on sets locally. Both have aspirations to tell impactful stories through their craft and hope to continue to make films they are passionate about after graduation. More information about Stella and Jessie can be found on their respective websites.
Milk, sugar, and a dash of cash...
Since the end of November 2024, the pair have been hard at work brewing Caffeine Dependency. When not in class, they can be found writing (and re-writing) their script, having endless discussions about how their characters should interact, researching the perfect visual style to aid their film, and working out all the typical pre-production elements like the budget, pitch deck, script breakdown, etc.
With the end of pre-production fast approaching, the filmmakers are now looking for funding to support the production and post-production processes. If you choose to help us along, you will be assisting with:
- Providing lunches and snacks to our working cast and crew
- Helping us secure our locations for filming
- Aiding the production design team in sourcing decorations for our set
- Covering our ability to apply to film festivals
- The cost of props and costumes
- Reimbursing cast and crew for the cost of travel to set
If we can surpass our original goal of $1000, our stretch goals include paying our actors and crew to ensure they can get compensated for their work, as well as helping us afford to submit to more film festivals.
To find out more about our project, you can take a look at our website or Instagram, as well as our pitch deck.
We cannot wait to bring this story to life, and we hope you will consider helping us along in that process. We look forward to sharing this film with you. Thank you for reading!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $300
We may rent a location to help create the best possible environment and feeling for our story.
Props
Costs $50
Most props will be thrifted or bought second hand.
Lunches/Craft Services
Costs $300
Keeping our cast and crew well fed and happy during filming is the most important use of our budget.
Set Design
Costs $50
Finding unique ways to make the set feel more personal and lived in. Most will come from the dollar store or thrift store.
Transportation
Costs $100
We hope to reimburse our cast and crew for the gas required to drive to set. We also plan on organizing carpools to help with this cost.
Film Festivals
Costs $200
Distribution for our finished short film is a big goal for us. Covering the costs of submissions is a necessary part of that.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
This creative team has been involved in a variety of college and professional productions. Jessie Sines has made his way as a sports videographer and editor and is thrilled to be directing his second short film. Stella spends her time as the leader of the Female Filmmakers’ Initiative at Kent State, and works on sets locally. This is their first project together, and they look forward to collaborating again in the future.
You can find more of their work on their portfolio websites linked below:
https://jsines6.myportfolio.com/