Cahill's Lanes
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
Magnetic, party-girl Jane bonds with the owner of a rural bowling alley, but the tie that binds these strangers is more than meets the eye. Cahill’s Lanes is about how facing an impossible question leads to healing, but not always in the way you expect.
Cahill's Lanes
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,435 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
75 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Magnetic, party-girl Jane bonds with the owner of a rural bowling alley, but the tie that binds these strangers is more than meets the eye. Cahill’s Lanes is about how facing an impossible question leads to healing, but not always in the way you expect.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Determined to find her absent father, NYC party-girl, Jane travels to Cahill's Lanes, a nostalgic bowling alley in upstate NY where she forms an unlikely camaraderie with the blue-collar owner and his son. They delight in an afternoon of drinking and bowling until her need for answers drives them into unsettling terrain.
Stills from "The Tender Bar," dir. George Clooney and "Almost Famous," dir. Cameron Crowe
Visual Inspiration and Tone:
The visual style will have a vintage feel which will convey a sense of reaching into the dreamy past where the answers we long for are not always clear. We'll use warm, muted tones with pops of color. Visual and tonal influences pictured: All of Us Strangers, The Squid and the Whale and The Tender Bar.
Stills from All of Us Strangers dir. Andrew Haigh and The Squid and the Whale dir. Noah Baumbach
Why Am I Telling This Story?
My parents divorced before I was born. No visitation. No explanation. No Dad. He was a missing piece.
I secretly became obsessed with his absence, the whys, the "why not me?"
It made me interested in how we generate healing when a parent is unwilling to show up.
Psychologist Susan Schwartz writes about the phenomenon of the Absent Father Effect:
"Behind hate for the father's absence is the desire for love, which can become a fascination that can rivet the daughter to the father. Curiously, this lure becomes stronger when a father has not offered himself for identification and does not welcome the daughter into his life. Nevertheless, and even more so because he is absent, he remains significant in her mind."
Cahill’s Lanes is about healing yourself when family falls short.
The more we share our difficult stories, the more we know we are not alone, and the better we can heal.
Fundraising Goals:
Our production goal is currently $10,000. We need to reach 80% to get funded. These funds will pay for crew, food, equipment, insurance, travel, and location.
This will help us get started, but we'd love to be able to pay our crew more and upgrade our equipment, so if we meet our goal, we have stretch goals!
$12,000 will pay for more crew and equipment to make our film look and sound great!
$15,000- $17,000 will get us to post-production and festival applications.
When the film is complete, we will apply to festivals!
On set "BnB Host from Hell (photo Emily Lin), "Worst Morning After," and "Dropped" Premier at Dances with Films
Ways you can help:
Donate to our campaign! Any amount is welcomed and appreciated.
Like our Seed and Spark Page and share with others. Once we get to 250 followers on Seed and Spark, we'll be eligible for some perks!
Follow us on social media:
Many thanks from the Cahill's Lanes production team. We can't wait to share our story with you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera and lighting equipment
Costs $2,000
To make sure the look of our film is high quality
Crew
Costs $4,000
We need to pay our crew for their hard work!
Location
Costs $2,000
We will be shooting overnight on location at a bowling alley.
Craft Service
Costs $1,500
Have to feed our cast and crew for 3 nights!
Props and Set Design
Costs $500
To enhance the vintage-y feel of the space.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Marco Jo is a screenwriter and theatre artist who trained as an actor at NYU/Tisch. She developed the play, "Cahill's Lanes" at Ensemble Studio Theatre, where she also produced the Annual Marathon of One-Act Plays. Her work has been staged at NYC International Fringe Festival, One-Minute Play Festival, and many NYC venues. As a script supervisor, she participated in Moonshot Initiative's Weekend Film Challenge, making a short film in one weekend with an all-female/non-binary cast and crew. Since then, she has script-supervised "DROPPED," "Worst Morning After," and "BnB Host from Hell."
Elizabeth is a writer/producer/actor, a finalist in the Academy of Motion Pictures’ prestigious Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, and Senior Curator and Judge for The Marilyn Horowitz / PANO Screenwriting Award. Elizabeth worked as a writer for DoubleAstrix productions, during the creation of their animated comedy series. She is a founding member of the newly formed 17D Productions and associate produced its newest feature film, “Caper” which will be released in 2025. Her most passionate goal is getting female-centered content out to diverse audiences and she is truly excited to work on “Cahill’s Lanes.”
Alex is a writer, producer, and project manager who works and lives in LA. She originally hails from Spokane, Washington but got her education in Salt Lake, graduating with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Print Journalism and a minor in psychology. Alex is a big, loud Leo who believes in championing women on and off screen. She is working on a project about women and football and a western short film she plans to shoot next year. Alex is excited to support "Cahill's Lanes" and Marco Jo’s vision.
Though she is a natural blonde, Alex’s hair is currently lavender, but she’s not obnoxious about it.
Sage Spielman (Producer) is a New York City-born and raised SAG-AFTRA actress and producer. She recently starred in two feature films and a television series alongside A-list actors. Films she's been in have made it to and won awards in festivals worldwide, including SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Cannes, and Tribeca. When she's not on set, producing, auditioning, or training, Sage spends her time hosting her podcast, 'Dear Actor Podcast'. In addition to this fantastic film, Sage is also producing an award-winning television show. Sage is thrilled to make the heartfelt and wonderful story that ‘Cahill's Lanes’ is a reality!
Maisa Chiang (Production Design) is a multi-faceted creative. She’s the Writer & Director of many short films including: 'Worst Morning After', 'BnB Host from Hell', 'Acceptance', and the award-winning, 'Song and Grace'. She was selected as a writer in the Moonshot Initiative’s Weekend Film Challenge in which she wrote five short films in two days, one of which was shot by an all-women and non-binary cast and crew in one weekend. In addition, her skills extend to costume, prop, and set design. She designed and created costumes, props, and production for all her short films, including sewing up a special "in-between takes” robe for one of her actors on set.
Alicia Giangrisostomi (Jane) is an NYC-based actor & dancer known for her dynamic work across film, television & theatre. She’s appeared in Hulu’s Everything’s Trash and Apple Plus’s Batsh*t Bride, and lit up the theater in Annette Ferrara at The Actor’s Studio writers group, That’s Showbiz, Baby at the Hudson Guild Theater and Caligula Maximus at La Mama. She stars in the film Backstory awarded Best Short Film at Goldendoor International Film Festival, and Paradise 6-5000 which premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival. Alicia also stars in The Monitor, which was awarded Best Horror Film at GENCON, and Best Thriller at the New Jersey Film Awards, and Penny, a New York Indie Short Film Festival semifinalist. She is also currently starring in three other short indie films aiming to hit the film festival market! Outside of acting, she’s a dancer, who often assists top choreographers at Broadway Dance Center. Big love to her fellow artists, family, and friends for their non-stop support! Follow her on IG/TikTok: @giangrisostomi and check her out at www.Giangrisostomi.com.
Matthew Conlon (Jimmy) was raised and attended public school in Sayville, NY, and attended the conservatory acting program at SUNY Purchase. Upon graduation he moved to NYC where for ten years he was protege to acting teacher and director Herbert Berghof, studying with him and his wife Uta Hagen and performing in dozens of projects at Berghof’s HB Playwrights Theatre in Greenwich Village. In 1992, Matthew helped build and appeared in the Bay Street Theater’s inaugural production, “Men’s Lives”. NYC theater includes the one-man drama Judgement at the Samuel Beckett, The Importance of Being Earnest (Irish Rep), The Traveling Lady (EST), and Freud’s Last Session (HB Playwrights). Matthew has appeared in numerous independent features, two Law and Order(s), and recurred as CIA operative Claude Calmar during the final year of ABC’s One Life to Live.
Richard Spitaletta (Bobby) is an actor/writer based in New York and LA. He recently made his NYC playwriting debut with Board of Ed at the Wild Project as part of the Spring '24 Fresh Fruit Festival, and just wrapped post-production on his comedic short film, Dropped. Film: I Now Denounce You, at You Do Best. Theatre: Something Rotten! (national tour), Me the People (Off-Broadway), The Lightning Thief (national tour), Footloose (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre), Newsies (Stages St. Louis), and A Christmas Carol (Denver Center).
Benjy Berkowitz (DP) has been working as a cinematographer since graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. In that time he has shot short films, music videos, TV pilots, and branded content. He loves finding unique ways to not just capture a story with the camera but enhance it. His work has screened at festivals across the country including SXSW and won the special jury prize for cinematography at New York No Limits Festival in 2022.
Josh Sklaroff (Editor) is a seasoned film and video editor with 25 years of post-production experience. His passion is focused on the craft of storytelling within the edit—whether it be for entertainment, education, or inspiration. Josh spent a decade as a lead in-house editor at Hasbro working on broadcast spots and branded content. While there he cut the pilot for Play-Doh Squished which was used to help greenlight the show on Amazon’s Freevee channel. This experience inspired Josh to get involved with more long-form content, from films to documentaries, including the critically acclaimed documentary Bad River, which was nominated for 3 Critics Choice Awards. Josh recently cut the spec pilot for the series Dropped and he's currently the lead editor on a 3-part historical docuseries, The Last Holocaust Survivors: Never Again is Now.
Dorothy Poucher(she/they)(Assistant Director) is a freelance Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, Stage Manager, Writer, and more. They are interested in telling forgotten and nuanced stories in the documentary and fiction spheres. She believes in the power of independent film and asking important questions.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Determined to find her absent father, NYC party-girl, Jane travels to Cahill's Lanes, a nostalgic bowling alley in upstate NY where she forms an unlikely camaraderie with the blue-collar owner and his son. They delight in an afternoon of drinking and bowling until her need for answers drives them into unsettling terrain.
Stills from "The Tender Bar," dir. George Clooney and "Almost Famous," dir. Cameron Crowe
Visual Inspiration and Tone:
The visual style will have a vintage feel which will convey a sense of reaching into the dreamy past where the answers we long for are not always clear. We'll use warm, muted tones with pops of color. Visual and tonal influences pictured: All of Us Strangers, The Squid and the Whale and The Tender Bar.
Stills from All of Us Strangers dir. Andrew Haigh and The Squid and the Whale dir. Noah Baumbach
Why Am I Telling This Story?
My parents divorced before I was born. No visitation. No explanation. No Dad. He was a missing piece.
I secretly became obsessed with his absence, the whys, the "why not me?"
It made me interested in how we generate healing when a parent is unwilling to show up.
Psychologist Susan Schwartz writes about the phenomenon of the Absent Father Effect:
"Behind hate for the father's absence is the desire for love, which can become a fascination that can rivet the daughter to the father. Curiously, this lure becomes stronger when a father has not offered himself for identification and does not welcome the daughter into his life. Nevertheless, and even more so because he is absent, he remains significant in her mind."
Cahill’s Lanes is about healing yourself when family falls short.
The more we share our difficult stories, the more we know we are not alone, and the better we can heal.
Fundraising Goals:
Our production goal is currently $10,000. We need to reach 80% to get funded. These funds will pay for crew, food, equipment, insurance, travel, and location.
This will help us get started, but we'd love to be able to pay our crew more and upgrade our equipment, so if we meet our goal, we have stretch goals!
$12,000 will pay for more crew and equipment to make our film look and sound great!
$15,000- $17,000 will get us to post-production and festival applications.
When the film is complete, we will apply to festivals!
On set "BnB Host from Hell (photo Emily Lin), "Worst Morning After," and "Dropped" Premier at Dances with Films
Ways you can help:
Donate to our campaign! Any amount is welcomed and appreciated.
Like our Seed and Spark Page and share with others. Once we get to 250 followers on Seed and Spark, we'll be eligible for some perks!
Follow us on social media:
Many thanks from the Cahill's Lanes production team. We can't wait to share our story with you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera and lighting equipment
Costs $2,000
To make sure the look of our film is high quality
Crew
Costs $4,000
We need to pay our crew for their hard work!
Location
Costs $2,000
We will be shooting overnight on location at a bowling alley.
Craft Service
Costs $1,500
Have to feed our cast and crew for 3 nights!
Props and Set Design
Costs $500
To enhance the vintage-y feel of the space.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Marco Jo is a screenwriter and theatre artist who trained as an actor at NYU/Tisch. She developed the play, "Cahill's Lanes" at Ensemble Studio Theatre, where she also produced the Annual Marathon of One-Act Plays. Her work has been staged at NYC International Fringe Festival, One-Minute Play Festival, and many NYC venues. As a script supervisor, she participated in Moonshot Initiative's Weekend Film Challenge, making a short film in one weekend with an all-female/non-binary cast and crew. Since then, she has script-supervised "DROPPED," "Worst Morning After," and "BnB Host from Hell."
Elizabeth is a writer/producer/actor, a finalist in the Academy of Motion Pictures’ prestigious Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, and Senior Curator and Judge for The Marilyn Horowitz / PANO Screenwriting Award. Elizabeth worked as a writer for DoubleAstrix productions, during the creation of their animated comedy series. She is a founding member of the newly formed 17D Productions and associate produced its newest feature film, “Caper” which will be released in 2025. Her most passionate goal is getting female-centered content out to diverse audiences and she is truly excited to work on “Cahill’s Lanes.”
Alex is a writer, producer, and project manager who works and lives in LA. She originally hails from Spokane, Washington but got her education in Salt Lake, graduating with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Print Journalism and a minor in psychology. Alex is a big, loud Leo who believes in championing women on and off screen. She is working on a project about women and football and a western short film she plans to shoot next year. Alex is excited to support "Cahill's Lanes" and Marco Jo’s vision.
Though she is a natural blonde, Alex’s hair is currently lavender, but she’s not obnoxious about it.
Sage Spielman (Producer) is a New York City-born and raised SAG-AFTRA actress and producer. She recently starred in two feature films and a television series alongside A-list actors. Films she's been in have made it to and won awards in festivals worldwide, including SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Cannes, and Tribeca. When she's not on set, producing, auditioning, or training, Sage spends her time hosting her podcast, 'Dear Actor Podcast'. In addition to this fantastic film, Sage is also producing an award-winning television show. Sage is thrilled to make the heartfelt and wonderful story that ‘Cahill's Lanes’ is a reality!
Maisa Chiang (Production Design) is a multi-faceted creative. She’s the Writer & Director of many short films including: 'Worst Morning After', 'BnB Host from Hell', 'Acceptance', and the award-winning, 'Song and Grace'. She was selected as a writer in the Moonshot Initiative’s Weekend Film Challenge in which she wrote five short films in two days, one of which was shot by an all-women and non-binary cast and crew in one weekend. In addition, her skills extend to costume, prop, and set design. She designed and created costumes, props, and production for all her short films, including sewing up a special "in-between takes” robe for one of her actors on set.
Alicia Giangrisostomi (Jane) is an NYC-based actor & dancer known for her dynamic work across film, television & theatre. She’s appeared in Hulu’s Everything’s Trash and Apple Plus’s Batsh*t Bride, and lit up the theater in Annette Ferrara at The Actor’s Studio writers group, That’s Showbiz, Baby at the Hudson Guild Theater and Caligula Maximus at La Mama. She stars in the film Backstory awarded Best Short Film at Goldendoor International Film Festival, and Paradise 6-5000 which premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival. Alicia also stars in The Monitor, which was awarded Best Horror Film at GENCON, and Best Thriller at the New Jersey Film Awards, and Penny, a New York Indie Short Film Festival semifinalist. She is also currently starring in three other short indie films aiming to hit the film festival market! Outside of acting, she’s a dancer, who often assists top choreographers at Broadway Dance Center. Big love to her fellow artists, family, and friends for their non-stop support! Follow her on IG/TikTok: @giangrisostomi and check her out at www.Giangrisostomi.com.
Matthew Conlon (Jimmy) was raised and attended public school in Sayville, NY, and attended the conservatory acting program at SUNY Purchase. Upon graduation he moved to NYC where for ten years he was protege to acting teacher and director Herbert Berghof, studying with him and his wife Uta Hagen and performing in dozens of projects at Berghof’s HB Playwrights Theatre in Greenwich Village. In 1992, Matthew helped build and appeared in the Bay Street Theater’s inaugural production, “Men’s Lives”. NYC theater includes the one-man drama Judgement at the Samuel Beckett, The Importance of Being Earnest (Irish Rep), The Traveling Lady (EST), and Freud’s Last Session (HB Playwrights). Matthew has appeared in numerous independent features, two Law and Order(s), and recurred as CIA operative Claude Calmar during the final year of ABC’s One Life to Live.
Richard Spitaletta (Bobby) is an actor/writer based in New York and LA. He recently made his NYC playwriting debut with Board of Ed at the Wild Project as part of the Spring '24 Fresh Fruit Festival, and just wrapped post-production on his comedic short film, Dropped. Film: I Now Denounce You, at You Do Best. Theatre: Something Rotten! (national tour), Me the People (Off-Broadway), The Lightning Thief (national tour), Footloose (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre), Newsies (Stages St. Louis), and A Christmas Carol (Denver Center).
Benjy Berkowitz (DP) has been working as a cinematographer since graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. In that time he has shot short films, music videos, TV pilots, and branded content. He loves finding unique ways to not just capture a story with the camera but enhance it. His work has screened at festivals across the country including SXSW and won the special jury prize for cinematography at New York No Limits Festival in 2022.
Josh Sklaroff (Editor) is a seasoned film and video editor with 25 years of post-production experience. His passion is focused on the craft of storytelling within the edit—whether it be for entertainment, education, or inspiration. Josh spent a decade as a lead in-house editor at Hasbro working on broadcast spots and branded content. While there he cut the pilot for Play-Doh Squished which was used to help greenlight the show on Amazon’s Freevee channel. This experience inspired Josh to get involved with more long-form content, from films to documentaries, including the critically acclaimed documentary Bad River, which was nominated for 3 Critics Choice Awards. Josh recently cut the spec pilot for the series Dropped and he's currently the lead editor on a 3-part historical docuseries, The Last Holocaust Survivors: Never Again is Now.
Dorothy Poucher(she/they)(Assistant Director) is a freelance Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, Stage Manager, Writer, and more. They are interested in telling forgotten and nuanced stories in the documentary and fiction spheres. She believes in the power of independent film and asking important questions.