Caller Unavailable
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Thriller
Based on true events, Caller Unavailable is a story about betrayal, loss, and most importantly, a scam. A young woman embarks on her dream job with the perfect boyfriend by her side, ending up thousands of dollars in debt and completely alone. How did this possibly happen?
Caller Unavailable
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Thriller
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,520 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
39 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Based on true events, Caller Unavailable is a story about betrayal, loss, and most importantly, a scam. A young woman embarks on her dream job with the perfect boyfriend by her side, ending up thousands of dollars in debt and completely alone. How did this possibly happen?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Okay, your new job is sending you money to finance the feature film you’re working on. You have been doing payments for them to technicians and vendors all month long, but their checks just bounced and you're now $30,000 in debt. What do you do?
Based on true events, “Caller Unavailable,” follows Emmy, a young woman who is embarking on her dream life post graduation. Everything is falling into place, from her long distance boyfriend finally moving into her families’ swanky New York City apartment, to starting her new job as a Producer’s Assistant on a feature film. However, a month later, 30,000 dollars in debt and completely alone, she realizes how wrong she was.
On the surface, this film uncovers the dangers of online work, especially in the Film Industry. On a deeper level this film explores loss, betrayal and the process of reckoning with the tough realities in front of you. Big names and contracts do not always guarantee big successes, just as a long relationship does not always turn out happily ever after.
A few months post-graduation I heard the story that would become the basis of this film. I had just witnessed all of my friends graduate online, and was watching them grapple for some sense of stability, hoping that if they kept faking it, they’d make it. I knew that any of my friends could have easily wound up in the middle of this type of situation and it would have changed the direction of their lives forever. With online work on the rise due to the pandemic, this predicament is a real and growing threat to filmmakers and artists at early stages in their career. That is why I brought together a team of long time friends and collaborators to tell this story with me.
This film explores what people do during the onset of trouble. How people maneuver, rationalize, and cope. We see Emmy transform from the “lucky one,” to the “unlucky one,” and in turn, watch her confront her own misguided habits that led her to that point. By the end, while she is in many ways distraught and broken, she now has the tools to build herself up, better than before.
EMMY
(Female, 20s) Hard working, sweet, and caring, Emmy believes that with life, you get what you put in and nothing more. She is ecstatic to have her long distance boyfriend, Ben, finally move in with her in New York City. However, what she’s really excited about is starting her new job as a Producer’s Assistant on a feature film. She believes this will be a stepping stone to all of her future success and can't wait to see her and Ben go far in their aspirations. When things start to go wrong, Emmy does not panic, but tries to find the logical solution.
Played by Nora Josephine
BEN
(Male, 20s) Funny, charismatic, and ambitious, Ben is Emmy’s long distance boyfriend that is finally moving in with her. With a clearer sense of work-life balance then Emmy, he loves popping over to a pub after a day at the office or going out to a snazzy restaurant every weekend. He loves how openly Emmy invites him into her life and how easy their relationship has been thus far. More than anything, he is excited for what his new life with Emmy in New York City will offer him.
Played by Kenneth Andrew
Sleek, hip and elegant. This apartment, owned by Emmy’s Uncle, is Emmy and Ben's home for only a few months, but it has everything they could ask for. Emmy has added her personal touches to the space, but there are no overwhelming elements of luxury or style. It’s simple, but for anyone who lives in New York City, it’s a great apartment.
Naked walls and unsettling lighting set the scene for the police station. Focused completely on Emmy, these shots will put her under the microscope as she uncovers what came to pass.
We are looking to raise about $8,000 for Production, Post-Production, and Festival Fees.
Here is how we are estimating our allocation of funds:
Crew- $5,500
Equipment Rentals- $1,000
Food- $500
Transportation- $200
Locations, Props, Costumes- $300
Post Production- $250
Festival Fees- $250
We are currently in our Pre-Production phase with filming beginning in late March. Our Post Production team will then work through Summer and after the film is completed, we will begin submitting CALLER UNAVAILABLE to Film Festivals!
COVID-19 protocols:
Our entire cast and crew are completely vaccinated and we will have masks and rapid tests available upon request.
Please Follow and Share!
Sharing our project and spreading the word about our film is as helpful as donating! We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing this film with you!
Instagram- @callerunavailablefilm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Time is Money
Costs $5,500
Help us cover the cost of our talented crew!
Equipment Rentals
Costs $1,000
This pledge helps us pay for the lights, camera, and sound equipment to bring this film to life.
Snack Time!
Costs $500
Shooting days are long, so we got to make sure everyone is well-fed!
Transportation
Costs $200
Help us transport all of our equipment and crew to the different locations we are shooting at!
Locations, Props and Costumes
Costs $300
This will pay for our locations and art department so our sets look realistic as possible!
Post Production
Costs $250
This pledge helps us cover the cost of editing our film together into the finished project!
Film Festivals
Costs $250
Help us get our film onto some big screens! This will cover our Festival Submission Fees.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Bella Maxwell (Director/ Writer/ Producer) Bella Maxwell is a bi-coastal actor, writer, producer, and director born and raised in Sonoma County, California. She is a recent alumna of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she studied at the Atlantic Acting School, NYU Berlin, and Stonestreet Studios. After graduation, she became a founder of Saloon 7 Productions, a production company she and other NYU alumni formed. They have created two short films, I Need Space, a sci-fi thriller following two exes reconciling minutes before a world-ending alien invasion, and Served, a comedic mystery that showcases the transformation of a dinner party between old friends ending in murder. Bella has worked with notable NYC Theaters such as En Garde Arts, Theater for the New City, and The Hess Collective. She was a production assistant for the first ever zoom series, The Building; Under Lockdown, where she had the privilege to work with incredible artists such as Laura Esterman, Bobby Lupone, Kathryn Grody, and many more. She has been a part of dozens of productions from Stage Managing the play, Sailor, for Theater for the New City’s Dream Up Festival, to writing three short films, First Day, Murder on the Mind, and Building a Business, all of which Stonestreet Studios selected to produce. This is her first time both writing and directing her own piece and is ecstatic to be working with this team of long-time friends and collaborators.
Nora Josephine (Producer/Actor/Editor) Nora Josephine is a New York City based Editor, Cinematographer, and Producer. She recently graduated from N.Y.U. Tisch in 2021 with a B.F.A in Drama. Although her background is primarily in acting, Nora has spent lots of her time post grad learning the ins and outs of film production. During her time working as an Editor for Stonestreet Studios, Nora edited upwards of 30 short films. Additionally, she gained experience Assistant Directing, Script Supervisor, and Camera Operating. She was very lucky to work closely with many NYC based directors (Malcolm Mills, Alex Berg, Alana Barrett-Adkins to name a few). Recently, Nora has Produced her first short film entitled A Team Lovestruck, written and directed by Amelia Annen. She is also the Director of Photography, Editor, and Sound Mixer for the project. Another recent credit includes Take Care, a short film, directed by Imani Christopher & Jabu Ndlovu, for which Nora was the Editor and Sound Mixer as well. Take Care was named a finalist at the New York film awards & nominated for Best Picture. Nora is beyond excited to be a Producer and Editor on Caller Unavailable, as well as acting as Emmy!
Yuval Benit (Producer) Yuval Benit is an actor, dancer, singer, director, choreographer and producer based in New York City. She graduated with a BFA in drama from NYU Tisch. She recently performed at The Tank in a new play entitled Cowgirl Summer, which she will be performing in again at the New York Theatre Fruit Festival. She received multiple awards for her choreography in South Florida for Fiddler on the Roof, as well as Tuck Everlasting. She performed in Dry Land as Amy at Playwrights Horizons Theatre school, and is represented by Bonafide & Emerging Artists.
Michael Kirshner (Co-Director of Photographry) Michael Kirshner is a director, cinematographer, photographer, editor, and writer born and raised in Los Angeles but now based in Brooklyn. He graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and began working on independent films and new media productions in a variety of different positions on-set. Shorts that he was the cinematographer for have screened at MoMa, as well as at festivals such as Inside Out, NewFest, Out on Film, and OutFest. In his spare time, he enjoys writing horror and having full conversations with his cat, Joni.
Mike Munari (Co-Director of Photography) Born and raised in the Hudson Valley Mike Munari is a cinematographer, writer, director and actor. He has worked with artists such as Busta Rhymes, DJ Premiere, Nik Walker and more.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Okay, your new job is sending you money to finance the feature film you’re working on. You have been doing payments for them to technicians and vendors all month long, but their checks just bounced and you're now $30,000 in debt. What do you do?
Based on true events, “Caller Unavailable,” follows Emmy, a young woman who is embarking on her dream life post graduation. Everything is falling into place, from her long distance boyfriend finally moving into her families’ swanky New York City apartment, to starting her new job as a Producer’s Assistant on a feature film. However, a month later, 30,000 dollars in debt and completely alone, she realizes how wrong she was.
On the surface, this film uncovers the dangers of online work, especially in the Film Industry. On a deeper level this film explores loss, betrayal and the process of reckoning with the tough realities in front of you. Big names and contracts do not always guarantee big successes, just as a long relationship does not always turn out happily ever after.
A few months post-graduation I heard the story that would become the basis of this film. I had just witnessed all of my friends graduate online, and was watching them grapple for some sense of stability, hoping that if they kept faking it, they’d make it. I knew that any of my friends could have easily wound up in the middle of this type of situation and it would have changed the direction of their lives forever. With online work on the rise due to the pandemic, this predicament is a real and growing threat to filmmakers and artists at early stages in their career. That is why I brought together a team of long time friends and collaborators to tell this story with me.
This film explores what people do during the onset of trouble. How people maneuver, rationalize, and cope. We see Emmy transform from the “lucky one,” to the “unlucky one,” and in turn, watch her confront her own misguided habits that led her to that point. By the end, while she is in many ways distraught and broken, she now has the tools to build herself up, better than before.
EMMY
(Female, 20s) Hard working, sweet, and caring, Emmy believes that with life, you get what you put in and nothing more. She is ecstatic to have her long distance boyfriend, Ben, finally move in with her in New York City. However, what she’s really excited about is starting her new job as a Producer’s Assistant on a feature film. She believes this will be a stepping stone to all of her future success and can't wait to see her and Ben go far in their aspirations. When things start to go wrong, Emmy does not panic, but tries to find the logical solution.
Played by Nora Josephine
BEN
(Male, 20s) Funny, charismatic, and ambitious, Ben is Emmy’s long distance boyfriend that is finally moving in with her. With a clearer sense of work-life balance then Emmy, he loves popping over to a pub after a day at the office or going out to a snazzy restaurant every weekend. He loves how openly Emmy invites him into her life and how easy their relationship has been thus far. More than anything, he is excited for what his new life with Emmy in New York City will offer him.
Played by Kenneth Andrew
Sleek, hip and elegant. This apartment, owned by Emmy’s Uncle, is Emmy and Ben's home for only a few months, but it has everything they could ask for. Emmy has added her personal touches to the space, but there are no overwhelming elements of luxury or style. It’s simple, but for anyone who lives in New York City, it’s a great apartment.
Naked walls and unsettling lighting set the scene for the police station. Focused completely on Emmy, these shots will put her under the microscope as she uncovers what came to pass.
We are looking to raise about $8,000 for Production, Post-Production, and Festival Fees.
Here is how we are estimating our allocation of funds:
Crew- $5,500
Equipment Rentals- $1,000
Food- $500
Transportation- $200
Locations, Props, Costumes- $300
Post Production- $250
Festival Fees- $250
We are currently in our Pre-Production phase with filming beginning in late March. Our Post Production team will then work through Summer and after the film is completed, we will begin submitting CALLER UNAVAILABLE to Film Festivals!
COVID-19 protocols:
Our entire cast and crew are completely vaccinated and we will have masks and rapid tests available upon request.
Please Follow and Share!
Sharing our project and spreading the word about our film is as helpful as donating! We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing this film with you!
Instagram- @callerunavailablefilm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Time is Money
Costs $5,500
Help us cover the cost of our talented crew!
Equipment Rentals
Costs $1,000
This pledge helps us pay for the lights, camera, and sound equipment to bring this film to life.
Snack Time!
Costs $500
Shooting days are long, so we got to make sure everyone is well-fed!
Transportation
Costs $200
Help us transport all of our equipment and crew to the different locations we are shooting at!
Locations, Props and Costumes
Costs $300
This will pay for our locations and art department so our sets look realistic as possible!
Post Production
Costs $250
This pledge helps us cover the cost of editing our film together into the finished project!
Film Festivals
Costs $250
Help us get our film onto some big screens! This will cover our Festival Submission Fees.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Bella Maxwell (Director/ Writer/ Producer) Bella Maxwell is a bi-coastal actor, writer, producer, and director born and raised in Sonoma County, California. She is a recent alumna of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she studied at the Atlantic Acting School, NYU Berlin, and Stonestreet Studios. After graduation, she became a founder of Saloon 7 Productions, a production company she and other NYU alumni formed. They have created two short films, I Need Space, a sci-fi thriller following two exes reconciling minutes before a world-ending alien invasion, and Served, a comedic mystery that showcases the transformation of a dinner party between old friends ending in murder. Bella has worked with notable NYC Theaters such as En Garde Arts, Theater for the New City, and The Hess Collective. She was a production assistant for the first ever zoom series, The Building; Under Lockdown, where she had the privilege to work with incredible artists such as Laura Esterman, Bobby Lupone, Kathryn Grody, and many more. She has been a part of dozens of productions from Stage Managing the play, Sailor, for Theater for the New City’s Dream Up Festival, to writing three short films, First Day, Murder on the Mind, and Building a Business, all of which Stonestreet Studios selected to produce. This is her first time both writing and directing her own piece and is ecstatic to be working with this team of long-time friends and collaborators.
Nora Josephine (Producer/Actor/Editor) Nora Josephine is a New York City based Editor, Cinematographer, and Producer. She recently graduated from N.Y.U. Tisch in 2021 with a B.F.A in Drama. Although her background is primarily in acting, Nora has spent lots of her time post grad learning the ins and outs of film production. During her time working as an Editor for Stonestreet Studios, Nora edited upwards of 30 short films. Additionally, she gained experience Assistant Directing, Script Supervisor, and Camera Operating. She was very lucky to work closely with many NYC based directors (Malcolm Mills, Alex Berg, Alana Barrett-Adkins to name a few). Recently, Nora has Produced her first short film entitled A Team Lovestruck, written and directed by Amelia Annen. She is also the Director of Photography, Editor, and Sound Mixer for the project. Another recent credit includes Take Care, a short film, directed by Imani Christopher & Jabu Ndlovu, for which Nora was the Editor and Sound Mixer as well. Take Care was named a finalist at the New York film awards & nominated for Best Picture. Nora is beyond excited to be a Producer and Editor on Caller Unavailable, as well as acting as Emmy!
Yuval Benit (Producer) Yuval Benit is an actor, dancer, singer, director, choreographer and producer based in New York City. She graduated with a BFA in drama from NYU Tisch. She recently performed at The Tank in a new play entitled Cowgirl Summer, which she will be performing in again at the New York Theatre Fruit Festival. She received multiple awards for her choreography in South Florida for Fiddler on the Roof, as well as Tuck Everlasting. She performed in Dry Land as Amy at Playwrights Horizons Theatre school, and is represented by Bonafide & Emerging Artists.
Michael Kirshner (Co-Director of Photographry) Michael Kirshner is a director, cinematographer, photographer, editor, and writer born and raised in Los Angeles but now based in Brooklyn. He graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and began working on independent films and new media productions in a variety of different positions on-set. Shorts that he was the cinematographer for have screened at MoMa, as well as at festivals such as Inside Out, NewFest, Out on Film, and OutFest. In his spare time, he enjoys writing horror and having full conversations with his cat, Joni.
Mike Munari (Co-Director of Photography) Born and raised in the Hudson Valley Mike Munari is a cinematographer, writer, director and actor. He has worked with artists such as Busta Rhymes, DJ Premiere, Nik Walker and more.